International Read Comics in Public Day
August 28
About International Read Comics in Public Day
International Read Comics in Public Day falls on 28 August every year and invites comic fans to do exactly what the name suggests: read their favourite comics and graphic novels openly, in cafes, parks, trains, and anywhere else the public gathers. The day was created in 2010 by Brian Heater and Sarah Morean of the comics website The Daily Cross Hatch, and the date was chosen to honour the birthday of legendary artist Jack Kirby. In 2026 it lands on a Friday.
How to Celebrate International Read Comics in Public Day
The whole point of the day is visibility, so the best way to take part is simply to be seen enjoying a comic. Here are plenty of ways to join in:
- Read somewhere public – Take a comic to a park bench, coffee shop, bus, or train and read it without a hint of embarrassment. That is the original spirit of the day.
- Visit a comic shop – Support a local independent retailer by picking up a new title or back issue to read in the wild.
- Post a photo online – Snap a picture of yourself reading and share it with the day’s hashtags to add to the global wave of comic fans doing the same.
- Discover a new genre – Step beyond superheroes into manga, indie autobiography, classic newspaper strips, or graphic memoirs to broaden your reading.
- Introduce a friend – Lend a beloved comic to someone who has never given the medium a chance and read together in public.
- Read a Jack Kirby classic – Mark the date’s connection to The King by picking up a Fantastic Four, Captain America, or New Gods story he created.
- Organise a group read – Gather friends or a local club for a comics picnic, where everyone brings titles to swap and enjoy in the open air.
- Support your library – Borrow graphic novels from your local library, which often has a surprisingly strong collection, and read them on the library steps.
What is International Read Comics in Public Day?
International Read Comics in Public Day is a light-hearted celebration of comics culture and a gentle pushback against the old stigma that comics are somehow childish or embarrassing to be seen reading. It encourages fans of every age to embrace the medium proudly and in plain sight. The day welcomes all forms of sequential art, from mainstream superhero titles to webcomics, manga, and literary graphic novels, and anyone who loves the form is invited to take part.
When is International Read Comics in Public Day?
International Read Comics in Public Day is observed on 28 August every year. In 2026 that falls on a Friday. The date is fixed because it marks the birthday of comic book artist Jack Kirby, born on 28 August 1917, so the celebration never moves from year to year.
The History of International Read Comics in Public Day
The day was founded in 2010 by Brian Heater and Sarah Morean, co-creators of the comics news and review site The Daily Cross Hatch. The idea grew from a familiar joke among comic readers about hiding a comic inside a newspaper or sticking to novels on the train to avoid awkward glances. Like many good jokes, it carried a kernel of truth, and the pair decided to turn that self-consciousness on its head with a day dedicated to reading comics proudly in public.
They deliberately chose 28 August to coincide with the birthday of Jack Kirby, the artist and writer known to fans simply as The King. Kirby co-created an astonishing roster of characters including Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Thor, Black Panther, and the Avengers, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of the medium. Tying the day to his birthday gave it both a celebratory and a commemorative dimension.
The observance gained momentum quickly. Fans around the world began posting photographs of themselves reading in cafes, on public transport, and in parks, and in 2012 Wired magazine covered the day, describing it as a chance for comics enthusiasts to come out into the open and read in solidarity with one another. If you enjoy days that celebrate creativity and design, you might also like Comic Sans Day, another playful nod to the world of comics and typography.
Fun Facts About International Read Comics in Public Day
- The date, 28 August, was chosen because it is the birthday of Jack Kirby, born in 1917 and widely nicknamed The King of Comics.
- Kirby’s birthday is such an icon among fans that the 2025 film The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set on Earth-828, a reference to 28 August.
- The day was created by two comics journalists, Brian Heater and Sarah Morean, rather than by a publisher or industry body.
- It began partly as a response to a joke about comic readers feeling embarrassed to read in public.
- Kirby co-created or co-created characters worth billions to modern cinema, including Captain America, who debuted in 1941 punching Adolf Hitler.
- The celebration is entirely participation-driven, spreading each year through fan photos rather than formal organisation.
Why International Read Comics in Public Day Matters
Beyond the fun, the day celebrates comics as a legitimate and valuable art form. Reading openly helps chip away at lingering snobbery about the medium, supports independent comic shops and creators, and encourages reluctant readers, especially younger ones, to discover stories that combine art and text. It is a reminder that joy in reading is something to share, not hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Read Comics in Public Day?
It is an annual celebration encouraging people to read comics and graphic novels openly in public spaces, challenging the idea that comics are something to be embarrassed about.
When is International Read Comics in Public Day in 2026?
It takes place on Friday, 28 August 2026, as it does every year.
Why is it held on 28 August?
The date was chosen to honour the birthday of Jack Kirby, the hugely influential comic book artist born on 28 August 1917, who co-created characters such as Captain America and the Fantastic Four.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best public reading photos on social media with #ReadComicsInPublicDay and #ReadComicsInPublicDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to crack open a comic in their favourite public spot!
Related Awareness Days
- Comic Sans Day – A playful day celebrating the much-debated font born from a love of comic book lettering.
- Bloomsday – A literary celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses, perfect for anyone who loves reading in public.
- National Children’s Day – A day that champions childhood, including the joy of reading and imaginative stories.
Links
- Read more about International Read Comics in Public Day
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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