It’s almost that time of year again…Free Comic Book Day! For those who are new to Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), it’s one day a year (the first Saturday in May) where participating comic book stores around the world give away free comic books to everyone who comes into their shops. This year, Free Comic Book Day is on May 5th, 2018. Not every single comic shop participates in FCBD, but most do. One thing to keep in mind is that you will be given a limit of how many free comics you can take. It’s different at each and every store, so make sure to ask. To learn more about Free Comic Book Day, visit freecomicbookday.com or watch this video.

In preparation for Free Comic Book Day 2018, I made a wish list of 10 of my most anticipated FCBD comics of 2018. This year there are a total of 50 comics to pick from while attending FCBD, which made it hard to narrow it down to just ten.

Free Comic Book Day 2018 Wish List

Disney Princess Ariel Spotlight – Joe Books

“The FCBD edition of Joe Books’s best-selling Disney Princess comic will put the spotlight on Ariel for the very first time!”

I’m not going to lie. I’m probably most excited about the Disney Princess Ariel Spotlight. The Disney Princess comics are one of my current favorite series, and Ariel has always been one of my favorite Disney Princesses. The artwork is exceptional and cute as can be. I’m looking forward to reading new and fan-favorite stories about Ariel’s adventures with Flounder and Sebastian.

Riverdale (Ongoing) – Archie Comic Publications

“Set in the same universe as the hit CW series, this issue gives us a peek into all the secrets Pop Tate overhears in his day-to-day business, told through four vignettes in four different booths!”

When I was little, I started reading the original Archie Comics, and loved them ever since. Although, the CW series isn’t quite the same as the comics, I’ve been really enjoying the new storyline and vibe of the characters. I think it’s cool that the comics have gone full circle and now have a comic series based on the CW series. With that being said, I’m looking forward to reading the FCBD edition of Riverdale. Plus, KJ Apa is on the cover…come on now! 😉

FCBD 2018 Bongo Comics Free-For-All – Bongo Comics

“Bart goes in search of adventure one particularly hot and boring summer day; Milhouse exacts revenge on his bullies; Lisa, of all people, gets her own “…the Clown” show; and Kang and Kodos make an ill-advised alien abduction.” 

Every Free Comic Book Day, I look forward to the Bongo Comics Free-For-All, which stars The Simpsons. I haven’t watched The Simpsons in a long time, but the multiple ongoing Simpsons’ Comics series have done the show justice with the same humor and cartoon style that we know and love. If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll love the comics!

Comics Friends Forever – First Second

“First Second presents an amazing Free Comic Book Day anthology that celebrates kids comics, girl power, and the amazing work of creators Vera Brosgol, Hope Larson, Charise Mericle Harper, Ben Hatke, and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham.”

I love comics about real life and coming of age stories. I looked at the Preview for this comic and all of the illustration styles are super cute! I’m looking most forward to Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyeb Phan because I’ve enjoyed flipping through the graphic novel when I’ve seen it in stores.

Nightmare Before Christmas Zeros Journey #0 – Tokyopop

“When Jack Skellington’s faithful pet Zero gets lost, the ghost pup must get the help of the residents of Christmas Town to find his way back. With Halloween plans on hold while Jack mounts a search, will they be reunited in time to save both holidays?”

I love Tokyopop’s manga – especially when they collaborate with Disney. This past Halloween, I watched Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time this. I thought the animation style was really neat. Although the story was very dark (which I expected since it’s a Tim Burton film), it was a lot of fun. Zero has to be my favorite character from the movie, which is why I’m excited to read a new story about Zero.

Infinity Watch Amazing Spider-Man – Marvel Comics

“New creative teams. New series. New directions. New beginnings. Fans will be able to read the first Amazing Spider-Man story from Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley in the Amazing Spider-Man/Guardians of the Galaxy Free Comic Book Day issue!”

I would say Spider-Man is my favorite Marvel superhero. I’ve always loved how “normal” he is. Even though he has his really awesome Spidey powers, he’s still your average teenager who deals with typical teenage problems. I’m curious what this FCBD issue will be about. It looks like Guardians of the Galaxy is included in this issue too.

Star Wars Adventures – IDW Publishing

“In this all-new story set before Star Wars: A New Hope, feared bounty hunters Zuckuss and 4-LOM finally have two of the biggest scoundrels in the galaxy in their sights!”

By looking at the cover, we can guess that this FCBD Star Wars story is going to be about Han and Chewie, which I’m super excited about. Of course, the original Star Wars characters are my favorite! I really dig the new illustration style too.

Brief History of Tank Girl – Titan Comics

“Tales from Tank Girl’s past that illustrate how she became the loveable, unhinged idiot that she is today!”

Tank Girl has caught my eye for a while because she looks like such a badass! I own a few issues of Tank Girl that are still waiting to be read. However, I’m really excited to get the FCBD edition of Tank Girl, so I can learn more about her before diving into her other comics. I previewed the comic, and it looks pretty dope!

Crush – Yen Press

“Following the overwhelming success of Awkward and Brave, Svetlana Chmakova’s award winning Berrybrook Middle School series continues with its next installment, Crush!”

I can’t deny that I enjoy reading Middle Grade graphic novels. When I was in middle school, graphic novels about teens for teens were far and few. I think it’s great that teens nowadays have graphic novels about teenage-hood and middle school. These graphic novels have stories that preteens/teens can truly relate to, which in turn encourages them to read. I can’t wait to read this FCBD edition of Crush, which is another middle grade graphic novel that I’ve been wanting to check out for a while now.

Scout Comics Presents The Mall – Scout Comics

“Fall, 1985. When the patriarch of a Florida crime family on the wane is murdered, his will leaves pieces of his criminal enterprise to his illegitimate offspring. These three teenagers each inherit a store in the local Twin Palms Mall, and must decide whether to embrace the family business or try to go legit, all while trying to navigate all of the John Hughes-type drama of high school in the 1980s.”

I’ve always been a fan of 80s movies – including the John Hughes films. The plot of The Mall sounds super intriguing and I expect that it’s going give off some serious 80s vibes. The 80s, teen drama, and murder? I’m so there! I really hope it doesn’t disappoint.

See You at the Comic Store

I hope you are as excited about these 10 Free Comic Book Day 2018 Comics as much as I am. Here are a few other free comics you might want to check out: Avengers Captain America, Boom Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Special, Dark Horse Overwatch & Black Hammer, Doctor Who #0, Pokemon Sun & Moon & Horizon, Transformers Unicron #0, Bob’s Burgers, Boom Adventure Time Fionna and Cake Special, SpongeBob Freestyle Funnies, and Tick 2018 Free Comic Book Day. If you’d like to see the full list of free comics for 2018, visit Free Comic Book Day’s official website.

If you’d like to see some of the Free Comic Book Day comics that I’ve gotten in the past, check out my Free Comic Book Day 2016 blog post. What comics are on your Free Comic Book Day 2018 Wish List? Also, if you are from Chicago, what are your favorite comic books stores to go to? I’m always looking for new shops to check out and explore. Please let me know in the comments below!

Comic Newbies and Comic Geeks, its been fun! I hope to see you at the comic store on Saturday, May 5th! It’s going to be a good time!

Happy Free Comic Book Day 2018 and see you in my next blog post!

♥ Candis

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts and opinions are my own.