Ed Gosney's Blog, page 14
December 16, 2021
Archie & Disney Christmas, Jack of Hearts, and a Splash of Flash!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 325, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 325…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t promote a couple of fantastic local (greater Akron, Ohio, area) creators and their newest comic books. Dan Gorman (who, as many of you know, did the famous Cool Comics In My Collection logo) gets creator credits in Turkey Day as the colorist and is also one of the writers. This is a wild tale of aliens, turkeys, and tradition. It’s rated Mature (violence) and is unlike any Thanksgiving tale I’ve ever read! Ted Sikora (writer) wraps up Bloom with issue #4 (also rated Mature). Hero Tomorrow Comics has built quite the entertaining universe, and the Bloom run brings us an important part of its history. I’m always looking forward to new things from both Dan and Ted!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Jack of Hearts versus The Flash! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode, Cool Comics features a “Flash” mob, thanks to Ed Griffie’s quick pencils and Cool Comic #1645 below! Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1641 — Archie’s Holiday Magic Special #1, Archie, February 2022.
It’s always interesting to see modern takes on characters who have been around for decades, and Archie and his pals are celebrating 80 years of comic book fun. Personally, I’ve enjoyed all the different looks of the Riverdale gang, even when they’re zombies (although Archie during the Seventies is my favorite period since that’s when I started reading the different titles). This issue also includes a Little Archie story, which are always fun. If you like a splash of Archie with your Christmas, why not give this one a try? I’m going to cover the creators for each of the stories in this fun issue, so here we go: Home for the Holidaze – Micol Ostow (story) and Gretel Lusky (line art); Yes, Little Archie, There is a… – J. Torres (story) and Gretel Lusky (line art); It’s a Wonderful Latke – Micol Ostow (story) and Arielle Jovellanos (line art); and Return to Riverdale – Michael Northrop (story) and Dan Schoening (line art). Other credits include Matt Herms (coloring), Jack Morelli (lettering), Jamie Lee Rotante (editor), Stephen Oswald (associate editor), Vincent Lovallo (assistant editor), and Gretel Lusky (cover). The cover price of Archie’s Holiday Magic Special #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
#1642 — The Jack of Hearts #1 , Marvel, January 1984.
Created by Bill Mantlo (writer) and Keith Giffen (artist), the Jack of Hearts seems to have been dealt a bad hand (okay, you can stop groaning now). I’ve rarely seen this character, and for all I can remember, this may be the only comic book I’ve read that features Jack Hart (being that I’ve read thousands of comic books in my life, don’t hold me to this statement, please!). He’s angry, sympathetic, and powerful, and the story left me wanting to know what happens next…and it just so happens that I found all four issues of this mini-series in a quarter box a few months ago! Hence, I was able to get the entire run for a measly dollar. Bill Mantlo gets script credit, while George Freeman did the pencils and inks for both the interiors and cover. Other creators include Nick Burns (colors) and John Morelli (letters). The cover price of The Jack of Hearts #1 is 60¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
#1643 — Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend #1 , Kodansha, August 2021.
This manga Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition comes with the title story, along with a really short look at another tale named A School Frozen in Time. And while I’m not a big fan of these kinds of stories (I’m certainly not the target market!), I recognize that there are plenty of readers out there who love these comics. Another thing on the plus side is that after several years of FCBD manga comics, I’m starting to get the hang of reading them back to front, right to left. And if this issue had a guide on how to read it, which they sometimes do, it wasn’t necessary…I feel like I’ve really accomplished something! Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend is written and illustrated by original creator Reiji Miyajima, while A School Frozen in Time is written by Mizuki Tsujimura and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa. The cover price of Rent-A-(Really Shy!)-Girlfriend #1 is free, while the current value is $1.
#1644 — Walt Disney’s Holiday Parade #2, Disney Comics, Winter 1991.
This is another ultrathick Disney anthology that brings us delightful winter tales featuring Donald Duck, Li’l Bad Wolf, Grandma Duck, Chip ‘N’ Dale, Super Goof, Mickey Mouse, and more! One of the best things about my copy is that it was gifted to me, which is always a great way to build your collection. If you’re a Disney fan and love holiday stories, start digging through back issues at your local comic shop! It took tons of creators for all the stories in this extra thick special: Rick Hoover, Gail Bailey, Bob Gregory, Carl Barks, Susan Daigle-Leach, Garé Barks, Carl Fallberg, Frank McSavage, Janice Cohen, Don R. Christensen, Riley Thomson, Joan Goldman, Paul Murry, Valerie Dal Chele, Bill Spicer, Werner Wejp-Olsen, Josep Tello González, Carl Gafford, Al Hubbard, Jo Meugniot, and Harvey Eisenberg. Story credit per creator can be found at The Grand Comics Database. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Holiday Parade #2 is $2.95, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
#1645 — The Flash #283, DC, March 1980.
Look kids, it’s December, and Cool Comics is featuring the man in the red suit! Okay, he doesn’t say, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” or travel by reindeer, but he moves every bit as fast (probably faster) as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve! This is a fun issue that goes back over 40 years, and as you can see on the cover, Barry Allen is giving his time-traveling treadmill a terrific workout. Cover credits belong to Ross Andru (pencils), Dick Giordano (inks), Tatjana Wood (colors), and Todd Klein (letters). The story, Flashback, quickly comes to us from Cary Bates (script), Don Heck (pencils), Frank Chiaramonte (inks), Gene D’Angelo (colors), and Ben Oda (letters). The cover price of The Flash #283 is 40¢, while the current value is $8.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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December 9, 2021
Don’t D’Spayre, Spider-Man and Man-Thing are Here!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 324, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 324…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Last week saw another major milestone in comics, as the 750th issue (when accounting for Legacy Numbering) of Avengers arrived. This extra thick issue (92 pages for $9.99) contains several different stories, such as Ka-Zar tumbling through time, Kid Thanos causing trouble, Robbie Reyes looking out for his brother, Howard Stark strange stuff, and more. It’s a real mixed bag, and I’ve seen real mixed reviews. But I mostly enjoyed it, especially the last story, which features Thor and…well, no spoilers here! Did you read it? What are your thoughts? If you want a look at all the creators and characters, check out the page on League of Comic Geeks.
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Archie versus Man-Thing! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
Cool Comics Readers, we’ve reached our 100th episode of Cool Comics Creations! And in honor of this momentous occasion, we’re going back to our very first creator, none other than my wife, Melissa Gosney, of the world renown Melissa’s Craft Corner! Fans of the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will immediately recognize Dolly from The Island of Misfit Toys, which is sure to bring a smile to your face. Melissa’s a genius wreath maker, and as you can see in the image, this welcoming door decoration is very timely, because Christmas is fast approaching. If you’re interested in this or other wreaths from Melissa’s Craft Corner, email me at edgosney62@gmail.com.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1636 — Batman: Fear State: Omega #1, DC, January 2022.
Is Batman popular? Just how many comics featuring Batman, or Batman-related characters, such as Nightwing and Harley Quinn, could DC sell in a month? I could probably feature a Bat-Title each episode in the Modern-Day Cool Comics subheading and not repeat myself for quite a while. I’m not putting down Batman or DC’s efforts to bank on his popularity, but in the newest issue of DC Connect, I counted 22 Batman-related titles coming out in February. If you love all things Batman and you keep to a budget when it comes to your comic book buying, how can you afford to enjoy other superheroes? Anyway, no self-respecting Bat-Fan can afford to skip this issue if you’ve been reading all the other Fear State comics. I liked it, even though I don’t read every Bat-Book in existence. While James Tynion IV handled the writing chores for this big wrap-up to the Fear State storyline, several people handled the art, including Riccardo Federici, Christian Duce, Ryan Benjamin, Guillem March, and Trevor Hairsine. Other contributors are Chris Sotomayor (colors), Clayton Cowles (letters), and Ben Abernathy (editor). The cover price of Batman: Fear State: Omega #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
#1637 — Archie #252 , Archie, April 1976.
When Archie tells his father that he wants dear old dad to be in a state of “weekend” retirement, because America’s favorite teenager is going to take care of all the things Mr. Andrews does on Saturdays and Sundays, you just know that this nice gesture is going to go south. It was during the Seventies that I started reading Archie titles, and this issue, which features a several complete stories, doesn’t disappoint. If you’ve never given that gang of kids over in Riverdale a try, you might want to find some discounted oldies, like this one, that I rescued from a quarter box. Dan DeCarlo did the cover pencils, while the interior stories were brought to us by many creators including Frank Doyle, Harry Lucey, Chic Stone, Barry Grossman, Bill Yoshida, Joe Edwards, Bob Montana, Jon D’Agostino, and Dick Malmgren. The cover price of Archie #252 is 30¢, while the current value is $14.
#1638 — Critical Role/The Witcher , Dark Horse Comics, August 2021.
I know absolutely nothing about the Critical Role story in the first half of this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue from Dark Horse Comics, but it kept my attention and as a newcomer, I enjoyed it. The second story is from The Witcher universe, and I’ve seen a few episodes of the streaming series (it’s been a while…I should probably take some time to catch up), so I’m somewhat familiar with it and liked this story better because of that. The cover of this comic states that it’s Rated Mature, but I don’t really know why. There is a little violence, but nothing like some comics have in them. But I read it last week, and perhaps I forgot about some language issues or something. Still, I did a quick flip through it, and it seemed fine to me. But if you plan on passing it to younger eyes, I suggest reading it yourself before doing so. Creators for Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Home include Jody Houser (script), Tyler Walpole (cover and interior art), and Ariana Maher (lettering). The Witcher: Once Upon a Time in the Woods comes to us from Bartosz Sztybor (script), Nil Vendrell (art), Miquel Muerto (colors), and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (lettering). The cover price of Critical Role/The Witcher is free, while the current value is $1.
#1639 — Mickey Mouse Adventures #5, Disney Comics, October 1990.
While I have an affinity for Disney’s ducks (Donald, his nephews, and Uncle Scrooge McDuck), their stories are usually quite different from Disney’s flagship character, Mickey Mouse. Regardless of which comic book company publishes them, or what era they were created in, Mickey’s stories usually center on intense (well, intense enough to still let kids read them) adventures that may even keep adults turning the pages. The first story was a lot of fun, but it continues, so I’ll have to see if I have issue 6 hiding in a box somewhere! The headline adventure, The Case of the Foxy Felon, is brought to us by Marv Wolfman (script), Hector Saavedra (pencils), Ruben Torreiro (inks), Gail Bailey (colors), and Deni Loubert (colors). The Coconut Caper creators include Deni Loubert (script), Antonio Bancells Pujadas (pencils and inks), Carl Gafford (colors), and Bobbi JG Weiss (letters). Carlos Valenti did the cover pencils. The cover price of Mickey Mouse Adventures #5 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.
#1640 — Marvel Team-Up #68, Marvel, April 1978.
The Seventies Marvel comics were often misleading when it came to the actual story title. And this issue of Marvel Team-Up #68 is a perfect example. If you look at the bottom right corner of the cover, you’d think the title would be DARK SWAMP, DEEP FEAR! But when we flip to the first page, we see this story is named THE MEASURE OF A MAN! Oh well, just a fun little observation from my favorite period of comics. Besides getting a great adventure with Spider-Man and Man-Thing, this issue also sees the first appearance of D’Spayre…who proves to be a formidable foe. If you love Spidey and burn at the touch of Man-Thing, I strongly suggest adding this one to your collection if it’s not already there. Marvel Team-Up #68 has a couple creator names quite familiar to many comic book fans: Chris Claremont (script) and John Byrne (pencils). Others who contributed to this fantastically fun Seventies story include Bob Wiacek (inks), Phil Rachelson (colors), and Bruce Patterson (letters). John Byrne (pencils) and Joe Rubenstein (inks) brought us the cover. The cover price of Marvel Team-Up #68 is 35¢, while the current values are $9 on CBR and $30 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $18.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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December 2, 2021
Cool Comic Book Genre Memories From Western Action to Tarzan!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 323, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 323…
Cool Comics Stuff!
December is now upon us, and that means (at least for holiday freaks like me!) that it’s time to start reading some Christmas comics. When I was much younger, I spent part of December reading through Dennis the Menace Christmas comics, both regular sized issues and digests. A few years later I discovered the fun of
Archie Winter and Christmas themed issues (again, both regular sized comics and digests), and, despite my huge comic book purge about a dozen years ago, I kept all of those issues. They may not be as valuable as some that I parted with at my garage sale, but the memories of reading them in my youth wouldn’t let me part with them. Soon I’ll be starting to read this new cool Archie digest featuring 80 Years of Christmas, with stories from every decade of Archie’s existence. But it isn’t just Archie and Dennis the Menace Christmas comics that I enjoy. As I got older, I started reading Marvel Christmas specials, followed later by DC Christmas themed issues. Are there any special comics you enjoy reading at this time of year?
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Tarzan versus Batman! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode’s Cool Comics Creation of The Indestructible Hulk comes from Sydney Walton, which is perfect timing for our Modern-Day Cool Comics entry below! The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd said he’s been painting covers for a few years now and likes to think that he was one of the first to do so. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1631 — Hulk #1, Marvel, January 2022.
It’s a new era for your favorite green goliath, and while Hulk is no longer “Immortal,” if this first issue is any indication, his title is still going to be a wild ride of a fan-pleaser! Did you grab this one from your local comic shop? If not, you better not wait much longer to add it to your collection. If you’re still on the fence about it because you feel you’ve read all that the Hulk has to offer, perhaps you should take a closer look at the words at the bottom of the cover. “What if the Hulk exists…to protect us from Banner?” The new creative team on Hulk features Donny Cates (writer), Ryan Ottley (artist/cover artist), Frank Martin (colorist/cover artist), Cory Petit (letterer), and Will Moss (editor). For a complete look at all the variant covers (and there are many), additional creators, and list of characters appearing in this issue, check out the page on League of Comic Geeks. The cover price of Hulk #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
#1632 — Tarzan of the Apes #184 , Gold Key, June 1969.
Most of my experience with Tarzan comes from watching Saturday afternoon movies featuring Lord Greystoke on a channel out of Pittsburgh, PA, back in my younger days. And I wasn’t watching alone. My father was a fan, and I have great memories of the times we shared, watching Tarzan swinging through the jungle and saving the day. But I haven’t read many of the comics, and my collection is rather sparse, so I was more than happy to adopt this one that I recently found in a quarter bin. The gorgeous cover credit belongs to George Wilson, while Tarzan Triumphant Part 1 comes to us from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, which was adapted by Gaylord Du Bois, with pencils and inks by Doug Wildey. Creators for the story Fiery Secret, starring the Leopard Girl, are Gaylord Du Bois (writer) and Nat Edson (pencils/inks). The cover price of Tarzan of the Apes #184 is 15¢, while the current value is $38.
#1633 — Batman and Robin and Howard/Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld , DC, October 2021.
