Ed Gosney's Blog, page 21

Cool Comic Book Memories Featuring Mark Weiss!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 255, featuring special guest host Mark Weiss! 

If you love comic books and aren’t familiar with Mark Weiss, well, now is your opportunity, since Mark is taking the reins and sharing a bit of his comic book history in this special episode. Mark is a longtime comic book fan who not only has a passion for our favorite hobby, but also cares so much about kids that he founded the wonderful charity ComicBooks For Kids (CB4K)! You may have noticed that at the bottom of each episode, Cool Comics provides information and links about CB4K, so please, if you are looking for a charity to support, this is truly a worthy cause.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 255…

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Black Canary versus Hawkman! 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 we welcome back John R. Smith, who is quite active on our Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook page. This fantastic piece is done in a trading card format featuring Batman’s rogues’ gallery. If you want to see more of John’s awesome creations, be sure to join the Facebook group…especially if you want to acquire some of his wonderful art! Let us know in the comments section below if you would like to get in touch with John, if you don’t want to join the group.

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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection

By Mark Weiss

I love comics. Really. Let me explain…

It was the summer of ’69 (wait, isn’t that a song?) and I couldn’t wait for my dad to walk home from the train station. You see, dad had told me that on the way home he would pick up some comics for me in the downtown Chicago train station. Now the train station in my neighborhood was about four blocks from my house.

Very close (except in the middle of freaking winter when my parents would make me walk there and back to go to my commuter college, but I hold no grudge, I am good…I am over that now…). So it was that it was a warm sunny day and I saw my dad walking down the street. My eyes immediately went to what he was carrying in his hands.

Even from a distance I could see the Flash, see Green Lantern, and (gasp) Batman!! Dad IS the best!

I gave dad a hug, grabbed the comics and fell in love with what I now describe as the mythology of characters. Flash, fastest man alive. Green Lantern wielding the power of a cool ring (darn if I didn’t want one of those!) and Batman, who made me do push-ups so I could be like him until I failed at around seven. OK, well, there is always Snapper Carr, right? Who, you may ask? Yeah….Snapper Carr!

You see, of all the comics in my collection, and believe me, there are a lot…the Justice League of America was my absolute favorite. I mean, how could it not be? Within those 20 something pages I could see Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Spectre (holy crap, was he cool), Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and more!!!

So, mom and dad knew that if they went to the store, they should please keep an eye out for the Justice League Of America comic! Of course, my bicycle also took me to the local spinner rack where I would have to make some of the most agonizing decisions any child ever could. I mean, how the heck was I supposed to decide between Flash telling me on a cover that he was going to die inside and not to open the comic, versus another issue with Superman flying at high speed about to destroy the bottle city of Kandor, but he can’t stop in time! And then there was the Justice League with (gasp) the Spectre! I knew that never again in my life would I ever have to make difficult decisions like this, and why, oh why, was I faced with them now?!!!

My love for the Justice League continued until (omg) I saw a Justice League comic with a lineup on the left side showing the Justice League of America and then on the right side, another team? The Justice Society of America? Who? What? And there wasn’t a Batman, but a character named Wildcat, and there were two Green Lanterns and two Superman? What? And wait, a grown-up Robin wearing a Batman costume? Earth one and Earth two!!! Really!!!! I was mesmerized.

From then on, my summers were never the same. Because every year, the Justice League would meet the Justice Society in their annual crossover. Sometimes the two teams would cross over with yet another team! There were multiple earths, and I actually looked forward to seeing the word “crisis”!

I remember in winter thinking it was only five months to the crossover! Year after year, I couldn’t wait. Justice League of America 21 and 22, first appearance of Earth 2 and the return of the Justice Society. JLA 37 and 38 with Earth A, JLA 46 and 47 with Solomon Grundy! JLA 55 and 56, another team up! I grabbed them all. They were read and re-read and yes, even today, I have every one of the crossovers, most still in near mint (NM) condition except, of course, the earliest ones!

Time has moved on, but I still love the Justice League. My collection encompasses every volume of the Justice League, Justice League of America, and all their incarnations over the years. But the ones that will always thrill me are when the characters interact with their counterparts. If any of you would be interested in seeing any of the covers, let me know, Glad to show them.

Finally, it is not lost on me that Ed mentioned the Justice League and how he was missing 159. Forgive me, Ed, but that IS a Crisis!!! (It literally is…the title of the issue is Crisis from Yesterday!)

Mark is founder and president of ComicBooks For Kids! a 501(C)3 charity that provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers across the United States. He is also quite fond of the Justice League. His charities Facebook can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Sentient by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta (TKO Studios)

Dr. Omnibus score: 7.5 out of 10

 This is the third book published by TKO Studios that I have read. As previously mentioned, I love the business model for TKO, specifically the binge release model and the independent distribution. They put out books by “A” list creators. Sentient is the most popular title from their second wave of releases and was nominated for a 2020 Eisner award for Best limited series.

The Book Itself

As should be expected, I ordered the trade paperback (TPB), which is an oversized TPB…not bad for $20. No bells or whistles though, not much backmatter, and no foreword or anything like that. Just a TPB with a large trim size.

The Story

By Jeff Lemire

(spoiler heavy description below)

I was fortunate enough to have had no idea what the story was about in advance, except what was fairly obvious based on the title. This story is about a ship that left earth in advance of its looming destruction. Aboard the ship are a handful of crew members and their children. Their mission: arrive at a very distant planet and help colonize and populate that planet. Well, apparently there is a faction of humans who are not big fans of this idea. They managed to place an infiltrator among the crew, once the ship had reached the point of no return; that infiltrator killed all the crew with the intent of hijacking the ship. Things went a bit sideways, and ultimately the ship’s on-board AI killed the saboteur before she was able to hurt/contain the children on board. Still years from their destination, the Ship’s AI became the caregiver for the children and trained them to operate the ship. At this point you may be thinking “Wow, Dr. Omnibus, you really just told the story there and spoiled the whole thing.” But as it turns out, that’s just the first issue or so. There is plenty more story where that came from. The story was fun, the characters were strong, but for the most part I just didn’t feel it. This really felt like just another comic…good, but not special. I have found that to be true of all 3 TKO comics I have read.

The Art

By Gabreil Walta

At first glance I didn’t care for the art in this book at all. Over time, it grew on me a bit. It kind of reminded me of the art in a super old MTV cartoon called “The Head,” which aired during Liquid Television. But in the end, it was just white-noise-nothing-special comic art.

The Gist

It was OK. I wouldn’t recommend against it, but also wouldn’t advocate for it. The main reason I went for it was that TKO was running a special in April in which 50 percent of your purchase price would be sent to an LCS (local comic shop) of your choosing, and I do love my LCS, so why not have them get $10 for nothing?

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

By Ed Gosney III

Ed Gosney III is the son of the publisher of Cool Comics In My Collection. Ed is a college student at Ohio University, majoring in video game design. Some of Ed’s art has been featured in our Cool Comics Creations section in previous episodes.

After viewing the recently released Sonic the Hedgehog movie and surprisingly enjoying it a lot, I decided to look into the character more. Being an avid gamer, I started there, and I started growing a real interest for the character and the games he is in. From there my father and I began looking for the newer run of Sonic comics published by IDW.

Issue 2 is the first of which I read, and it picks up right after the events of the last video game, Sonic Forces. The world is in ruin and trying to recover after Dr. Robotnik had taken over. Amy tries to recruit Sonic back to the Resistance to help with what is left of the Eggman Empire, but Sonic decides to work alone.

The art style is exceptionally clean, and the colors are vibrant. The story allows these characters to be fleshed out even further, and I enjoy seeing where the story is going, leading up to the next game. If you haven’t checked these comics out before, I highly recommend it. This has become my favorite series in the short time that I’ve been reading it.

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews, along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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Old School Cool Comics: Brave & the Bold and Marvel Super-Heroes!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 254, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 254…

Cool Comics News!

As constant readers of Cool Comics know, we’re a proponent of crowd-sourced comics, whether it be Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, or some other platform. Every once in a while, I get contacted by creators to help spread the word, or sometimes I’m given digital access of a comic so that I can read it and talk about it here during the live campaign. And this week SeerNova Comics dropped me a line about their newest effort, The Seer Chronicles: Issue 2. But like most of you, I prefer to start at the beginning. Well, I have to say I was much happier after clicking on the link and seeing that a revamped version of Issue 1 is also part of this! And I still wasn’t sold on supporting the campaign. But when I scrolled down the page and saw the illustrator’s name, I couldn’t support it fast enough. Cool Comics Crowd, it’s none other than Dan Gorman! Yes, THE Dan Gorman (he’s our Cool Comics Creator this episode, too!), the astonishing artist behind the Cool Comics logo. Click the link, watch the video at the top, read the description, and then, if you like what you see, make a pledge!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Daken versus Bloodshot! 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 creation comes to us from illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. This card, featuring Princess Leia and Han Solo, is one of the 50 plus sketch cards Dan created for the Topps Star Wars Masterworks 2019 Set. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com. By the way, make sure you see Cool Comics News above to learn about the Kickstarter featuring Dan’s art!

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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1291 — X-Factor #1, Marvel, September 2020.

For a while it seemed like every time you walked in your local comic shop, there would be a new X-Men-related title. Then the pandemic hit, and the comic book world played freeze tag for several weeks. And now that everything is back up and running, and we shop for our comic books much like our heroes—with masks—another new X-Book has hit the shelves. Although the title itself (X-Factor) isn’t new (this is volume 4). But the X-Factor team membership is a bit different from the one I read back in volume 1. Who’s in it? Northstar, Polaris, Daken, Prodigy, Prestige, Eye-Boy, Hope, Egg, Elixir, Proteus, and Tempus…at least for this first issue. Unless you tend to keep up with Marvel’s mutants, some of these names may not be familiar to you. The cool factor of this comic (yes, you see what I did there, astute reader!) is that it’s an investigative team, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. The cover price of X-Factor #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1292 — The Brave & the Bold #173, DC, April 1981.

Though I haven’t read many, I really like DC’s The Brave & the Bold, which reminds me a lot of Marvel Team-Up, most of which featured Spider-Man and a guest Marvel hero, but for this series it’s Batman who teams up with another DC hero. However, the cover and inside of this issue seem to disagree, since the front tells us Batman is teamed with the Guardians of the Universe, yet on page three at the top we’re told this is Batman and Green Lantern. Not that it matters, because both are present, and Gerry Conway and Jim Aparo keep us entertained, up to the point where we find out that this story is “To Be Continued.” And I don’t have issue #174. Is there any good news to be found? We’ll, yes, because it’s available on DC Universe. Maybe I could find a physical copy, but probably not in a quarter bin, which is where I plucked this one from! This issue also contains a backup story about a character named Nemesis. I don’t know much about this guy, but collectors who faithfully bought the title each month may have something to say about him (hint, we do have a comments section at the bottom of the blog!). The cover price of The Brave & the Bold #173 is 50¢, while the current value is $6.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 4)

#1293 — Valiant: The Year of Heroes, Valiant, May 2020.

Back in March, while Cool Comics was still finishing up our coverage of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2019, episode 233 featured Valiant’s Bloodshot FCBD on the cusp of Bloodshot making his big screen debut, starring Vin Diesel. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 (which is an excuse we can use for just about everything these days, right?), I ended up seeing Bloodshot from the comfort of my house, instead…which was actually not a bad thing for me personally. And again, because of the pandemic, something else was delayed, that being FCBD 2020. But it’s happening now, and Valiant decided to use the star of the movie on their cover. The movie isn’t considered anything great, but my son and I enjoyed it. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, this is a nice issue to grab. While some of you are longtime Valiant fans, if the only thing you’ve heard of from the company is the Bloodshot movie, this issue provides a nice introduction to X-O Manowar, a pretty fascinating character in his own right. Remember, this issue is free, so stop in your comic shop today and see if they have any issues left. The cover price of Valiant: The Year of Heroes is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1294 — Mickey Mouse #228 , Gladstone, July 1987.

A few Cool Comics episodes ago (episode 250), I commented on Gladstone’s Mickey Mouse #227, as it contained part 2 of a rousing adventure called The Captive Castaways, in which we see Mickey and Minnie in peril on the open sea after being captured by a nasty captain named Peg-Leg Pete. In this issue, we get the conclusion at last! Mickey proves to be both smart and resourceful, and it was a lot of fun observing how he got them out of this incredible jam. This issue also contains four other stories, a couple of which are just one-page in length, making it a nice comic book experience for younger readers who might not yet have the attention span to read it all in one sitting. Most of these adventures are reprint strips from the thirties, and if you like that style of Disney art, you may want to search some of these comics out at your local comic shop. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #228 is 95¢, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Classics

#1295 — Marvel Super-Heroes #34, Marvel, January 1973.

While there are probably many comic collectors out there who would never consider reprinted material to be classics, I’m sure there are a few fanatics who support my thoughts on this. And I think much of it has to do with what was on the comic stands when you first started collecting, especially if you did so as a kid. See, when I was young and went to my local shop and gazed at all the beauty and wonder on the old wooden rack full of four-color adventure, titles like Marvel Super-Heroes were brand new! Little did we know that these fantastic stories of might and wonder featuring the Hulk and Sub-Mariner had already been printed in Tales to Astonish back in 1966. Okay, confession time, I didn’t purchase this issue in 1973…I bought it sometime within the last couple years, but the point I made is still a valid point. I’ve told the story here before of how Marvel Tales confused a much younger me, because these stories had Gwen Stacy, whereas in The Amazing Spider-Man she was dead. I had no idea the comic companies gave us reruns! As a quick aside, this title didn’t start off giving us reprints, and early issues hold lots of value. But back to my main argument: yes, for some of us, this comic is a classic! By the way, the story with Hercules versus the Hulk is lots of fun! The cover price of Marvel Super-Heroes #34 is 20¢, while the current value is $10.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Injustice: Gods Among Us – Year 1: Complete Collection (DC 2016)

Dr. Omnibus score: 8.25 out of 10

Injustice started back in 2013, and for many years I wrote it off as just a comic about a video game based on DC characters. It was very much not on my radar as potentially interesting. Then in 2019 there was a He-Man vs Injustice crossover event that caught my eye, so I bought that and LOVED the premise. It piqued my interest in the main story and here we are.

The Book Itself

I bought the Year One Complete Collection, which has 13 issues. It is light on bells and whistles, has very little backmatter, and just contains the 13 issues. The cover is of a pretty high quality and the paper is thin and glossy. I was not impressed with the construction of the book though; by the time I was done reading it, the last pages seemed to be separating from the glue a bit. I handle my books with care for the most part, so I don’t think my negligence is to blame for that.

It should also be noted that there is an omnibus that contains this material, as well as the next two years’ worth of content in the Injustice line. It is, however, despite only recently having been released, already getting hard to find at a decent price.

The Story

By Tom Taylor

Wow, I loved this story. The idea is that Superman losses some people who are very close to him and takes the law into his own hands. He then starts to take it a bit further than just revenge.

This story really gave me a lot to think about. It’s about powerful people assuming more power, regardless of how the populace feel about it. It’s about a people divided and standing up for what they think is right, even when their friends may not stand with them, and perhaps stand against them.

I thought the portrayal of Batman and Wonder Woman were a bit off-character in this. But I am not the most well-read person in terms of DC, so I could be off base there. But I don’t think Batman would have let things get that out of hand before making a big move against Superman, and Wonder Woman seems to be promoting violence, but her intentions don’t seem to be in the spirit of doing what is right, and it seems she has an ulterior motive, which seems to be relating to her romantic interest with Clark, but it just doesn’t feel like her.

Aside from that, I thought this story was gold and I can’t wait to read the next four years’ worth of content.

The Art

By Various Artists

As should be expected, these 13 issues were done by a fairly wide assortment of artists. None of the art was too bad. There were a few panels where it looks like someone was on a tight deadline and forgot to draw some facial features, but overall, not bad. Some of it was amazing, especially the variants, which are collected in the back matter…wow, some great art back there.

The Gist

Like I said before, I can’t wait to read the rest of this stuff. I read this volume in two sittings, and I rarely read more than three issues in a sitting, but this reads fast and is gripping. The political implications of some of this story is just awesome. There were some parts in which a certain political agenda was pushed a bit too hard by the writer, which sometimes turns me off, but I already don’t remember what that agenda was, so it can’t have been too off-putting. Besides, I like politics in my comics, even when it’s not my personal stance. It provides me a great way of seeing things from a different perspective and growing as a human.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

Create a Gravatar!

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.

https://learnwp.ca/gravatar/

The Destructor Strikes and Daredevil vs. Warlord: Who Wins?!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 253, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 253…

Cool Comics News!

Recently I read through a lot of comments in a Facebook comic book group post in which members were complaining about the state of comics today. Some members were defending specific titles, while others said they were terrible and were glad they quit collecting in 1993. So how do you know if a comic book title is bad if you haven’t read any issues in 27 years? Every collector has a choice. You can buy nothing but comics from the Eighties, or just look for issues written or drawn by your favorite creators or pick and choose some of the current stuff. Each week, Cool Comics In My Collection tries to give you, our loyal readers, a variety of titles from a variety of dates, published by a variety of companies. You may not like our choices for Contemporary Cool Comics, but maybe you really dig our Cool Comics Classics. My years on this earth have taught me that you can’t please everyone, but each episode we try awfully hard to mix it up enough that…just maybe…we’ll bring a smile to your face and a memory to your heart. Thanks for reading.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Daredevil versus Warlord! 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’s creation is Deathstroke, by artist Ed Griffie. 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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1286 — Daredevil #21, Marvel, September 2020.

For this episode I was a bit torn over which comic to include here, because Amazing Spider-Man: Sins Rising Prelude #1 is a nice introduction to the upcoming Sin-Eater storyline that Peter Parker/Spider-Man is going to be dealing with. But after I’d finished reading Daredevil, I knew it deserved this spot in Contemporary Cool Comics. Nothing seems to come easy for Matt Murdock, and just when things seem like they couldn’t get worse, they do. Regardless of fighting alongside the Kingpin (who happens to be the mayor of New York, if you haven’t visited in a while) to save Hell’s Kitchen, Daredevil is still wanted for murder, so he turns himself in. Of course, we can’t have that, so things are set in motion, and at one point, Spider-Man nearly gets into a tussle with our titular hero. That part of the story I didn’t care for much, but I understand the tension writer Chip Zdarsky is building here, all of which makes this such an interesting story. The cover price of Daredevil #21 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1287 — Warlord #6, DC, May 1977.

Back in the Seventies and early Eighties…well, come to think of it, even during my longer run of collecting comic books from 1993 to 2003, I didn’t care much for barbarians, or even lords of the manor who find themselves being raised by wild animals. Yet that didn’t stop me from buying some issues of Marvel’s Tarzan in discount bins, and come to think if it, I also got the first 14 issues of Ka-Zar that ran from 1997 to 1998. Still, I didn’t read Conan, and aside from seeing issues of Warlord in practically every cheap box of comics I came across, I knew next to nothing about him. As I’ve mentioned before, when it came to buying comics in the Seventies, Marvel was my go-to company. As for DC, I’d get some of the 100-Pages for 60¢ issues at the drugstore where my dad worked on occasion, but the only other DC Comics I can remember buying at my regular shop were one issue each of Blitzkrieg and—yes, I’m going to admit it—Welcome Back, Kotter. Ugh, why didn’t I get Warlord from the start? In the Eighties I became a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Pellucidar novels, and there is a similarity with Warlord, so I’m sure I would have enjoyed these adventures. Oh well, I still find them in quarter bins sometimes, such as this one, and it’s always fun to have collecting goals. The cover price of Warlord #6 is 30¢, while the current values are $10 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $7.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 3)

#1288 — Power Rangers: The Road to Ranger Slayer #1, BOOM! Studios, May 2020.

This was a really interesting Power Rangers Free Comic Book Day issue, even though I didn’t understand much of the reasoning behind the action. And that’s okay. I’ve read online that this is a good jumping-on point for new fans, as the Pink Ranger (yep, that’s her on the cover) turns evil. Well, not really, because this is a character from an alternate universe. I’m sure many of you are familiar with Star Trek’s Mirror Universe, which helps me to sort this out a bit in my mind. My problem is that I’m not all that familiar with the Power Rangers. I think this is just the third Power Rangers comic I’ve read, two of which were FCBD issues (I really do love the idea of getting exposed to different companies and titles via this annual event). Doctor Omnibus has included some really cool reviews on here featuring the Power Rangers, and I know that they have a huge following. Heck, even singer/songwriter Froggy Fresh is a Power Ranger fan, evidenced by his hit video. The cover price of Power Rangers: The Road to Ranger Slayer #1 is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#1289 — Pink Panther #9 , Harvey Comics, July 1994.

Do kids today even know who the Pink Panther is? I remember watching the cartoon in my younger years, and while it was okay, it was no Jonny Quest (then again, what cartoon was?). The Inspector and an ant and aardvark were also part of the ensemble, but what I remember most is that the Pink Panther didn’t talk, and the theme by Henry Mancini would get stuck in my head. Regardless of whether the little ones enjoy this comic or not, there’s a chance you will, as it will bring back memories. This comic book has three stories focusing on the Pink Panther, and one featuring the Inspector. But probably the best thing of all about this issue from the Nineties is the terrific center spread (click on it for a better look) of all these Harvey characters. Talk about nostalgia! If this took you back to days gone by and you want to tell someone about it, we’d love to read your thoughts in our comments section at the bottom of the blog page. The cover price of Pink Panther #9 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Classics

#1290 — The Destructor #1, Atlas/Seaboard, February 1975.

How many of you out there bought Atlas Comics off the rack in the mid-Seventies? As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t, but I do remember seeing a few comics from a company that wasn’t Marvel or DC (or Charlton or Archie or Gold Key, for that matter), and not really caring. But for some reason, nostalgia took hold of me a while ago and I decided I wanted to collect all of this short-lived series. I’m not there yet, but I’m over halfway done, and every few months I like to read one to include in Cool Comics Classics. And speaking of classics, the creative team for The Destructor contains legends from our favorite hobby! It’s written by Archie Goodwin, drawn by Steve Ditko, inked by Wally Wood, and edited by Larry Lieber. Names I’m sure that most readers are familiar with, and if you aren’t, and you stick with comics long enough, you’ll learn about them eventually. I liked this story more than some of the other Atlas titles I’ve read so far. It has a neat father/son dynamic, sacrifice, secret formulas, and superpowers. That all-star creative team really hit the mark on this origin story! The cover price of The Destructor #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $22 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
X-Men: The Fall of the Mutants (Marvel 2011)

Dr. Omnibus score: 6 out of 10

Moving forward in my chronological Marvel Mutants read-through, I come to X-Men: The Fall of the Mutants. This follows up directly on the heels of the Mutant Massacre omnibus.

