May has arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated Free Comic Book Day. This annual event sees comic shops worldwide offering free books on the first Saturday of May, making it a perfect opportunity to dive into major upcoming storylines or explore best-selling series. It's definitely worth braving the crowds to snag the key comics of the year, and 2025 promises an exciting lineup.

Here are some of the standout titles you should keep an eye out for during Free Comic Book Day 2025:

The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel kicks off its offerings with this dual-story issue. The first story, penned by Joe Kelly and illustrated by John Romita, Jr., acts as a primer for the recently relaunched Amazing Spider-Man series. The second tale, from writers Deniz Camp and Cody Ziglar and artist Jonas Scharf, is a prologue to the upcoming Ultimate Universe crossover event, featuring Miles Morales venturing into the new Ultimate Universe.

Blood Type #0

Publisher: Oni Press

Oni Press is set to expand its EC Comics imprint this summer, and Blood Type #0 offers a sneak peek into the new vampire series by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino. This issue reprints the short story from the anthology series Epitaphs From the Abyss, which launched the Blood Type saga.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1

Publisher: Titan

Titan Comics continues its tradition of using Free Comic Book Day to introduce its annual Conan crossover events. Conan: Scourge of the Serpent features 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 Free Comic Book Day special showcases two of its major franchises. This issue includes a story set in the Critical Role universe, where Beau and Caleb find themselves too caught up in dinner theater fun. Additionally, it 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 edition, DC's 2025 Special Edition is a flipbook that offers a glimpse into the future of both the core DC Universe and the new Absolute Universe. It introduces the upcoming Superman Unlimited series by Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque, as well as a new story in the Absolute Universe from Jeff Lemire and Giuseppe Camuncoli.

Energon Universe 2025 Special #1

Publisher: Skybound

Skybound's Energon Universe, which includes Transformers and G.I. Joe, takes center stage in this issue. It features three new short stories and a surprising twist that's so significant they had to censor the cover.

Fantastic Four/X-Men #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel pairs the Fantastic Four and X-Men in this exciting release. The issue includes a new Fantastic Four tale from 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 the invitation.

How to Participate in Free Comic Book Day

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

For digital readers, most Free Comic Book Day titles eventually become available on apps like Comixology, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Universe, though you might need to wait a few days or weeks, depending on the publisher.

Gargoyles: Demona #1

Publisher: Dynamite

While Disney hasn't given Gargoyles fans the animated revival they crave, Dynamite is expanding the comic book universe with Gargoyles: Demona. Written by creator Greg Weisman, this special sets the stage for the new series.

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. It includes a ten-page prelude story and previews of the upcoming Godzilla books.

Power Rangers/VR Troopers #1

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios is set to debut a VR Troopers series spun out of the Power Rangers Prime reboot. This issue provides a sneak peek at the new series and a nostalgic look at past VR Troopers comics.

Star Wars #1

Publisher: Marvel

Marvel's third Free Comic Book Day release focuses on its revamped Star Wars line, including 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 intriguing crossover combines Dynamite's Thundercats and Powerpuff Girls comics into one unique story. What happens when Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles journey to Third Earth? This issue promises to answer that question in a fun and unexpected way.

Let us know in the comments below which books you're excited to pick up on Free Comic Book Day 2025. If you're looking for more great reads, why not check out the top 27 Batman graphic novels and the top 25 Spider-Man graphic novels to add to your collection?