Since there are two stories in this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue, each with their own cover, it seems only fair that both get equal billing. And while I’m just a bit older than the target market for these graphic novel previews, that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy them. If you like your comic fun grounded in the “real” world, the Batman and Robin and Howard story is probably more to your liking…but if you also like a dash of fantasy and 
other worlds, then don’t skip Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld. This issue is all ages, so pass it down to some kids in your life, and if they like it, perhaps considering getting them the graphic novels…which helps us continue to grow this great hobby! Creators for Batman and Robin and Howard include Jeffrey Brown (writer/artist/cover artist), Silvana Brys (colorist), and Becca Carey (letterer). Credits for Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld include Shannon Hale (writer), Dean Hale (writer), and Asiah Fulmore (artist/cover artist). The cover price of Batman and Robin and Howard/Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld is free, while the current values are $0 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
#1634 — Tom and Jerry #286, Gold Key, September 1974.
Whether you’re 8 or 88, Tom and Jerry provide plenty of fun and laughs. There probably aren’t many readers who are 88, but reading these comics is a great way to feel young at heart! When you get tired of today’s ongoing multiple issue storylines, dig through some discount boxes, and search out treasures like this one. You get entertaining, short-but-complete stories that will transport you back to your youth. This issue contains four adventures that are just plain fun. Tom and Jerry #286 features several creators, including John Costanza (pencils/inks), Massimo Fecchi (pencils/inks), Hy Eisman (pencils/inks), and Marty Taras (pencils/inks). Unfortunately, complete credit per story is lost to time, but you can go to the Grand Comics Database to see the name of each story in this issue, along with known creators. The cover price of Tom and Jerry #286 is 25¢, while the current value is $14.
#1635 — Western Action #1, Atlas/Seaboard, February 1975.
If you’re a fan of Westerns, from Shane to True Grit to Lonesome Dove, you should consider adding this comic to your collection, if you haven’t already. To be honest, I wasn’t much of a fan of “cowboy” movies and shows until I watched the Lonesome Dove mini-series. I’d seen older Westerns at different times during my many decades on this earth, but the magic of Larry McMurtry’s characters, both onscreen and between the printed pages, gave me a new appreciation of the genre. Hence, I’ve slowly been growing my Western comic collection, but it’s still rather sparse. I really enjoyed Western Action, and it’s a shame the creative team didn’t get to put out further issues. The cover comes to us courtesy of Larry Lieber (pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), and Gaspar Saladino (letters/logo). Birth of a Badman! featuring Kid Cody, Gunfighter, includes the creative talents of Larry Lieber (script) and Doug Wildey (pencils/inks/letters). The team who brought us Vengeance Trail, starring the Comanche Kid, are Steve Skeates (script), Jack Abel (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), and Alan Kupperberg (letters). The cover price of Western Action #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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November 25, 2021
Is Donald Duck a Fowl Fiend for Going on a Turkey Hunt?
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 322, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 322…
Cool Comics Stuff!
As a comic book fan, what are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day? Perhaps it’s a recent acquisition of a “Grail” that you’ve been after for a long time, or maybe it’s news that one of your favorite characters is back in an ongoing series. Maybe you’re thankful for your local comic shop, or perhaps someone recently gifted you a box or two containing comics from your favorite period. There are many things to be thankful for in life, and when it comes to comic books, the things we can be thankful for sometimes feels limitless! One of the things I’m thankful for in the world of comics is the number of great people I’ve met who work in the industry, from the hard-working independents to those who’ve worked for the big two. It’s a hobby that I’m proud to be a part of! And the picture above? What’s that about, you ask? Why, I’m thankful for this box full of comics that cost just a quarter each!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Jimmy Olsen versus Donald Duck! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
[image error]This week our Cool Comics Creation features sketch cards from a Star Wars trading card series, courtesy of illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. If you’re looking for things to be thankful for in this Thanksgiving edition of Cool Comics, you can be thankful for Dan’s delightful talents! For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com. Additionally, Dan is the artist of the Cool Comics logo!
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1626 — Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute #1, Marvel, January 2022.
For the last few years, DC has given us some pretty cool 80th Anniversary comics of their popular, long-lasting characters, usually packing about 10 stories into 100 pages by various creators. And now that the Fantastic Four has turned 60 (as of August…things tend to run late these days, which all of you probably know), Marvel gives us a different kind of “Anniversary Tribute.” This issue contains the now classic Fantastic Four #1 and Fantastic Four Annual #3, but instead of simple reprints, dozens of artists have contributed their renditions, per story page, while the writing credit by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby remain the same. Each included story contains a page that tells us who did page 1 of issue 1, page 2 of issue 1, and so on. I’m sure this took a bit of coordination, but it is a lot of fun to revisit these important stories in Fantastic Four history, and if you’re even just somewhat of a fan, I recommend picking this up. Consequently, I’m not going to try to squeeze all the creator names in here, but you can find the long list at Marvel Database. The cover price of Fantastic Four Anniversary Tribute #1 is $6.99, while the current value is $7.
#1627 — Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #161 , DC, November 1973.
It’s not often that I find issues of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen in quarter bins, so when I spot one, I don’t pass up the opportunity. And as you can see from the cover, the drama is ratcheted up because, as Superman himself tells Jimmy, “STAY AWAY! YOU’VE BECOME A HUMAN ATOM BOMB!” Imagine the horror if that happened to you…but unless your name is Olsen, you’re probably safe, since according once more to the cover, this is part of “The OLSEN EXPERIMENT.” The Jimmy Olsen stories are often wacky, but that’s part of the charm of this series that gives us covers that just BEG us to take them home and read them. At least that’s my excuse for buying them. The cover artist for this crazy comic is Nick Cardy and features a script by Leo Dorfman, with art by Kurt Schaffenberger. The cover price of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #161 is 20¢, while the current values are $30 on CBR and $24 on ZKC.
#1628 — Bountiful Garden #1, Mad Cave, October 2021.
Not long after I’d begun reading this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition of Bountiful Garden, I got the sense of déjà vu. Or something very close to it. About 15 years ago I’d written down ideas in a notebook for a science fiction space trilogy I tagged as The Lost Agendas. Later, I typed up the notes for each of the three potential books and still have the Word file. And while Bountiful Garden and The Lost Agendas trilogy have plenty of differences, the similarities got me kind of excited about both the comic book and my possible future trilogy…that I’ll probably never write, as too many other projects now take up my time. But I sure had fun reading this FCBD issue and looking over my notes! The team that put this comic together includes Ivy Noelle Weir (writer), Kelly Williams (artist), Giorgio Spalleta (colorist), Justin Birch (letterer), Steenz (editor), and Diana Bermúdez (book designer). The cover price of Bountiful Garden #1 is free, while the current value is $1.
#1629 — Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories #579, Disney Comics, January 1993.
It’s hard to go wrong with a Disney comic book, regardless of what company published it, and if you celebrate Thanksgiving and are a fan of Disney Ducks, then this is a comic you probably want to add to your collection, if you don’t already own it. Donald’s nephews often enjoy pulling a fast one on him, and this story is no exception when the dapper duck dresses like a Pilgrim in his quest for a turkey cheaper than the prices at the local butcher. Also in this issue we get a story with The L’il Bad Wolf, and then Mickey Mouse and Goofy in “Ridin’ the Rails.” If you only read one Disney title, this is the one to get, due to the variety of characters and stories. The Grand Comics Database is a great place to go for all the creator credits, since there are several stories in this issue, so make sure to check out the link. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories #579 is $1.50, while the current value is $4.
