Top 13 Comics to Read on Free Comic Book Day 2025

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 distributing free books on the first Saturday of May. These books often serve as introductions to major upcoming storylines or best-selling series, making it a great opportunity to snag some important comics. In 2025, the event promises a diverse range of offerings, 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. Here are the key titles you should be on the lookout for during this year's event.

The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's first special features two original stories in one book. The first story, crafted by writer Joe Kelly and artist John Romita, Jr., acts as a primer for the recently relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second, from writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar and 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 set to expand its EC Comics imprint this summer with several new series, including the vampire title Blood Type by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino. Blood Type #0 offers an early glimpse into this new series by reprinting the short story from the anthology series Epitaphs From the Abyss, which kicked off the Blood Type saga.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1

Publisher: Titan

Titan Comics continues its tradition of using FCBD to debut its annual Conan crossover events 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 highlights two of its biggest franchises. This issue features a tale set in the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb get a bit too caught up in a dinner theater event. Additionally, it includes a Black Hammer story focused on Colonel Weird, exploring both the past and future of the Black Hammer universe.

Publisher: DC

Similar to last year's DC All In Special, this year's flipbook introduces readers to the future of both the core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. It features an introduction to the upcoming Superman Unlimited series by Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque, as well as a new Absolute Universe story by Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.

Energon Universe 2025 Special #1

Publisher: Skybound

Skybound made waves with the reveal that Void Rivals was the starting 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 significant they had to censor the cover.

Fantastic Four/X-Men #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel pairs the X-Men and Fantastic Four in their second big FCBD release. This issue is a must-read, featuring a new Fantastic Four tale by Ryan North and Humberto Ramos, and 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 declined his invitation.

How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day will take place on Saturday, May 3. Most comic book shops participate in the event, but you can use the FCBD Store Locator to find a shop near you and confirm their participation. Many shops also run promotions and sales alongside FCBD. Keep in mind that while the comics are free, store owners still incur shipping costs, so consider supporting them by taking advantage of those sales.

For digital readers, 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 them to become available, depending on the publisher.

Gargoyles: Demona #1

Publisher: Dynamite

While Disney hasn't revived Gargoyles as an animated series, Dynamite is expanding the comic book line with Gargoyles: Demona. This special sets up the new series and is written by the character's creator, Greg Weisman.

Godzilla: The New Heroes #1

Publisher: IDW

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

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios is launching a VR Troopers series from the pages of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue offers a sneak peek at the new series and a look back at past VR Troopers comics.

Star Wars #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's third and final FCBD release focuses on their 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 these books.

Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1

Publisher: Dynamite

This might be the standout of FCBD 2025, with its intriguing premise. Dynamite combines its Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls comics into one crossover, exploring what happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles travel to Third Earth.

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

For more reading ideas to go along with your FCBD stack, check out the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels.