It may still be 2022, but that's not stopping Marvel Comics from announcing its slate of 2023 titles for Free Comic Book Day. Also, hidden in the announcement is the tease of a new Marvel series, potentially starring members of the Avengers and X-Men. Instead of one or two FCBD titles for eager new readers to dive into, Marvel is offering four unique titles to choose from. Along with featuring the lead-in to events like Fall of X and Summer of Symbiotes, Marvel is putting the spotlight on creators and characters from different cultures, communities, and identities in Marvel's Voices #1, kid-friendly reading in Spidey & Friends #1, and another Spider-Man and Venom romp.
Free Comic Book Day 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 is where fans can get their first clues to "an uncanny new lineup for a new team book launching next year." Marvel is also promising a preview of Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti's upcoming mystery project. The first time fans heard about Hickman and Schiti collaborating together came at San Diego Comic-Con. A simple piece of teaser artwork was released, featuring the phrase, "What Happens When the Powers That Be Meet the Natural Order of Things?" The only other key information was that the series would launch in 2023. Since then, we've seen character designs that hint at a project featuring Doctor Strange.
What Is Marvel's Secret Avengers/X-Men Series?
The cover of Free Comic Book Day 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 by Javier Garron features Avengers and X-Men alike, including Captain America, Psylocke, Penance, Quicksilver, Rogue, Deadpool, and Cyclops in his Captain Krakoa persona. While these characters could be taking part in separate Avengers and X-Men stories in the FCBD issue, we also may be looking at the lineup of this secret team.
Another possibility is Free Comic Book Day 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 will reintroduce the concept of the Avengers Unity Team, aka the Uncanny Avengers. The announcement does refer to "an uncanny new lineup," and the fallout from A.X.E.: Judgment Day may set the stage for more unity between the two Marvel franchises.
Uncanny Avengers #1 from Rick Remender and John Cassaday launched out of the Avengers vs. X-Men event. There have been different iterations and lineups over the years, with Captain America, Rogue, Quicksilver, and Deadpool all being previous members.
Marvel's Full 2023 FCBD Lineup
The full list of Marvel's Free Comic Book Day 2023 titles and descriptions can be found below:
-
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: AVENGERS/X-MEN #1 features a pair of all-new stories that set the stage for the next evolution in mutant adventures, FALL OF X, and introduces an uncanny new lineup for a new team book launching next year. Plus a preview of Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti's upcoming mystery project.
-
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDER-MAN/VENOM #1 will web-sling readers into the exciting developments currently taking place in Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr.'s hit run of Amazing Spider-Man and lay the groundwork for the SUMMER OF SYMBIOTES. Plus a preview of new Marvel epic just on the horizon.
-
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: MARVEL'S VOICES #1 invites readers to the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed Marvel's Voices series, which spotlights creators and characters across Marvel's diverse and ever-evolving universe. The book will include a range of stories from previous Marvel's Voices issues as well a brand-new one!
- And last but certainly not least, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2023: SPIDEY & FRIENDS #1 is back! Swing into adventure with Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Miles as they face off against Green Goblin, Doc Ock and more in this spectacular special. Filled with easy-to-read comic stories based on the hit Disney Junior show, this book is perfect for the youngest readers aged 5-7. Young fans will even be able to test their wall-crawling skills with thrilling interactive activity pages! Kids will love this not-to-be-missed comic: the perfect primer for the newest generation of Spider-Fans!
Covers for the FCBD 2023 titles can be found below.
