Free Comic Book Day is pretty much the best day of the year. On the first Saturday in May, comic shops around the world give out free comic books to visitors. Many stores also have other sales, signings, and activities to further celebrate the day. The event is to encourage new and old comic readers alike and many publishers use this day as a way to get readers interested in new story arcs or characters.
Secret Empire
Marvel is releasing two new comics for Free Comic Book Day. Both are ten page stories that set up new arcs. The first is Secret Empire #1 by Nick Spencer and Andrea Sorrentino. This is a huge event Marvel has been teasing since the summer. It will bring the entire Marvel Universe together to fight a familiar enemy. Secret Empire is already gaining a lot of attention for this storyline and the final page of the first comic, so it’s definitely going to be one to look out for.
Included in Secret Empire #1 is also a sneak peek at Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man by Chip Zdarsky and Paulo Siqueira. This new comic returns Peter back to his roots in NYC. It serves as a companion to the Amazing Spider-Man series by Dan Slott. Plus, the comic is being promoted by our new Spidey, Tom Holland, which means the story might in some way connect to Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The other title is All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1 by Gerry Duggan, Aaron Kuder and Ive Svorcina. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot are back and heading to space and take on the Nova Corps. It makes sense to promote this new issue as well with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 also hitting theaters the same weekend.
This issue also includes a preview of the new Defenders comic written by the all-star team of Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez and Justin Ponsor. Defenders will bring Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist together- just like in the upcoming Netflix series. The events in this teaser will lead up to the first issue which will be available in June.
Free Comic Book Day is on May 6th, 2017. And there aren’t just Marvel comics available, but ones from DC, Image, IDW, and Dark Horse. Check out the Free Comic Book Day website to find a store near you. Happy reading!