Tom Batiuk, the creator of the Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft comic strips, will celebrate Free Comic Book Day in Strongsville.

Batiuk will sign copies of his new book, The Complete Funky Winkerbean, Volume I, 1972-1974, at Ground Zero Comics, 13349 Pearl Rd., on Saturday, May 5.

Store owner Markus Benn said Batiuk will start signing books at 10 a.m. and will probably stay till 4 or 5 p.m. 

Benn will have hard-cover copies of the Funky book available for purchase.

In addition, he expects to hand out 1,000 free comic books for the annual Free Comic Book Day.

"It seems to be getting more popular every year," Benn said.

Ground Zero will be open 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5 to 1 a.m. May 6.

Benn, whose shop is in its 16th year, said he participates in Free Comic Book Day to introduce new readers to comic books. 

Selected books will be available for free. Benn said readers will be able to help themselves to three or four titles.

Free Comic Book Day, established in 2002, is the first Saturday in May.