Holy Smokes, Batman—It's National Comic Book Day 2012!

To all of those who believe in Harvey Dent and Gotham City, rejoice.

Sept. 25 is National Comic Book day. This is a day for people of all ages to enjoy, since the first-ever comic book superhero made his first appearance in 1938. While some characters have new looks, and some of their storylines have changed completely, comic enthusiasts can still share their love of their favorite characters, old and new.

This geeky holiday is a great time for comic fans to honor their superhero, heroine or villain’s best stories. The best way to do that? Take a peak at what Diamond Comics Distributors has to say about the industry and best books on the market!

From the Lutherville-Timonium Directory: 

Steve Geppi founded Diamond Comic Distributors in 1982. The company has to become the world's largest distributor of  English-language comics and graphic novels. Diamond has distribution centers across the U.S. and in the U.K. The office in Timonium serves as Diamond's corporate headquarters.

The Diamond Comics website is essentially a digital holy book for anyone even remotely interested in graphic novels. The site features "The Top" countdowns of the best the industry has to offer as well as previews of what's coming. 

According to Diamond, the Top 10 comics in August were:

1. Avengers Vs X-Men #9
2. Avengers Vs X-Men #10
3. Batman #12
4. Justice League #12
5. Amazing Spider-Man #692
6. Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1
7. AVX Vs #5
8. Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1
9. Green Lantern #12
10. Detective Comics #12

View the Top 100 list here.

The Top 10 Non-Premier Comics and Graphic Novels where:

1. Archer & Armstrong #1
2. Adventure Time #7
3. Shadow #4
4. Adventure Time Marceline Scream Queens #2
5. X-O MANOWAR #4
6. Boys #69 (MR)
7. Bloodshot #2
8. Harbinger #3
9. Pathfinder #1
10. Sonic The Hedgehog #240

View the Top 50 list here. 

Diamond Comics is strictly a distributor, so don't go banging down their door on Greenspring Drive looking for the latest Marvel masterpiece. 

You can, however, observe National Comic Book Day by visiting one of the following local comic book shops: 

Legends Games & Comics | Write a review (Towson)

Alternate Worlds | Write a review (Hunt Valley)

National Comic Book day is also a good precursor for the famous New York Comic Con. This year, it will be held during Oct. 11-14 at the Jacob Javits Center, where heroes and villains will walk the streets of Gotham.

From Batman to Archie and the gang, be sure to celebrate everyone’s favorite comic characters.

TELL US: Who is your favorite comic book character? Also, upload photos of your personal comic book collection.