The following article was written by MPL’s Public Services Librarian, Tony Plekan.
Manitowoc Public Library invites one-and-all to Comic Book Day!—a celebration of everything from the world of Comic Books and Comic Strips. Come participate in fun activities and receive a free comic book!
This year’s festivities include special recognition of the 75th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s beloved Comic Strip, Peanuts! For all you fans of Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy, this event is for you!
Comic Book Day is FREE and for all ages. You can even come dressed as your favorite Comic Book or Peanuts character. You can participate in the following activities from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, May 3, at Manitowoc Public Library:
Free Comic Book Giveaway
Everyone who comes to Comic Book Day can pick out a free comic book (while supplies last). These comics are a combination of circulated, donated, and new materials (contents may not be suitable for all audiences). There’ll be comics from DC, Marvel, and Peanuts! Come early before they are all gone!
Scavenger Hunt
Search the library for clues left by various Comic Book characters. If you can figure out the Secret Message, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win some neat prizes—including more comic books, custom made keychains, and board games! Each floor of the library will have its own scavenger hunt. The Youth Services Department’s hunt will be themed around Peanuts; the Main Floor’s will focus on Superhero Teams (everyone is welcome to do both!).
Costume Contest
Come dressed as your favorite Peanuts or Comic Book Character and take a picture at our Photo-Station to enter the Costume Contest. You can submit as a group or as an individual. Pictures will be posted to our Facebook page for people to vote for their favorite. A commemorative prize will go to the highest vote-getter!
Classic Comic Book Display
For the comic historians out there, come see our display of classic comic books. Comic book collector, Bob Kujawski, has generously loaned MPL some truly amazing pieces of comic book history including pieces from the Gold and Silver Ages! This display is available for public viewing now through Comic Book Day.
On Monday, April 28, at 6pm, Bob Kujawski will be giving a presentation at MPL on the history of comic books and his experiences from over six decades of comic book collecting. Come see more spectacular pieces from his collection and learn the stories behind them. For details, please click here.
Virtual Workshop with Cartoonist, Justin Thompson
From 12-1 PM, Justin Thompson will be giving a virtual cartooning workshop. Justin is a cartoonist and senior artist at the Charles M. Schulz Studio, as well as the author and illustrator of the web comic, MythTickle. Justin will discuss his professional life in both the mainstream and independent cartoon worlds, after which he will conduct a brief cartooning tutorial in drawing emotions onto faces. For all you aspiring artists out there, you won’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity! Please Note: This is an exclusively in-library event. In other words, this program will not be livestreamed on any of our social media. So, if you’re interested in attending, our best advice is to show up early as seating is extremely limited (approximately 30 seats). For more information, please click here.
Bookmark Art Contest
From now through May 1, you can pick up a blank bookmark from the Library and enter our Bookmark Art Contest! Create something inspired by Comic Books, Peanuts, or from your own imagination. Return your design to the library by Thursday, May 1 to enter. At Comic Book Day, there will be public display of all the bookmarks and everyone gets to vote for their favorite. Prizes will go to the Top Vote-Getter in each age group. For details, please click here.
Arts and Crafts
For younger kids, there’ll be Superhero Mask Making and Peanuts coloring sheets in the Youth Services Department.
And for all the information that you could ever want to find regarding Comic Book Day 2025, just click here.
Get your family and friends together for this amazing fan event. Suit up in your favorite costume, show off your artistic talents, and have fun exploring the library. Assemble at Manitowoc Public Library on Saturday, May 3, between 9 AM and 1 PM for Comic Book Day 2025!