#1630 — Famous Funnies #148, Eastern Color Printing, November 1946.
I always enjoy perusing through back issue boxes, and often I’ll flip through comics that are unknown commodities for me. When I saw this issue of Famous Funnies, I decided it was easily within my budget ($8 for this previously owned comic book…and in 1946 this was 52 pages for a measly dime), and I wanted to sample what this title was about. As it turns out, this is now, to the best of my recollection, the oldest comic book in my collection (does it show that I’ve been reading about that rhyming rapscallion, The Demon, in the newest Back Issue magazine?). Between the covers we find a variety of stories featuring Buck Rogers, Invisible Scarlett O’Neil, Chief Wahoo and Steve Roper, Napoleon, Dickie Dare, Scorchy Smith, and Oaky Doaks. And I’m surmising that you probably recognize the name Buck Rogers, but the rest of these characters from the Forties are perfect strangers…although you may have figured out that Chief Wahoo is the guy on the cover with the turkey (did you eat your Thanksgiving Day turkey yet?) roosting on his feet. This comic certainly comes from a different time and place, and it’s nice to be able to take a look at the kinds of stories your parents or grandparents may have read. While I may not be able to afford a Superman comic from 1946, comics like this are still fun to experience. Once more, as Famous Funnies is an anthology with a myriad of creators, the best way to find out about the writers and artists is by visiting the Grand Comics Database. The cover price of Famous Funnies #148 is 10¢, while the current value is $125.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
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November 18, 2021
Are Warlord & Venom Brave Enough to Face Garfield’s Nightmare?
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 321, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 321…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Are you working on completing any comic book runs, or do you just stick to new issues that come out each week? Or perhaps you buy back issues, but don’t worry about having complete collections of particular titles…which certainly makes the hobby easier. There are certain titles I’m trying to complete, such as the 1968 Captain Marvel series (2 more and I’m done!), John Carter, Warlord of Mars (4 more issues needed!), and the entire output of Atlas Comics. Sometimes months go by without me looking at back issue boxes, but the comics I’m after are often in my head when I walk in a comic book shop or go to a comic convention. What about you? What are you trying to complete? We’d love to find out in our comment section below.
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Jughead versus Garfield! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
Space, the final frontier…how can you not love this RAKified version of Star Trek: The Original Crew? That’s right, this episode’s creation comes to us from Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, including cool games he’s developed. To learn more about RAK, be sure to visit his website at http://www.rakgraphics.com/.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1621 — Venom #1, Marvel, December 2021.
Did you decide to jump onboard Venom since the series is once again starting with a new #1 issue? While I bought several of the early Venom limited series, I wasn’t much of a fan, and when I started buying new comics again after a 14-year layoff, I had no interest in a character who wanted to eat my brains. Yet for some inexplicable reason, I bought issue 18 (cover dated February 2020), and haven’t stopped since. The storytelling and art really did a great job bringing the character to life in a way I hadn’t previously seen. And the introduction of Dylan (son of Venom) is what really sold me on this comic. And this first issue of the new volume gives me hope that the fun won’t be stopping anytime soon. The new creative team behind Venom includes writers Al Ewing and Ram V, penciler Bryan Hitch, inker Andrew Currie, color artist Alex Sinclair, letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles, cover artists Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair, and editor Devin Lewis. The cover price of Venom #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6. The Key Collector Comics value is also $6.
#1622 — Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #252 , Archie, December 1976.
The last few months have been good for finding Archie comics in quarter bins. I’ve probably been able to get close to a hundred different issues since mid-summer, which is remarkable, considering that comics featuring America’s favorite teen don’t seem to show up all that often in the cheap boxes (at least from my experience). One of the great things about this issue is that it’s a mid-Seventies comic, which brings back lots of memories of reading Archie during that period in my life. Between the covers we get four complete stories, and two half-page gag shorts. These Archie adventures featuring Betty and Veronica were put together by many people. For story-by-story credits, including creator roles, click HERE. If you don’t feel like clicking, here’s a list of several artists who had a hand in this fun comic: Dan DeCarlo, Frank Doyle, Rudy Lapick, Bill Yoshida, Joe Edwards, Bob Montana, and George Gladir. The cover price of Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #252 is 30¢, while the current value is $10.
#1623 — The Legend of Korra/Avatar the Last Airbender, Dark Horse Comics, August 2021.
While I’m a fan of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, I still haven’t gotten around to watching The Legend of Korra, so it was fun getting a quick peek at this world that takes place in the future of Avatar. Both stories in this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue were quite enjoyable, which showed me that perhaps I’ll someday have to read more of the comic book adventures. The creative crew for The Legend of Korra include Kiku Hughes (script), Sam Beck (art), Killian Ng (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt (lettering), and Sam Beck with Killian Ng (cover art). For Avatar the Last Airbender, credits belong to Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh (story), Nadia Shammas (script), Sara Alfageeh (art), Savanna Ganucheau (colors), and Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt (lettering). Editors for this issue include Rachel Roberts and Freddye Miller. The cover price of The Legend of Korra/Avatar the Last Airbender is free, while the current values are $3 on CBR and $2 on ZKC.
#1624 — Garfield #1, KaBOOM!, May 2012.
I grew up an hour and 22 minutes away from Kennywood Park (a national historic landmark), which lies in West Mifflin, PA, and is still my favorite amusement park. There is a certain charm about it, and when you come upon older rides, such as The Whip (1918), you might just understand why. The reason I bring this up is because when I was a kid, there was a ride there called The Old Mill (affectionately known as The Tunnel of Love way back then), which got a facelift in 2004, and thus was born Garfield’s Nightmare. It was a strange, unforgettable journey, and all three of my kids got to experience it. But alas, times have changed, and the big orange cat ride is no more. If you have an interest in Garfield or amusement parks in general and the changes they go through (or if you’re feeling wistful upon receiving this news), read the fascinatingly informative article at this link. Garfield really is for the young at heart. Garfield was created by Jim Davis, and this issue was written by Mark Evanier, with art from Gary Barker. Others include Braden Lamb (colors), Steve Wands (letters), Gary Barker (cover), and Matt Gagnon (editor). The cover price of Garfield #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
#1625 — Warlord #1, DC, February 1976.
Several times since the advent of Cool Comics, I’ve bemoaned the fact that I didn’t buy monthly DC titles in the Seventies. While I did get a number of the 100-Pages for 60¢ titles (and I’m still working on completing that collection), along with a few single issues (a Blitzkrieg here, a Welcome Back, Kotter there) and several Treasury Editions, I didn’t follow Batman, Superman, or any other titles sequentially the way I did Spider-Man and Captain America. And I guess that’s why I’m having fun collecting several different older series now, such as Warlord. I’ve bought a good number of them straight out of quarter boxes, but to get this first issue, I had to shell out a little more cash: $10…and it was worth it! Mike Grell did both the writing and illustrating for this classic issue, while Joe Orlando is credited as editor. The cover price of Warlord #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $50 on CBR and $40 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $35.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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November 11, 2021
Fire Power Rules and Remembering the Original Dune Comic!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 320, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 320…
Cool Comics Stuff!
The last couple of years have been far from normal, and one of the things I keep neglecting to do is take pictures at events. I didn’t take any during my daughter’s graduation party in the summer (and as it turns out, it seems that no one did – everyone was so happy to get together in our backyard and spend time catching up that nobody even thought of taking pictures), and except for this one photo of a couple great creators from Bardstone Publishing (Scott Zambelli and Brett Pinson…I’ll be including a couple of their comics in future episodes of Cool Comics), I didn’t take any others at Akron Comicon this past Sunday. Maybe it was because I was joined by some family members, along with having such a great time seeing so many of my creator friends, but now that it’s all over, I wish I would have captured some additional moments. Live and learn. But my lack of photos in no way diminishes just how great Akron Comicon was this year.
