May has arrived, and that means it's time for another Free Comic Book Day. Every year, comic shops across the world participate in this exciting event by giving away free books on the first Saturday of May. These books often serve as primers for major upcoming storylines or best-selling series, making it well worth the effort to brave the crowds and snag the most anticipated comics.
2025 is no exception. From DC's DC All in 2025 Special Edition to Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe books to the latest Energon Universe special, here are the books you should keep an eye out for during this year's event.
The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1
Publisher: Marvel
The first of several specials from Marvel, this issue offers two original stories in one. The first, from writer Joe Kelly and artist John Romita, Jr., serves as a primer for the recently relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second story, crafted by writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar with artist Jonas Scharf, is a prologue to the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover event, drawing Miles Morales into the new Ultimate U.
Blood Type #0
Publisher: Oni Press
Oni Press is expanding its EC Comics imprint this summer with several new series, including Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's vampire title, Blood Type. For an early glimpse of this new series, Blood Type #0 is the perfect book. It reprints the short story from the anthology series Epitaphs From the Abyss that kicked off the Blood Type saga.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1
Publisher: Titan
Titan Comics has a tradition of using FCBD to debut its annual Conan crossover events, and this year is no different with Conan: Scourge of the Serpent. This issue includes three interconnected tales that set the stage for a grand conflict between Conan and the serpent god Set.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins/Black Hammer #1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Dark Horse's FCBD special spotlights two of its biggest franchises. This issue includes a tale set in the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb get a little too caught up in an evening of dinner theater fun. There's also a Black Hammer story focused on Colonel Weird, which highlights both the past and future of the Black Hammer universe.
DC All In: 2025 Special Edition #1 ----------------------------------
Publisher: DC
Similar to last year's DC All In Special, DC is releasing a flipbook that reveals the future of both the core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. One side introduces the upcoming Superman Unlimited series from Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque, while the other features a new Absolute Universe story from Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
Energon Universe 2025 Special #1
Publisher: Skybound
Skybound made waves with the surprise reveal that Void Rivals was the launching point for a new shared universe involving Transformers and G.I. Joe. This issue features all three pillars of the Energon universe with three new short stories and a twist so big they had to censor the cover.
Fantastic Four/X-Men #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel pairs the X-Men and Fantastic Four for their second big FCBD release. This issue is a must-have, featuring a new FF tale from Ryan North and Humberto Ramos. On the X-Men side, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing revisit the day Charles Xavier first assembled the All-New, All-Different X-Men, revealing the one mutant who turned him down.
How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day will be held on Saturday, May 3. Most comic book shops should be participating in the event, but you can use the FCBD Store Locator to find a shop near you and confirm their participation.
Most shops run a variety of promotions and sales events alongside FCBD. It's worth noting that FCBD isn't free for store owners, as they still have to pay shipping costs for these books, so consider supporting them by taking advantage of their sales.
For those who prefer digital reading, most FCBD books are eventually added to apps like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe. However, you may need to wait a few days or even weeks for that to happen, depending on the publisher.
Gargoyles: Demona #1
Publisher: Dynamite
While Disney may not be giving Gargoyles fans the animated revival they've been craving, Dynamite is making up for it on the comic book side. The Gargoyles line expands with this new special that sets up the Gargoyles: Demona series, written by creator Greg Weisman.
Godzilla: The New Heroes #1
Publisher: IDW
IDW is launching an entire new shared universe of Godzilla comics this summer. This issue serves as a primer for that universe, featuring a ten-page prelude story and previews of the forthcoming ongoing Godzilla books.
Power Rangers/VR Troopers #1 ----------------------------
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios is debuting a VR Troopers series spinning out of the pages of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue gives fans a sneak preview of the new series along with a look back at some of the VR Troopers comics of yesteryear.
Star Wars #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel's third and final FCBD release focuses on their recently revamped Star Wars line, which includes 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. This issue features three new tales, each tied to one of those three books.
Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1
Publisher: Dynamite
This might just be the pick of the FCBD 2025 crop, purely for its intriguing premise. Dynamite highlights its Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls comics by combining them into one wacky crossover. What happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles travel to Third Earth? We're about to find out.
Let us know in the comments below what books you're excited to pick up on Free Comic Book Day 2025.
Need some ideas for great comics to pick up along with your FCBD stack? Why not check out the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels?
