This Free Comic Book Day‘s hottest trend from publishers is “we’re not telling you what we’re releasing on Free Comic Book Day.” Or, more specifically, they’ll tell stores and fans that a book is coming, but with a black cover with some mysterious white text on it. Add DC Comics to that pile, as the company has revealed that this year’s FCBD will launch “DC’s MAJOR EVENT OF 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION.”
This is of course exciting news for any fan of the DC franchise MAJOR EVENT OF 2024, and– just kidding. Here’s the also mysterious blurb for the title, per a press release provided to Comic Book Club by DC Comics:
The prelude to the biggest DC comic book event of 2024 will drop on May 4 at all participating retailers! It’s a story 30 years in the making… and in this special Free Comic Book Day tale, an original story leading into a new series launching summer 2024, the final domino to fall—the final brick on the wall—in an epic scheme comes tumbling down, and the DC Universe will never be the same. More details coming soon! No spoilers here!
So what could this book be? Presumably, this is a continuation of the uber-story DC has been telling for the past few years involving Amanda Waller, and a cadre of DC villains. Each event has tumbled into the next one; from Knight Terrors, to The Gotham War, to the currently running Titans: Beast World, to whatever is next. Conceivably, this FCBD issue could be “whatever is next.” Previously, DC teased a “Trinity of Evil” is coming… So is this that?
Beyond the mystery book, DC also has some less mysterious books coming to this FCBD: BARKHAM ASYLUM 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION, BARDA 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION, and MAD MAGAZINE 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION. The full version of Barkham Asylum launches on May 7 in stores, followed by Barda on June 4. You can check out more (actual) info on these books, below.
Free Comic Book Day will be held nationwide at participating retailers on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
DC Comics FCBD Covers And Solicits:
DC’s MAJOR EVENT OF 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION
The prelude to the biggest DC comic book event of 2024 will drop on May 4 at all participating retailers! It’s a story 30 years in the making… and in this special Free Comic Book Day tale, an original story leading into a new series launching summer of 2024, the final domino to fall—the final brick on the wall—in an epic scheme comes tumbling down, and the DC Universe will never be the same. More details coming soon! No spoilers here!
BARKHAM ASYLUM 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION
In Barkham Asylum (ISBN 9781779505002), when the Super-Villains of Gotham get thrown into Arkham Asylum, their henchpets go to the maximum-security pound known as Barkham Asylum. Fur flies when Jester, The Joker’s dog, gets a tough-talking stray cat named Penny tossed into lockup with him. But they’ll have to work together to figure out what the evil Dr. Hugo Mange is up to. And the only way to stop this terrifying team-up is to win the talent show and get visitation with their masters at Arkham on the hill. Because The Joker is sure to help! What could go wrong with that plan? DC’s Barkam Asylum Free Comic Book Day Special Edition includes a chapter of the new middle grade graphic novel created by writer and artist Yehudi Mercado. Don’t miss the mischievous pets of Gotham’s Super-Villains in an escape adventure!
BARDA 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION
And in Barda (ISBN 9781779511133), life on Apokolips is tough—but then, it is a hell ruled by Darkseid after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness’s right-hand warrior. But when Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle—to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to promote such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected. Join New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please) as she takes readers on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, deep friendships, and first loves! DC’s Barda Free Comic Book Day Special Edition features an excerpt from the young adult original graphic novel.
MAD MAGAZINE 2024 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION
America’s longest-running satire magazine continues to skewer everything pop culture, this time in comic book size! This Free Comic Book Day special edition of MAD features a wide variety of classic favorites like “Spy vs. Spy”, and “A MAD Look at…” by Sergio Aragonés. Plus, some maniacal mockeries of some of your favorite DC Superheroes, and a whole lot more from the Usual Gang of Idiots. This special edition will surely cure what ails you with a shot of humor in the jugular vein. And it is even cheaper than the usual CHEAP! Because it is FREE! So, you really would be an idiot if you didn’t go out and grab one!
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