Free Comic Book Day is Almost Here! Top Picks of the 2025 Season.
Ed Sum
Free Comic Book Day is almost here! And in 2025, the selection has only gotten more diverse to include anime style offerings. That is, Tamashii Nations and Gunpla have teamed up to put together an exclusive Mobile Suit Gundam Wing bonus comic. Not every retailer will offer this, so it’s best to hunt around in your local city to locate who has this or not.
Besides this title, the other works I’m excited about are the following. I will include notes where possible as I received previews of Mad Cave Studios release to whet my appetite for picking up the print edition. Instead of Gatchaman, this time they’re expanding their selection of nostalgia classics to include Speed Racer! There’s another title, but please read on to find out.
Boom Studios 20th Anniversary Special
In this collection, readers can discover the vast range of titles this publisher offers. This collection offers the best from the worlds of BRZRKR with “Something is Killing the Children,” Mouse Guard with “Irredeemable,” and an EXCLUSIVE all-new Hello Darkness story. Here, what’ll be offered is the best of from the worlds of BRZRKR with “Something is Killing the Children,” Mouse Guard with “Irredeemable,” and an EXCLUSIVE all-new Hello Darkness story.
Conan The Barbarian
The serpent god’s influence tightens its coils around the Hyborian Age and every other age linked to it. Three stunning supernatural stories will spiral together to reveal Set’s grand plan for humanity and the possibility of stopping the now-active threat.
Energon Universe Special
When I’m a casual fan of this rebooted world, I’ll have to pick up key titles to look at what’s going on and await that crossover that brings everything together and sometimes, that material is snuck in with these specials and one-shots. Skybound Entertainment restarted the universe last year, and so far, everything they’ve published since then has been good. I still consider Cobra Commander as the best comic book mini series of last year.
Def Leppard’s Hysteria FCBD Special
Usually, Z2 Comics is the publisher that prints all the musical tie-ins in the sequential art format. But every once in a while, the musician will want to work at another house. Here, the concept is right. From the press release:
When Foz, the front woman of the indie band Darkside, inherits her father’s estate, it comes with a guitar she half-remembers from her childhood. The guitar speaks to her, promising fame and success. Soon, it delivers. But when Darkside’s equipment is stolen at a massive music venue, just before they’re set to take the stage with Def Leppard, Foz goes on the warpath to get it back. A knuckle-dusting rampage ensues, and the guitar’s history is revealed.
Godzilla New Heroes
In July 2025, a bold new Godzilla story is coming…but you can get your first look here! Godzilla: The New Heroes FCBD 2025 features an original ten-page prelude to the new IDW Godzilla continuity, as well as preview pages for other books set in the new Godzilla shared universe.
Each of these books is a fresh exploration on what it means to be a Godzilla comic-from a group of mercenaries that fly through space in Mechagodzilla to a strange wasteland inhabited by a half-kaiju, half-human freak, to a bold superhero take on G-Force.
Gargoyles Demona #0
Disney’s most vile Gargoyle is getting her own mini-series, but before that can kick off, this FCBD special sets up what’s coming! Completists will want to pick up this title to read what Greg Weisman had in mind while the heroes slept, and she was awake, scheming. Part of her tragic story was told in animated form, but there’s much more which this teaser will offer!
The Phantom #0
Although I have read a little of the original works, I loved the film adaptation. What’s offered is moody, and the artwork is tops. After reading this modern update, I’m now interested in checking the Internet Archive to see if any of those prints have been digitally preserved for comparison. Because I’m not up to date with this particular lore, I will keep this general review as just that.
This introduction sets up an intrigue that will no doubt continue in the ongoing series, and as for whether he and Dick Tracy can team up in a crossover, I really hope not. The two works represent two different sides of the pulps, and I don’t think they should intertwine.
Speed Racer #0
This iconic late 60s hero is getting a facelift, and unlike the cartoons which were random adventures, what’s presented here has more of a James Bond style of danger! Here, not only is Speed an agent for an organization but also his family is involved! I won’t spoil too much, but the action is much more intense and different from those who recall the movie.
Not only is the artwork updated for today’s audience, but also the adventures feel much more dangerous! I’m definitely tuning in to see what the ongoing series will be about as I suspect Racer X and other allies will also make an appearance. As Mad Cave Studios is bringing a more beloved anime series of the past decade back to print, maybe my suspicions for a shared universe are coming true!
Transformers The Worst Bot Ever
The first appearance of Ballpoint, everyone’s new favourite Decepticon, comes in this special first look at the most expected new graphic novel of the year, which will be released later this year. Plus, meet the most unexpected family of superheroes with a special look inside the soon-to-be Ya Ogn phenomenon known as Family Force V from Matt Braly (the creator of Amphibia)!
