By Zack Quaintance — There’s no denying that right now is a scary time, both in terms of the threat posed to our health and the health of our loved ones, as well as the economic recession that seems all but guaranteed in the months to come. As such, I know that I’ve personally identified a dual need in my life to both save money and find stories for escapism. If there’s one truism in harrowing times, it’s that we as a people will always need stories.

To satisfy both of these concerns, today I’ve gone to comiXology and combed through their offerings to find 3 Free Digital Comics to Read Right Now. Long-time readers of this site or followers of my Twitter will surely recognize these books. They are all favorites of mine, but the difference between now and past times that I’ve talked about these comics is that now you can jump right in and read these books for free!

With all of that in mind, let’s take a look…

Amazing Spider-Man, Masterworks Vol. 1
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Publisher: Marvel Comics
When a young Peter Parker is given the fantastic powers of an arachnid, he must also deal with the fantastic pressures of an everyday teenager. Check out these stories of spectacular web-slinging adventure from Spidey's very beginning, including the tragic origin that started it all, the first appearances of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Vulture, Electro, and guest-star nods by the Fantastic Four and Human Torch.
Why It’s Cool: These are foundational comics from one of the most popular superhero characters on the planet. But historical relevance aside, these are also comics that still read as entertaining today. The fact that this entire volume is available right now for free is incredible, because I can think of few works of art better to get absolutely lost in than the creation stories for Peter Parker, even more so given that there are plenty of folks in the news that could learn from his foundational guiding ethos — with great power comes great responsibility.
Read Now: Click here!

Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, Vol. 1
Writers: John Byrne & Mike Mignola
Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse presents new editions of the entire Hellboy line with new covers, beginning with Seed of Destruction, the basis of director Guillermo del Toro's blockbuster films. Hellboy is one of the most celebrated comics series in recent years. The ultimate artists' artist and a great storyteller whose work is in turns haunting, hilarious, and spellbinding. Mike Mignola has won numerous awards in the comics industry and beyond. When strangeness threatens to engulf the world, a strange man will come to save it. Sent to investigate a mystery with supernatural overtones, Hellboy discovers the secrets of his own origins, and his link to the Nazi occultists who promised Hitler a final solution in the form of a demonic avatar.
Why It’s Cool: Hellboy is one of my favorite things in all of comics. He’s a laconic ghost-hunter bucking a presumed destiny that it will be him that brings about the end of the world, and this is the first story ever written and illustrated with the character by writer/artist Mike Mignola (with some light scripting help from John Byrne). The reason I highly recommend check this one out is that if you dig it, there’s an entire world of fantastic Hellboy books that await, the vast majority of which are available with monthly membership to comiXology unlimited (which you can also try right now for free, btw). If you do decide to continue on, make sure to check out our How to Read Hellboy guide, which comes complete with a list of all-time favorite volumes.
Read Now: Click here!

Stray Bullets #1
Writer/Artist: David Lapham
Publisher: Image Comics
Follow the lost lives of people who are savagely torn apart by events beyond their control. As the innocent world of an imaginative little girl is shattered when she witnesses a brutal double murder. Or an introverted young boy on the verge of manhood gets a lesson on just how far is too far when he falls for a needy woman who lives life in the fast lane. Or party with a pair of low-rent hoods who learn about what is really important in life just when they shouldn't. And even learn the story of the most infamous gangster who ever lived, Amy Racecar, who talks to God, lunches with the President, and just may be responsible for the end of the world.
Why It’s Cool: In the early days of the quarantine, I was slowly reading the entirety of writer/artist David Lapham’s Stray Bullets, forgetting the awful things that were happening outside by escaping into the awful things that were happening on the page. In these stories, Lapham uses outlandish crimes to convey the powerful emotions of the characters within, and the result is a mesmerizing set of the greatest crime comics ever. This first issue can be read for free and taken as self-contained…or you can do as I did and proceed to slowly make your way through the rest of this all-time great series.
Read Now: Click here!

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Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.