Doctor Who and Batwoman were among the superheroes who took to the streets of Bath to hand out thousands of free comics.
Unsuspecting shoppers came face-to-face with the comic book characters on Saturday as part of a shop's celebrations to mark Free Comic Book Day.
More than 6,000 comics were given away by American Dream Comics on Walcot Street with 60 different titles to choose from.
At least 10 shop staff and volunteers dressed up as their favourite characters and gave out bags of comics from a marquee outside the Visitor Information Centre.
Comics up for grabs included The Simpsons, Transformers, Guardians of the Galaxy and Rocket Raccoon which remain popular with all ages.
Shop worker Holly Rose, who was disguised as Doctor Who, said one of the aims of the day was to encourage more children to read.
She said: "I absolutely love comics and we're trying to get more people to read them.
"Comics are a great way to encourage children to read as they can follow the pictures first then they can start to read the words so they understand the story.
"We've had a great reaction from people, they've been surprised to see us all dressed up so they've all stopped to find out what we're doing."
Shop owner Steve Causer said they were 'geek chic' as a recent rise in TV programmes and films had made it cool to read comics.
He said: "We had about 60 people queueing outside waiting for us to open and we've had a shop full of people since then, it's been really busy.
"We've put a Dr. Who tardis outside the shop and told people they can help themselves to one of each title. They are going home with plenty to read!"
Martha Frayling, 13, who goes to St. Gregory's Catholic College, was in the shop with about 10 free comics in her hands.
She said: "I like Star Wars and The Avengers the most. I've picked up all the comics that caught my eye. I'm going to go home and read them now, it may take a while."
Free Comic Book Day, which always takes place on the first Saturday of May, was started in 2002 by the North American comic book industry. Publishers always produce special edition free editions geared at attracting non-comic readers.
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