TROY – Mayor Patrick Madden entered a childhood forbidden zone and walked through the front door of Aquilonia Comics Friday where thousands of comic books pack the store.

It’s hard to imagine a time when comic books were viewed as cultural threats, especially now when comic book hero-inspired movies like “Avengers: Infinity War,” which is expected to hit a $1 billion box office record by Saturday, and “Black Panther” are pop culture successes.

“My mother wasn’t that keen on us buying comics,” the 63-year-old Madden said.

So, the mayor did what any kid with a taste for Superman or Batman and a strict parent did: he read them on the sly.

“My friends had them. I was able to get them. I bought a few,” Madden said, recalling those that made it in the house to be buried deep in a drawer.

On Saturday, Aquilonia will celebrate Free Comic Book Day.

The mayor is not among the 250 to 300 men and women who subscribe to get their comic books from Robert Lupe’s Aquilonia Comics at 412 Fulton St. A single comic book generally costs $2.99 with some coming in at $3.99 or $4.99 per issue.

“We cater to everybody,” said Lupe, 58, who didn’t have to hide his comic book passions as a youngster. He’s owned Aquilonia for 22 years of the 35 years it’s been open.

“I think I know what I’m selling. I try to read what I’m selling,” Lupe said.

From noon to 5 p.m. during Saturday's celebration at Aquilonia, Lupe expects to hand out 1,000 free comic books encompassing 50 different titles. The nationwide event aims to open up comic books to new readers. Information is available on line at www.freecomicbookday.com.

With its row of boxes in the center of the store, Aquilonia captures the flavor of the comic book store in “The Big Bang Theory” television show. And, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professors, web designers and data gals and guys frequent the local store.

Aquilonia is a very traditional, bricks and mortar, comic books store.

“We don’t sell anything online. We’re strictly a come through the door store,” Lupe said.

While comic books have long become an adult passion, Lupe said more kids are making their way back to reading the comics. Driving this change is a mix of the popular movies awakening interest and the parents among those 250 to 300 subscribers introducing their children to their comic book passion.

Lupe and mayoral spokesman John Salka, a Batman aficionado, were helping the mayor get adjusted to the latest trend in comic books.

“I love this place,” said Salka, who visits often.

When the mayor was asked the last time he bought a comic book, he responded grinning, “Not in this century.

Madden stepped into the 21st century comic book world and out of the store after making three purchases: The Avengers #1, DC Nation #0 , and a limited edition issue of The Amazing Spider-man featuring the Aquilonia Comics storefront on the cover.