And happy Veterans Day to all who served!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Owen Johnson (Fire Power) versus Paul Atreides (Dune)! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode, Cool Comics is excited to show Ed Griffie’s supremely spectacular Superman! Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1616 — Fire Power #17, Image, November 2021.
The only kudos I’ve given to the series Fire Power comes from the Free Comic Book Day edition in 2020, which I wrote about in episode 252, back in July 2020. And considering how much I now love this title, I felt it was time to bring it up once again in Cool Comics. To me, this is a great family adventure, full of fun, terror, intrigue, and…fire power! If you decide you want to see what Fire Power is about, start with the trade paperback original graphic novel introduction to Owen Johnson and this magical—yet frightening—journey he finds himself on. After you finish it and move on to issue 1, the time change feels a little jolting, but that’s when the real fun starts. The creators for this issue of Fire Power include Robert Kirkman (creator, writer), Chris Samnee (creator, artist, cover artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer), and Amanda Lafranco (editor). The cover price of Fire Power #17 is $3.99, while the current price is $4.
#1617 — DC Comics Presents #60 , DC, August 1983.
No offense to all of you Guardian fans out there, but I’ve never cared much about these strange blue aliens. I guess they remind me too much of the great and powerful Oz, bringing back childhood fears. Yet I can’t deny the importance of them when it comes to the DC Universe. This early Eighties adventure involving Superman turned out to be more enjoyable than I thought it would be, as a foe is stealing energy from the Great Battery of Power! Can the Man of Steel and a single Guardian save the universe? I found out the answer, and all it cost me was a quarter since I pulled this issue from a discount bin. The team who put together this adventure for us includes Cary Burkett (writer), Irv Novick (penciller), Tony DeZuniga (inker), Phil Felix (letterer), Gene D’Angelo (colorist), and Julius Schwartz (editor). The cover price of DC Comics Presents #60 is 60¢, while the current value is $4.
#1618 — Blade Runner, Titan Comics, August 2021.
Beyond the original Blade Runner movie and the novel that inspired it (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick), I don’t know much else that has come out of this world (aside from last year’s Free Comic Book Day edition), but both of the stories are fascinating looks at a future I’m willing to learn more about…someday (meaning that maybe I’ll pick up a trade edition of either of these at some future time…to be determined). I like the idea of Origins and going back to the earlier days of the Tyrell Corporation, while with 2029 we get to see what came a decade after Rick Deckard. If you’re a Blade Runner fan, you may want to see if you can still find a copy of this FCBD issue. The Origins story is written by K. Perkins and Mellow Brown, with art by Fernando Dagnino; for 2029, Mike Johnson did the writing, while Andres Guinaldo handled the art. Other creators, for both stories, include colors by Marco Lesko, letters by Jim Campbell, and edits by David Leach. The cover price of Blade Runner is free, while the cover price is $1.
#1619 — Richie Rich Bank Books #42, Harvey Comics, September 1979.
I really like the way you get so many complete stories between the covers in many of these older Harvey Comic titles, and with this issue of Richie Rich Bank Books #42, there are five complete stories. This is ideal for younger readers who don’t have long attention spans, allowing them to finish one story, go outside and play in the fresh air for a while, then come back inside, eat lunch, read another story, then gather once more with neighborhood pals. Later on, perhaps after dinner, or maybe just before going to sleep that night, they can read yet another short adventure of the poor little rich boy. As you can probably tell, I often read comics for the Young at Heart! Unfortunately, as with so many of these older Harvey titles, no creator credits are available. The cover price of Richie Rich Bank Books #42 is 35¢, while the current value is $6.
#1620 — Dune #1, Marvel, April 1985.
Did you get a chance to see the new Dune movie? Though it’s just the first half of the story, there are many differences from the first movie, which came out in 1984 (not to mention the Syfy Channel’s version). I could go on and on about my feelings when it comes to the different film versions, and even longer by extoling the virtues of the Frank Herbert’s novel, but we’re here to talk about the first issue of the three-issue limited series, which, from what I can remember, does a pretty good job of capturing the movie in four-color fun. I found this number one issue in a quarter bin, and while I have yet to stumble upon issues 2 and 3, I did grab up a second copy of this first in the series. The 1984 movie, while not as accurate (some may call it, in a nod to the character Alia, an abomination), has a certain charm (such as the TV version that explains—via cool art—about the Butlerian Jihad and other things that help the non-initiated get prepared for this look at our world many centuries from now). And because of said certain charm, the comic was worth reading. This issue is brought to us by Ralph Macchio (scripter), Bill Sienkiewicz (artist), Joe Rosen (letterer), Michael Higgins (colorist), and Bob Budiansky (editor). The cover price of Dune #1 is 75¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $30 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $25.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
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November 4, 2021
Could Valiant’s New Title be a Harbinger of Things to Come?
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 319, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 319…
Cool Comics Stuff!
If you live in the greater Akron, Ohio, area (or if you’re willing to spend the gas money), don’t miss out on Akron Comicon this weekend! The doors will be open at Emidio’s Expo Center (see the image for the address and hours) Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7, with lots of great guests, exhibitors, special events, and panels. Be sure to check out the website at the link if you don’t want to miss out on guests like wrestling legend Sgt. Slaughter, Walking Dead actor W.F. Bell, Son of Ghoul, Mike W. Barr (Batman and the Outsiders), Tony Isabella (Black Lightning), Aaron Archer (Transformers), Dan Gorman (artist of the Cool Comics In My Collection logo!), Robert A. Kraus (Chakan!), Ted Sikora (Tap Dance Killer), and many more! I plan on attending November 7, so you may see me wandering around in a Cool Comics shirt!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Peter Stanchek versus Hulk! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
Whoa! It’s BRZRKR! This episode’s Cool Comics Creation comes from Sydney Walton, perfectly capturing Keanu Reeve’s hot new comic book character who is headed for Netflix. The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd said he’s been painting covers for a few years now and likes to think that he was one of the first to do so. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1611 — The Harbinger #1, Valiant Entertainment, October 2021.
I really enjoy collecting the original run of Valiant Comics, but to be honest, I’ve only read a handful. Still, they are part of my never-ending chase, and my favorite title is Harbinger, along with my favorite Valiant character, Peter Stanchek. A few years ago, I made sure to get the “newer” Harbinger Wars 2 mini-series, and I’ve been waiting for more new Harbinger comics ever since (while still buying back issues of the original series…when I find them at good prices). It seems like it’s been over a year since the announcement of a new Harbinger series, and at long last it’s here, and I wasn’t disappointed with the story. Hopefully it will sell enough copies to justify keeping the series coming out each month. The creators for this first issue are Jackson Lanzing (writer), Collin Kelly (writer), Robbi Rodriguez (artist, cover artist), Rico Renzi (colorist), and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letterer). The cover price of The Harbinger #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
#1612 — Billy the Kit #1 , Blue Juice Comics, August 2021.
