Members of the comics community are supporting furloughed federal employees during the government shutdown.

Writer Tom King (Batman, Mister Miracle, Vision), himself a former government employee, will be at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland, this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., where he will be giving away his personal stash of DC comics and graphic novels to anyone who shows government ID (while supplies last). He will also be signing for anyone who comes into the store.

“With the shut down, a lot of people are suffering,” King wrote on Twitter. “I've been there. Worked for the fed for 9 years, at times living pay check to pay check. Wanted to help, so I'm giving away my comics.”

The Comic Bug, which has locations in Manhattan Beach and Culver City, California, is offering “Comic Book Financial Aid” with a 50% discount on new comics, back issues, trades, and collectible card games for laid off and furloughed federal employees. Workers need only show a federal ID or a paystub from 2018 verifying their employment at one of the effected agencies, and they will be added to the store’s database to receive the discount.

"I was inspired to create this offer after talking to one of my customers last week who has been laid off until the shutdown ends,” said Comic Bug co-owner Mike Wellman. “He told me that he's got enough savings to last him for three months and was hoping that the shutdown would end before he burned through all of his savings."

"There is no telling how long this shutdown will last and we've heard stories from several customers who have had to adjust their finances, current spending habits and future travel plans and expenditures," said co-owner Jun Goeku. "Every week hundreds of new comics are released and it's really easy for one to fall behind.  This is our way of showing support and helping our affected customers be able to keep up with their collections."