…for some reason, when we find ourselves cracking one open in a public setting, we invariably anticipate the sideways glances and snickers of curious on-lookers wondering what a grownup is doing reading a funny book.It’s time to smash that stigma, friends.

In other words, as a great man once put it, “it’s clobberin’ time.”

This August 28th, The Daily Cross Hatch invites you to celebrate the first annual International Read Comics in Public Day. Let’s take to the libraries, the parks, the trains, and the buses, comic books in hand. Let’s show the world that we’re proud supporters of the vibrant art form that is comics—the greatest medium on earth.

We’re asking you, dear readers, to take an hour out of your Saturday to show the world what you think of sequential art.  You can find more information about the event (included a full-sized, printable version of the above poster, designed by Eschew artist, Robert Sergel) over at the official Read Comics in Public site. And while you’re at it, send a photo of you reading comics that day to readcomicsinpublic@gmail.com.

Thanks, and we’ll see you on the 28th!

To help auspiciously commemorate the occasion there will be a series of participant meetups in cities around the world.  Locations as of this post include Omaha, Stockholm, Portland (Maine), and wouldn’tcha know it, our own little sleepy berg New York City in Union Square, one block north of Forbidden Planet NYC.  The meetup will start at 1pm at the foot of the George Washington statue, and FP will be on hand giving out free bags of comics to as many people as we can.  Also, we’re offering a discount (20% OFF all comics and graphic  novels) from 10am-2pm that day to those who mention a secret code at point of sale.  To obtain the code just send an email to readcomicsinpublic@gmail.com.

Hope to see ya there, and enjoy the day no matter where you may be reading your comics!