When the USS Enterprise's helmsman Lieutenant Geordi La Forge says read, you say, “Which comic book?” The Reading Rainbow’s Levar Burton has always been an advocate for reading. But did you know his love of the written word started from comic books? Burton discuss the importance of the sequiental art form and why you and your family should go out and celebrate Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 3. There are five local comic book retailers participating in this national holiday, so Click here to find a comic book shop in your neck of the woods.

“But you don't have to take my word for it.”

Free Comic Book Day is coming. Comic book retailers all around the world hand out free funny books. The holiday was initially started in 2002 to get more people reading comics and help local retailers. Heroes and Villains created this very strange video for FCBD.

There will be cosplay contests, coloring for kids, photo booths and free comics. Sly Dogs Food Truck will be in the parking lot.

Go here for more information.

This week Cynthia and Bobby reviewed Marvel Now! Silver Surfer #1. Spidey writer Dan Slott is bringing the intergalactic space hippie is back! He's making amends for being a herald of Galactus and doing it in the fantastic art style by Mike and Laura Allred.

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Batman turned 75 years old this month. We have seen The Cape Crusader transform into various beasts, but there's that underlying element that makes him immortal. In honor of the Dark Knight's 75th anniversary, Bruce Timm and Warner Bros. created this two-minute period piece that was influenced by Bob Kane's original incarnation of the Batman. It's a mix of the character from the 1940s comics and Timm's Batman: The Animated Series that was created after Tim Burton's 1989 classic.

Here's to another 75 years.

The world's largest online retailer has purchased Comixology for an undisclosed amount. Comixology is a cloud-based digital comics app that offers 40,000+ titles on smart devices and the Internet . All the major and independent comic book publishers use ComiXology to digitally distribute their comics and graphic novels. The comic book app officially launched in 2007 and surpassed 200 million downloads in 2013.

Here is the official press word from ComiXology:

SEATTLE—April 10, 2014—(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon.com today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire comiXology, the company that revolutionized the digital comics reading experience with their immersive Guided View technology and makes discovering, buying, and reading comic books and graphic novels easier and more fun than ever before.

“ComiXology’s mission is to spread the love of comics and graphic novels in all forms,” said David Steinberger, co-founder and CEO of comiXology. “There is no better home for comiXology than Amazon to see this vision through. Working together, we look to accelerate a new age for comic books and graphic novels.”

“Amazon and comiXology share a passion for reinventing reading in a digital world,” said David Naggar, Amazon Vice President, Content Acquisition and Independent Publishing. “We’ve long admired the passion comiXology brings to changing the way we buy and read comics and graphic novels. We look forward to investing in the business, growing the team, and together, bringing comics and graphic novels to even more readers.”

Founded in 2007, comiXology offers a broad library of digital comic book content from over 75 of the top publishers as well as top independent creators. Following the acquisition, comiXology’s headquarters will remain in New York.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Subject to various closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

• Photo courtesy of Cynthia Gerriets.
• This week for Talking Comics: "Don't wear metal" edition Cynthia & Jenny review Magneto #1!

Talking Comics' Cynthia and Jenny reviewed the critically acclaimed Marvel Now! Magneto first issue. The book is written by Cullen Bunn (Sixth Gun), art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta (X-Men) and colors by Jordie Bellaire (Deadpool).

Before Steven Michael Quezada played DEA agent Steven Gomez in the multi-Emmy Award-winning Breaking Bad phenomenon, he was a touring comedian, playwright and advocate for education reform.

Quezada is a product of the rapidly growing New Mexico film scene. "I pursued acting when I was 16, but I started in community theatre," Quezada said. The Eastern New Mexico University alumni started writing his own comedy plays and was encouraged to try stand up comedy. It wasn't long before Quezada started touring with latino comedy legends like George Lopez and Paul Rodriguez.

The five-time New Mexico Hispano Entertainers Association comedian of the year has worked with various Albuquerque youth intervention and academic groups like Youth Development Inc. "I have been doing gang intervention programs since the 80s. I'm trying to get educators to look at alternative teaching methods," Quezada said. "I have three kids and they all learn differently."

Quezada helped curate a youth theater program that encouraged at-risk students to learn all aspects of the art form and improve academically.

"They learn how to manage budgets, writing, research, set design, math and business," Quezada said.

• Comedian Brian Posehn will be performing at Hotel Congress on Thursday, May 8.

Hide your metal albums and funny books because alternative comedy pioneer Brian Posehn is coming. I spoke with Posehn at last year's Emerald City Comic Con and he said that he couldn't remember the last time he performed in the Old Pueblo. It makes sense because Posehn has been busy acting in Fox's New Girl, NBC's Community and co-writing the New York Times Best Seller Marvel Now! Deadpool comic.

Ron White is coming back to Tucson and he’s up to his old tricks: drinking, smoking and telling jokes.

Ron “Tater Salad” White may have a rough southern exterior, but it’s a mere shell to conceal his big heart. You might have caught White’s fourth annual “Comedy Salute to the Troops” benefit that debuted on Sunday. Don’t worry because you will have multiple chances to catch the 90-minute special during CMT’s CAN’T STOP LAUGHING WEEK. White invited his funny friends Gabriel Iglesias, Kathleen Madigan, Josh Blue, Roy Wood, Jr. and Geechy Guy on the bill to help raise money for the Armed Forces Foundation and create awareness for PTSD.

The special was originated when White was asked to visit some wounded warriors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. “This is just another reminder that the country is still at war, and the soldiers that were blown up last year are still blown up,” White said.

The Texas native is a full time comedian.

White was forced to turn down a role in the Horrible Bosses sequel because he was going on nationwide comedy tour. White performs in 125 cities a year, and still finds time to work out new material at open mics in what ever city he’s in. “It’s all about writing new material. I think I'm a better comedian now than 5 years ago,” the 27-year comedy veteran said.