When the owner of my local comic shop handed me this Diamond Exclusive Retailer Preview of Billy the Kit, I didn’t think much of it on first glance. I decided to wait on reading it until the regular issue came out, so it sat around for a while, but it was free, so who was I to complain? And once I finally read it, I gained some appreciation for this wild west story of a rabbit out for revenge against the Tornado God that slaughters his entire family. Along the way, he meets Luther the Goat, a martial arts expert, and Billy badly wants Luther to become his master. I don’t care for mature content in my comics, so I’m not fond of Luther’s proclivity towards profanity. Still, it’s a fun, interesting story that I only recently found out got began via Kickstarter. My rarer version is selling for higher values at some familiar websites, but I’m in no hurry to part with this comic. The creators are J.V. Gray (writer), Barry McClain Jr. (illustrator), Slamet Mujiono (digital FX and color), Benny Lava (letters and design), and Thomas Mumme (editor). The cover price of Billy the Kit #1 is free (the regular version is $3.99), while the current value is $4.
#1613 — Avengers/Hulk #1, Marvel, October 2021.
Some people don’t much care for Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), but in my opinion, it’s a great way for readers and collectors to get a look at companies, characters, and creators they don’t normally read. Or, to get a look at what’s upcoming in some of your favorite titles. The first half of this issue is an Avengers story by Jason Aaron (writer), Iban Coello (artist), Brian Reber (color artist), and Tom Brevoort (editor), and if you get delighted when you see the visage of Deathlok, then you better grab this if you can still find a copy. The second half gives us a look at the Hulk in the hands of Donny Cates and Ryan Ottley, with Frank Martin (color artist), VC’s Cory Petit (letterer), and Wil Moss (editor). If you loved Immortal Hulk, don’t give up on the character until you see what’s coming next! The cover comes to us from the artistic talents of Ryan Ottley and Frank Martin. The cover price of Avengers/Hulk #1 is free, while the current value is $1.
#1614 — Donald Duck Adventures #1, Disney Comics, June 1990.
One of the best parts of this comic book is Len Wein’s editorial inside the front cover, Welcome to Disney Comics. In 1990, Disney was finally publishing its own comic books, and Wein, who’d spent years writing some terrific adventures for both Marvel and DC, was hired as the Editor-in-Chief. So often we skip over these editorials, but if you see this one, give it a quick read and feel the excitement generated by Wein back in 1990. Afterwards, start reading the first of four Donald Duck Adventures on your way to feeling Young at Heart (by the way, someone gifted me this issue, so for those keeping count, that’s three comics this week that cost me nary a penny!) Several of the creators include Don Rosa, Gail Bailey, Jo Meugniot, John Clark, Jim Kenner, Victor Arrigada Rios, and more. The cover price of Donald Duck Adventures #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $5.
#1615 — The Brave & the Bold #167, DC, October 1980.
How often do you get a team-up with Batman and Blackhawk? Though I’ve done no research on this, I’m betting it hasn’t happened much in DC history, which sort of makes this issue special for fans. The year is 1944, and the Dark Knight spots enemies at the eastern seaboard. There is a new Nazi threat called Ice Station Alpha, and Batman and the Blackhawk Squadron are America’s only hope! I’ve always been a fan of team-up comic books, and this one didn’t let me down. Creators of this issue include Marv Wolfman (writer), Dave Cockrum & Dan Adkins (guest artists), Ben Oda (letterer), Adrienne Roy (colorist), and Paul Levitz (editor). The cover price of The Brave & the Bold #167 is 50¢, while the current value is $6.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
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October 28, 2021
Halloween Fun with The Munsters, Bugs Bunny, and Batman!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 318, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 318…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Here we are on the last Thursday in October, and the end of our Cool Comics Halloween Celebration. Do you have any plans for the weekend? Perhaps you have a party to attend, or you’re taking some kids trick-or-treating. Maybe you stay in and watch scary movies, or it could be that you prefer more friendly Halloween shows like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. It’s also a great weekend to enjoy some fun, frightful reading. My favorite Halloween short story of all time is Yesterday’s Witch, by Gahan Wilson, closely followed by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. If you’ve never experienced either, this is the perfect time of year! Additionally, I now have a favorite Halloween comic book. Fantastic Four #37 (it came out last week) is fun, slightly frightful, and emotional. If you haven’t added it to your collection and you’re a fan of Halloween, grab a copy…if you can still find one.
Oh, one more thing-the videos. We at Cool Comics are curious to know if you, our favorite readers in the world, like them and want them to stay as part of the blog, or if we should retire them.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Ghost Rider versus Herman Munster! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This week our Cool Comics Creation features sketch cards from a trading card series based on the Netflix hit (along with several comic books) Stranger Things, courtesy of illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com. Additionally, Dan is the artist of the Cool Comics logo!
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1606 — Batman: The Long Halloween Special #1, DC, December 2021.
What a fantastic gift fans of Batman: The Long Halloween have received this spooky season! There are some people out there who love to pick on comic books from the Nineties, but every decade of this fantastically fun hobby has produced seminal works, and Jeph Loeb (writer) and Tim Sale (artist) hit a homerun with this 13-issue limited series that started in the latter half of 1996 and concluded late in 1997. My third phase of comic book collecting ran from mid-1993 through mid-2003, so I was right there each month, studying Previews and writing out my orders for my comic shop in Atlanta, Georgia, guaranteeing I wouldn’t miss out on anything worthwhile. But for some unknown reason I neglected to collect it (thinking back on the dates, it’s probably because we’d just had our second child and I needed more diaper money). However, a couple years ago, I purchased the digital collection and immediately became a fan. Now, many years later, Loeb and Sale have once again given us another terrific chapter in this amazing story. And if you’ve never read the original, start there first if you want to get the most out of this new Halloween classic. Aside from Loeb and Sale (who also did the cover art), the other creators include Brennan Wagner (colorist), Richard Starkings (lettering & design), and Ben Abernathy (editor). The cover price of Batman: The Long Halloween Special #1 is $7.99, while the current value is $8. The Key Collector Comics value is also $8.
#1607 — Ghost Rider #3 , Marvel, July 1990.
Sometime in the Nineties, after I’d decided to start reading monthly comic books once again (the last time dated back to 1982), I discovered that there was a new Ghost Rider, which caught me a bit by surprise. But I came to enjoy the adventures of Danny Ketch, too, and collected the title for a while. Yet I didn’t have this earlier issue, so I was more than happy to add it to my collection from a quarter box a while back. If you haven’t kept up with Ghost Rider, there are more iterations than you can imagine. For details on Danny Ketch, be sure to watch the video below. While Ghost Rider isn’t your typical Halloween monster, he can be scary enough for his enemies. My advice is to never look a Ghost Rider in the eye! The creators for this issue include Howard Mackie (writer), Javier Saltares (penciller), Mark Texeira (inker), Michael Heisler (letterer), Gregory Wright (colorist), and Bobbie Chase (editor). The cover price of Ghost Rider #3 is $1.50, while the current value is $5.
#1608 — Red Room, Fantagraphics, August 2021.
If you’re completely up with Internet lore, especially concerning the Dark Web, then you may be familiar with what a Red Room is. Until I read this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue, I was among the uninitiated when it comes to this level of horror and violence. Do they really exist? I think the jury is still out, and if they do, perhaps we’re better off not knowing. And if you want to know what a “Red Room” is, you can google it, or read this comic book title. But unless you enjoy your horror with a little more shock value, you’re probably better off not knowing…and now you’ll probably look it up anyway. To be honest, though, for a mature rated comic (so keep this issue out of the hands of little ones), this wasn’t as gross or bad as many that I’ve read. I realize that Red Room has a fan base, but I’m not part of that demographic; however, I did enjoy the story Juniper much more than I thought I would. Ed Piskor did the heavy lifting and is credited as writer, artist, colorist, designer, letterer, and cover artist. Eric Reynolds is the editor. The cover price of Red Room is free, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
#1609 — Bugs Bunny’s Halloween Parade #2, Dell, October 1954.
