(BALTIMORE, MD)-(July 10,2013)-After the success of last year’s inaugural Halloween ComicFest , Diamond Comic Distributors is pleased to announce the return of the industry-wide collaboration and the line-up of comics for the 2013 event. Halloween ComicFest is the biggest celebration of Halloween-themed comics taking place at participating comic shops in North America and elsewhere on the weekend before Halloween, October 26 th and 27 th . During that time, adults and kids can go into their local comic shop and get free comics and mini-comics published specifically for the event. Many retailers will be planning special HCF activities, costume contests and more for their stores. “This year we have 16 publishers creating Halloween themed comics and mini-comics for the event,” said Diamond’s Director of Marketing, Dan Manser. “There are 11 new full-sized comics and 11 new mini-comics being released with titles such as Batman, Sonic the Hedgehog, Thor, Archie and many more all written with a Halloween twist. Designed to celebrate comic shops as active Halloween destinations and to reach new customers, Halloween ComicFest helps retailers and the entire industry springboard into the year-end holiday selling season. Retailers and comic fans will have the chance to pass out comics instead of candy this year with mini-comics also available to purchase in bundle packs. In the August issue of Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog, retailers will find complete details on how to participate, including the specially published comics and mini-comics and promotional items available to order for the event. Consumers are encouraged to check out www.halloweencomicfest.com over the coming months for more information regarding the event, local retailer activities and costume contest details. Fans can also get the most up-to-date information regarding all the festivities by “liking” www.facebook.com/halloweencomicfests and following twitter.com/halloweencomic. FULL-SIZED COMICS ACTION LAB COMICS SKYWARD: INTO THE GRIM ARCHIE COMICS SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #1 ASPEN MLT SOULFIRE: GENESIS 2013 AVATAR PRESS DISENCHANTED DEBUT DC COMICS BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM #1 DC COMICS BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN #1 IDW PUBLISHING CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SAMPLER MARVEL THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #1 MARVEL ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ADVENTURES #1 VIZ MEDIA JUNJI ITO’S UZUMAKI YEN PRESS MISS PERENGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN #1 MINI-COMICS ACTION LAB COMICS VAMPLETS: THE LEGEND OF THE GHOST PONY ANTARCTIC PRESS ZOMBIE KID DIARIES 3: THE WALKING DAD APE ENTERTAINMENT SESAME STREET #1 ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT PANTALONES, TX ZOMBINATA ARCHIE COMICS ARCHIE’S PALS ‘N’ GALS #1 BOOM! STUDIOS ADVENTURE TIME DARK HORSE COMICS ITTY BITTY HELLBOY #1 IDW PUBLISHING MY LITLE PONY: HALLOWEEN EDITION IMAGE COMICS SUPER DINOSAUR ONI PRESS SKETCH MONSTERS: ATTACK OF THE 100-FOOT BOOGER VIZ MEDIA BEN 10 OMNIVERSE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL