May is here, and that signals the return of the annual Free Comic Book Day event. Comic book retailers worldwide participate by offering complimentary books on the first Saturday of May. Many of these free issues act as introductions to major upcoming story arcs or bestselling series, so it's often worth visiting your local shop and navigating the crowds to collect the most significant comics.
The year 2025 is no different. From DC's DC All In 2025 Special Edition to Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe books, and the latest Energon Universe special, these are the top issues to look for during this year's festivities.
The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1
Publisher: Marvel
As the first of several specials from Marvel, this issue presents two original stories in one. The initial story, by writer Joe Kelly and artist John Romita, Jr., serves as an introduction to the recently relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second tale, from writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar with artist Jonas Scharf, is a prologue to the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover, drawing Miles Morales into the new Ultimate U.
Blood Type #0
Publisher: Oni Press
This summer, Oni Press is expanding its EC Comics imprint with several new series, including the vampire title Blood Type by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino. For an early look at this new series, Blood Type #0 is the perfect choice. This issue reprints the short story from the Epitaphs From the Abyss anthology that started the Blood Type saga.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1
Publisher: Titan
Titan Comics has established a pattern of using FCBD to launch its annual Conan crossover events. That tradition continues with Conan: Scourge of the Serpent. This special includes three interconnected stories that lay the groundwork for an epic confrontation between Conan and the serpent god Set.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins/Black Hammer #1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Dark Horse's FCBD special highlights two of its major franchises. This issue includes a story from the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb become a bit too involved in a night of dinner theater. It also features a Black Hammer story centered on Colonel Weird, exploring 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 showcases 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. The other features a new Absolute Universe story by Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
Energon Universe 2025 Special #1
Publisher: Skybound
Skybound created significant buzz with the surprise reveal that Void Rivals was the starting point for a new shared universe incorporating Transformers and G.I. Joe. All three pillars of the Energon Universe are featured in this issue, which includes three new short stories and a twist so major the cover had to be censored.
Fantastic Four/X-Men #1
Publisher: Marvel
For its second major FCBD release, Marvel is pairing the X-Men and Fantastic Four. This issue should be on everyone's list, if only for the new FF story from Ryan North and Humberto Ramos. On the X-Men front, Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing revisit the pivotal day Charles Xavier assembled the All-New, All-Different X-Men, revealing the one mutant who rejected his invitation.
How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day takes place on Saturday, May 3. While most comic book shops participate, you can use the FCBD Store Locator to find a nearby location and confirm they are distributing free comics.
Many shops also run various promotions and sales alongside FCBD. It's worth noting that FCBD isn't free for store owners, as they still incur shipping costs for these books, so supporting their sales is always appreciated.
For digital readers, most FCBD titles eventually become available on platforms like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe. However, availability may vary by publisher, and it could take a few days or weeks for them to appear.
Gargoyles: Demona #1
Publisher: Dynamite
While Disney may not be delivering the animated revival Gargoyles fans have hoped for, Dynamite is more than filling the gap in comic form. The Gargoyles line expands with this new special, setting the stage for the Gargoyles: Demona series. Best of all, it's penned by the original creator, Greg Weisman.
Godzilla: The New Heroes #1
Publisher: IDW
In case you missed it, IDW is launching an entirely new shared universe of Godzilla comics this summer. This issue acts as a primer for that universe, featuring a ten-page prelude story along with previews of the upcoming ongoing Godzilla series.
Power Rangers/VR Troopers #1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
IGN recently announced that BOOM! Studios is launching a VR Troopers series that spins out of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue gives fans a sneak peek at the new series, alongside a look back at some classic VR Troopers comics.
Star Wars #1
Publisher: Marvel
Marvel's third and final FCBD offering focuses on its recently refreshed Star Wars lineup, 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. Appropriately, this issue includes three new stories, each tied to one of these three core books.
Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1
Publisher: Dynamite
This could easily be the most intriguing FCBD 2025 release, thanks to its wonderfully bizarre premise. Dynamite is showcasing its Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls comics not with separate stories for each, but by merging them into one wild crossover. What unfolds when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles journey to Third Earth? We're soon to discover.
Let us know in the comments section which books you're most excited to grab on Free Comic Book Day 2025.
Looking for more great comics to add to your FCBD haul? Consider checking out the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels.
