Few words get the heart pumping faster than “free.” That goes a long way in explaining the quick spread and popularity of Free Comic Book Day since its inception in 2002. However, if this is the first year you’ve heard of Free Comic Book Day or the first time you plan to attend, then there’s still a very important question to be answered.
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Where exactly do I get these free comics?
The short answer is: Any participating local comic book store. Almost every comic book store in North America participates in the holiday at this point, but it’s worth checking their social media or calling ahead to be sure. Stores have to invest time and money into this event, so it shouldn’t be assumed that they are all able to participate in the same fashion. If you’re not sure if you have a local comic book store or where it might be located, you can start with this locator on the Free Comic Book Day webpage or check out our article discussing how to find a great local shop.
Once you’ve found a shop though, there are a few additional things to consider. Stores are likely to have rules about how you obtain your free comics. Many will include a limit on how many issues you may take for free. Others will provide comics in a pre-sorted grab bag. Some stores might even request that you make a purchase of some sort in order to select some of the free offerings.
All of these rules exist for a good reason, as stores have to pay for the free comics they distribute. That is in addition to the many hours of manpower that goes into planning, executing, and cleaning up after the event. So even if your store doesn’t have a purchase requirement, please consider buying something to help support all of the time and money they’ve put into this great, geeky holiday.
Now that you know where to go for free comics this weekend, it’s worth taking a look at what will be available. Below you’ll find a full listing of 52 comic books published for the event this year. You can also check out our top 10 picks from the 2018 releases right here. The titles below have been divided into the Gold and Silver offerings, with the former available from all participating stores and the latter dependent on ordering.
GOLD BOOKS
Avengers & Captain America | Marvel Comics
Barrier #1 | Image Comics
Comics Friends Forever | :01 Second Books
DC Comics Top Secret Gold Book | DC Comics
Disney Princes Ariel Spotlight | Joe Books
Doctor Who 2018 #0 | Titan Comics
Invader Zim: Floopsy Bloops Shmoopsy | Oni Press
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Special | Boom! Studios
Overwatch & Black Hammer | Dark Horse Comics
Pokemon Sun & Moon & Pokemon Horizon | VIZ Media
Riverdale | Archie Comics
Transformers Unicron #0 | IDW Publishing
SILVER BOOKS
2000 AD Regened | Rebellion
A Brief History of Tank Girl | Titan Comics
Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake Special | BOOM! Studios
Berlin #1 | Drawn & Quarterly
Bob’s Burgers #1 | Dynamite Entertainment
Bongo Comics: Free-For-All 2018 | Bongo Comics
Crush | Yen Press
Die Kitty Die I Love You To Death | Chapterhouse Publishing
Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network | Kodansha Comics
Graphix Spotlight: Sparks | Graphix
Howard Lovecraft’s Big Book of Summer Fun | Arcana Studio
Infinity Watch & Amazing Spider-Man | Marvel Comics
Invasion Prologue | Chapterhouse Publishing
James Bond: VARGR #1 | Dynamite Entertainment
Lady Mechanika | Benitez Productions
Legend of Korra & Nintendo Arms | Dark Horse Comics
Malika: Creed & Fury | Youneek Studios
Maxwell’s Demons #1 | Vault Comics
Metabaron Book 3: Meta Guardianess and Techno Baron | Humanoids
Miraculous Adventures | Action Lab Entertainment
My Hero Academia & RWBY | Viz Media
Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero’s Journey Chapter 0 | Tokyopop
Relay #0 | AfterShock Comics
Scout Comics Presents: The Mall | Scout Comics
Shadow Roads #1 | Oni Press
Shadowman Special | Valiant Entertainment
Silver #1 | Dark Planet
Spongebob Freestyle Funnies | United Plankton Pictures
Star Wars Adventures | IDW Publishing
Starburns Presents #1 | Starburns Industries Comics
Strangers in Paradise XXV #1 | Abstract Studios
Street Angel’s Dog One-Shot | Image Comics
The Only Living Boy | Papercutz
The Tick FCBD 2018 | New England Comics
Ultra Street Fighter II #1 | Udon Entertainment
World’s Greatest Cartoonists | Fantagraphics Books
Worlds of Aspen Anniversary Edition | Aspen Comics
Worm World Saga: The Journey Begins | Lion Forge Comics