Lines nearly stretched to the end of the block yesterday outside For the Win & Stone Alley Books in downtown Galesburg.
It was free comic book day, and many from young to old took advantage of the collectibles, dressed in costume as their favorite superhero or character.
11-year-old Christian Skinner was first in line. Doors opened just after 10 a.m. and Skinner told WGIL he made it out early to claim his stake.
“8 a.m., so two hours ago,” Skinner said.
Skinner hoped to get his hands on one comic in particular: the Sonic sampler. Meanwhile, 60-year-old Darrell Schnoover waited patiently a few patrons back.
Schnoover has been a collector since he was a kid growing up in the Centralia area and the hobby stuck.
The now Galesburg resident said he came for some of the classics.
“Superman, Batman, the Archie’s–things like that,” Schnoover said.
This year was the 15th anniversary of the worldwide event. Locally, a lot more than free comics were given away.
Stone Alley partnered with the Galesburg Public Library, Civic Art Center and CASA of Knox County for the day. The “Be A Superhero for Kids 5k Duathalon and 1 Mile Fun Run” kicked things off around 7 a.m. The library hosted its first ever “Comicfest,” which featured local artists, a gaming tournament and costume contest.
Rounding out the day, the CAC hosted a class on how to draw Manga (MONGA,) an Asian style art.
All events were free.
