MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Young hockey players swapped pucks for pages of superheroes on November 14 during a Comic Book Trivia Roundtable hosted by Spineworks Comics NYC and Middle Village Players Roller Hockey. The event, held at Spineworks Comics’ Middle Village location, brought together teenagers from the local roller hockey league for an interactive exploration of comic book history, storytelling, and artwork.
“This is not school. There’s no wrong answer. There’s no right answer,” said Paul Pogozelski, addressing the group at the start of the evening. Participants, mostly teens, eagerly examined comics from different eras, comparing vintage Golden Age titles like Super Boy to modern Spider-Man issues and the Energon Universe series.
Organizers Michael Raphael and Pogozelski guided discussions about the evolution of comics, from early stories that included mail-in offers and advertisements to modern editions with slick graphics and storytelling. The teens debated their favorites: some preferred the detailed, action-filled pages of Superman, while others gravitated toward Spider-Man’s clean layouts and exciting fight sequences.
“Why Superman?” one teen explained. “Because the story made sense and had more action on each page.” Another cited Spider-Man’s placement of ads at the end as a reason for their choice. The participants also explored superheroes’ secret identities, villains, and plot twists, referencing moments from Spider-Man, Superman, and Green Arrow.
Raphael and Pogozelski encouraged continued reading, suggesting the group could turn the event into a recurring “comic book club” to further engage with comics and support local businesses. Trivia questions, giveaways, and spirited debates kept the teens engaged throughout the evening, while organizers highlighted how comics can inspire creativity, literacy, and critical thinking.
Sponsored by Reading Through Comics, the roundtable emphasized the power of community, intergenerational storytelling, and a shared passion for comic books, leaving participants excited for future sessions.