One day earlier this year (I believe it was in the spring) I decided to dig around in back issue boxes at my local comic shop to see if I could find some older cool comics that would be a perfect fit for those who enjoy feeling Young at Heart, and this beautiful Dell Giant caught my eye. As anyone who reads Cool Comics knows, I love to feature holiday and seasonal comics when I’m able to, and Bugs Bunny’s Halloween Parade is a perfect fit for late October. The price was listed at $7, and graded as fine, and it certainly looked good enough for Gosneys (our family motto, for those who’ve never seen me mention this before). Obviously, it’s a previously owned comic book, and there are a few puzzles inside for youngsters that have been filled in by pencil, but that just adds to the history of this old classic. The ultra-thick issue is packed with Looney Tune fun featuring Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Sylvester & Tweety, and many more. The cover credits belong to Ralph Heimdahl (pencils) and Don MacLaughlin (inks and colors). There are lots of stories contained inside, and while not every creator credit is known, some of the interior artists listed at the Grand Comics Database include Ken Champin, Phil de Lara, Pete Alvarado, Vic Lockman, Vivie Risto, Gil Turner, Tony Strobl, John Liggera, Fred Abranz, Ralph Heimdahl, and Don MacLaughlin. Click the link to see all the stories and known credits. The cover price of Bugs Bunny’s Halloween Parade #2 is 25¢, while the current value is $185.
#1610 — The Munsters #5, Gold Key, January 1966.
Wouldn’t you know it that on the same day I found that wonderful Bugs Bunny comic book above, I also came across one of fandom’s favorite families, The Munsters! I think everyone in my neighborhood watched this frightfully fun show in syndication, and although we sometimes thought ourselves to be more sophisticated when it came to horror, this little shot of comedy helped keep us grounded. From the fun theme song (watch the video below!) to the silly plots to the make-up and costumes, the show produced such great memories that I was excited to find this old comic for just $6. Gold Key did a great job with their photo covers, and the interior art nearly has you feeling like you’re watching an episode on TV. Unfortunately, the creator credits seem to be lost somewhere in the past. I think this issue is a great way to wrap up October (Happy Halloween!). The cover price of The Munsters #5 is12¢, while the current value is $160.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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October 21, 2021
The Headless Horseman Rides Again!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 317, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 317…
Cool Comics Stuff!Cool Comics is taking this time to remind you that with just ten more days until the Great Pumpkin rises out of the sincerest pumpkin patch, you better start decorating soon if you expect to get oodles of candy and toys!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is DC’s Frankenstein versus Werewolf by Night! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
If you love the classic Universal horror movies, then you’re probably drooling over this awesome piece of art as much as I am! This episode’s creation comes to us from Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, including cool games he’s developed. To learn more about RAK, be sure to visit his website at http://www.rakgraphics.com/.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1601 — X-Men #4, Marvel, December 2021.
Being a big fan of Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, I knew this issue of X-Men HAD to be included as a Cool Comic because of this awesome Headless Horseman homage cover. My biggest hope was that the story would entertaining to boot, and without spoiling it (unless you read between the lines), this turned out to be a real nightmare for the mutants and great fun for me as a reader! If you’re not an X-Fan and haven’t been following the storyline, you may not like it half as much as I did, but to me, the Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia cover made it worth every penny. Other creators for X-Men #4 include Gerry Duggan (writer), Javier Pina (artist), Erick Arciniega (color artist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer), Tom Muller (design), and Jordan D. White (editor). The cover price of X-Men #4 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
#1602 — Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1 , DC, January 2006.
When I find a Frankenstein comic in a quarter bin, odds are I’m buying it, regardless of which company published the issue. I found the first two issues of this four-issue mini-series the same day, so odds are I’ll be able to complete this one easily if I decide to. And that decision will depend heavily on my feelings after reading issue #2. While this was an interesting story, we don’t get a lot of the monster. We see him at the beginning and at the end, but the middle is setting up the tale, and it’s…well…pretty weird. The story is titled Uglyhead and is a bit of a warning to bullies. By the way, there were several Seven Soldiers limited series produced during this time (and I wasn’t buying comics when they were published), but I don’t own any of the others…yet. I do like the cover, which comes to us via Doug Mahnke. The issue is written by Grant Morrison, and Doug Mahnke is the artist. Other creators include John Kalisz (colorist), Phil Balsman (letterer), Michael Siglain (associate editor), and Peter Tomasi (editor). The cover price of Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3. The Key Collector Comics value is also $3.
#1603 — Vampirella #1, Dynamite, August 2021.
I think the only time I ever read any Vampirella comics was because they were a part of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD). When I was younger, I do remember seeing various issues of the Warren Vampirella magazine on newsstands, and the skimpy attire she wore made these seem like forbidden fruit. Honestly, I don’t think I ever even picked one up and flipped through it, always worrying that someone I knew might catch me looking. But I have to admit, the story was pretty good, and this was the perfect time of the year to read it. Now if only she’d put on an overcoat or something…which I know isn’t the popular opinion, but could you imagine Count Dracula flapping around in a Speedo? The cover artist is Alex Ross. The other creators for this FCBD issue are Christopher Priest (writer), Ergün Gündüz (artist, colorist), Willie Schubert (letterer), and Matt Idelson (editor). The cover price of Vampirella #1 is free, while the current value is $0.
#1604 — Marge’s Little Lulu #178, Gold Key, December 1965.
I’ve really come to love this section of the blog, especially when looking at seasonal comic book fun. In my opinion, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with adults reading comics aimed towards a younger crowd and being taken away from the worries and cares of the present for a few fleeting moments of fun childhood memories. This issue of Marge’s Little Lulu features a fantastic cover (and you’ll notice that mine isn’t in pristine condition, but I found it in a quarter box) showing our star hitching a ride on Halloween night, complete with a jack-o’-lantern headlamp. Inside, we get stories that will tickle your heart, such as Ol’ Witch Hazel and the Trip to the Moon, Little Itch’s Spell, Ol’ Witch Hazel and the Hungry Chimney Sweep, and A Rainy Day with Little Itch. Unfortunately, not much can be found concerning the creators, although John Stanley is credited with writing and penciling chores for several of the stories, along with Irving Tripp, who also gets credit on a few tales for pencils, inks, and letters. The cover price of Marge’s Little Lulu #178 is 12¢, while the current values are $35 on CBR and $30 on ZKC.
#1605 — Werewolf By Night #27, Marvel, March 1975.
When I was growing up, I always loved werewolves (I even bought a book about werewolf folklore), but for some reason I didn’t much care to buy monster comics. But life is too short for regrets, so I bought the digital collections of Werewolf By Night and read the first volume in 2019, and also, on occasion, I buy individual issues like this one when I get them for good prices. I haven’t reached this issue yet in the digital collections, so I didn’t have any context as to what’s happening, but the comic gave some background, and it was easy enough to understand the angst happening with Jack Russell and his pals. And, as usual, it was a lot of fun reading this in the middle of October. The Seventies are my favorite period of comic books, and this one doesn’t disappoint in style and substance. The cover by Gil Kane really sets the tone for this creepy issue! Let’s give a big thanks to the rest of the creative crew, consisting of Doug Moench (writer), Don Perlin (artist), Karen Pocock (letterer), Phil Rachelson (colorist), and Len Wein (editor). The cover price of Werewolf By Night #27 is 25¢, while the current value is $26. The Key Collector Comics value is $20.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
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The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
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October 14, 2021
Kids & Monsters, Plus Other Fun Fall Cool Comics!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 316, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 316…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple days ago, Adam Lawson, writer of the successful crowdfunded graphic novel, The Eighth (see Cool Comics In My Collection episode 243), on Indiegogo, launched his newest campaign, this time for a graphic novel aptly titled Kids & Monsters. Weighing in at 72 pages, this hardcover graphic novel is oversized, fun, and exciting! Adam allowed me to read the first 22 pages, and it was a blast! The art, dialogue, and colors work so well together that you may forget you’re reading and instead feel like you’re watching a movie. I’m really looking forward to getting a copy of this, and I hope you take some time to go to explore the campaign to see all the cool things you can get.