The Book Itself

This is an 824-page oversized hardcover. In everything but name, it is an omnibus. It is bound a little tight, which caused some gutter loss in the first and last issues. It is skimpy on the backmatter, but there are a few pages of art in the back. What I loved most about this book was its mapping. Rather than jumping around from series to series, it had all the X-Factor issues lumped together with the direct tie-ins, then the Uncanny X-Men issues, and finally the New Mutants issues. Before each title change, they also provided a recap of what had been happening in that title in the issues leading up to this, which is helpful for me as I tend to forget some details fairly quickly after finishing a book. That’s actually why I started writing on this blog, to help me with my retention.

This book is starting to really get up there in price on the secondary market, frequently fetching over $200, but the story can be easily read through a much more affordable trade paperback.

Due to the way this was mapped, I am going to deviate a bit from my normal format and talk about each chapter separately.

The Story

By various writers

X-Factor: This was by far the hardest chapter to trudge through. These X-Factor issues were nothing short of a slog. The issues were not poorly written, and the story itself was interesting, but I just haven’t cared for this whole X-Factor/X-Terminators nonsense; fortunately, for the most part, I think this bit of the story is just about put to bed now. I am also not a big fan of the supporting cast in X-Factor. Rusty, Skids, Rictor…just not that interesting. I do love Artie and Leech, though. As much as I love Apocalypse, his early appearances just aren’t that great, but each issue he is in is better than the last, so it makes sense that sometime in the 90’s he becomes palatable. There were a couple tie-in issues that pertain more to the X-Factor issues than the rest of the book. The Hulk issues were great, including the famous Hulk 340; the Power Pack issue was good, although I do not care for the characters in general; and the Captain America issue was not great, but that is what happens when Steve Rodgers isn’t Cap. The Daredevil tie-in was very emotional and made me look at Daredevil in a whole new light. The Fantastic four stuff was alright, but as usual, Doom’s arrogance is just over the top and quite off-putting.

Uncanny X-Men: Over the past 40 or so issues of Uncanny X-Men, Storm has been by far my favorite character, and this is all after—and mainly because—she lost her powers. Her story takes center stage in these issues for sure, and as an added bonus, the return of one of our fallen comrades from the Mutant Massacre takes place in these issues. These things made the X-Men issues much easier to read than the X-Factor issues, which they follow.

New Mutants: There are 23 issues of New Mutants leading into this collection that are not collected in any collected editions that have recently been in print. This left me a bit lost as to how these youngsters have grown since I last saw them at the end of the Demon Bear Saga. It turns out they haven’t changed all too much, but I gather I missed some significant character development in Amara and Magik. There is nothing all too special about the story told in these issues, but it does tell a good tale about inclusion and not judging a book by its cover. One highlight was a major character death. I am fond of the character and love the highly emotional responses from the rest of the cast, especially that of Magneto.

The Art

This is getting a bit long, so I am going to do a lightning round here…

X-Factor art was the same as it has been, ok but not great.
The Hulk issues, drawn by Todd McFarlane, looked amazing.
The other tie ins were fine, nothing amazing that stood out.
The art in X-Men was more of the same as it has been for 15-20 issues, solid art, but not amazing.
The New Mutants though…wow, the art in this BLEW ME AWAY. Sometime during the 23-issue gap leading up to this, Bret Blevins was brought in to draw the title. I love it. He marries traditional comic art of the time with a Bill Sienkiewicz style that is just perfect.

The Gist

If you aren’t dedicated to reading X-Factor, I would definitely skip the first half of this book. I try to read two issues or more each day, but this was such a slog it took more than 14 days to get through it all, well short of my per-day goal.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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Lots of Kirkman for the Cool Comics Crowd & TwoMorrows Rules!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 252, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 252…

Cool Comics News!

When I was a comic book reading kid in the Seventies, just finding the stories I wanted to read was enough for me. Each week I’d walk or ride my bike to the local mom and pop shop a few blocks away and pore over the rack of monster magazines and four-color fun, grabbing the newest issues of Marvel Team-Up and Captain America. Later in life, when I started collecting again in the Nineties, curiosity about artists, writers, companies, and even other comic book aficionados, found me purchasing a variety of different comic-based magazines, but mostly of the glitzy variety, such as Wizard and Hero Illustrated. Unfortunately, I knew nothing about the world of TwoMorrows Publishing, although I believe I bought an issue or two of Write Now! magazine just before I broke away from my favorite hobby in mid-2003. In 2017, I started buying new issues again, and via Previews I discovered Back Issue magazine. And wow, does it cover my sweet spot of comic book collecting! Soon after, I started searching out back issues of…Back Issue. From there, I stumbled upon Alter Ego, and today I have a hefty collection of both magazines. Hence, when I found out that TwoMorrows was doing a Kickstarter for The World of TwoMorrows, a book that would be “Celebrating 25 Years of the Future of Fandom,” I knew I’d be supporting it before I even looked at the webpage. Is it any good? Well, I’m not far in, having recently started it, but I’d scratch out “good” and replace it with “great,” from my perspective, because for me, the people behind TwoMorrows have done all kinds of fans a tremendous service over the years. If you’d like to check it out for yourself and help support this wonderful publishing company, click The World of TwoMorrows.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Uncle Scrooge versus Rima! 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 I’m again featuring a piece of art my son did years ago (mom saved a bunch of them!). These are three Pokémon characters that he sketched, and if you’re a fan, you probably know them well! While Ed (same name as me) isn’t doing much art these days, he is attending Ohio University and majoring in Video Game Design.

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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1281 — Engineward #1, Vault, July 2020.

The first question is, what’s the actual name of this comic book? I have “Engineward” written here, and within the comic, a person is referred to as an Engineward. But the title on the cover makes it seem as if it is “Engine Ward.” Further, the indicia indicates it’s “Engine Ward,” and while I usually go with that, the use of the term Engineward contained in the story gives strong evidence that this is supposed to be the correct way of spelling it. When you search on the Internet, you’ll find far more instances of it as one word rather than two. So that’s what I’m going with. For now. And for anyone who cares at this point, Vault Comics has it as one word on their Facebook page. I’ve been kind of excited for this science fiction title ever since I read about it in Previews, but I was disappointed to discover that this is a mature comic (if they had the rating somewhere, I missed it) and it should not be passed on to young readers. However, the story is intriguing, and I’m interested in seeing what happens throughout the remainder of the twelve planned issues. The cover price of Engineward #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1282 — Urth 4 #1, Continuity Comics, May 1989.

I love finding new things in the quarter bins…or at least titles that are new to me. I found this first issue of Urth 4 a few weeks ago, and while I know a little about Continuity Comics, I’d never heard of this short-lived series. There’s a lot going on when you start reading this story, and I felt as if I must have missed something along the way. Were these characters introduced in other Continuity Comics? I really don’t know, but the action is fairly fast, and there wasn’t much back matter to tell me what was going on. This isn’t necessarily bad, but I’m the type of reader who likes to have a little more control. Perhaps for me the two most fun aspects are that I have met the penciler, Trevor Von Eeden (Akron Comicon 2017), and also the publisher of Continuity Comics, Neal Adams (Cincinnati Comic Expo 2018). And those are cool memories to have at the cheap cost of just 25 cents. The cover price of Urth 4 #1 is $2, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 2)

#1283 — Fire Power #1, Image, May 2020.

I was fortunate that several months ago my local comic shop owner handed me a retailer’s early copy of Fire Power Vol. 1: Prelude, because it made reading this Free Comic Book Day edition more meaningful. Robert Kirkman (writer and yes, The Walking Dead guy…and if you are a Kirkman fan, don’t miss Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus below!) and artist Chris Samnee are doing this series a little differently. First off, the aforementioned Vol. 1 officially came out July 1, and then on July 15, the first issue of the ongoing series came out via FCBD. From my understanding (at least pre-COVID-19), issue one will also be available to purchase at a later date. What if you didn’t read Vol. 1 first? Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to understand what happens in this issue, but if you read Prelude first, you’ll have a deeper understanding of all the what’s and why’s. There’s a lot to like about this series, so you may want to at least grab this free one if you can still find a copy. The cover price of Fire Power #1 is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#1284 — Uncle Scrooge #109 , Gold Key/Whitman, December 1973.

When I flip through my short box of comics that are aimed towards the younger crowd, I’m always amazed at how many duck comics are in there. Lots and lots of Donald and Uncle Scrooge McDuck, along with a smattering of Daffy. I try to mix things up a bit for Cool Comics Kids, but I keep my box filled based on what I find in the quarter bins at my LCS, and as it turns out, I often find Disney comics from a variety of companies. But why apologize when there are so many Disney fans, right? Anyway, this comic, when in much better condition, has a good secondary market value, and it’s always fun to know when you get a good deal. “Land Beneath the Ground” is a fun adventure that runs the length of the comic…with the exception of the “16-PAGE FUN CATALOG” that every kid at heart will enjoy looking through, especially if you once owned some of these incredible toys! The cover price of Uncle Scrooge #109 is 20¢, while the current value is $80.

Cool Comics Classics

#1285 — Rima, the Jungle Girl #5, DC, January 1975.

DC’s variation on Shanna the She-Devil (see Cool Comics Classics in our last episode, intrepid reader!), Rima the Jungle Girl, is a character straight out of literature, as she is featured in W. H. Hudson’s novel Green Mansions. Have any of you read it? I have an old paperback copy but have yet to crack it open. The novel was made into a movie starring Audrey Hepburn, and perhaps some of you are familiar with it…but I can’t say that I’ve ever seen the film. So this singular issue that I plucked from a quarter box a few months ago is my only exposure to Rima, and it stirred enough interest in me to at least consider watching the movie someday…or finally reading the book…but finding a few more issues of this short run would also fill the bill. The creators consist of such big names as Robert Kanigher, Nestor Redondo, and Joe Kubert, so you may want to give this series a try. The cover price of Rima, the Jungle Girl #5 is 20¢, while the current value is $10.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Invincible – The Complete Series (Image)

Dr. Omnibus score: 9 out of 10

On Prime Day 2019, Amazon had a big sale on lots of Image Comics. I stocked up and grabbed the entire series of Invincible, collected in three massive compendium trade paperback (TPB) volumes. I had heard from a couple people that Invincible was their favorite comic, but I didn’t know those folks well enough to put too much stock in that recommendation. But Grabbing the whole 144 issue series for under $100, I figured it was time to check it out.

The Book Itself

I love the compendium format. No bells or whistles, but you get tons of content for very little money. It’s just a 1024-page TPB, give or take a few pages depending on which volume. I’m always afraid they will fall apart, but they never do. I’ve heard that some copies of Vol. 1 have a misprint in them in which some pages are duplicated and others missing. So if you are buying this, be sure and look into that and check out the copy you are thinking of buying. Fortunately, mine were free of defects.

This series is also available in 12 oversized hardcover editions. I am tempted to upgrade to these, but it is hard to justify investing an extra $240 into this series when I already got it all for $100.

The Story

By Robert Kirkman

It’s hard to write about an entire 144-issue series and keep it brief, but I generally don’t get too detailed, so here goes nothin’. For the first 15 issues of this massive read-through, I found myself thinking “Oh God, what have I done, investing in this series?” Shortly after that, things started to turn around, and by issue 25 I was completely hooked. Robert has a way of pacing a story in which he draws it out way longer than is needed; generally this would be viewed as a bad thing, but in so doing, he opened up endless possibilities for side stories and some serious character development. The sheer number of supporting cast members is astonishing, and they are all fun characters. I never grew particularly attached to any character, but I enjoyed them all. The deeper into the series you go, the higher the stakes. Mark Grayson (the main character) starts out as a street level crime-fighter, and as the story progresses, he takes on situations with intergalactic and even interdimensional implications.

When I finished the first volume I was hooked, but still held onto the idea I would probably not keep the books. By the time I finished Volume 3, I knew I would never let them go.

One of my favorite things about this series is that most of the characters and early plot points are supposed to be a parody of superhero comics. But it manages to do so in a way that doesn’t come off as too humorous, while still being quite funny. This light comic relief is needed to offset the shear savagery depicted in the art.

The Art

By Ryan Ottley

The art in Invincible is incredible. It is very consistent. Ryan has done interior work on approximately 171 comics, 137 of those were Invincible. This is his life’s work, and it shows on every page.

Invincible is hands down the most gruesome comic I have ever read. It is by no means a horror comic, but the amount of blood, guts, and brains that are drawn into this is just astounding. It was completely unnecessary; but also, for this reader, very welcome.

The various colorists did an amazing job, too. There was only one time the color changed, and it stuck out like a sore thumb, but even then, the work was great—just different.

The Gist

READ THIS COMIC!!!

After having read all of The Walking Dead and this entire series, I’m fairly certain that I’m onboard with any long series Kirkman takes on. Invincible also led to several spinoff series that I might check out sometime as well.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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Shanna the She-Devil Brings Back the Seventies!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 251, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 251…

Cool Comics News!

Do you have a favorite hero? Are you loyal to just one comic book company, or do you buy from several? What about creators? Do you follow the ones you like the best from title to title, company to company? Why do you like comics in the first place? No, you don’t need to answer all these questions (but we do have a comments section at the end of the blog, so feel free to tell us)…I’m just trying to get you thinking about the hobby and what it means to you. If you love comics, you may want to share a review on the blog or perhaps some original art you’ve done (the piece here is something I did decades ago, and it was probably a free-hand copy of a drawing I did from How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way…with inks added…I loved experimenting with inks). We provide a creative outlet for you here at Cool Comics because we believe that fans are every bit as important as the comic books themselves. Without fans, there’d be no issues. Well, there’d be issues, just not comic book issues. Have fun reading!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Static Shock versus Shanna the She-Devil! 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 creation comes to us from Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, along with cool games he’s developed. Here we see Chakan, the grey warrior, ready to destroy a beastly creature! Stay tuned to future episodes of Cool Comics for more news on the upcoming Chakan Kickstarter! 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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1276 — Exciting Comics #7, Antarctic Press, April 2020.

I typically plan out the comics I’ll be covering for the blog a couple weeks in advance, although I allow myself the flexibility of making changes, and this comic is a perfect example of such a change. I had the 25th issue of Oblivion Song slotted here, but when I bought this newest issue of Exciting Comics and saw what a great job Adam Fields did with the art for one of the stories and let him know it on Facebook, well…to tell it truthfully, creator Bradley Golden basically asked me to write something up for Cool Comics, and I was in perfect agreement. You may remember Prowl from episode 238, which happens to be my first comic book exposure to Adam Fields. It’s a cool werewolf story, and I bought all the issues during a special “Pajama Con” he held over Facebook Live. And now Adam’s a part of the Antarctic Press family! Which is really cool! I’ve been a regular reader of the title since it started (again…sorta, as there was another Exciting Comics many decades ago), and it’s fun to dive into comics that don’t get as much exposure. The cover price of Exciting Comics #7 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1277 — Static Shock #1, DC, November 2011.

My son was a big fan of the Static Shock cartoon, and while I’ve just seen a few minutes of it, I’m familiar with the character, because back in the Nineties when the Dakotaverse/Milestone Media launched and crossed over with Superman, I bought a handful of new issues, then continued buying any of the titles I could find in discount bins. At the time DC launched The New 52, I wasn’t buying comic books, and had no idea that Static Shock ended up with his own comic once more, until I found this issue a couple years ago while digging around in a quarter bin at my local comic shop! As soon as I saw it, I new it was coming home with me. This was a short run of just eight issues, and I still need 4-8 to complete it. Additionally, I recently read that Milestone may once again be coming to a comic shop near you! Meanwhile, I’m still working on completing my original Milestone runs. The cover price of Static Shock #1 is $2.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 1)

#1278 — X-Men #1, Marvel, May 2020

Wait a minute! FCBD?! You mean Free Comic Book Day is back? Yes, comic book fans, it’s back, but very different this year. As we all know, there’s a worldwide pandemic, and therefore it just wasn’t a good idea to hold it back in May. But now that most businesses are…back in business, FCBD decided to get those issues in our hands for 2020. And the way they are doing it is kind of innovative, because now you have to go back to your comic shop each week through September 9 in order to collect them all. Hopefully, store owners will see more sales this way, and what’s a Wednesday without a trip to the comic shop, right? Six were on the shelves this week, so I had to pick out one for this episode, and I led off with X-Men #1 (an X of Swords prelude), which also has a second story called “Dark Ages,” written by Tom Taylor, with art by Iban Coello. At the end of the story, we’re asked, “Where were you when the lights went out?” and are told that it’s “A saga of the Marvel Universe Fall 2020.” I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’re an Iron Man fan, well…just read it. The cover price of X-Men #1 is free, while the current value is $0. The Key Collector Comics value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#1279 — Woody Woodpecker #109 , Gold Key, January 1970.

When I find comics in quarter boxes that are 25¢, it’s a Cool Comics kinda day, but when I find comics in quarter boxes and I’m paying over cover price to get them, chalk it up as a win! I was obviously in the right place at the right time to find this Woody Woodpecker issue from 1970 (with a cover price of 15¢). Now I know that many of you might not give a hoot (wait…that’s what an owl says, not a woodpecker!) about juvenile comics, but for those of us who appreciate them as part of our childhood and something we want to pass on to younger readers, I consider it a great find! How many people flipped past these while desperately seeking Batman issues from the 21st Century? Who knows…but what I do know is that I take full advantage of grabbing these treasures from days gone by whenever the opportunity presents itself. The cover price of Woody Woodpecker #109 is 15¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.

Cool Comics Classics

#1280 — Shanna the She-Devil #1, Marvel, December 1972.

Longtime readers of Cool Comics know that the Seventies is my favorite period of comic books, since mid-1973 is when I first started buying. There was a little mom and pop store a couple blocks from where I lived that sold candy, snacks, drinks, and lots of comic books and magazines. Additionally, the Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, which is still in existence but in a different location, sold “used” comics for 10 cents each, and on a few occasions my mom let me get a dollar’s worth of fun if my pockets were empty of coin. All of which has nothing to do with Shanna the She-Devil, but everything to do with my love of comics at that period in my life. Chances are that if I’d seen this issue on the racks at Paradox (and if I did, I don’t recall…that was a long time ago), I would have ignored it. My interests leaned more towards Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk in those days. But now, as time rushes ever onward and with no conceivable way to slow it down (let alone reverse it), my best chances to recover those feelings of yesteryear come in comic books published in the 1970s. The cover price of Shanna the She-Devil #1 is 20¢, while the current values are $80 on CBR and $20 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $50.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Curse Words – The Entire Series

Dr. Omnibus score: 7 out of 10

In mid-May, I saw that a Kickstarter campaign was being run for an omnibus containing the entire series of Curse Words. I am a sucker for collected editions on Kickstarter, but I wanted to see if Curse Words was a good fit for me, so I borrowed the first Trade Paperback digitally via Hoopla. If you are unfamiliar with Hoopla, it is a free app that is sponsored by your local library that allows you to borrow digital content; a great way to gain access to tons of digital comics for free and without being a pirate.

The Book Itself

Like I said, I read these digitally, so I can’t speak to the book construction, but since I promoted Hoopla above I may as well take this opportunity to say that I read my digital comics on an Amazon Fire 10 tablet. Its screen size is comparable to that of a comic book and the tablet is only $100 or so and has external SD storage beyond the internal hard drive. A Pretty handy device for comic reading.

The Words

By Charles Soule

This series is a bit unique. It is a hybrid of comedy and fantasy that takes place in the modern world. After reading the first TPB, I was convinced that I was not interested in owning the $75 physical copy being offered in the Kickstarter. But it was fun enough to keep me wanting to finish the series. After three TPB’s worth, I was growing a bit disappointed. I felt no emotional connection to the characters and really didn’t care what the rest of the series had in store. But at that point, I was in too deep to quit and it is a super quick read anyway, so I trudged along. That may be a bit harsh-it was a fun read up to this point, but I was squarely in “could take it or leave it” camp, but had my fingers crossed that something big would happen to alter my perception of everything I had read so far. The last two TPB’s did deliver, but not quite as much as I had hoped they would. One particular plot point is very fun and has me still contemplating it, but further discussion of that could result in serious spoilers, so I will leave you hanging….

The Pictures

By Ryan Browne

The art in Curse Words is fun and simple. It almost reminds me of Invader Zim a bit. The unfinished look lends itself to the comical nature of the story.

The Gist

It’s a fun read, but I am so glad I didn’t buy into the Kickstarter without first sampling the series. The series is rated for mature readers, but I do not believe that rating is justified, and I think someone was being overly cautious in using it. Many readers are particularly fond of a certain character throughout the series, and I suspect much of its success was based on the love of that one character. If you are looking for something light and fun, this could be for you, but don’t expect anything revolutionary about it.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Captain America #371 (Marvel 1990)

By  Steve “Atom” Baum

I’m Steve “Atom” Baum and I write comic reviews that nobody ever asked for! I find the “value” of comics in the enjoyment of them, rather than how much they are “worth” to collectors.

If you like what you see here, then join me on a journey through the forgotten depths of those longboxes of dollar back issues in your local comic shop and visit my blog LONGBOX JUNK where you’ll discover HUNDREDS of reviews you never even knew you wanted to read!

And now an exclusive “Short But Sweet” Longbox Junk Comic Review for the Cool Comics Crowd!

CAP’S NIGHT OUT

SCRIPT: Mark Gruenwald

PENCILS: Ron Lim

COVER: Ron Lim

THE COVER:

Meh. . .not much to see here. Probably one of the least interesting Captain America covers out there. It’s not badly done, but it looks more like an interior panel than a cover. Let’s get inside!

THE STORY:

Captain America leaves his shield and Star Spangled Avenger identity behind at Avengers Headquarters to go out on a date as Steve Rogers with occasional partner and Serpent Society member, Diamondback. . .who also agrees to leave behind the costume and just have a fun night as Rachel Leighton.

As the two eat at a Mexican restaurant, catch a magic show, and then wander through the streets of Cap’s old neighborhood, they narrowly avoid conflict with C-List villains Gamecock, The Trump, Jackhammer, and Poundcakes, thanks to the clandestine intervention of Diamondback’s Serpent Society BFF’s Black Mamba, Anaconda, and Asp. . .who are secretly following her, determined that Rachel has a good night out without any problems.

At the end of the evening, Steve and Rachel share a “friendly” good night kiss that later leaves Cap wondering if he has room in his life for anything other than being Captain America. Meanwhile, at Diamondback’s apartment, she has a heart-to-heart post-date talk with her best friend, Black Mamba, about seriously considering leaving the Serpent Society behind for Steve.

The End.

THE REVIEW:

This is a pretty offbeat Captain America story that is actually more of a Steve Rogers story. I liked it a lot! It’s just a fun read from start to finish. I don’t have the issues before or after, but the story stands alone just fine. Who would have thought that “Captain America goes on a date” would be such a great read? Not me!

There’s humor and nice character moments on every page of this story, all deftly illustrated by Ron Lim, who makes the definitely dated fashions look 90’s-Tastic! Cap looks good in his baggy slacks and skinny tie!

Overall, this is a surprisingly good read that steps outside the superhero box a little bit. It’s just a nice little story about Captain America on a date. Not every superhero story has to be an earth-shattering battle. Grab this one from the bargain bin if you’re looking for something a little different.

Until next time, remember that comics are worth more than money!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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Cool Comics Celebrates 250th Episode with Iconic Characters!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 250, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 250…

Cool Comics News!

When I started Cool Comics In My Collection in the fall of 2015, I didn’t think about how long the blog would last or what it would look like in the future or how many readers we’d get each week. My goal was simply to have fun writing it and to entertain a few people. And yet here we still are, 250 episodes in, and we’ve not just entertained readers, but have expanded to include any of you who wish to participate, either as an artist (Cool Comics Creations) or by writing reviews (Cool Comics Reader Reviews). Additionally, Dr. Omnibus, who provides his own column each episode, gives readers fantastic reviews focusing on collected editions and has become an important part of the Cool Comics community. And a special thanks goes out to all you readers who continually encourage us as we strive to bring you cool comic book fun! There are many blogs published each week, and we deeply appreciate that you still choose to read Cool Comics.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Superior Spider-Man versus Elongated Man! 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 ultra-cool Namor by John R. Smith looks much better in person then this image I snapped with my phone, and I’m looking forward to getting it in a frame. John, who is quite active on our Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook page, is a fantastic artist who deserves wider exposure and recognition, and since he was so kind to send me some prints recently, I’ll be showing them off here from time to time. If you want to see more of John’s awesome creations, be sure to join the Facebook group…especially if you want to acquire some! Let us know in the comments section below if you would like to get in touch with John, if you don’t want to join the group.

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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1271 — Batman #93, DC, August 2020.

It seems like every time I look at price guides, several of the more recent Batman issues have increased in value. No joke(r). But if it were a joke, I’m not sure if you’d get the “Punchline.” Yup, Punchline is all the rage these days, and when you toss in The Joker War storyline that is heating up July, good luck finding any of the hot Bat titles you don’t have on your pull-list. And yet I’m not all that crazy about the Joker, and the jury is still out on Punchline (she has quite the fight with Harley Quinn in this issue…with a seemingly shocking conclusion!). I’ll just take whatever story I get in my regular Batman issues, and though I may get lost at times, so be it…there are only so many hours in a day to read comics, and only so many dollars in my bank account to furnish my weekly habit. Maybe someday I’ll read what I missed on DC Universe. Still, I’m glad to have this issue in my physical collection. The cover price of Batman #93 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1272 — Ultimate New Ultimates #1, Marvel, May 2010.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Marvel’s Ultimate line of comic books, and back in 2000, I was all-in with this alternate restart. Anything that had Ultimate on the cover ended up on my pull list. But I stopped collecting in mid-2003, and when my wife and I wanted to get some new kitchen appliances (refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher, for those who are curious), I decided I wasn’t really all that attached to Ultimate comics, and ended up having some great success in selling them. And I really don’t regret it. But…when I dig around in quarter boxes, I’ve found a few Ultimate comics that have piqued my curiosity, and since the price is absolutely right, they’ve come home from the comic book shop with me. This particular issue seems to have just as many pages in the gatefold cover as it does pages of actual story! Written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Frank Cho, this start of a new series gives readers a fascinating look at Marvel’s Ultimate line of heroes. The cover price is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics

#1273 — Superior Spider-Man #1, Marvel, December 2018.

Superior Spider-Man came on the scene during my longest break from comics, and when I re-entered the world of four-color entertainment and found out that Otto Octavius (aka Doctor Octopus) had taken over Peter Parker’s body…well…I thought Marvel had flipped its lid. And apparently many fans felt the same; or at least until they stopped complaining and started reading it. This Halloween ComicFest (HCF) edition is a reprint of the first issue from the original run that began in 2013. While I’m still uncomfortable with the idea of the storyline (since I’m a big Spider-Man fan), it might be interesting to read this series someday. For those of you who don’t mind reading digital comics, the entire run (33 issues) is currently available on comiXology Unlimited, and more than likely a part of Marvel Unlimited, too. The cover price of Superior Spider-Man #1 (the HCF edition) is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1274 — Mickey Mouse #227 , Gladstone, June 1987.

If you have some special little ones in your life, I’m betting that they probably love Disney. So, in building your Cool Comics Kids library, you need to make sure you’ve included plenty of Mickey Mouse comics. While you can typically find back issues of older Mickey comics that might be priced out of your range, I found this one from 1987 in a quarter bin. And the cool part is, if you enjoy older Mickey stories, this has adventures that are newspaper reprints from decades ago. The first story in this comic is chapter 2 of “The Captive Castaways,” which ran from 2/19/1934 through 3/21/1934 (to see how it ends you need to get issue 228…which I found at the same time as this one), and it’s followed by another old news strip from 1936, “Mickey’s Rival.” I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to find a copy of this for the price that I did, but sometimes it’s worth spending time haunting the back-issue boxes at your local comic shop! The cover price of Mickey Mouse #227 is 95¢, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Classics

#1275 — Justice League of America #160, DC, November 1978.

For this 250th episode of Cool Comics In My Collection, we’ve covered some iconic characters like Batman and Mickey Mouse, superheroes from an alternate version of their universe (Ultimate New Ultimates #1), and everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who isn’t quite the same hero we grew up with (HCF: Superior Spider-Man #1). And now for our Cool Comics Classic, we turn to one of the all-time great team books, Justice League of America. “Crisis From Tomorrow!” brings readers an all-star cast of characters with this spectacular Justice League (Superman, Hawkman, Elongated Man, & Flash) team-up with the Justice Society (Wonder Woman, The Huntress, Dr. Mid-Nite, & The Star Spangled Kid), wrapping up a storyline that started in the previous issue. Unfortunately, I don’t have issue #159, and while I enjoyed the adventure as I tried to catch-up on everything, I think my favorite part is the cool cover! The cover price of Justice League of America #160 is 50¢, while the current value is $14.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Harleen by Stjepan Sejic (DC January 2020)

Dr. Omnibus score: 9.25 out of 10

They pretty much had me at Black Label. I am always down to read a book about Harley that isn’t just a long stretch of nonsense and silly jokes.

The Book Itself

I ordered the hardcover from my “not so local” LCS, Circle City Comics. It came with a super sweet acetate dust jacket and has a magazine sized trim. In the back, there is a fair amount of concept art, raw pencil drawings, and possible future scenes, should this story go on.

The Words

By Stjepan Sejic

Stjepan tells an origin story for Harley Quinn and explains the nature of her relationship to the Joker, while illustrating her personal descent into madness. I explained to a friend that Harleen is to Harley Quinn what The Joker film is to The Joker. I was fully engrossed in the story and found myself feeling bad for Harley and being sympathetic concerning her mental state. The way her “mental defects” are depicted may cause some emotional discomfort for readers who suffer from low self-esteem and/or anxiety disorders. Stjepan did a great job of making Harley a very relatable character. I would be lying if I didn’t say I had some interesting thoughts while reading this.

The Art

By Stjepan Sejic

I love the art in this book. It uses an unconventional style of inking, which really is just awesome. It’s hard to explain, but I’ll try. It looks like the book was inked and then colored, and then inked again, but with a leaky fountain pen the second time over. The story is dark, and the art matches it. As Harley descends further down the slope of mental unwellness, the art and settings get darker.

The Gist

This is one of the best comics I have read this year and encourage everyone to go read this book. I have frequently liked the character of Harley Quinn (pre-New 52), and to see her given a truly powerful origin story is just amazing. I just finished reading this and already look forward to reading it again soon, which is something I almost never do.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

Create a Gravatar!

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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Marvel’s Empyre Strikes Back & Swamp Thing is Required Reading!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 249, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 249…

Cool Comics News!

Frequent guest contributor—and one of the best bloggers in the world of comics—Steve “Atom” Baum often uses the phrase “Cool Comics Synergy,” and it’s happened again, as he let me know shortly after last week’s episode that he’d been working on a review of ROM #1 for our Cool Comics Reader Reviews segment. Often between here, our Cool Comics Facebook Group, and Steve’s own Longbox Junk, the same comics or themes pop up. It’s fun when it happens, and I really love Steve’s review this week, so be sure not to miss it. Oh, and one more thing. You might notice that I spelled ROM with all caps here but spelled it Rom in Episode 248. Since Steve used the all caps spelling, I followed suit for his review. But on the page I linked in Cool Comics last week, and at many other sources, just the “R” is capitalized. And there are also tons of places that use all caps. So you can spell it either way, but the most important thing of all about ROM is to find the issues and read them!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) versus Ultra Boy! 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 creation comes to us from illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. This card, featuring Momaw Nadon (for more about this Ithorian, click HERE), is one of the 50 plus sketch cards Dan created for the Topps Star Wars Masterworks 2019 Set. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1266 — Empyre: Avengers #0, Marvel, June 2020.

While Marvel is a few months behind in their big Empyre event, we can’t put the blame on them since we’re in the middle of a worldwide pandemic (and who will be the first to do a COVID-19 limited series?). Still, pieces are starting to populate comic shops. In early April Road to Empyre: The Kree/Skrull War #1, appeared, and now, finally, Empyre: Avengers #0 gives us a taste of what’s to come when the Kree and Skrull join forces. Unfortunately, it took two-and-a-half months for this next one to come out, and Empyre #1 hasn’t even reached us yet. Nevertheless, if this issue is any indication of what we’re going to be seeing over the next few months, I think most fans are going to be pleased. I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t read it yet, but I will say that this takes place on the moon, where the Avengers find it’s made up of much more than cheese! The cover price of Empyre: Avengers #0 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1267 — Legion of Super-Heroes #268, DC, October 1980.

If you’re rather new to the world of comic book collecting, and you decide you want to collect as many issues of Legion of Super-Heroes as you can, I’m here to tell you that I’ve had fabulous good fortune finding scads of them in quarter bins. But the main problem is that they’ve had so many different runs/iterations/title variants that you practically need a spreadsheet to keep them all straight (or a good app or website to track your comics). Also, like most titles that’ve been around for a few decades, the further back you go, the harder it is to find them on the cheap. I was pleasantly surprised to find this issue, which is nearing its 40th birthday, in a quarter bin, and while I’ve had it in my possession for over half a year now, it was time to pull it from my file cabinet of unread comics and give it a read after I’d finished with the newest edition of Back Issue #120, which had a focus on the Legion of Super-Heroes. For those who like to know such things, the all-star creative team is made up of writer J.M. DeMatteis and illustrator Steve Ditko. The cover price of Legion of Super-Heroes #268 is 50¢, while the current values are $6 on CBR and $7 on ZKC.

Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics

#1268 — John Constantine, the Hellblazer 2018 #1, DC, November 2018.

I’ve seen more of John Constantine on TV then between the pages of a comic book, so I was glad that I picked up this Halloween ComicFest (HCF) edition in 2018. If you noticed on the cover in the top right corner, this issue is written by Neil Gaiman (I got to see him give a talk at Case Western Reserve University a few years ago, and he really knows how to entertain a live audience) and illustrated by Dave McKean (and seeing his name always makes me think of that eerie Mr. Punch graphic novel from 1995, of which I own a copy). One of the somewhat strange things with many of these HCF editions is that the name given in the indicia doesn’t always match what they have splashed across the cover (so if any of you think I’m flat out wrong, now you know why there’s a discrepancy). And yes, it’s a creepy story, just what you’d expect for a Halloween special. The cover price of John Constantine, the Hellblazer 2018 #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1269 — Looney Tunes #4 , DC, July 1994.

Reading a Looney Tune comic book can be fun, but when compared to the classic cartoon episodes, well…there’s no comparison. Perhaps I’d enjoy the experience even more if I had opera music playing in the background, and most of you probably know exactly what I mean. Still, Looney Tunes comic books are a nice introduction to the characters for the younger and uninitiated, and whenever I’m fortunate enough to find some issues in quarter bins, I make sure to purchase them. And like so many of the titles I feature here in Cool Comics Kids, they take me back in time to a place I’m in no hurry to depart from. Like so many of these comics aimed at younger readers, the issues typically contain several stories with some of the biggest animated stars in the business. The cover price of Looney Tunes #4 is $1.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.

Cool Comics Classics

#1270 — Treasure Chest Vol. 22/No. 18, George A. Pflaum, May 1967.

This is the second issue I’ve come across of this eclectic comic book out of Dayton, Ohio, and “published every two weeks during the school year…” Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact started with Vol. 1 in 1946 and ran until Vol. 27 in 1972, targeting a Catholic school-aged audience. I didn’t attend a Catholic grade school, and I’m a bit jealous that I missed out on these fun comics that told real-life stories along with exciting fiction. If anyone grew up reading these, please feel free to tell us about it in the comments section below. I love the cover with the ship HOPE and the flag, and the accompanying story is very inspiring. Also, I think it’s a nice fit with the Fourth of July just a couple days away! I found this issue in a quarter box at my local comic shop, and if the store has more in the regular back issue section, I’ve never gone searching for them. But who can pass up a treasure like this for just a quarter? The cover price of Treasure Chest Vol. 22/No. 18 is 10¢, while the current values are $24 on CBR and $12 on ZKC.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Saga of the Swamp Thing Volumes 3-6 by Alan Moore (DC)

Dr. Omnibus score: 9.25 out of 10

I loved volume 1 and 2 so much that I decided to marathon read through the rest of the series as fast as I could. So here is my take on the remainder of the series.

The Books Themselves

I have the trade paperback volumes and they all are pretty much devoid of backmatter and are just the comics, creator biographies, a foreword and a couple pieces of art here and there. Nothing special about them.

The Words

By Alan Moore (1 issue was written by Rick Vietch)

As I said, I was super excited to continue with this reading. I was not disappointed; volumes 3-5 were even better than the first two. Every single issue was so beautifully laid out that I couldn’t make myself put them down. Alan Moore has a knack for looking so deeply at the emotions of the characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with this story. The highlights for me were a few issues in which he explored particular aspects of human psychology, sometimes aided by the use of psychedelics. Issue 56, in Volume 5 may be the best single issue of any comic I have ever read. Volume 6 is a little bit different of a story. The first couple of issues featuring Adam Strange were great, but after that things got a bit slow and weird with some odd variations from the status quo. The last book was a real slog of a read for me. Maybe I was just worn out after a couple weeks of nothing but Swamp Thing and needed a break. Hopefully, the next time I read through it I will find my opinion differs on that last book.

The Pictures

By Bissette, Woch, Veitch, and Totleben

The art throughout the whole series was nothing short of phenomenal. Before I read this series, I had never heard of any of these artists, and now I have to see what else they did in their careers. Some of the imagery in issue 43 is among the most powerful graphic literature I have ever seen. Almost every issue has some truly powerful and stunning art. Eventually Stephen Bissette was no longer doing the pencils in the issues, and the art was noticeably different at this point and not as good, but still better than most comic art I have seen.

The Gist

This is just another example of absolutely essential comic reading from the mind of Alan Moore. If you read any book/series that I have written about on Cool Comics in My Collection, it should 100 percent be this one. This is easily the best series of more than 12 issues that I have ever read.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
ROM #1 (Marvel 1979)

By  Steve “Atom” Baum

I’m Steve “Atom” Baum and I write comic reviews that nobody ever asked for. I don’t usually write reviews of new comics or comics that would be of interest to collectors for how much they are “worth.” To me, the “value” of a comic is in the enjoyment of it.

If you like what you see here, then join me on a journey through the forgotten depths of those longboxes of dollar back issues in your local comic shop and visit my blog, LONGBOX JUNK, where you’ll discover HUNDREDS of reviews you never asked for!

And now an exclusive “Short But Sweet” Longbox Junk Retro Review for the Cool Comics Crowd!

ARRIVAL!

SCRIPT: Bill Mantlo

PENCILS: Sal Buscema

COVER: Frank Miller

THE COVER:

That’s right, this awesome Bronze Age Beauty of a comic cover is some early work by THAT Frank Miller. I absolutely love the bold, heroic figure of ROM standing tall against the light blue sky, shown from the low P.O.V. THIS is the kind of cover that makes me want to buy a comic!

THE STORY:

A mysterious robotic alien lands on Earth outside of the West Virginia town of Clairton. Panic ensues as it guns down two long-time residents with powerful weaponry.

Trying to explain his actions, the alien uses a translator device to speak to a human woman named Brandy Clark.

He reveals his name is ROM and he is a Spaceknight from the world of Galador. . .one of one thousand Galadorians who volunteered to give up most of their humanity to become powerful cyborg warriors after a hostile shape-shifting race known as Dire Wraiths attempted to destroy their home world.

After narrowly defeating the Dire Wraiths attacking Galador, ROM and the rest of the Spaceknights have spent the last two hundred years hunting the Dire Wraiths and preventing their attacks on other worlds. . .including Earth, where ROM’s mission has brought him.

As ROM and Brandy speak, they are attacked by the National Guard, with several disguised Dire Wraiths in command. ROM defends his new ally and destroys the Wraiths before leaving. In the end, we see the Dire Wraiths have become aware that there is now a Spaceknight on Earth and that the battle has just begun!

To be continued. . .

THE REVIEW:

ROM is basically the comic tie-in to a toy line that Marvel turned into a pretty long-lasting series (75 issues & 4 annuals) that is still fairly well regarded by comic fans, outlasting the failed toy line itself. But beyond that, what we have here is a fine example of how a first issue should be done!

When I read the first issue of a series, I look for two simple things: Does it introduce characters in a new reader-friendly way? Does it tell a story that makes me want to read more? I give ROM #1 a big YES to both of those questions!

As an introduction to ROM, this comic delivers in a big way. The whole second half of the book tells the story of Galador and how ROM became a Spaceknight. It’s a lot bigger chunk of background than one would expect for a comic meant to sell toys! The reader doesn’t need to know one single thing about ROM coming into this in order to come away with a fantastic science fiction origin story.

And that story brings us to the second point. . .do I want to read more? Once again, YES! This issue delivers a great origin story wrapped up in some exciting “misunderstood alien warrior” comic book action as ROM begins to eliminate the Dire Wraiths infesting Earth. Yeah, it’s a pretty well-worn path, but hats off to veteran comic writer Bill Mantlo for making a comic meant to sell toys feel EPIC!

Speaking of comic veterans, Sal Buscema stands tall among Bronze Age Marvel artists and he was the PERFECT choice to illustrate this science fiction tale of Cyborg Warriors and shape-shifting villains! Just LOOK at the splash page below and you will be looking at a master class in how to introduce a brand-new character! Buscema brings action and life to every page of this comic.

Overall, what we have in ROM #1 is a perfect storm of Bronze Age Mighty Marvel storytelling from Bill Mantlo delivering a great introduction to a new character, combined with the fantastic art of legendary Marvel artist Sal Buscema, giving the reader the kind of comic that they just don’t make anymore.

Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of Bronze Age comics, science fiction comics, or both, you NEED to read ROM! Unfortunately, because of copyright issues, ROM hasn’t been collected. This is one you’ll have to hunt down issue by issue. Worth the effort? I say yes!

Until next time, remember that comics are worth more than money.

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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Rom Invades Earth & Dark Nights: Death Metal Invades Comic Shops!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 248, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 248…

Cool Comics News!

Yesterday was Previews day, which is always a cause for fun, excitement, and new discoveries! Did you discover something you haven’t been reading that you’re going to try, or perhaps a new series coming out that you want to follow? We’d love for you to tell us about it in the comments section below.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Batman Who Laughs versus Ghost Rider! 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’s creation is Voltron, by artist Ed Griffie. Besides the battle of the week listed above, I suppose we could also have Voltron go up against Rom, who is featured in our Classics section for this episode. 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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#1261 — Dark Nights: Death Metal #1, DC, August 2020.

Nearly three years ago, I started buying new comic books after a long hiatus. One of the first mini-series I picked up was Dark Nights: Metal, which wasn’t the easiest storyline to follow since I’d last read new comics in 2003. But I stuck with it, although I skipped most of the tie-ins that DC provided for readers who really wanted to immerse themselves in that world. But skipping those issues just made it harder to understand everything. Yet when it was over and DC later gave us The Batman Who Laughs, I once again gave in to the pull of the mini-series. I don’t always need to know or understand every nuance of plot to enjoy what I’m reading; hence, I’m onboard once more with Dark Nights: Death Metal (which is even more confusing if you didn’t at least read the first series). The cover is all shiny and makes me think of the Nineties, and the characters are “different” in this dark edge of DC adventures, and though I’m sure to get confused every now and then, it’s still fun to dive into these stories…and this one has a T-Rex Batman, so how could I pass it up? The cover price of Dark Nights: Death Metal #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1262 — Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #125, Archie, May 1966.

As constant readers know, one of my favorite things to do is go quarter bin diving. I don’t think most stores today even have quarter bins, so I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity. And while there are plenty of comics from the last couple decades in the bins, I tend to look for odd things and comics that date back to the 20th Century, when possible. And if you noticed the date above (May 1966), then you know this one is much older than the typical fair found for low, low prices! This issue of Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica will take you back to a generation that you may not remember very well, or never experienced firsthand. A couple of the stories enclosed probably would be considered in poor taste today, but in 1966 things were different. The cover of my copy came loose from the staples, but considering the deal I got, I’m not complaining. The cover price of Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #125 is 12¢, while the current value is $40.

Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics

#1263 — Ghost Rider: King of Hell #1, Marvel, December 2019.

I guess when you’re putting out free comics for Halloween ComicFest (HCF), you want to have some fright with your product line, so Marvel gave us this Ghost Rider one-shot reprint. Not having read the original story, this was a new adventure for me and was also helpful in understanding how Johnny Blaze became King of Hell. I’ve been reading the ongoing Ghost Rider comic, but didn’t really understand how all this came about, so I consider this a nice HCF pickup for anyone else who wants to know more about our favorite flaming skull head! If you like your heroes more like Captain America and Superman, there’s a chance you’ve never read a Ghost Rider comic before, and HCF, along with Free Comic Book Day, are great ways to get introduced to characters and titles you might not otherwise explore. The cover price of Ghost Rider: King of Hell #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1264 — Donald Duck #122 , Gold Key, November 1968.

Not one, but TWO comics from the Sixties this week have been deemed as Cool Comics In My Collection! I really like the old stuff, especially when I find it for cover price or lower, but in this case, paying out just a quarter for a 15-cent comic feels pretty good, too. While the condition isn’t great (click on the cover to see it better), I’m not complaining. This issue gives us a long Donald Duck adventure to start things off, followed by four pages of “Gold Key Comics Club News,” then a story featuring Goofy, a one-page prose story that’s great for helping kids advance their reading skills (this one has the three little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf), and our last full tale has Donald showing off his new-found strength, thanks to Gyro Gearloose. The last two facing pages gives readers “mini-comics” and information about the Pteranodon (a flying dinosaur), courtesy once more of the “Gold Key Comics Club News.” The cover price of Donald Duck #122 is 15¢, while the current value is $48.

Cool Comics Classics

#1265 — Rom #1, Marvel, December 1979.

Rom is another one of those properties that launched as a comic book with the intent to stir interest in the toy…but the toy ended up unsuccessful, whereas the initial Rom comic book from Marvel lasted until 1986, and currently IDW is publishing new Rom adventures. For me, Rom appeared a little over a year after I’d walked away from the hobby, but in 1982, a friend at Ohio State got me interested in reading comics once again, and Rom was one of his recommendations. I didn’t stick with the series long, but recently found a lot of the issues in quarter bins and decided to buy this first issue for a decent price. Written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Sal Buscema, I felt like I’d traveled back in time to my younger years while reading it, and I enjoyed getting a look at Rom’s origin story at long last. The cover price of Rom #1 is 40¢, while the current values are $65 on CBR and $30 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $35.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Sara (TKO Studios)
Dr. Omnibus score: 7 out of 10

In 2019, TKO Studios released their first wave of books. They started this new company with a unique business model, with a couple different goals in mind.

Eliminate reliance on Diamond
Create a bingeable product like Netflix, but for comics.

To this end, they released their six issue comic series in three different formats, all at the same time. You can order the single issues, the trade paperback (TPB), or digital copies. Regardless of the format you choose, you get the entire series at once.

When they launched the first wave of books, I bought two of the TPB’s they offered.

The Book Itself

The book itself is pretty awesome. It is an oversized TPB, so the trim size is about 20 percent larger than that of a standard comic, and the paper and cover quality is pretty decent. There is a very limited amount of backmatter, but considering this is a new company, producing a new series, there just isn’t too much that could be added.

The Words

By Garth Ennis

This book tells a wonderful story of a group of Russian female snipers during World War II. It almost felt like a PG-rated adaptation of the film Inglorious Basterds, but with Russian women instead of Jewish men. It was fine, nothing special, but it does get a few bonus points for being a somewhat interesting story with a primarily female cast, which is something the comic industry wants and frequently fails to deliver.

The Pictures

By Steve Epting and Elizabeth Breitweiser (colorist)

From a technical standpoint, it was good, but overall, I found the art uninteresting. Not distracting, but just kind of default comic art. I did enjoy the colors a bit. The colors really brought some of the landscapes to life. Ms. Breitweiser appears to have done the heavy lifting as far as making the art even remotely fun.

The Gist

Overall, the comic is fine, nothing too special, and it fell pretty far short of the hype for me. This is certainly a minority opinion though. Most people who I have heard from that read the book thought it was pretty great.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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Miles Morales Sees Soaring Sales & Chakan’s Trending!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 247, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 247…

Cool Comics News!

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you may have seen me mention that there will be some upcoming news about Chakan, the forever man, and now I’m spilling the beans…with the permission of Robert A. Kraus, the creator. And here it is: plans are underway for a Chakan Kickstarter campaign! This will be an all-color trade paperback comic, weighing in at around 100 pages and featuring a quintessential tale of the grey warrior, along with additional art deliciously drawn by a variety of illustrators. This exciting story will be seeing print for the first time via the Kickstarter, and yours truly has been named editor of this future classic comic! Once the campaign is live (we expect it to be later this summer or sometime in the fall), we’ll be sure to let you know how to find it on Kickstarter, but we wanted to break this news now so that you can start filling your piggy banks with loose change, because there is no way you’ll want to miss out on this monumental event!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Joker versus Miles Morales: Spider-Man! 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 I’m featuring a piece of art my son did years ago (mom saved a bunch of them!). This character doesn’t have a name, it’s just something my son made up (my son’s name is also Ed Gosney, by the way). And while he isn’t doing much art these days, he is attending Ohio University and majoring in Video Game Design. So maybe someday some of you gamers will be playing a game he’s worked on or developed!

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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics 

#1256 — The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 , DC, June 2020.

While I have yet to read the Catwoman 80th Anniversary edition, the issue celebrating the different Robins was featured here in episode 235 and is much less violent, bloody, and creepy than Joker’s. But violent, bloody, and creepy are to be expected from the Clown Prince of Crime, a man so demented that he murdered one Robin and crippled Barbara Gordon, along with many other despicable acts. When you think about it, why in the world did such a horrible character even get to celebrate with an anniversary edition? Of course, we know just how popular Batman is, and hence, his rogues’ gallery is one of the best, if not the best, in comic book history. And since the Joker is a criminal, he’s attempting to steal your comic book pennies straight from your pockets! Seriously though, the character has been popular for 80 years, so why not? And this issue features a treasure trove of creators, including Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Denny O’Neil (who sadly passed away the day after this comic was released), Peter J. Tomasi, Paul Dini, Tony S. Daniel, Brian Azzarello, and many more. This issue isn’t for everyone due to some of the disturbing stories, but it is certainly well-executed (a fitting descriptive word, consider everything, don’t you think?). The cover price of The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 is $9.99, while the current value is $10. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1257 — Stephen Darklord #1, RAK Graphics, January 1987.

One day while on a hunting expedition in a quarter bin, I came upon Stephen Darklord, The Survivor! Honestly, I had no idea who this guy was, but when my eyes moved to the top left corner of the cover, I was excited to see the R.A.K. GRAPHICS logo! Yes, Robert A. Kraus (RAK), the creator of Chakan, the forever man (and for more on Chakan, scroll back up to the Cool Comics News section if you skipped it!), is also the creator of Stephen Darklord. Having gotten to know the man himself (as mentioned above, I’m currently editing for RAK), this made it a very special quarter bin conquest, as I didn’t have any of Stephen Darklord’s three issues in my collection at the time. It’s a bit darker than some of the comics you may be used to, but also filled with great characters and emotion. And for those who don’t know, RAK is both the artist and writer of these stories. The cover price of Stephen Darklord #1 is $1.75, while the current value is $2.

Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics

#1258 — Miles Morales: Spider-Man #0, Marvel, December 2019.

This Halloween ComicFest (HCF) issue from Marvel is a reprint of Ultimate Fallout #4, which happens to be surging on the secondary market, even as I’m typing. The original came out in October 2011, and just happens to be the first appearance of Miles Morales. With his own Spider-Man comic and the hit movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this issue is quickly heading towards the “I can’t afford that one!” category. Oh, and a video game announcement also has something to do with the surge in sales. Comic Book Realm has it listed at $300, and Key Collector Comics has the high price at $450, along with a note that on June 14, a copy graded at 9.8 sold for $1,500 (and a variant cover edition went for $4,150). Wow! If you were collecting comics in 2011, you might want to check your collection for this one. And besides the steep climb in value, it’s probably also hard to find a copy. But you know what? I’ve got a free copy of the HCF reprint! It may not be the original, but it’s still a Cool Comic. The cover price of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #0 is free, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $1 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $20.

Cool Comics Kids

#1259 — Richie Rich #25 , Harvey Comics, August 1994.

I don’t know if any of you actually like this segment of Cool Comics, but often these comics turn out to be some of my favorites to read. There are no capes or tights (well, most of the time!) or blood or worries of who might read them. And they take you back to your childhood, and I always enjoy a trip back to those days when I wasn’t worried about making car payments or cable bills, but instead I was working hard by mowing lawns, selling Grit (yes, I actually did that!), and shoveling snow so that I’d make a few dollars to buy comic books, monster magazines, and treats at the local Dairy Queen. This issue of “The Richest Kid In The World” from the Nineties contains three stories featuring our title hero, along with an adventure starring Little Dot. Additionally, as a neat aside, I noticed in the credits that Ernie Colón is credited as one of the pencillers! The cover price of Richie Rich #25 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Classics

#1260 — Marvel Premiere #38, Marvel, October 1977.

I really like Marvel Premiere (it ran from 1972 to 1981), but during my first phase of comic book collecting (1973-1978), I never bought a single issue. Back in those younger and less informed years, I wanted to read about my favorite heroes, so I had no interest in anthology titles. But thanks to digging around in quarter and back issue bins, I’ve been able to pick up 19 of the 61 issues at fairly low prices (many of them for just a quarter, such as this one)! Some have lots of value, while others…not so much, but the journey has been fun, and this issue gives me the first appearance of Weirdworld. Okay, it hasn’t exactly set the Marvel Universe on fire, but I’ve got it, nonetheless. The cover goes on to tell us that this is an epic fantasy adventure and dares to compare it with Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. While I’ll admit that I enjoyed reading it, Frodo and the rest of the Fellowship have nothing to worry about. Written by Doug Moench, with art courtesy of Mike Ploog and Alex Niño, this is a first appearance issue from the Bronze Age that’s very affordable. The cover price of Marvel Premiere #38 is 30¢, while the current value is $8. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus (Marvel)

Dr. Omnibus score: 8.5 out of 10

Next up in my Marvel Mutant read-through is X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus. Coming off a couple good reads with the X-Factor Epic Collection Vol 1 and X-Men Ghosts, I was expecting good things. Let’s see….

The Book Itself

Marvel has a good track record with building a quality omnibus devoid of major structural defects, and this one falls well within that category. Coming in at 900+ pages, I decided to stretch the spine twice before I jumped into this one and it held up very well. At the end of the 900+ story pages, there is a decent sized cover gallery for various issues and previous collections for material contained in the omnibus.

The Words

Containing 36 issues from 8 different series (not counting annuals as different series), this collection was written by a pretty good assortment of writers including Chris Claremont, Ann Nocenti, Walter and Louise Simonson, and a few others. I genuinely enjoyed every issue of this omnibus. That never happens in an omnibus this size. Even the Power Pack was cool. The general premise of the crossover is that a group of mutant hunters go and try to kill all the Morlocks. This leads to great undertones of classism and a lot of grief. Major spoilers ahead…Storm vs. Callisto, Wolverine vs Sabretooth, Angel dying, many X-Men being taken out by serious injuries…so much happens in this. The highlights were the Thor issues and the Fantastic Four vs the X-Men mini-series (possibly the best Marvel Comics I have read this year so far).

