Once a year, comic book stores around the world band together for Free Comic Book Day.
Falling on the first Saturday of May every year, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) – as the name suggests – is where a selection of free books are offered up to get people to grasp the joy of comics.
All the big publishers like Marvel, DC, Image, IDW and BOOM! Studios are releasing a handful of comics this May 7, with many books offering a glimpse into future storylines. There’s also a lovely batch of indie comic releases that work as a nice way for comic newbies to dip their toes in, regardless of their love of capes and criminals
You can browse the full list of free comics here on the official Free Comic Book Day website, but take a look at our top JOE recommendations for the day, whether you’re a superhero film fan wanting to take the plunge, or just a curious reader looking for a new story.
For Gamers – Assassin’s Creed FCBD 2016 Edition
Love gaming? Loving Assassin’s Creed? Then be sure to look out for this pair of short stories from Titan Comics that flesh out the century spanning Assassin/Templar beef. The first sees rookie assassin Charlotte de la Cruz find herself in a bind, while the focuses on Templar agent Black Cross. With the Assassin’s Creed story set to expand in a big way in the coming years thanks to the upcoming film, this is worth picking up and getting your swot on with.
For Anime Fans – Attack On Titan Anthology Preview FCBD 2016 Edition
Attack On Titan is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a walled city is besieged by massive naked giants that eat people. It’s big, bloody and weird and undoubtedly the anime/manga series of the moment. For Free Comic Book Day, the Japanese series is being handed over to veteran comic book writers Scott Snyder, Gail Simone and Cameron Stewart to tell a batch of new stories. Get amongst it.
For non-superhero fans – BOOM! Studios 2016 Summer Blast
Want to get into comics but not that bothered about superheroes? Indie publishing house BOOM! Studios have the remedy. This year their FCBD selection will collect samples of four of their best characters, including sleeper hits Mouse Guard and Labyrinth. Heck, even if you like superheroes, pick this up. BOOM! Studios are making some the best tales around.
For Captain America fans – Captain America #1 FCBD 2016 Edition
Love Captain America: Civil War? For reasons other that Spider-Man and Black Panther? Then take a look at this new Captain America story. In the comics, Steve Rogers has been taking some time out after a bad incident left him every bit of his 100+ year age. But now thanks to some superhero chicanery, Rogers is back in the suit with a brand new shield to fight the good fight and take on classic enemies including the Red Skull and the purple masked Baron Zemo. This FCBD edition works as a prelude to the new book. We can’t wait to see what writer Nick Spencer has in store for Cap.
For Doctor Who fans – Doctor Who: Four Doctors Special FCBD 2016 Edition
Whovians are in for a treat this Free Comic Book Day with a selection of four short stories to pick up in one book. The Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors will all be getting brand new adventures in the free book, so there’s plenty of choice for modern Doctor Who fans.
For Marvel superhero fans – FCBD: Civil War II
“Civil War II? But the movie just came out last week?” Not to worry superhero fans. Civil War II is the sequel to the very popular 2007 Marvel story that formed the basis of the new Captain America film.
Once again we have superheroes fight superheroes, but this time the reason for beef is Minority Report-flavoured. An Inhuman has developed powers to predict crime. On one side, Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) thinks the power should be used to stop baddies. On the other is Iron Man, who has enough experience dabbling with world changing powers. Worlds will crumble and a big Marvel name is said to fall in this tale. Get the prelude to it all this weekend.
For sci-fi film fans – Serenity/Hellboy/Aliens FCBD 2016 Edition
Is Hellboy a sci-fi film? Screw it: our list, our rules. A trio of cult films (yes we know Hellboy was originally a comic book; like we said, our list) are getting the short story treatment thanks to Dark Horse publishing.
We’re getting a return to the Serenity/Firefly world that’s got Joss Whedon’s approval as “executive producer”, a Hellboy flashback story from Mike Mignola, and a tie in to the new xenomorph series Alien: Defiance. Hell of a package.
