May has arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated Free Comic Book Day, a celebration where comic shops worldwide distribute free comics on the first Saturday of May. This annual event is a prime opportunity to delve into major upcoming storylines or best-selling series, making it a must-visit for comic enthusiasts despite the potential crowds.
2025 promises an exciting lineup of free comics, ranging from DC's DC All in 2025 Special Edition to Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, alongside the latest Energon Universe special. Here are the standout titles you shouldn't miss:
The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel kicks off with this dual-story special. The first story, crafted by Joe Kelly and John Romita, Jr., acts as an introduction to the relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second tale, from Deniz Camp, Cody Ziglar, and Jonas Scharf, sets the stage for the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover, featuring Miles Morales in the new Ultimate U.
Blood Type #0
Publisher: Oni Press
Oni Press expands its EC Comics imprint with Blood Type, a new vampire series by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino. Blood Type #0 offers a preview through a reprint of the short story from Epitaphs From the Abyss, marking the beginning of the Blood Type saga.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1
Publisher: Titan
Titan Comics continues its tradition of using FCBD to launch its annual Conan crossover events. Conan: Scourge of the Serpent features three interconnected stories that set up a grand confrontation between Conan and the serpent god Set.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins/Black Hammer #1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Dark Horse's special highlights two key franchises. One story follows Beau and Caleb from the Critical Role universe in a humorous dinner theater adventure. The other focuses on Colonel Weird, exploring the past and future of the Black Hammer universe.
DC All In: 2025 Special Edition #1 ----------------------------------
Publisher: DC
DC's flipbook introduces readers to the future of both the core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. It features a preview of the upcoming Superman Unlimited series by Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque, and a new Absolute Universe story by Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
Energon Universe 2025 Special #1
Publisher: Skybound
Skybound's Energon Universe special showcases Transformers and G.I. Joe with three new short stories and a major twist that necessitated censoring the cover, adding an element of intrigue.
Fantastic Four/X-Men #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel pairs the Fantastic Four and X-Men in this FCBD release, featuring a new FF story by Ryan North and Humberto Ramos, and a tale revisiting the formation of the All-New, All-Different X-Men by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, revealing a surprising rejection by a potential mutant team member.
How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3. Most comic book shops participate, but you can use the FCBD Store Locator to find a nearby shop and confirm their involvement. Shops often run promotions and sales alongside FCBD, which is a great way to support them as they bear the cost of shipping these free books.
For digital readers, most FCBD books are eventually available on platforms like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe, though availability might be delayed by a few days or weeks depending on the publisher.
Gargoyles: Demona #1
Publisher: Dynamite
While Disney hasn't revived the Gargoyles animated series, Dynamite is expanding the comic line with Gargoyles: Demona, written by creator Greg Weisman, offering fans a new story arc.
Godzilla: The New Heroes #1
Publisher: IDW
IDW is set to launch a new shared universe of Godzilla comics this summer, and this issue serves as a primer with a ten-page prelude and previews of upcoming series.
Power Rangers/VR Troopers #1 ----------------------------
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios introduces the VR Troopers series, spun off from the Power Rangers Prime reboot, with this issue providing a sneak peek and a nostalgic look at past VR Troopers comics.
Star Wars #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel's third FCBD offering focuses on their revamped Star Wars line, featuring three new stories tied to Charles Soule and Luke Ross' Star Wars: Legacy of Vader, Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov's Star Wars: Jedi Knights, and Alex Segura and Phil Noto's Star Wars.
Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1
Publisher: Dynamite
Dynamite's unique crossover combines Thundercats and The Powerpuff Girls into one story, exploring what happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles visit Third Earth, promising a delightfully bizarre adventure.
Let us know in the comments below which books you're eager to pick up on Free Comic Book Day 2025.
For more reading suggestions, consider exploring the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels to complement your FCBD haul.
