Today, September 25, Is National Comic Book Day!

Celebrate the comic books you love!

You read that right ... today, September 25, is National Comic Book Day. Drop everything, change your plans, and focus on the comic books that have brought you joy over the years.

Ever heard the term, "pannapictagraphist?" It's okay, we'll wait as you Google it. Or we'll just tell you. A pannapictagraphist is someone who collects comic books. Comic books have been around since the early 1900s. Famous Funnies, published in 1933, is believed to be the first real comic book. This comic book included the iconic storytelling methods used in comics throughout the decades.

"One of the earliest known comics printed was The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. The 1842 hardcover comic book became the first known American comic book."

Marvel Comics is said to be the leading publisher of comic books, including bestsellers Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man, Iron Man, and the X-Men. A competent rival, DC Comics, publishes hits such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg.

Children and adults alike appreciate the classic comic books as well as the new comic book series. In 2020, Marvel and DC Comics continue to launch new series and even cross-over series of comic books. A brand new graphic novel series, The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir In Pictures, has nothing to do with superheroes but is a personal memoir of Stephenson's personal career. Saga's Return is the long-awaited comeback after the authors' hiatus. Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio covers the events leading up to the Kent State shootings in 1970.

Dave (at comicbookherald.com) keeps a running list of hundreds of the best comics of all time. Here are the top five:

While most comic books hit the retail shelves at around $3 per copy, collectors have been paying high prices for rare finds. A copy of the first Marvel Comics comic book, from 1939 and with a cover price of 10 cents, recently sold for a whopping $1.26 million. And the first Superman comic (Action Comics #1) is reported as the most-expensive comic book having sold in 2014 for $3.2 million.

If you're wanting to save a bit of cash, mark your calendar for the next Free Comic Book Day (the first Saturday in May each year). Known as the "biggest event in the comic book industry," Free Comic Book Day is when publishers join in the fun providing comic books to local comic book stores for this annual event. The book store owner might not share that he or she still needs to pay for the comic books offered to the general public for free. So be sure to purchase other items and books as you're picking up your stack of free comic books.

"Every year, on the first Saturday in May, the industry comes together to give away free comics and encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans to flock to the best place in the comic book community: local comic shops. Each one is unique in its community, with a style and personality all its own, and each one carries a full line of comics, graphic novels, toys and related products."

How will you celebrate National Comic Book Day? Share in the comments below.