The Pictures

As large and stacked with well-known talent as the writing staff was, the artistic team was even more assorted and equally as talented, with art by JRJR., Bret Blevins, Rick Leonardi, Alan Davis, Barry Windsor-Smith, Marc Silvestri, Walter Simonson, Sal Buscema, Jon Bogdanove, Keith Pollard, and many more. With such a large smattering of artists, it’s very hard to grade it, but in general it was pretty good. Particularly the work of Jon Bogdanove; some of the pictures weren’t the best examples of great anatomy, but I really enjoyed his style. As per the usual, I wasn’t impressed with the work of JRJR, but it wasn’t a huge part of this book.

The Gist

I cruised through this book pretty quick; it was just awesome. Normally, I average 2-3 issues read per day, but I managed to average about 5 per day going through this. It isn’t a particularly great jumping on point, but if you did jump in here you probably wouldn’t be too lost thanks to the editorial notes that frequently recap events of relevance. If you have any knowledge of the X-Men from the Claremont era, this is worth a read.

Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the  MCBCFA Play Network  YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of  Illuminatus Comics .

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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Moon Knight Meets the Avengers Head On!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 246, 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 (except for of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is 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 some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. 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 246…

Cool Comics News!

Though titles are a little sparse right now, at least shops are getting product to sell. Please continue to support your local comic store by getting some new issues and back issues, dollar bin diving finds, backing boards and bags, comic boxes, and other fun items you might see in your favorite store!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Green Arrow (Connor Hawke) versus Buck Rogers! 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 creation comes to us from Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, along with cool games he’s developed. This awesome SUPERFREAKS art features a second image of Avengers (click here to see RAK’s earlier SUPERFREAKS Avengers)! 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 as long as 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 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 .

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics 

#1251 — Avengers #33, Marvel, June 2020.

Originally, this Avengers comic was not going to be a part of Cool Comics, but after reading it, how could I not? Readers are introduced to new story arc named “The Age of Khonshu,” and astute Marvelites don’t need to see the cover to know that Moon Knight has entered the building! So why is this a big deal? I don’t want to spoil anything, but at the same time, if you want to see Moon Knight go one-on-one with some heavy hitters in the 616, then you need to grab this issue as quickly as possible. What? You want me to name names? Try these on for size: Iron Fist, Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Black Panther, and Thor. The creative team of Jason Aaron and Javier Garrón give us a story that you can’t put down and are setting us up for a wild ride. The cover price of Avengers #33 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1252 — Green Arrow #134, DC, July 1998.

As much hate as there seems to be out there for comics from the Nineties, they usually fill me with good memories. After a quick phase 2 of collecting in 1982, I didn’t buy any comics on a regular basis until 1993. As a matter of fact, the few comics I bought in between those years were a few pickups of some First Comics at a local discount store, and I had no idea who the characters were. But when Superman was temporarily killed by Doomsday and my father happened to get me a copy of that bagged issue (Superman #75), I jumped back in with both feet. I didn’t get many issues of Green Arrow, but I ended up with an issue here and there, and remembered when Connor Hawke became one of the new generation of replacement heroes (like Kyle Rayner, for example, the new Green Lantern of the era). This issue starts off a storyline called “Brotherhood of the Fist” and includes a team-up with Batman, which probably helped sell more copies. Chuck Dixon gives us a fun story and the art by Dougie Braithewaite certainly gives it a Nineties feel. Most comics I buy from quarter bins range from 1970 to 1980-something, but this one looked interesting and is in excellent condition. The cover price of Green Arrow #134 is $2.50, while the current value is $3.

Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics

#1253 — Iron Man: Road to Iron Man 2020 #1 , Marvel, December 2019.

Halloween ComicFest is a great time to explore characters and companies you aren’t as familiar with…but the variety of choices aren’t as vast as, well, Free Comic Book Day. And while I usually grab some comics that aren’t as recognizable, I also enjoy the comfort of reading stories of characters I’ve known for a while. And when I got this one, I thought it was something new to introduce readers to the Iron Man 2020 stuff that may or may not have come out (I really haven’t paid much attention to Iron Man comics for a while, because the ongoing series didn’t hold my interest, and the idea behind the 2020 storyline didn’t grab me when I read about it). But as it turns out, this is a reprint of Tony Stark: Iron Man #1, which I read and blogged about in a past episode. And I nearly skipped it but decided to read the story again. There are some fun things and interesting ideas here, and I wish the ongoing series would have been as enjoyable. Oh well, not everyone is going to like everything. The cover price of Iron Man: Road to Iron Man 2020 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1254 — Yosemite Sam #29 , Whitman/Gold Key, July 1975.

Out of all the Cool Comics Kids issues that have filled this spot, this is probably the most controversial issue so far (and not because I was able to find it for just a quarter!). And I’m sure there are those out there who would just chuck it into their paper recycle bin and try to forget about it, but the other side of the coin is that if you happen to have this one in your collection, and you allow a little one in your life to read it, you can use it as an educational tool. Basically, there are a couple things in this comic book that today would be considered as sensitive issues. But rather than ignoring these kinds of things from a 1975 comic book, we can tell kids that it’s not proper to speak or act in this manner today. Other than those couple items, this is a fun issue with two classic characters in Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny, and this Gold Key issue with the Whitman label gives readers seven different stories, a few being just one page each. The cover price of Yosemite Sam #29 is 25¢, while the current values are $16 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.

Cool Comics Classics

#1255 — Buck Rogers #4, Gold Key, October 1979.

Though Buck Rogers was born way back in 1928, I don’t know much about him. I’m more of a Flash Gordon kind of guy, and my father probably influenced me a lot in this respect, as we watched a lot of the old Flash Gordon serials together. But Buck Rogers starred in a primetime TV show while I was in high school, and my dad watched it, but for some reason, I had no interest (though I remember some of the guys from my neighborhood mentioning the show from time to time). Anyway, when I found this issue in a bargain bin, it made me think of my father, so I decided to get it. This issue is part 3 of the movie adaptation, which aired on TV and led to the ongoing series. And even though this brought me in at the end of the story arc, I was able to follow the plot and enjoyed it. I certainly wouldn’t mind reading more like this one. The cover price of Buck Rogers #4 is 40¢, while the current value is $15.

Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Scarlet Huntress by Stephanie and Sean Forney

Dr. Omnibus score: 7.5 out of 10

I am a sucker for classic horror tropes and cryptids, so when indie creators Sean and Stephanie Forney launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2019 for Scarlet Huntress Adventures!, a comic about a werewolf hunter, I was pretty interested. When I looked over the campaign, I saw that there was a tier in which I could get the three previous issues as well, so I decided to go all in and get it all. I then had the opportunity to pick up my pledge reward in person at C2E2 2020, and got to meet Sean and Stephanie, who are both very nice folks.

The Books Themselves

These are actually single-issue comics, which I almost never buy unless it is through Kickstarter. These issues are all very high-quality books, printed on nice thick paper. Aside from that, there isn’t too much to say about them…they are comics. The set includes Scarlet Huntress 1, Scarlet huntress 2, Scarlet Huntress: Tales Through time (an Anthology series with 3 short stories) and Scarlet Huntress Adventures! (another anthology of short stories). In addition to the comics, the Kickstarter also included digital copies of a storybook telling the origin story of the Huntress Legacy and a cryptid field guide that gives background info on various types of creatures, and perhaps some clues about what may come in future issues.

The Words

By Stephanie Forney

The story starts off with us meeting a young woman who recently lost her mother. While in town to deal with some of the responsibilities that go along with that, she is summoned by her grandmother, who tells her about the real nature of her mother’s death and the legacy that she represents. Overall, a great set-up for the story, and it was told fairly quickly, without too much fluff. Scarlet did buy into the whole “guess what, you’re a werewolf hunter” thing pretty easily, but aside from that one point, issues 1 and 2 were pretty awesome. For the most part, the dialogue didn’t feel forced and the pacing was pretty darn good. I am not the most concise person myself and appreciate that Stephanie does not seem to struggle with that same issue. The anthology issues were cool, too. Some of those stories were not written by Stephanie, but those writers did a great job of embracing the character without ruining continuity, in my opinion.

The Pictures

By Sean Forney

The first two issues are black and white. This caught me by surprise, mainly because the issue which was being released for the first time on the Kickstarter that I backed was color. But I am really glad it was black and white as it gave me a great opportunity to examine Sean’s linework without the distraction of color. I really enjoyed the art. In the beginning, it had a very unfinished feel to it, but by the end of the first issue you could see a ton of growth. By the end of the four-book run, I was nothing short of a fan. He has a pretty firm grip on anatomy, and nothing pulled me out of the story or left me scratching my head.

Additionally, each issue has several variant covers done by highly talented artists, some of whom are quite well known.

The Gist

This was better than most indie comics I have backed on Kickstarter, and a very good series. I look forward to future installments. If you would like a physical copy of any of the books, they can be purchased here, and digital copies here, Or you can follow Sean on Kickstarter to check out his next campaign here.

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Batman #36 (2018) Comic Book Review

By Josh Turnbull

Hey guys! I’m Josh Turnbull and I run The Review Basement blog. Every week I review movies, TV shows, comic books, and novels for your entertainment. If you like what you read here, please feel free to visit The Review Basement for more awesome reviews. Enjoy!

Batman #36 is an interesting issue because it feels like a throwback to when comic books were mainly one and done stories with the occasional two-parter thrown in from time to time. They were just starting to come out of this phase when I started reading comics in the ’90s with long story arcs like Batman: Knightfall and The Death of Superman, as well as The Clone Saga over at Marvel. This form of comic book storytelling was prevalent in the ’70s and the early ’80s.

The issue is basically just Batman and Superman talking to Catwoman and Lois about each other. Normally that would sound pretty boring, but it works here, because Tom King knows these characters, though some might argue against him knowing Batman. I think this is the first time we’ve gotten Superman’s honest thoughts on Batman since The Man of Steel by John Byrne in the ’80s. Though we’ve certainly had Batman’s thoughts on Superman during several occasions since then. Though to be honest, I think this is the most honest version of those thoughts we’ve had. That comes down to Batman always being able to be honest to Catwoman.

I love how both Superman and Batman are too stubborn to call the other over Bruce’s engagement to Selina Kyle, and it ends up being Lois and Catwoman (Selina) who try to convince their significant others that they need to call the other. Neither of them does so, and the quartet end up running into each other at the same building. Superman and Batman team up to take out two supervillains, neither of whom I’m familiar with, and then they prepare to go on what the “Next Issue” tag at the end of the issue refers to as “A double-date 78 years in the making….” I also enjoyed that this story is called “Super Friends,” and the font used for it is the one used on all the Super Friends cartoons from the ’70s and ’80s.

The artwork by Clay Mann is pretty decent. Though it is the standard modern-day comic book art style that everyone besides Greg Capullo seems to be using these days. That’s okay though because it actually works pretty well for this story. Though I have to wonder if Mann has read a comic after the ’60s, because the way he has Clark Kent dress in this issue looks the way the artists had him dress in the ’60s. Again, it works in the issue.

Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, 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!

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/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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.

Join our Facebook Group!

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. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!

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