Free Comic Book Day Split For 2026 Between Lunar/Universal And Penguin

Posted in: Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Marvel Comics, Titan | Tagged: CFFA, Comic Free-For-All, fcbd, First Saturday In May, free comic book day, FSIM

We have an industry Free Comic Book Day split for 2026 between Lunar/Universal and Penguin and Marvel Comics

Universal Distribution may have bought the rights to Free Comic Book Day from Diamond Comic Distributors as part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the annual comic book industry event that gives away free samples and launches new publishing events. But it seemed that 2026 may have to be a skip year. But last week, Bleeding Cool reported that a number of comic book publishers were taking Free Comic Book Day matters into their own hands, by publishing a series of free comics for the first Saturday in May, the 2nd of May, and calling it… First Saturday In May. However, Bleeding Cool understands that a deal has now been done between Universal Distribution and Lunar Distribution for these to be officially designated as Free Comic Book Day titles. Expect an official announcement soon, possibly sooner now that this article has been published. And the titles below are among those listed.

However, it seems that negotiations with Penguin Random House, the distributor of Marvel, Dark Horse, Boom, IDW, and Dstlry, did not go as smoothly. Marvel Comics, in particular, had wanted to participate in Free Comic Book Day, but Penguin Random House exercised its distribution contract, and as a result, those titles will not be participating in Free Comic Book Day. Instead, they will be part of something called Comic Free-For-All. And the one title confirmed for that so far will be from Penguin Random House themselves, will be The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade: The Graphic Novel Comic Free-for-All Sampler 2026. More titles to be revealed…

Free Comic Book Day:

Mad Cave Studios: Flash Gordon black and white reprint edition
Mad Cave Studios: Terrorbytes black and white reprint edition
AWA: sample of an unknown graphic novel from big names
Rekcah: The Future Is ****** Annual by Fred Van Lente and Juan Gedeon
Vault Comics: Print launch of Dungeon Keeper Carl by Matt Dinniman, Tevagah and Laurel Pursuit Studio
Vault Comics: Inanna: The Name She Lost #0 by Inanna Sarkis, Tim Seeley and Ademir Leal.
Titan Comics: Gun Honey Doubles Down #0 by Charles Ardai and Ace Continuado
Titan Comics: Conan: Tides Of The Tyrant King #0 by Jim Zub and Jesus Marino

Comic Free-For-All:

Penguin Random House:  The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade: The Graphic Novel Comic Free-for-All Sampler 2026 by Max Brallier and Brian Churilla

Mad Cave Studios:

FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 25 – FLASH GORDON #1 (NET)(W) Jeremy Adams (A/CA) Will ConradTHE BEST-SELLING SCI-FI SPECTACULAR RETURNS IN AN ALL-NEW BLACK & WHITE EDITION! Flash awakes on a secret prison planet somewhere in the galaxy. Upon learning that Dale Arden is the subject of an assassination plot, he’s forced to break out and make his way across the galaxy to save her. Along the way, he encounters old friends, new threats, and a greater mystery surrounding WHO is pulling the strings of this universe. The first exciting issue in an all-new ongoing series! (Previously solicited)
FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 25 – TERRORBYTES #1 (NET)(W) Mark Russell (A) Felix Ruiz (CA) Juan DoeRELIVE THE TERROR IN AN ALL-NEW BLACK & WHITE EDITION! In an age where technology intertwines seamlessly with our everyday lives, TERRORBYTES delves deeper into the shadows of our digital existence, exploring the uncharted territories of human consciousness shaped by technological evolution. This new series pushes the boundaries of speculative fiction, presenting stories that challenge the very essence of identity, morality, and reality in a hyper-connected world. In the first issue, a headset that lets users relive their greatest memories at the moment of their death extracts a brutal price. (Previously solicited)

AWA

FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 10 – AWA SNEAK PREVIEW (NET)(W/A/CA) TBASOMETHING MAGICAL IS COMING… during this year’s First Saturday in May event, AWA invites readers into the first glimpse of a bold new graphic novel from Eisner-winning creators. This free preview offers a first look at an upcoming project that will launch in 2026 — we’re not ready to reveal everything just yet… but trust us, you’ll want to be here when the secrets start to unravel.

