Free Comic Book Day will return in 2026

Comics’ favorite day returns, and one publisher has already announced the first title that’ll be offered.

The Free Comic Book Day website has sprung back to life with an announcement that says the annual promotional event will return on May 2, 2026.

Universal Distribution, one of the suitors as Diamond Comics Distributor and its many businesses went up for auction following Diamond’s bankruptcy, now owns Free Comic Book Day and its branding. In addition to comics, they’re a major game distributor, and they plan to expand the day into “friendly local game stores” as well.

Not every publisher has signed up for FCBD, however; right now the site lists Archie Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon Entertainment and Vault Comics have signed on, all publishers who fall under Lunar Distribution. According to ICv2, Universal has partnered with Lunar and Diamond UK to distribute titles. On the games side, Upper Deck and Wizards of the Coast are also getting involved.

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Smash Pages Q&A | Rafael Scavone on ‘Devil’s Luck: A Hailstone Story’

Scavone talks about bringing greed, gold and the supernatural together in his latest return to the world of ‘Hailstone.’

Writer Rafael Scavone returns to the world of Hailstone with Devil’s Luck: A Hailstone Story, a five-issue horror thriller now available on Comixology Originals.

Set during the Great Depression, the series follows Tim Beacon, a desperate dentist who becomes entangled in a sinister plot involving a mysterious patient’s golden teeth. Teaming up with artist Eduardo Ferigato, Scavone weaves a tale of greed, betrayal and the supernatural that takes the Hailstone universe into darker territory than ever before.

I spoke with Scavone about his journey into comics, revisiting the world of Hailstone and crafting this chilling new story.

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DC reveals their ‘Superman/Spider-Man’ creative teams

Like the recent ‘Batman/Deadpool’ one-shots, the issue will feature stories by several creators, including Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, Tom King and more.

As retailers discuss why the recent Batman/Deadpool isn’t selling as well as Deadpool/Batman, DC has announced the creative teams for next year’s Superman/Spider-Man crossover, which arrives in March.

Marvel was the first out of the gate with their crossover issue, as Deadpool/Batman came out in September, followed by the DC issue in November. For this next crossover, they’ll follow a similar plan, with each publisher releasing an anthology headlined by the title characters — only this time, DC’s will arrive in shops first. Marvel has not yet announced when Spider-Man/Superman will arrive.

The two publishers announced back in October that they planned more crossovers in 2026, starting with reprints of the issues where Spider-Man and Superman first met back in the 1970s. They also surprised announced a couple of digital crossovers last month on their respective digital platforms. After decades of staying on opposite sides of the streets, it’s fun to see that these crossovers have returned.

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Smash Pages Q&A | Magnetic Press publisher Mike Kennedy on bringing ‘Freaks Squeele’ to America

The publisher launches all seven volumes of Florent Maudoux’s acclaimed series on Kickstarter.

Magnetic Press has been building a distinctive catalog of internationally acclaimed graphic novels since 2013. With 31 Eisner Award nominations and a win for Best Production Design in 2024, publisher Mike Kennedy has proven there’s a market in the U.S. for stories from Europe. Now Magnetic is taking on one of its most ambitious projects yet: the complete seven-volume saga of Florent Maudoux’s Freaks Squeele, a manga-inspired superhero series that’s been captivating readers around the world since 2008.

Described as “Jujutsu Kaisen meets X-Men by way of Scott Pilgrim,” Freaks Squeele follows three misfit students at a superhero university where heroism is a regulated profession and deadly tournaments are broadcast for public consumption. The Kickstarter campaign launches all seven volumes at once, featuring 1,000 pages of story — plus an exclusive artbook and a limited edition “dorm footlocker” storage box.

We caught up with Kennedy to talk about what drew Magnetic Press to Freaks Squeele, how the publisher approaches translating international works and why European comics continue to offer something American readers can’t find anywhere else.

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From Tromaville with love: Exclusive ‘Toxic Crusaders’ #4 cover premiere

Take a look at Tristan Wright’s cover, which arrives in stores next February.

Courtesy of Ahoy Comics, we’re pleased to present a look at Tristan Wright’s cover for The Toxic Crusaders #4, which will arrive in stores Feb. 18.

If you hadn’t heard, the mutant misfits are back and grosser than ever. Based on the animated series that turned toxic waste into Saturday morning gold, the five-issue miniseries reunites the Toxic Avenger with his fellow freaks: No-Zone, Junkyard, Major Disaster and the brand-new addition Fungirl.

Written by Matt Bors, the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and founder of The Nib (which I still miss), this series is a blend of environmental satire and superhero splatter, and continues to channel the spirit of the Toxic Avenger revival at Ahoy. Wright, who is also the interior artist for the series, brings a gloriously grotesque visual style that captures the spirit of the original show.

Issue #4 features the backstory of Headbanger and the emergence of a mutated counter-Crusaders force. The solicit promises “cultists merged with animals and objects to become living turduckens” in what’s described as an “epic and sickening fight scene.”

