After the most talked-about Free Comic Book Day debut in recent memory, Vault Comics is bringing Dungeon Crawler Carl back for a second printing — and this time, with a brand new suite of open order covers by two of indie comics' hottest artists.
Dungeon Crawler Carl Special Edition #0 has a Final Order Cutoff of Monday, June 15 and hits store shelves on July 15, 2026 — one week before San Diego Comic Con.
What is Dungeon Crawler Carl?
If you missed the FCBD issue in May, here is the short version.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the New York Times-bestselling and #1 Audible LitRPG novel series by Matt Dinniman. With millions of copies sold across seven novels, the series follows Coast Guard veteran Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world — or just get to the next level — in a video game-like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that is, in reality, the set of a reality television show broadcast to countless viewers across the galaxy.
In 2025, it was announced that Universal International Studios and Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door are developing Dungeon Crawler Carl as a television series, adapted by Chris Yost — the writer behind Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok and Disney+'s The Mandalorian. The TV announcement sent the existing FCBD issue to the top of aftermarket sales charts. The Nathan Gooden Absolute Batman homage variant (limited to 6,000 copies) was tracked by CovrPrice at a high sale of $250 NM+ with a raw NM FMV of $243. The regular FCBD cover tracked 337 copies sold in a single week with a high of $90 CGC 9.8.
The Special Edition #0 is the book's official debut in single-issue format for the direct market — your chance to own Dungeon Crawler Carl in comic form if you missed Free Comic Book Day.
The synopsis
NEW ACHIEVEMENT: You crawlers went so crazy for Dungeon Crawler Carl #0 that it's going back to print WITH BRAND NEW COVERS. (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 special #0 issue is your chance to own DCC in single issue format. You know what's worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Getting stuck on a sadistic alien game show with her cat. This #0 issue special collects the first episode (and more!) of the WEBTOON series with millions of reads.
The covers
The Special Edition launches with eight covers across two artists — Nathan Gooden (Barbaric, Post Malone's Big Rig) and Brett Bean (D'Orc). Every cover is open order.
- Cover A — Nathan Gooden · Absolute Batman #1 Homage
- Cover B — Nathan Gooden · Absolute Batman Homage B&W Variant
- Cover C — Nathan Gooden · Absolute Batman #2 Homage Variant
- Cover D — Brett Bean Variant
- Cover E — Blank Sketch Variant
- Cover F — Nathan Gooden · Absolute Batman Homage #1 Foil Full Art Variant
- Cover G — Brett Bean · Foil Full Art Variant
- Cover H — Nathan Gooden · Absolute Batman Homage #2 Foil Full Art Variant
The Absolute Batman homage covers are a direct play on the Nathan Gooden Vault webstore exclusive from FCBD — the limited 6,000-copy variant that sold out immediately and hit $250 on the secondary market within two weeks. The Special Edition opens those homage covers to the full direct market for the first time, in both standard and foil full art formats.
Why the FOC matters here
This is an open order title — meaning there is no cap on how many copies retailers can order. But open order does not mean infinite availability. The print run is determined by FOC orders, and once the window closes on Monday June 15 at 10:00 pm Eastern, that is the number that goes to print.
Given what happened with the FCBD issue — which became one of the top-selling aftermarket books of May 2026 before the TV adaptation was even announced — demand for the Special Edition is expected to be significant. The foil homage covers in particular (Covers F, G, and H) are the kind of retailer exclusive format that historically commands secondary market premiums when the initial order window closes.
The SDCC timing is also relevant. July 15 puts this on shelves one week before San Diego Comic Con — the single largest gathering of the comic collector community in the world. Anything Dungeon Crawler Carl-related arriving at shops the week before SDCC is arriving into an environment of maximum collector attention.
Pre-order at Superhero Empire
All eight covers of Dungeon Crawler Carl Special Edition #0 are available to pre-order at superheroempire.com. FOC closes Monday June 15 at 10:00 pm Eastern. In stores July 15, 2026.
Come in store or order online — we are happy to help you pick the right covers for your collection.
— Superhero Empire