DC Comics Free Comic Books Do Not Include Batman

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Jason is an award-winning journalist whose writing career dates back to when he developed the ability to use a crayon. He, most notably, worked previously as a "professional fan," as he likes to call it, at CinemaBlend, for which he wrote about anything and everything under the pop culture umbrella... especially Batman. His passion for the art of cinema began even earlier, stemming from repeat viewings of The Wizard of Oz.
This initially led him to pursue a career in filmmaking -- and even work briefly in the industry as an extra in the straight-to-video family film, Alice Upside Down -- before deciding that his talents would be better served discussing and showing appreciation for the various forms of entertainment he is passionate about.

Because comic book collectors are always on the lookout for the best deals on additions to their library, Free Comic Book Day is an especially important time of the year for them. However, those who have a particular affinity for Batman might be a little disappointed this time.

Indeed, Batman is not headlining any of the titles that DC Comics is releasing exclusively for Free Comic Book Day in 2026, as reflected in a recent report by Bleeding Cool.

This will likely come as a relatively shocking development to most comic book fans. The reason only has a little bit to do with the fact that Bruce Wayne's alter ego is one of the all-time most widely revered characters in DC's history, let alone comic book history and pop culture in general.

The bestselling comic book issues of 2025 proved that Batman was the most popular character in the medium for that year. In fact, The Dark Knight headlines six of the Top Nine titles on said list, with both issues of DC and Marvel's collaborative Batman and Deadpool crossover event appearing at Number One and Number Three, for instance.

Two issues of Scott Snyder's enduringly popular Absolute Batman series, which originally debuted in 2024, come in at seventh and ninth, while Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez's acclaimed Batman #1 is in second place, after only launching in September. The first issue of Jeph Loeb's sequel to 2003's Hush also makes the ranks at Number Six, and the Caped Crusader does have a brief role in the fifth place title, DC K.O #1.

Any one of these blockbuster titles would have been a great candidate for an exclusive Free Comic Book Day reprint. Then again, considering Absolute Batman #1 has already been reprinted about 10 times, maybe that one was taken out of consideration on purpose.

At least DC's releases for the holiday are not completely devoid of Batman. Gotham's protector does appear in the first issue of DC x Sonic the Hedgehog, which sees the iconic video game character join forces with the Justice League. A special edition of the crossover from writer Ian Flynn and artist Adam Bryce Thomas will be available that day.

What Other DC Titles Are Available On Free Comic Book Day?

Lobo rides a chained up bounty on the cover to his new Next Level series

The special DC x Sonic the Hedgehog reprint reflects DC Comics' initiative to release more family-friendly choices on Free Comic Book Day. Well, at least a few of them are appropriate for younger audiences.

The publisher is exclusively releasing a pair of new graphic novels intended for early and middle grade readers. Namely, the titles are Rob Justus' Superman's Good Guy Gang, which reimagines the Man of Steel and his allies as elementary school children, and Kanga-U: Tests and Tournaments, from writer Sholly Fisch and artist Yancey Labat, which sees a teenage Wonder Woman choosing a pet kangaroo.

Also perfect for younger superhero fans is Aquamantee #1 from Narwhal and Jelly creator Ben Canton. It follows Marlowe the Manatee, who suddenly becomes imbued with special powers that allow him to join forces with his idol, Aquaman himself.

For more mature, experienced readers, DC also plans to give out the DC Next Level FCBD 2026 Sampler, which features previews for some of the titles included in the publisher's latest imprint, dubbed "Next Level." The sampler will include Greg Rucka and DaNi's Batwoman, Lobo by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona, and Deathstroke: The Terminator from Tony Fleecs and Darmine Di Giandomenico, all of which will have launched two months prior.

Fans of the macabre will also not want to miss out on Free Comic Book Day, since the first issue of one of the most acclaimed recent horror comics will also be on the roster. In honor of the return of DC's Vertigo imprint, it will put out a special edition of The Nice House on the Lake #1, writer James Tynion IV and artist Álvaro Martínez Bueno's story about a reunion between childhood friends that proves to be a nightmare.

All of these titles will also be available to read on the publisher's own digital platform, DC Universe Infinite, on the same day.

Free Comic Book Day lands on Saturday, May 3, 2026.