Top 13 Comics to Read on Free Comic Book Day 2025

May has arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated Free Comic Book Day. This annual event, held on the first Saturday of May, sees comic shops worldwide offering free comics to fans. It's a perfect opportunity to dive into major upcoming storylines or catch up with best-selling series. In 2025, a variety of exciting titles are set to captivate readers, from DC's DC All in 2025 Special Edition to Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, as well as the latest Energon Universe special. These are the must-have comics you should be on the lookout for during this year's event.

The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's first of several specials, this issue offers two original stories. The first, penned by Joe Kelly and illustrated by John Romita, Jr., serves as an introduction to the relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second story, crafted by writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar with art by Jonas Scharf, is a prologue to the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover event, featuring Miles Morales navigating the new Ultimate U.

Blood Type #0

Publisher: Oni Press

Oni Press is set to expand its EC Comics imprint this summer with new series, including Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's vampire title, Blood Type. For an early glimpse into this new series, Blood Type #0 is the perfect pick. This issue reprints the short story from the anthology series Epitaphs From the Abyss, which sparked the Blood Type saga.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1

Publisher: Titan

Titan Comics has a tradition of using Free Comic Book Day to kick off their annual Conan crossover events. This year's Conan: Scourge of the Serpent follows suit, featuring three interconnected tales that set the stage for 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 FCBD special showcases two of its premier franchises. The issue includes a story set in the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb find themselves embroiled in an unexpected dinner theater adventure. Additionally, there's a Black Hammer tale focusing on Colonel Weird, offering a glimpse into both the past and future of the Black Hammer universe.

DC All In: 2025 Special Edition #1 ----------------------------------

Publisher: DC

DC's flipbook, similar to last year's DC All In Special, unveils the future of both the core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. One side introduces the upcoming Superman Unlimited series by Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque, while the other features a new story from the Absolute Universe by Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.

Energon Universe 2025 Special #1

Publisher: Skybound

Skybound surprised fans with the reveal that Void Rivals was the launchpad for a new shared universe encompassing Transformers and G.I. Joe. This issue showcases all three pillars of the Energon Universe through three new short stories and a twist so significant it necessitated a censored cover.

Fantastic Four/X-Men #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel pairs the X-Men and Fantastic Four for their second major FCBD release. This issue is a must-read, featuring a new Fantastic Four tale by Ryan North and Humberto Ramos, and an X-Men story by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing that revisits the day Charles Xavier first formed the All-New, All-Different X-Men, revealing the one mutant who declined his invitation.

How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day is set 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 participation. Many shops also run promotions and sales alongside FCBD. Keep in mind that while the comics are free for customers, store owners still incur shipping costs, so supporting their sales events can help them out.

For digital comic enthusiasts, most FCBD books eventually become available on platforms like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe, though you might need to wait a few days or weeks for them to appear, depending on the publisher.

Gargoyles: Demona #1

Publisher: Dynamite

While Disney hasn't revived Gargoyles in animation, Dynamite is expanding the comic line with Gargoyles: Demona, written by creator Greg Weisman. This special sets the stage for the new series, offering fans a thrilling continuation of the beloved franchise.

Godzilla: The New Heroes #1

Publisher: IDW

IDW is launching a new shared universe of Godzilla comics this summer. This issue serves as a primer, featuring a ten-page prelude story and previews of upcoming Godzilla series.

Power Rangers/VR Troopers #1 ----------------------------

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios is set to debut a VR Troopers series from the pages of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue offers fans a sneak peek at the new series, along with a nostalgic look at past VR Troopers comics.

Star Wars #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's final FCBD release focuses on their revamped Star Wars line, featuring 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 includes three new tales, each tied to one of these series.

Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1

Publisher: Dynamite

This might be the most intriguing pick of FCBD 2025, combining Dynamite's Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls comics into one unique crossover. Discover what happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles journey to Third Earth in this bizarre yet captivating tale.

Let us know in the comments below which books you're eager to pick up on Free Comic Book Day 2025.

Looking for more comic recommendations? Check out the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels to enhance your FCBD haul.