FCBD 2024: 10 Free Comics to Pick Up from Beloved Franchises

It’s the best time of the year again for comic book lovers all over the world! Like always, Free Comic Book Day happens on the first Saturday of May at your local participating comic book shop. To help make things easier for you in choosing which comics to pick up, I’ve put together a list of titles to be on the lookout for! These comics are based on many of the best and most beloved franchises, from Marvel and DC’s iconic superheroes to classic cartoons, video games, and storybooks. From this list, you’ll see that the fun of Free Comic Book Day comes from getting to experience the diversity of stories and characters throughout comics and not having to pay a cent for it! So, with that said, let's check out what is in store for us this FCBD!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Chapter 1: Down The Rabbit Hole

By Lewis Caroll, Andre R. Frattino, Fafo Ferrão, Heidi Pading, Aya Ng

Image: GONKBONK

The first chapter in our visual anthology of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Experience Lewis Carroll’s iconic story in a whole new way! We are proud to announce the release of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as part of our brand-new Scrolls, a vertical-scrolling publication platform that will bring all kinds of stories and IPs to life.

To join in the celebration of Free Comic Book Day, we are offering free copies of Alice for a limited time! It’s time to relive Alice’s classic journey through Wonderland with this new and collectible digital comic.

Register here by May 4, 2024, 11:59 PM PST for a FREE copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Chapter 1: Down The Rabbit Hole.

Blood Hunt / X-Men #1

By Jed MacKay, Sara Pichelli, and Federico Blee

Image: Marvel Comics

Marvel’s highly anticipated Avengers crossover event, Blood Hunt, starts here! See how the Vampire Nation rises in power and begins to sink its deadly teeth into the Marvel Universe. Plus, this issue features a look into the upcoming X-Men: From the Ashes series with a snippet focused on Jubilee’s role in saving mutantkind!

Absolute Power Special Edition #1

By Mark Waid, Mikel Janín, and Trish Mulvihill

Image: DC Comics

Now, DC has its own massive summer crossover event to look forward to! Absolute Power is a story 30 years in the making, and it begins with Amanda Waller and the Brainiac Queen’s quest to round up all the metahuman abilities around the world. The kickoff for the massive event starts with this special FCBD release! And with that gorgeous new cover from superstar artist Dan Mora, this issue will look great in anyone’s collection.

Energon Universe 2024 Special #1

By Robert Kirkman, Daniel Warren Johnson, Joshua Williamson, Lorenzo De Felici, and Ryan Ottley

Image: Skybound

Skybound, in collaboration with Hasbro, took the comic book world by storm last year with the launch of the Energon Universe. This special FCBD 2024 release includes three all-new stories from the worlds of the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals. With Robert Kirkman, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Joshua Williamson all in one issue, what more can you ask for from this stacked release? Whether you’re a long-time reader or just looking to get into what’s happening in the Energon Universe, this is the comic to look out for come Saturday!

Star Wars/Darth Vader #1

By Charles Soule, Ibraim Roberson, Rachelle Rosenberg, Greg Pak, Ramón Rosanas, and Guru-eFX

Image: Marvel Comics

Be on the lookout for this Star Wars double-feature on FCBD! The first part of the special issue tells the story of Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewie on an action-packed rescue mission to save rebel survivors stranded on Hoth. Meanwhile, the second half follows Darth Vader as he enacts a nefarious plan to find Luke and the others. But he’s not the only one with plans working in the shadows. With all the lightsabers, blasters, and memorable characters, this issue is packed with everything you love about Star Wars! And the cherry on top of it all is that incredible cover by Phil Noto!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

By Juni Ba, Paul Allor, Andy Kuhn, and Fero Peniche

Image: IDW Publishing

To celebrate 40 years of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, IDW is kicking off a brand-new era of the Heroes in a Half-Shell! This special FCBD release includes two short stories and a preview of the upcoming series that will be released later this year. The first short is by superstar creator Juni Ba, and the second is by fan favorites Paul Allor and Andy Kuhn. This is the perfect comic for anyone obsessed with all things TMNT!

Hellboy / Stranger Things #1

By Mike Mignola, Márk László, and Dave Stewart

Image: Dark Horse Comics

Hellboy and Stranger Things together in one comic? This special double-feature collects new tales from the two beloved franchises for one issue packed with dark secrets and twisted monsters. In Hellboy’s story, he consults with a crystal ball reader to help crack a mysterious murder case. Then on Stranger Things, Argyle and Jonathan swap ghost stories as they deliver their last pizza for the night.

Street Fighter vs. Final Fight #1

By Chris Sarracini, Chamba Cruz, Joe Ng, and Edwin Huang

Image: UDON

There are few things better than good old-fashioned fisticuffs between two iconic fighting game franchises. This special crossover issue features the likes of Ryu, Chun-Li, and Guile duking it against Cody, Guy, and Mayor Mike Haggar in a fight for the ages! Members of the FGC won’t want to miss out on this exciting clash that’s going into the final round!

Archie Horror Presents The Cursed Library Prelude #1

By Eliot Rahal, Sarah Kuhn, Magdalene Visaggio, Amy Chase, Craig Cermak, Vincenzo Federici, Liana Kangas, Butch K. Mapa, and Carola Borelli

Image: Archie Comics

The many weird worlds of Archie Horror collide in this spooky new comic! Jinx Holliday and Madam Satan team up to uncover the horrors terrorizing Riverdale. The mystery leads the duo straight into the Cursed Libary, the very place Jinx thought to be her safe haven. It seems the evil forces within the library are getting out of hand, and it’s up to scream queens to put a stop to things before it's too late.

Eye Lie Popeye #1

By Marcus Williams

Image: Massive Publishing

Who could have predicted a manga-inspired Popeye series? This fun, eye-catching comic comes from the creative mind of Marvel writer Marcus Williams. Popeye: Eye Lie Popeye boldly reimagines everyone’s favorite spinach-eating gentleman sailor. The series will explore more of Popeye’s past and potentially answer the century-long mystery of how he lost his eye! This one has the potential to give One Piece a run for its money!