Want to know more? Here’s some info that Adam sent along:
Monsters live in backpacks like genies do in lamps!
Kids & Monsters is the tale of three kids who get sucked into an ancient war between Monsters and Beasts that mirrors their parents looming divorce. Nothing is more frightening to a young teen than the possible “destruction” of their family. This trio is going to try and navigate the war at home and the one raging between the World Within and the World We Know. With the help of Monsters who live in backpacks (their keeps), will they be able to stop the Red Beasts and save their family?
Kids & Monsters is TV writer Adam Lawson’s third graphic novel. The book will be published through his small publishing company Gifted Rebels, which delivers both tabletop games and comics.
The Creators: Story/Letters: Adam Lawson (The Eighth, Kill Journal); Art: Maxi Dall’o (Lost Pages, Jack Irons); Colors: Mike Spicer (Beta Ray Bill, Murder Falcon, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth)
Adam, thanks for providing the preview and all the information for our readers, and I look forward to making my pledge and reading the entire story of Kids & Monsters (yes Cool Comics Crowd, click on the title, watch the video, explore your options, and don’t let this awesome graphic novel slip through your fingers — the deadline will be here before you know it).
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Jughead versus Goofy! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode, Cool Comics is excited to show Ed Griffie’s awesome October Scarecrow! Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#1596 — Archie Halloween Spectacular, Archie, December 2021.
Some of my earliest comic book memories are reading Archie Digests around Christmas time, but I can’t remember if I read any Halloween-themed issues in the Octobers of my childhood. I may have, but I don’t really have the time to go digging around in comic boxes this week, so we’re settling on an iffy “probably not.” Nowadays there are plenty of scary Archie comics if you enjoy the Horror line (and I do know that there were darker Archie comics in the past…I just didn’t read them when I was young), and while some are interesting, I prefer the type of tales you get in Archie Halloween Spectacular. This anthology (as the cover tells us) features an “ALL-NEW LEAD STORY!” The rest, obviously, are some fun adventures from yesterdays’ gone by…and I have no problem with that. The comic is more affordable than most that are published currently, and it allowed me to feel like a kid again. Pumpkin Problemo! is written by Bill Golliher, with pencils by Bill Galvan and featuring Jim Amash on inks, Glenn Whitmore on colors, and Jack Morelli did the letters. Dan Parent handled both the writing and pencils on Season of the Witch, while Bob Smith (inks), Glenn Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters) all pitched in. Next up is The Problem with Pumpkin, which is brought to us by Bill Golliher (story), Jeff Shultz (pencils), Jim Amash (inks), Glenn Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters). Lastly, Halloween Horror is brought to us by George Gladir (script), Stan Goldberg (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Jon D’Agostino (letters), and Barry Grossman (colors). The cover price of Archie Halloween Spectacular is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
#1597 — Tomb of Dracula #70 , Marvel, August 1979.
Even though I found this in a quarter box, it hurts that a previous owner cut out the UPC label…it’s blasphemy! Yet this wasn’t a part of my collection, so I grabbed it for the dynamically discounted price. The story is all there, and that’s what really “Counts.” I’ve mentioned here before that when I was buying comic books in the Seventies, I really didn’t have an interest in horror comics, and now I’m making up for lost time. I’ve only read a few issues of Tomb of Dracula (and I don’t own many of them), but as I was searching my unread quarter boxes for a fun October read for this slot, I couldn’t resist, regardless of the fact it’s the last issue in that run. I really had a great time reading it and look forward to many more in the future. The fantastic cover is by Gene Colan (pencils) and Tom Palmer (inks/colors). The interior creators are Marv Wolfman (script), Gene Colan & Tom Palmer (illustrators), Jon Costanza (letterer), and Michele Wolfman (colors). The cover price of Tomb of Dracula #70 is 60¢, while the current value is $50. The Key Collector Comics value is $20.
#1598 — Vampire: The Masquerade Winter’s Teeth #1, Vault, August 2021.
Back in the Nineties when I was heavily into my third phase of comic book collecting (1993-2003), role-playing, dice, and collectible card games were soaring in popularity. Though I didn’t play it, I was aware that Vampire: The Masquerade was quite popular, and then, before you could sink your teeth into a fresh source and get rejuvenated, the show Kindred: The Embraced made its appearance on the small screen. And obviously I had to watch Pony Boy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell…that’s his character’s name from the movie The Outsiders…just in case you didn’t know) hunt down vampires. But these weren’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill vampires. They belonged to clans and were organized, although not all the clans got along. Unfortunately, the show didn’t make it past eight episodes. But it’s worth watching if you get the chance. Needless to say, I enjoyed revisiting this universe via Free Comic Book Day. The issue contains two stories, the first being Winter’s Teeth, written by Tim Seeley and drawn by Devmalya Pramanik, while The Anarch Tales is written by Tini Howard & Blake Howard, and drawn by Nathan Gooden. Addison Duke did the coloring for both, and the issue was lettered by Andworld. The cover price of Vampire: The Masquerade Winter’s Teeth #1 is free, while the current values are $0 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
#1599 — Walt Disney’s Autumn Adventures #1, Disney Comics, Autumn 1990.
This Walt Disney treasure will warm your heart, despite the cool breeze of autumn. Packed with plenty of stories, characters, and creators, Disney Comics gives us this wonderful comic that’s the perfect fit for fall and all the amazing colors of the season. We get eight stories with lots of our favorites, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Chip ‘N’ Dale, Li’l Bad Wolf, Pluto, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Louie, and Dewey. And there are so many creators that it’s easier for you to just click HERE to see for yourself. If you want to feel like a kid again and you love all things fall (and especially Halloween and Thanksgiving), you can’t go wrong with this issue! The cover price of Walt Disney’s Autumn Adventures #1 is $2.95, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
#1600 — Ghosts #105, DC, October 1981.
When it’s October, I like to explore my DC spooky anthology comics of old (in our last episode I talked about Secrets of Haunted House #29), and a scary issue of Ghosts fits the bill nicely. We start off with a creepy cover, coming to us from Joe Kubert (pencils and inks) and Tatjana Wood (colors), before being greeted by Squire Shade, our host (script by Robin Snyder, pencils by Howard Bender, and inks by Adrian Gonzales), on page 1. From there we get four complete tales that may find you digging out your old nightlight for your bedroom! The stories include Honeymoon in Hell; Plant You Now, Dig You Later; Wishing Well; and My Soul Belongs to Daddy. There is also a one-page prose story (Imagine) and a quick, goofy Do’s & Don’ts for Ghosts that also takes a single page. By the way, if you’re a fan of movies that make you think twice before descending the steps to your basement…or ascending to your attic, you may have already seen the movie Wind Chill, but if not, check out the trailer below. The cover price of Ghosts #105 is 60¢, while the current value is $8.
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
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