Rekcah Comics

FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 10 – FUTURE IS ****** ANNUAL 2026 #1 (ONE SHOT) (NET) (MR)(W) Fred Van Lente (A) Juan Gedeon (CA) Paul PopeThe ultimate STAND ALONE INTRODUCTORY ONE-SHOT to the GREATEST HACKER COMIC BOOK OF ALL TIME is here! Witness guest artist JUAN GEDEON (Marvel’s Venom and DC’s Jurassic League) draw an absolutely killer story by series regular writer Fred Van Lente (Deadpool vs. The Punisher), which can introduce anyone to the SIXTY-ISSUE ONGOING SERIES! Look, this comic book rules, and it’s FREE! Get on the bandwagon, buddy! This issue even has giant guns and monsters! What more do you want!? TWENTY-FOUR PAGES OF STORY FOR, THAT’S RIGHT, FREE! KEY SELLING POINTS An ABSOLUTELY FREE self-contained introduction to our SIXTY-ISSUE series! New York Times Bestseller FRED VAN LENTE (Deadpool vs. The Punisher, Marvel Zombies) knocked it out of the park with an issue anyone can read and enjoy! Interior Artist JUAN GEDEON joins THE FUTURE IS ****** fresh off his acclaimed runs at MARVEL (Venom) and DC COMICS (Jurassic League)! Cover by … HOLY CRAP! IS THAT PAUL POPE?! You bet it is! The sci-fi master craftsman of Batman: Year 100, THB, Heavy Liquid, and so many more books drew this amazing cover that readers get for FREE! Learn to be a hacker with even more Capture the Flag challenges!

Vault Comics

FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 25 – DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL #0 (NET)(W) Matt Dinniman, Tevagah (A/CA) Laurel Pursuit StudioNEW ACHIEVEMENT: You can read the first chapter for FREE! Wow, you can read?! The LitRPG smash hit phenomenon and New York Times bestseller, DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL, is now a graphic novel for the very first time and this Free Comic Book Day is your chance to read the first chapter early. You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Getting stuck on a sadistic alien game show with her cat. This FCBD special collects the first episode (and more!) of the WEBTOON series with over 3 Million Reads and 175,000 subscribers.
FSIM 2026 – BUNDLE OF 25 – INANNA THE NAME SHE LOST #0 (NET)(W) Inanna Sarkis, Tim Seeley (A/CA) Ademir LealFrom writer, director, and actress, Inanna Sarkis, and Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling writer Tim Seeley comes the complete first chapter of a modern reimagining of the ancient Assyrian goddess of love and war… Inanna: The Name She Lost — FCBD Special! Once the home of the love and peace movement, San Francisco is now a city at war with itself. Mayor and presidential hopeful Tim Teller promises to fix the problems, but he has a new issue. On a brisk September evening, Inanna emerges from the Bay, wearing nothing but a lapis necklace. She remembers little save her name…and that she’s pissed. Possessed of immense strength and unwavering charisma, Inanna becomes a champion of the people. But her immortal life as a goddess of love and war is coming back to haunt her. Ancient enemies and modern monsters collide as love and war clash in a battle for the soul of humanity—and Inanna herself.

FSIM – BUNDLE OF 25 – CONAN THE BARBARIAN TIDES OF THE TYRANT KING #0 (NET) (MR)(W) Jim Zub (A) Jesus Marino (CA) Rob De La TorreCONAN OF CIMMERIA believed that THULSA DOOM’s evil had been banished forever, but the Atlantean necromancer’s dark power stirs once more and, if it cannot be stopped, the dead shall overtake the living! The Tyrant-King of Atlantis returns and all shall suffer, unless Conan and his brave allies can turn back the tide!
FSIM – BUNDLE OF 25 – GUN HONEY DOUBLES DOWN #0 (NET) (MR)(W) Charles Ardai (A/CA) Ace ContinuadoOffered $10 million to smuggle a gun into the Kremlin, Gun Honey Joanna Tan enlists the aid of a beautiful former lover in this thrilling lead-up to the events of the summer’s big event, GUN HONEY: DOUBLES DOWN.

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