Check out the cover reveal below:

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | A new era for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles begins

Check out new comics and graphic novels arriving this week by Jock, Scott Snyder, Gene Luen Yang, Mike Mignola, Jonathan Hickman, Marc Silvestri, Steve Orlando and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights for this week below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Dan Abnett + Marcelo Ferreira launch ‘Imperial Guardians’ in March

Gamora, Captain Marvel, Darkhawk and more will guard the galaxy next year.

Marvel has announced details on the next title spinning out of Imperial, the miniseries/event that restructured and relaunched Marvel’s cosmic line-up.

Imperial Guardians is a spiritual successor to Guardians of the Galaxy, as Gamora leads a team that includes Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Amadeus Cho and Cosmic Ghost Rider. They’ve been recruited by Black Bolt’s evil brother, Maximus, to “protect the delicate balance of new Galactic Union by ANY means necessary.”

The best part? The title features the return of Dan Abnett to Marvel’s cosmic line, who teamed up with Andy Lanning on titles like Guardians of the Galaxy, Nova and various Annihilation era titles in the early 2000s. But as Abnett points out, it’s a whole new galaxy now …

“The Marvel Cosmic landscape after Imperial has got a very different feel, and it’s rewarding to play around with the aftermath of an event where ‘the good guys won.’ Or did they?” Abnett said. “No victory comes without back-room compromise, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the new Guardians remit.”

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | ‘Tis the season to read some comics

Check out a ho-ho-whole bunch of Christmas-themed comics arriving this week, along with new Dog-Man, the return of ‘Criminal,’ Dark Souls, the end of Birds of Prey and the Hulk vs. everything.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week. Winter has arrived in comic shops, bringing with it a sleigh-full of holiday specials ranging from heartwarming to horrifying.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights for this week below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Slugfest | Vertigo returns in DC’s February solicitations

Plus: Gotham City Sirens go Black Label, a return to Dakota, and a DC K.O. special that opens the forbidden door …

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on DC’s February 2026 solicitations.

One of the big announcements to come out of the 2024 New York Comic Con was the return of Vertigo, DC’s long-running mature readers imprint that was shuttered back in 2019 in favor of DC’s Black Label imprint. While Black Label will continue as the home for more mature stories about DC’s existing characters, Vertigo is back as a creator-owned imprint, and at this year’s New York Comic Con, DC announced a full Vertigo slate for 2026 — which kicks off in February.

The first four out the gate include three new creator-owned titles and the return of another — The Nice House by the Sea, whose seventh issue leads the pack.

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Can’t Wait for Wednesday | Infernal Hulk, Arcadia, DC K.O., BRZRKR + more

Check out new comics arriving this week by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein, Gabriel Hardman, Marjorie Liu, Jimmy Palmiotti and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week. It’s a quieter week as we head toward Thanksgiving here in the U.S., but there’s still plenty of comics to be thankful for.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights for this week below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.

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Dani Moonstar headlines her first solo title

Ashley Allen and Edoardo Audino set a new course for the New Mutant.

Dani Moonstar has been a New Mutant, a Valkyrie and an X-Avenger, but now for the first time ever, she’s the star of her own solo title.

Marvel has announced Moonstar as part of their Shadows of Tomorrow line-up, as Ashley Allen, who wrote the character’s recent appearances in Magik, teams with Edoardo Audino on the series.

“I’m so excited to be returning to tell the next chapter of Dani’s story,” Allen said. “She has been such a monumental character in both the Marvel Universe and in people’s lives – exemplifying what it means to be a true leader. I can’t believe this is the character’s first-ever solo series and I can’t wait to show readers what adventure we have in store for Dani!”

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Slugfest | Simians + superheroes clash in Marvel’s February solicitations

Plus: Moon Knight! Ultraman! Predator! Shadows of Tomorrow! Black Panther! And … Jar Jar Binks?

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. This edition focuses on Marvel’s February 2026 solicitations. Hit the links for more information.

Marvel’s First Family will explore a whole new planet — one filled with apes! — in February, marking the first-ever crossover between the Planet of the Apes franchise and the Marvel Universe. Which seems overdue, given that Marvel’s history with the franchise goes back to the 1970s.

Written by Josh Trujillo with art by Andrea di Vito, the four-issue Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four finds Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny traveling to Ape City, where they’ll encounter Cornelius, Zira, Dr. Zaius — and an array of their own familiar foes. (Like Red Ghost? This seems like a story tailor made for the Red Ghost and his crew).

“I grew up watching Planet of the Apes marathons on Saturday afternoons, so it’s a huge thrill to write for these iconic characters!” Trujillo said. “Having Marvel’s First Family butt heads with Cornelius, Zira and Dr. Zaius is just too much fun, and I can’t believe I’m the one who gets to tell this epic tale. It’s a mash-up decades in the making, and I hope you come along for the ride!”

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