Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday of each year. This year, landing on Saturday, May 3rd. Comic books are a great way to encourage children to read and grow their imagination. Keep reading to learn more about free comic book day and participating stores in Roanoke, Virginia.
What is Free Comic Book Day?
Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is the biggest event in the comic book industry—a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops! Founded on the belief that for every person out there, there’s a comic book they’ll love, the annual event offers a huge selection of free titles designed to appeal to a broad range of age levels and their tastes.
Every year, on the first Saturday in May, the industry comes together to give away free comics and encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans to flock to the best place in the comic book community: local comic shops. Each one is unique in its community, with a style and personality all its own, and each one carries a full line of comics, graphic novels, toys and related products. Local comic shops are the hubs of our community, where fans can come together to discover new comics, make lifelong friends, and find a sense of commonality.
Major publishers such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, and Image Comics, along with a slew of independent publishers, put out free comics for fans to enjoy at the more than 2,300 local comic shops that participate in Free Comic Book Day. The diverse range of titles available each year proves that there’s truly a book for everyone: from superheroes, to popular film and television shows, to beloved video games, and all-ages tales. Popular series available in the past include Pokemon, Doctor Who, SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Riverdale, Overwatch and Star Wars.
What are the free book titles for 2025?
The Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Retailer Selection Committee has selected forty-six comic book titles for the industry's most anticipated annual event to take place on Saturday, May 3, at participating comic shops worldwide.
A committee of comic shop retailers chose forty-six titles to be available on Free Comic Book Day: thirteen Gold Sponsor comics and thirty-three Silver Sponsor comics that give fans an opportunity to discover new titles and genres. This year’s selection of Silver Sponsor comics includes beloved franchises such as Star Wars, Godzilla, Transformers, Mega Man, and Street Fighter. Other notable Silver Sponsor titles are available from Alien Books, First Second Books, Rebellion, and Vault Comics.
“Each year, we aim to deliver a memorable Free Comic Book Day experience for fans everywhere!” said Ashton Greenwood, Free Comic Book Day spokesperson. “We know comic book retailers are looking forward to treating their communities to a fun-filled day celebrating comic books, and we think this year’s title selection truly captures that spirit! There’s something for every kind of fan, from long-time readers to the comic book curious.”
Check out the Full Lineup here:
Who is participating in Free Comic Book Day in Roanoke, Virginia?
According to FreeComicBookDay.com, the following local businesses are participating in Free Comic Book Day:
In addition to Big Lick Comics, per their website.
Some stores may offer other activities, discounts, and more during their FCBD event!