Top 13 Must-Read Comics for Free Comic Book Day 2025

May has arrived, and with it comes the much-anticipated Free Comic Book Day. This annual event, held on the first Saturday of May, sees comic shops around the globe handing out free comics, providing fans with a taste of upcoming storylines and popular series. It's an event worth attending, even if it means braving the crowds to snag those essential titles. 2025 is no exception, with a lineup that includes DC's DC All In 2025 Special Edition, Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men and The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, and the Energon Universe special. Here's a rundown of the must-have books for this year's Free Comic Book Day.

The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1

Publisher: Marvel

Kicking off Marvel's lineup, this special issue offers a double dose of excitement with two original stories. The first, penned by Joe Kelly and illustrated by John Romita, Jr., serves as an introduction to the revamped Amazing Spider-Man series. The second story, crafted by Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar with art by Jonas Scharf, acts as a prelude to the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover, where Miles Morales finds himself entangled in the new Ultimate U.

Blood Type #0

Publisher: Oni Press

Oni Press is set to expand its EC Comics imprint this summer, and Blood Type #0 offers an early glimpse into Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's vampire saga. This issue reprints the short story from the anthology series Epitaphs From the Abyss that sparked the Blood Type narrative, making it a must-read for fans eager to dive into the new series.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1

Publisher: Titan

Titan Comics continues its tradition of using Free Comic Book Day to launch its annual Conan crossover events. Conan: Scourge of the Serpent features three interconnected stories that set the stage for a monumental clash between Conan and the serpent god Set, promising an epic tale for fans of the barbarian hero.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins/Black Hammer #1

Publisher: Dark Horse

Dark Horse's FCBD special shines a spotlight on two of its flagship franchises. This issue includes a story set in the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb get a bit too involved in a dinner theater event, and a Black Hammer tale centered on Colonel Weird, exploring both the past and future of the Black Hammer universe.

Publisher: DC

Following last year's success, DC presents another flipbook that teases the future of its core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. This issue introduces readers 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's surprise reveal of Void Rivals as the launchpad for a shared universe involving Transformers and G.I. Joe has been a major talking point. This special issue features three new short stories from the Energon Universe, complete with a twist so significant that the cover had to be censored.

Fantastic Four/X-Men #1

Publisher: Marvel

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

How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3. Most comic book stores participate in this event, but you can use the FCBD Store Locator to find a participating shop near you and confirm their involvement. Many stores also host additional promotions and sales during FCBD, so consider supporting them by taking advantage of these offers, as they bear the shipping costs for these free books.

For digital readers, most FCBD titles are eventually added to platforms like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe, though you might 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 given Gargoyles fans the animated revival they crave, Dynamite is stepping up with a new comic book special. Gargoyles: Demona #1, written by series creator Greg Weisman, sets the stage for the upcoming Gargoyles: Demona series, offering fans a thrilling continuation of the beloved franchise.

Godzilla: The New Heroes #1

Publisher: IDW

IDW is set to launch a new shared universe of Godzilla comics this summer, and Godzilla: The New Heroes #1 serves as a primer. This issue includes a ten-page prelude story and previews of the forthcoming ongoing Godzilla titles, making it essential for fans of the kaiju king.

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Following the recent announcement by IGN, BOOM! Studios is set to debut a VR Troopers series spun out of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue offers a sneak peek at the new series and a nostalgic look back at previous VR Troopers comics, making it a must-have for fans of both franchises.

Star Wars #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's third 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 stories, each connected to one of these titles, providing a comprehensive look at the current state of the galaxy far, far away.

Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls #1

Publisher: Dynamite

Arguably the most intriguing offering of FCBD 2025, this issue combines Dynamite's Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls into a single, wacky crossover. What happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles venture to Third Earth? This unique premise promises a fun and unexpected read.

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

For more great reading material to complement your FCBD haul, consider exploring the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels.