Ed Gosney's Blog, page 27

A Stan and Jack Classic, an “Event” at DC, & a Cool Kickstarter!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 195, 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 in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! Just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 195…

Cool Comics News!
A postcard I received about the campaign.

Comic books on Kickstarter (and other platforms) are sort of like Indie Publishing for books (which I’ve taken part in), and when we can support them at Cool Comics, we do so, and like to let the readers out there know about them, too. Illuminatus Comics currently has a campaign for their comic, “Take Your Kid to Work Day.” After just a few days, I’m happy to report that this Kickstarter is already near goal! But they have stretch goals, too, with all sorts of cool items that donors can receive if those goals are met. If you love comic books and appreciate all the hard work that goes into creating them, please click on the linked-title above, check out what this campaign is all about, and consider supporting Illuminatus Comics.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Incredible Hulk versus The Thing! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cool Comics In My Collection 
Contemporary Cool Comics

#961 — Event Leviathan #1, DC, August 2019.

You know what? The stuff that happens in Event Leviathan is going to change the DC Universe forever, and if you aren’t reading it you’ll be totally lost and probably go into a panic and search all over creation for the back issues a year or so down the road, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t take advantage and buy it when you saw it in Cool Comics…or maybe not. I know, those of us who have been around the block a time or two have lived through all sorts of change in the comic book world, so you may be fine if you skip this. Maybe. And get this: gone from DC are A.R.G.U.S., D.E.O., Spyral, and Cadmus. Could the Justice League be next? Not if Batman, Green Arrow, and Lois Lane have anything to say about it. With their “never say die” attitudes, can they solve the mystery? Tune in to this “6-Issue Mystery Thriller” to find out! The cover price of Event Leviathan #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#962 — The Incredible Hulk: Last Call, Marvel, August 2019.

If you were a fan of the Peter David – Dale Keown run of The Incredible Hulk that started nearly three decades ago, then you probably put this one-shot on your pull list. To be honest, I wasn’t reading comics when the run started, and even though I bought some of the back issues, I didn’t think I’d be interested in this “Last Call.” And I surprised myself by picking it up and giving it a quick flip-through at my local comic book shop. Then I set it down on the shelf where I’d found it, looked at some other comics, but came back to it, deciding I needed this cool comic. It’s an emotional, action-packed story that does a nice job of summing up both Bruce Banner and the Hulk. There are probably very few people living in North America (and most of the world) who’ve never laid eyes on old jade jaws, thanks to the Avengers movies, and since you’re already familiar, even if you’ve never read any of his comics, this is a good one. The cover price of The Incredible Hulk: Last Call #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#963 — Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #2, Valiant Entertainment, November 2014.

In the Nineties, when I started my third phase of comic book collecting, I found it interesting that there were a number of companies besides the B2 (Big 2…Marvel and DC) that seemed to be doing pretty well. Valiant was one of them, and though I didn’t buy any of their new comics on a monthly basis, I started buying up older issues in discount bins. I had a pretty decent collection, probably around 100 issues, when I realized that I had way too many comic books in my house, so I decided to sell the majority of them (this was maybe nine or so years ago, and at the time I thought I was through with comic books forever…as if). And since I didn’t have any emotional ties to the Valiant line, it was easy enough to put them in the sell pile. When 2017 rolled around and I decided to embrace my passion once more, I started feeling nostalgic about the Valiant comics I’d given up. So when I acquired my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap) and found a couple Valiant comics inside (even though they were newer and not the good old original early Nineties Valiant titles), it got me excited all over again for this company that put out comics I want to collect but so very rarely read. Since then, I’ve been able to find lots of those originals (including many of them that I’d sold) for a quarter each, so my collection is once again bursting at the seams. This new one is a little strange, but then again, that’s okay, because it was a “Valiant” effort (groan!). The cover price of Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #2 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 7)

#964 — A Sheets Story, Lion Forge, May 2019.

Did you happen to read Brenna Thummler’s graphic novel Sheets? If you did, then you’re probably excited to get your hands on this Free Comic Book Day story that takes place afterward. Full disclosure, I didn’t read Sheets. And when I picked up A Sheets Story, I was prepared for boredom. This FCBD edition falls under Lion Forge’s Caracal imprint, which caters to kids from ages 8 to 12, so you can understand why I thought I wouldn’t care. But I did care. Brenna pulled me into this universe she created and wouldn’t let me go. Almost as if she’d tied me up with a…sheet…so that all my focus was on this incredibly moving story. I read a lot of comics, so I can’t make any promises that I’ll ever read the original or the upcoming sequel in 2020 (Delicates), but I’m truly glad I got to experience this one. The cover price of A Sheets Story is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#965 — Bullwinkle and Rocky #3, Marvel, March 1988.

Did you grew up watching Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons? If so, then you’ll probably appreciate these zany antics of “Moose and Squirrel.” And of course, right in the middle of the story, we have to wait while they present us with a tale of Dudley Do-Right and Snidely Whiplash. Writer Dave Manak and penciler Ernie Colon do a great job of making us feel like we’re kids again, as the characters and images take us back to those long-ago days when we didn’t worry about mortgages, electric bills, and taxes, but instead could just sit back and enjoy some fun cartoons. Don’t hesitate to add some of these Bullwinkle and Rocky comic books to your collection, whether for the little ones in your life or just to travel back to those days we can never truly capture but can somewhat replicate with our memories. The cover price of Bullwinkle and Rocky #3 is $1, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Classics

#966 — Fantastic Four #93, Marvel, December 1969.

If you appreciate the days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, then you won’t be disappointed with this gem of a classic from the end of the Sixties. But how do you get your hands on a comic like this without obliterating your checkbook? Reprints and digital are a couple of ways you can go, but if you want the original, like I have in my collection, then it may take a little hunting and some compromise. You can use the Internet (such as eBay or other auction sites and Facebook groups that are involved in comic book transactions), comic book conventions, or your local comic shop (which is where I picked up my copy). That’s the hunting part of it. For the compromise, you have to decide between price and condition. While my copy isn’t going to get me much money if I try to sell it, I bought it for just a couple dollars, and it’s good enough for me! As you can see on the action-packed cover, the Thing is about to get walloped but good. These two combatants are being forced to fight to the death, and the loser’s planet will also be destroyed, so there’s a lot at stake. Want to know how it ends? Then it’s time to start hunting for a copy! The cover price of Fantastic Four #93 is 15¢, while the current value is $95.

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 Unites 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.

Why The Brave and the Bold Brings Back Memories of My Father

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 194, 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 reading about them as I had writing about them!

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! Just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 194…

Cool Comics News!

Cool Comics readers probably remember that I’ve been collecting Oblivion Song from Image Comics since it launched (issue #16 just came out), and now it’s in the news, because it’s been optioned for a movie. The writer of the comic, Robert Kirkman, is the guy who brought you The Walking Dead. Oblivion Song has been intriguing, and I’m interested to see if Hollywood does it justice.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Black Cat versus Wildcat! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#955 — Black Cat #1, Marvel, August 2019.

While there are arguments both for and against Black Cat being a Catwoman knockoff, she’s celebrating 40 years of existence, so there is no denying her staying power. Known primarily for being part of Spider-Man’s world, she’s now flying solo in an ongoing series for the first time. I don’t have Black Cat on my pull list at my local comic shop (LCS), but figured that if there were any left when I walked into the store last week, I’d grab the first issue and tell you good comic book reading folks a little about it. And when you decide to do something like that, sometimes you miss out, because either the store owner doesn’t order many, or others had the same idea, and they get there in front of you and take the last ones. And that’s why I try to get there early when I can. I actually had my pick of covers, too. There were maybe ten issues of the regular cover left, a variant with a horizontal cover, and one copy of this Artgerm cover, which I decided to get. I’m usually the kind of collector who takes the regular cover, but since I’m not going to make this comic a part of my regular reading, I decided to get something a little special. Having said that, I won’t be surprised if I find myself grabbing issue 2 off the shelf next month when it comes out, because this was a pretty good start to the series. Also, this first issue contains a shorter backup story that has Dracula in it, which makes this a quality cool comic! The cover price of Black Cat #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#956 — Sons of Chaos Ashcan, IDW Publishing, June 2019.

A few weeks back I was at my LCS (Kenmore Komics & Games) digging through box after box of quarter comics (how can anyone resist such potential treasures?), when the shop owner let me know that he was sticking something extra in with my purchases. I didn’t really notice what it was until after I’d arrived home and was exploring all my new “old” editions. At a quick glance, I saw that it was horizontal. Typically, I don’t care for comics done “widescreen.” But it cost me nothing and I figured that since I noticed it was an ashcan, I should plug it here at Cool Comics so that you can get an early glimpse in case it’s something you want to purchase down the road. From the cover, it reminded me of 300, but once you flip to the inside you learn that this is a story about the Greek War for Independence against the Ottoman Empire. The part that really intrigued me was when I saw that the story is set in 1821. My ignorance of this war may be showing, but we only know what we know, right? And I guess I shouldn’t feel too bad about not knowing, as the comic tells as that it’s a “widely unknown portion of world history.” The full graphic novel from IDW Publishing is due in July and weighs in at 192 pages, and if the Ashcan is any indication, this is going to be great! The art and storytelling had me glued to my seat, and it turned out the horizontal format wasn’t a hindrance at all. Once you lose yourself in this tale, you don’t even think about anything except what’s going to happen next. The cover price of Sons of Chaos Ashcan is free, while the current value is $15.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#957 — The Ride: 2 For the Road #1, Image, October 2004.

Did anyone out there read this one-shot? I recently pulled it from my legendary longbox knowing nothing about it (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap) and ended up enjoying this black and white concept comic that contains two tales. The first story in The Ride: Two for the Road is “Shotgun,” written by Chuck Dixon with art by D. Alexander Gregory, while Cully Hamner provides both art and story for “Big Plans.” This is an Image comic, and not surprisingly this issue isn’t what most people typically think of when they think of comic books. In 1990-something I met Cully Hamner at a small comic convention in Atlanta, when I was serving there in the Army. He and I arranged for me to visit his art studio and interview him there, but—unfortunately—the story never ran. Nevertheless, it was a great experience to meet him and see where he made comics come to life. The cover price of The Ride: 2 For the Road #1 is $2.95, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 6)

#958 — Disney Descendants: Dizzy’s New Fortune, Tokyopop, February 2019.

This may come as a shock, but Disney Descendants isn’t in my wheelhouse. Sure, I’ve seen bits and pieces of different “Descendants” movies that my daughter Brynn watched on TV, but all I got out of it is that there is a female pirate with blue hair who can’t seem to remember her own name. If this Dizzy girl was in any of the movies, I don’t remember (but at least I don’t need to ask others “What’s my name?”), but I’m guessing that fans of the movies would probably enjoy this Free Comic Book Day edition put out by Tokyopop. Honestly, I have no idea how well comics with Disney stories and characters sell (although this one was free), but Mickey, Donald, and Uncle Scrooge seem like they’ve been in comic books forever. Any Disney comic completists out there? If so, here’s one to make sure you get your hands on. The cover price of Disney Descendants: Dizzy’s New Fortune is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#959 — Chip ‘N’ Dale #29, Gold Key, September 1974.

I’m still working my way through a bunch of Seventies-era kid comics I scooped out of a quarter bin many months ago (although since then I’ve found some newer kids comics, so I’m mixing them up a bit for the sake of variety) for our Cool Comics Kids section, and one thought that keeps going through my mind is that Gold Key really did a great job of producing stories to entertain younger kids and those who loved comics but didn’t care for the superhero genre. Again, here we are with a couple Disney classic characters in Chip ‘N’ Dale, and it’s hard to go wrong when using these familiar furry friends. So yes, if you’re thinking about building out a young reader’s comic library, make sure to go back a few decades, because they really did a nice job back then. And these don’t have to drain your bank account. I usually find mine in deeply discounted bins. Granted, the condition isn’t always great, but the price is right. By the way, I certainly like these chipmunks a lot more than the ones who keep tunneling through my mulch! The cover price of Chip ‘N’ Dale #29 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.

Cool Comics Classics

#960 — The Brave and the Bold #127, DC, June 1976.

Usually when The Brave and the Bold comes to mind, I think about those 100-pages for 60¢ editions from the mid-Seventies. Aside from those, I never owned any other issues of this title until the past few years when I started buying them on occasion out of quarter bins. It’s not that I have anything against the title, but when I first started buying comics as a kid, it was mostly Marvel. As a matter of fact, nearly every DC comic I bought in the Seventies was a 100-page issue or of the oversized Limited Collector’s Edition variety. My father was a pharmacist and could get a discount at the store where he worked, so I’d sometimes visit and find some of these comics, and he’d pick up a pen and draw a line through the price, then write down the new price with his discount. Smack dab on the cover. That probably makes some of you cringe, but my dad passed away in 2001 and I relish those ink marks today. As you can see from the cover of this issue, Batman teams up with Wildcat for an adventure, so if you’re a fan, you may want to search this one out. My dad went through a lot of medical problems, and you’d never hear him complain. There’s no doubt in my mind that my father was both brave and bold. It’s funny sometimes, isn’t it, where these old comic books take us? The cover price of The Brave and the Bold #127 is 30¢, while the current value is $12.

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 Unites 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.

New Hope Series From Source Point Press Starts Strong!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 193, 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 reading about them as I had writing about them!

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! Just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues.

Join the Cool Comics Facebook group for a chance to win this issue!

Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 193…

Cool Comics News!

Over the weekend, on my social media sites, I listed myself (in the little bio areas) as a Comic Book Commentator. But does such a title even exist? I couldn’t find any evidence during an Internet search, but my guess is that others have made this claim before. Regardless, I think it’s an apt description of what I do. Cool Comics is not a review site, and even though I wouldn’t mind being known as a Comic Book Historian (I have a long way to go!), it doesn’t fit. Cool Comics is not a comic book news site either, although I do have this Cool Comics News! section in which I give you interesting tidbits. So, what exactly is Cool Comics In My Collection? Each week I post some covers of comics in my personal collection and talk a little about them. Sometimes I tell you about the creators, or perhaps a smidgen of the plot, and occasionally I’ll bring up the time or place or moment in my life when I bought or read the comic and what it means to me now. Hence, “Comic Book Commentator.” I think I like the sound of it.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Kermit versus Miss Piggy! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#949 — Exciting Comics #2, Antarctic Press, May 2019.

A few months ago, Exciting Comics #1 was listed in Recently Read Digital Comics, a section of Cool Comics that hasn’t seen much action lately. And I liked Exciting Comics. I liked it enough that since my local comic shop couldn’t get me a physical issue (the print numbers were rather small, from my understanding) I ended up ordering it from Midtown Comics in NYC. Yes, it’s on my pull list now, and the second issue was just as much fun, continuing all three of the stories contained in the debut. The original Exciting Comics came out in the Forties, and though I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on some of those, I’ll settle for the fun stories coming out now from Antarctic Press. The creators (Blackjaq: writers Bradley Golden and John Crowther, with artist Carlos Tron; Crimson Scorpion: writer David Furr with artist Joseph Olesco; and Madam Mask: writer David Doub with artist  Spike Jarrell) have got me hooked on all three stories in this awesome anthology, and I’m excited to see what comes next! The cover price of Exciting Comics #2 is $3.99, while the current value is $4

#950 — Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1, DC, July 2019.

If you’re planning to read the Event Leviathan limited series from DC, then you don’t want to miss this special issue. Seriously. Just look at the bottom of the cover where it states, “The Epic Struggle to Control the DC Universe Begins Here!” Now tell me you can resist buying this one. Okay, it’s not cheap (and not many comics are cheap these days), but you get a lot of bang for your buck(s)! Look up from those mesmerizing words at the bottom of the cover and check out that action. Superman has some kind of green glowing contraption strapped to his chest and appears to be…gulp…dying (okay, we went through that back in 1992, and we aren’t going to be fooled again…or are we?), while some of your favorite heroes are coming to his rescue. Or is it too late? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out! The cover price of Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1 is $9.99, while the current value is $10.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#951 — Nth Man #11, Marvel, April 1990.

Are you a fan of obscure comic book heroes and titles (I have a soft spot for Omega the Unknown, although it seems that he’s not so unknown anymore)? If you get a kick out of collecting small runs of titles that don’t get much mention, then perhaps Nth Man is one you’ll want to check out if you’ve been as oblivious to it as I have. To be fair, the short-lived series was published just before I started my third phase of comic collecting, and I don’t remember ever having read a thing about it. If not for my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), he’d still be a complete stranger to me. And yet…a couple weeks ago I was scrounging around in some quarter bins and came across five or six issues. And the only reason I took any notice was because I’d already planned to read this comic for this episode. Did I buy any? Well, issue 1 was there, and for a quarter, I figured I’d grab it and perhaps add it to a future Cool Comics episode. The cover price of Nth Man #11 is $1, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 5)

#952 — Hope, Source Point Press, May 2019.

When you think superhero comics, Dirk Manning is not a name you’d associate with the genre. Yet the writer of the sensational horror tales contained in Nightmare World and other cool comics has me convinced that he can pen any kind of stories he wants to and make them as compelling as anything else you’ll find at your local comic shop. Hope #1 came out as a Free Comic Book Day offering, and if you didn’t get this one, you probably want to see if you can find a copy somewhere. Yes, I liked it that much. It’s a different kind of superhero comic, and in the first issue he puts the hero in a situation that will surprise you and have you screaming that you need issue 2, and you need it now! Also, K. Lynn Smith’s art perfectly captures the mood. The facial expressions are spot on, allowing the reader to really feel the emotions of the characters. I “Hope” you can find yourself a copy if you missed out on FCBD. The cover price of Hope #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#953 — Muppet Babies #3, Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel), September 1985.

From the time I was a boy and first saw the Gene Kelly movie Jack and the Beanstalk, I’ve had a bit of a fascination with the legend. Have you ever seen that particular movie? Part cartoon, part live-action, it’s also a musical, and when I was young, it was magical. I still have the soundtrack and often get one of the songs stuck in my head. Thoughts of that old film came to mind while reading this issue of Muppet Babies, because as you can see from the cover, we get the Muppet version of what might happen if a giant beanstalk led to a land of giants above the clouds. If you’re looking to get some comic books for young readers, you may want to find some discount boxes and do a little digging, because I found this old gem for just a quarter. It seems like everyone loves the Muppets, and when you combine it with a favorite old tale, you’re bound to make some young readers happy. The cover of Muppet Babies #3 is 65¢, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Classics

#954 — G.I. Combat #247, DC, November 1982.

Yes, it’s D-Day, so in honor of those who braved the beaches of Normandy (and let us not forget the paratroopers and pilots, along with all the ships and their crews involved…Operation Overlord was a massive undertaking, and if you don’t know much about it, you should take some time to learn the actual cost of freedom), we salute you with this issue of G.I. Combat. The classic comic starts off with The Haunted Tank in “Hitchhikers to Hell,” written by Robert Kanigher and illustrated by Sam Glanzman. Next up is The Mercenaries (Soldiers of Fortune) in “Blood Money,” again written by Robert Kanigher, with art by Vic Catan, Jr. This is followed by Act of War, which tosses a little Shakespeare our way. It’s written by George Kashdan with pencils by Luis Dominguez. Of course we also get a war spy story, as OSS Super-Spy tells of “The First Kamikaze,” again written by Robert Kanigher and art by Eufronio Reyes Cruz. In closing, we are presented with another Haunted Tank story, this one titled “Dog Tag for a Ghost,” once more written by Robert Kanigher and penciled by Dick Ayers. I’m a fan of anthology style comic books, so if you like to get the complete story in one sitting, and you appreciate military comic books, you can’t go wrong with this title. The cover price of G.I. Combat #247 is $1, while the current value is $16.

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 Unites 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

Can Captain America’s Team Survive the Giants of Jotunheim?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 192, 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 reading about them as I had writing about them!

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! Just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

  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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 192…

Cool Comics News!

For those who like your comic books a little less on the “comic” side and a little more on the dark side, Horror Comics #1, which just came out yesterday, may be exactly what you’re looking for. Published by Ben Dunn’s Antarctic Press, we covered this story in our Recently Read Digital Comics section back in episode 158 under the title Timmy Lala’s Ice Cream #1 (which was part of a Kickstarter campaign). Now under the new title of Horror Comics, up-and-coming writer Bradley Golden and artists Andrey Lunatik and Mickey Clausen bring this disturbing tale to us as an ongoing series, with issue 2 scheduled to come out in July. Having read the first issue, my advice is to keep it out of the hands of young readers in your home, or nightmares will ensue, and no one will get any sleep!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Iron Fist versus Batman! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics 

#944 — War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants #1, Marvel, July 2019.

Midgard is in big trouble! Malekith’s forces are taking over Earth, and the good guys need a heavy hitter like Thor to lend them a hand. Only he’s busy smashing Frost Giants at Jotunheim. So what to do? Lady Freyja recruits Captain America to take a team and bring back her stepson. Cap, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, with an assist from Daredevil, now the God Without Fear, end up in the Land of Giants. This War of the Realms one-shot is rated T+, so be prepared for some bloody battles along the way. Three different WOTR one-shots all have “Strikeforce” in their titles, and while none of them are required to enjoy what’s been happening during this big Marvel event, they certainly add to the fun and flare of watching the heroes we depend on try their best to defend life on planet Earth. Written by Tom Taylor with pencils by Jorge Molina, this one is a bit darker than some of the others in this ongoing epic, but also loaded with lots of comic book fun and humor. The cover price of War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#945 — Doctor Zero #2, Epic Comics (an imprint of Marvel), June 1988.

Before the legendary longbox came into my possession (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), I’d never heard of Doctor Zero (or the Shadowline Saga, as the cover reveals). But lo and behold, 3 issues (numbers 2, 3, and 4) of this comic book title were tucked inside the longbox, and it’s my duty to show you at least one of the issues, so here it is. Did you read the series? Was it a favorite? Even if, like me, you are unfamiliar with this comic book (it came out between a couple of my collecting periods), you may recognize some members of the creative team. The writers of this issue are D.G. Chichester and Margaret Clark, pencils are done by Denys Cowan, and inks are accomplished by Bill Sienkiewicz. The series lasted just eight issues, but that could have been intentional, as far as I know. The story would have been easier to follow if I’d also had issue 1 to read, but regardless, it was fairly entertaining. The cover price of Doctor Zero #2 is $1.25, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 4)

#946 — Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World, Vertical Comics, May 2019.

The only comic books I’ve read from back to front (although if they’re purposefully made to read that way, then they’re really being read front to back, only it’s a different “front” than I’m used to…you get the picture, right?) are a few done in manga style from Free Comic Book Day issues in past years. Occasionally they come with reading guides, which I think is a terrific idea, since for some of us, we’ve been reading for so many decades that old habits are hard to break. Regardless, I enjoyed this FCBD edition, Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World (even if I read it a little slower, due to making sure I was staying the course and reading the panels in the correct sequence). The black and white story itself has a magical feeling to it, and when you get to the end, you find out that the journey continues in a collected edition. The cover price of Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#947 — Heathcliff #4, Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel), October 1985.

I would hazard to guess that when most people think of an orange cartoon cat, Garfield is the first to pop into their minds. Yet Heathcliff came first. So why isn’t he the more popular feline? Perhaps it’s because Heathcliff doesn’t have any thought bubbles, whereas Garfield talks in his own mind (although other animals do talk in Heathcliff’s comic universe). This allows us to associate with Garfield, almost as if he’s one of us. But Heathcliff has a charm of his own. Admittedly, this is the first Heathcliff comic book I’ve ever read, and I don’t remember anything from the comic strip, as it’s been years since I’ve seen any. And speaking of thought bubbles, Heathcliff does have an adventure in this comic in which his conscious is speaking to him, twofold: an angelic figure on one shoulder, and a devilish figure on the other…both obviously looking very much like him. As most of these comics aimed towards younger readers tend to do, there are four complete stories contained within, perfect for shorter attention spans. I was able to find this in a quarter bin, so keep in mind that you can still find some cool comics for kids without breaking the bank. The cover price of Heathcliff #4 is 65¢, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Classics

#948 — Justice League of America #141, DC, April 1977.

Cool Comics In My Collection episode 175 brought you the exciting story of Green Lantern Hal Jordan admitting to having committed the worst crime in the universe! And now we get the epic conclusion (well, it’s not really a conclusion, as there are still “problems” at the end of this “Giant” issue, but that’s no surprise, right?) in this story that could only be called, “No World Escapes the Manhunters!” Dramatic enough? I’m telling you, nothing beats the excitement of the Seventies when it comes to four-color fun! Written by Steve Englehart, with art by Dick Dillin, this issue is packed with DC’s big hitters, from Superman to Batman to Green Lantern to Wonder Woman, and it also includes Green Arrow, the Black Canary, Flash, and more. I was fortunate to find this on sale for just a dollar, and it’s worth all one hundred pennies! The cover price of Justice League of America #141 is 50¢, while the current value is $18.

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 Unites 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.

Will The Brute Make His Big Screen Debut?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 191, 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 reading about them as I had writing about them!

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! Just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 191…

Cool Comics News!

This week we have no “new” issues for our Contemporary Cool Comics section. Sure, one is just a few months old, but the other is more than a decade over the hill. You might be asking yourself, “Didn’t any War of the Realms comics come out last week?” Indeed, they did, but I’ve inundated you with so many lately that it’s a little…embarrassing. But just in case you’re wondering what WOTR comics were available on Wednesday, May 15 (it’s rare that I cover comics that arrive the day before each episode is published, due to timing), here’s a nice little sampling: War of the Realms #4; Giant-Man #1; Spider-Man & The League of Realms #1; and War of the Realms Strikeforce: The War Avengers #1. I figured you needed a break from WOTR, and this week, Cool Comics gave it to you…sort of.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Captain Marvel versus Astro 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#938 — Captain Marvel #1, Marvel, March 2019.

I have the entire short run of Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) from the Seventies, but as far as the current Captain Marvel series is concerned (and those that came before it featuring Carol Danvers), I really don’t know much. I saw the movie, and I saw her in Avengers: Endgame, but aside from her appearances in Avengers, etc., I’m sort of a newbie as far as her more recent runs are concerned. And I do realize that she’s had the “Captain” in front of her name for a while now. I don’t understand the antagonistic attitude she seems to imbue, but, again, I don’t really know what’s going on in her head, so I’m a bit lost. So why do I have this issue? I saw some talk about this variant Artgerm cover, which is available only as a prepack at Walmart, and I guess it’s getting harder and harder to find, so I decided that if I saw it, I’d get it. I know people are buying it and trying to turn it on eBay for a profit, but I removed the cellophane and actually read the comic. To some, that’s a stupid move, but what’s the fun in just seeing the cover and not knowing the mystery of what’s in the actual story and what the two comics underneath might be? In my opinion, the best part of the comic is a short conversation between Thor and Iron Man. It really brought a smile to my face. I’m not looking to add more issues of this title to my collection, but I don’t regret getting this variant cover. The cover price of Captain Marvel #1 is $4.99 (and the three-pack cost just under $8), while the current value is $8.

#939 — Hunter’s Moon #1, BOOM!, April 2007.

Though Hunter’s Moon has been in existence for a dozen years, I’ve never read it, so for me, and maybe for you, it’s new. That’s part of what’s so much fun about comics: no matter when they were originally issued, if you’ve never read it, it’s brand new to you. This one caught my eye in a quarter box last fall, and once I noticed, across the top, that  it’s “From the writer of the Academy Award-Winning film ‘Ray,’” (which I’ve never seen) decided I might as well take a chance. There are similarities in screen-writing and comic book writing, so I felt this was worth the 25¢ I paid for it, and I was right. The problem, though, is that this is the first of a 5-part story, and it’s the only one I’ve found so far. This isn’t a superhero comic, by the way. It’s filled with lots of tension and drama, and you’ll find yourself turning pages faster as you get caught up in the story, and just when you NEED to know what’s happening…the end. Hopefully someday I’ll find the last four issues before I forget all about the story. The cover price of Hunter’s Moon #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#940 — Demon Knights #19, DC, June 2013.

I wasn’t buying comic books during the run of The New 52, but when I can find some issues on the cheap, or really inexpensive trade or digital editions of characters I like, I’ll buy them to learn more of the history of that period of DC comics. This issue of Demon Knights comes from my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), so as an individual comic, I paid just pennies for it (which is really cool!). And even though I sorted through them a bit, checking out what I got when I first acquired the legendary longbox, I somehow didn’t notice that Demon Knights actually stars THE Demon of DC fame (good old Etrigan, aka Jason Blood). Laugh all you want, but there are lots and lots of comics in existence, while my brain has limited storage capacity and, often, faulty recall. The story takes place in 1043 A.D., so any hopes of finding Batman and his pals in this issue evaporate the moment we see the date. If you’re a fan of The Demon and you neglected this series, you may just want to check it out. The cover price of Demon Knights #19 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 3)

#941 — Blastosaurus Annual #1, Golden Apple Books, May 2019.

While at first glance Blastosaurus looks to be more apt to appeal to a younger audience, it’s actually quite entertaining, even for the older set. This Free Comic Book Day issue is billed as Annual #1, so the question is, were there any issues before it? Yes indeed, Blastosaurus fans, there are. A little research tells us that this was the top-selling indie comic in New Zealand, and is now published through Golden Apple Books, which is a comic book shop in Los Angeles, California. It’s pretty cool that a comic shop decided to start publishing comics, and while I have no idea how many people are aware of this, putting out a FCBD issue is a great marketing tactic. Many will tell you that Free Comic Book Day hasn’t really helped the hobby much, but for some of us, it’s an opportunity to see what else is out there. The only complaint Cool Comics has on this one is the lettering needs to be a little larger if they want seasoned readers to jump onboard. The cover price of Blastosaurus Annual #1 is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#942 — The Original Astro Boy #2, Now Comics, October 1987.

The creator of Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka, brought much joy to my childhood, not via Astro Boy, but instead through a couple of other stories you may be familiar with: Kimba the White Lion and Alakazam the Great. My sisters and I loved the Kimba cartoon so much that we often played childhood games centered around his adventures, and the theme song easily got stuck in my head. Alakazam the Great, while not a series, was an animated film about the adventures of a monkey, voiced by Peter Fernandez (yup…Speed Racer’s voice). When Alakazam sings, it’s Frankie Avalon. But Astro Boy, though I know who he is, was a cartoon I didn’t see when I was a kid, but my wife watched it and sometimes brings him up, so when I saw this comic for just a quarter, you know it had to come home with me. The publisher, Now Comics, may not have been around long (just 20 issues of this title came out), but they produced some really cool comics based on licensed properties including Speed Racer, The Real Ghostbusters, and The Green Hornet, and also attracted some major talents like Harlan Ellison, Neal Adams, and Alex Ross. The cover price of The Original Astro Boy #2 is $1.50, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Classics

#943 — The Brute #1, Atlas Comics, February 1975.

A couple months back, in March, I was excited to add Morlock 2001 #1 as an official Cool Comic (it’s Cool Comic #888, for those keeping track). As I started learning a bit about the company, Atlas/Seaboard, I started feeling more and more nostalgic, considering that they originally hit the newsstands during the heyday of my first phase of comic book collecting (1973-1978). I remember seeing them, but instead of giving them a try, I always reached for some Seventies Marvel titles, monster magazines, and The Planet of the Apes magazine. In the Nineties I picked a few Atlas comics up from sale bins, but never read them, and eventually sold them when making some breathing room in my house. After reading Morlock 2001 #1, my collector mentality (along with the nostalgic Seventies feeling it brought to mind) told me that I really should try to get more of these comics. So, I did. Only a few dozen Atlas Comics were published before they folded, and I’m over halfway there in getting the entire collection. So why did I decide to read The Brute #1 now? Because out of nowhere, rights were purchased, and these somewhat obscure comics are starting to get some attention as Paramount Pictures is going to be involved in bringing some of these comics to a theater near you. I don’t have great expectations (does anyone?) that The Brute and company will be big screen sensations, but I think it’s really cool that someone is making the effort. As for the comic, I enjoyed the story and hope to find issue 2 someday. Lucky for me that I found #3 the same day I purchased #1. And believe it or not, that’s as far as it goes. The Brute lasted just three issues. The comic brings to mind some of the old horror movies from days gone by, and that’s a good thing in my mind. The cover price of The Brute #1 is 25¢, while the current value is $28.

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 Unites 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.

New Agents of Atlas Sees Launch of New Characters!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 190, 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 190…

Cool Comics News!

What are your comic convention plans for the next few months? Do you prefer cons that have big name celebrities who star in your favorite movies and TV shows, or are smaller cons with just a few comic book creators and lots of comics for sale more your style? If you’re the sharing type, tell us in the comments section below.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Outsiders versus The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#931 — War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1, Marvel, July 2019.

After a two-week hiatus from War of the Realms, comic fans who are enjoying the big Marvel event will be happy to see that Cool Comics is still having fun with it. This particular issue, New Agents of Atlas, introduces us to some new characters…at least for most of us. Sword Master and Aero exist online for the Chinese market at NetEase Comics (don’t worry about remembering this, as there’s a section at the end of the story that gives you the scoop). But not only do we meet them, we also get the first ever appearance of Wave, who is a Filipino superhero. Does that mean this issue will only increase in value? Probably, but the amount is determined by just how popular the characters end up becoming. I really enjoyed this Asian team and having Shang-Chi in the mix is a plus in my mind. The other heroes are Silk (Cindy Moon), Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), and Amadeus Cho (Brawn). They are led by former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jimmy Woo. War of the Realms isn’t just about battling in New York City, but it’s a worldwide catastrophe, and we get to see what’s going on across the globe. If you can still find a copy, grab it…word is it’s heading to a second printing and prices are starting to rise. The cover price of War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#932 — SHAZAM! #5, DC, July 2019.

With the Captain Marvel movie still pulling in money and Avengers: Endgame shattering box office records (not to mention my inclusion of a Captain Marvel comic last week that was yet a different Marvel hero), I thought I’d give some love and attention to SHAZAM! The movie, while making a nice profit, is nowhere in the neighborhood of the two aforementioned properties, and I’m here to tell you that it’s lots of fun. Okay, I understand that for many of you, that’s not your version of SHAZAM (if you’ve read The New 52 stories that served as backup in Justice League comics, or read the collection, you will recognize the movie version), but if you go in with an open mind, you may just find yourself smiling throughout the film. The current comic series picked right up where The New 52 stories left off, and while it’s been fun, I’m ready for the characters to move on to the next storyline (but due to circumstances and considering what the writer, Geoff Johns, seems to be building, I think it’s going to be a while…but I’m sticking with it). The use of bright colors makes the covers and comics attractive, and the only real complaint I have is that the issues are a bit behind schedule. The cover price of SHAZAM! #5 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#933 — Adventures of the Outsiders #42, DC, February 1987.

I own just three issues of Adventures of the Outsiders, but I treasure each one. The comic was published at a time when I wasn’t active in the hobby, but lucky for me I’ve gotten to experience it via  my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), which contained three issues. The heroes who make up the Outsiders aren’t exactly household names (and part of the fun is learning just who they are and what powers they have), and include Black Lightning (who is much better known now due to The CW TV show), Geo Force, Halo, Katana (who is in the Suicide Squad movie and has been in The Arrow TV show), Looker, and Metamorpho. So why do I care? Because Mike W. Barr, the esteemed writer, attends a monthly comic book gathering that I also started attending, and he’s a really cool guy. You tend to view the hobby a little differently when you start to meet the creators. It adds a new level of appreciation and enjoyment. Just ask the millions of people who’ve attended comic conventions over the years and around the world if you won’t take my word for it. The cover price of Adventures of the Outsiders #42 is 75¢, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 2)

#934 — Animosity Tales #1, AfterShock, May 2019.

No doubt about it, AfterShock puts out some interesting comics, and their Free Comic Book Day issue this year, Animosity Tales, proves my point. What would happen should animals suddenly gain sentience and be able to communicate with us? Some would be loyal for sure, but others…well, watch out, world, because other animals may not be so happy with their lot in life. Humans—or at least some humans—might just go on the offensive, while others are sympathetic and try to help out their animal friends. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, Animosity stories have been a part of AfterShock for the last few years, so if you enjoyed this FCBD issue, by all means, try to pick up some of the other tales (or tails) out there. The last few pages give us a preview of a new series, Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter. If you appreciate the novel Frankenstein and the story behind it, and don’t mind a little fiction on the side to make it interesting in a different way, this may be a series you want to look for. The cover price of Animosity Tales #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#935 — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #2, Archie, October 1988.

For a while, way back in ancient times, my wife and I started buying Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys. I’d see bits and pieces of the cartoon version here and there (and I may have seen one or two of the early movies), and young relatives really liked it…and even today many still love the turtles, but I’ve never really felt a connection the way some of you have. Yet I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get this Archie published version of the turtles for just a quarter, which is an adaptation of the original five-episode cartoon. Though this is a little more violent than many of the earlier kid’s comics that have been featured in this section, it can’t be ignored that children really love those darn turtles (and of course no one dies…except robots). Did you grow up in the era of turtle magic, in which you couldn’t wait for Saturday mornings each week? If so, this comic is for you. The cover price of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #2 is $1, while the current value is $8.

Cool Comics Classics

#936 — The Thanos Quest #1, Marvel, September 1990.

You know who Thanos is, right? He’s that big, muscular purple guy who wants to control the fate of the Marvel Universe. And how can you avoid him, these days? He’s all over TV commercials for some movie that’s breaking box office records. Chances are, if you’re reading Cool Comics, then you’ve read a comic or two in your time that featured The Mad Titan. So while Avengers: Endgame rages across the silver screen, and others are finally getting around to watching Avengers: Infinity War so they can get current, some of us are diving a little deeper by discovering just what The Thanos Quest is all about. Ever wonder about those Infinity Gems (or stones…or whatever you and Thanos want to call them) and where they came from? I’m talking from a comic book perspective, of course, because what takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is best explored and explained by others, since Cool Comics is about…you guessed it, comics! I was fortunate to grab this issue (and the second issue…see below) for the low price of 50¢ many moons ago when I was in the Army, stationed in Atlanta, GA. Yet I’ve never read it until this past week. The Thanos Quest is just two parts, and in this first issue, Thanos attempts to attain three soul gems from the following: the In-Betweener, the Champion, and The Gardner, all mighty and powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. Can he pull it off? The cover price of The Thanos Quest #1 is $4.95, while the current value is $30.

#937 — The Thanos Quest #2, Marvel, October 1990.

Notice the date of this mini-series? It came out in 1990, just before The Infinity Gauntlet (then The Infinity War, The Infinity Crusade, and so on), but I rarely see any mention of it online. Sure, I lived without it and read the three Infinity series previously mentioned, but now that I’ve gone questing with Thanos, I see how it fits into the entire plotline and really should have read it first. But mistakes are sometimes made, and we at Cool Comics did our best to rectify this shortcoming in our Infinity experience. As our story continues, Thanos has three more friends to go visit and convince that he alone should have possession of those pretty rocks. After a quick parley with the Collector, Thanos runs off to face…The Runner! After sipping some sweet tea with his buddy, he returns to the Collector, fills him in on how his meeting with the Runner went, and is off flying across space once more until he comes upon The Grand Master. And then it’s game on! Who wins this battle of wits and strength? It would be cheating if I told you, and if you cheat, do you really win? I enjoyed The Thanos Quest and recommend finding cheap copies to read if you don’t want to shell much money. And you can always go digital if you just want to experience the story. The cover price of The Thanos Quest #2 is $4.95, while the current value is $30.

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 Unites 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.

FCBD, Not the Captain Marvel You’d Expect, & Jerry Lewis Gets Zany!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 189, 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 189…

Cool Comics News!

I hope everyone had a great Free Comic Book Day last Saturday! I bought lots of quarter comics, got the entire run of FCBD 2019 issues, and purchased some signed comics and posters from Dan Gorman, the awesome artist behind the Cool Comics logo. If you feel so inclined, be sure to share some of your fun FCBD 2019 memories in the comments section below.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Bane versus Elektra! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#925 — DC’s Year of the Villain #1, DC, July 2019.

Last Wednesday (May 1), DC released a comic book for just a quarter. Many of you, myself included, remember the days when nearly all new comic books were just a quarter each, so if nothing else about this issue interests you, the price may just bring a smile to your face. So why did DC sell this issue way below the typical $3.99? To stir up interest in their big crossover event, Year of the Villain. It’s a decent marketing piece that contains several short tales consisting of: Doom by Scott Snyder (writer) and Jim Cheung (pencils and inks); Leviathan by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Alex Maleev (art); and Justice by James Tynion IV (writer) and Francis Manapaul (pencils, inks, colors). The last few pages contain information about titles that will be involved and some character information. If you read any DC titles, chances are your favorite characters will be involved, one way or another. Even if you don’t read DC, stop by your local comic shop and grab a copy, because you can’t be the price, and you don’t know what you’re missing until you give it a try. I certainly recommend it. By the way, my amazing shop didn’t charge a cent for this comic. The cover price of DC’s Year of the Villain #1 is 25¢, while the current value is 25¢.

#926 — Savage Avengers #1, Marvel, July 2019.

It was controversial enough—at least to some readers—when Marvel included Conan the Barbarian with the Avengers in a limited series a few weeks back, and as Avengers No Road Home came to a conclusion, we find out that Conan (spoiler alert! But not really that much of a spoiler, because if what I’m about to reveal didn’t occur, then Savage Avengers wouldn’t be including the Cimmerian) doesn’t get home (…no road home…), but instead ends up in the Savage Land. If you prefer happier, friendlier, comics (and there’s nothing wrong with that), then stay away from Savage Avengers. Why? Just look at the cover! The team includes Venom, Doctor Voodoo, Conan, the Punisher, Elektra, and Wolverine. Conan and Wolverine get off to a pretty bloody start with each other, which is sort of the whole idea. Again, if you believe that Conan should stay in his own world, then this isn’t the comic series for you. But if you’ve ever wondered “What If?” then give this one a try. The cover price of Savage Avengers #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#927 — Captain Marvel #5, Marvel, April 1996.

These days, everyone knows who Captain Marvel is, right? He’s the guy in red with the lightning bolt on his uniform, brought to us by Fawcett, then later DC…okay, I’m right, but not for this comic. Let’s try it again. He’s Mar-Vell, a Kree warrior…who died. So, it’s not him, either. Then it must be Monica Rambeau, the first female to go by the moniker Captain Marvel! Wait a minute, she’s now known as Photon…oops, it’s Pulsar, that’s her fighting name. Dang, wrong again, because now she’s Spectrum. So it must by Carol Danvers. I saw the movie, and she went from Ms. Marvel to Binary to Warbird and is now Captain Marvel. But this comic book isn’t about her, either. It’s also not about Phyla-Vell, Khn’nr, or Noh-Varr, all who at one time or another were known as Captain Marvel. By this time, you might be thinking, What the heck? And I agree. Too many characters have been known as Captain Marvel. Why not Major Marvel, or Colonel Marvel? Don’t they ever get promoted? All kidding aside, this comic is part of a short-lived series about Genis-Vell, who started off in the comic book world as Legacy. You see, Mar-Vell’s girlfriend took some of his DNA, used comic book technology to have a son, used more sci-fi tech to age him, give him false memories of a childhood, and hence, a new Captain Marvel. I bought the first couple issues of the series, and now my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap) has given me one more. The cover price of Captain Marvel #5 is $1.95, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 1)

#928 — Avengers/Savage Avengers #1, Marvel, July 2019.

Welcome to the first week of 2019 Free Comic Book Day issues! Throughout the next year, we’ll include every FCBD comic here at FCBD the Cool Comics Way, just like we did for 2018. And while some of these free issues aren’t my cup of tea, I don’t want to let the Cool Comics readers down, because some might be your favorites! We start things off with a bang as our issue this week features two of my favorite teams, the Avengers and the Savage Avengers (okay, I know Savage Avengers is only one issue in, but I really liked it, which you could probably tell from Cool Comic #926 above). These two stories give us new information that no respectable member of the Merry Marvel Marching Society would dare miss (that sentence fondly makes me think of the late Stan Lee). The Avengers story is written by Jason Aaron, with art by Stefano Caselli, while Savage Avengers is written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Mike Deodato Jr. The cover price of Avengers/Savage Avengers #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#929 — The Friendly Ghost, Casper #218, Harvey, October 1981.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no ghost in the comic book world friendlier than Casper. Harvey published so many great comic books for kids, and just reading (or hearing) the company’s name probably brings smiles to lots of faces out there. Lots of us first met Casper in cartoon form, but for those who enjoyed his exploits, you could get more of them with some four-color comic book fun (and I happened to find this one recently for just a quarter). While these older comics aimed at the younger crowd usually contain several short stories, this one took a longer story and broke it up into short chapters. The publishers know that little ones often have short attention spans and wanted to give them nice places to stop, then start up again. Also, there are a couple shorts featuring “The Tuff Little Ghost Spooky,” and Casper’s pal, “Wendy, the Good Little Witch.” This early Eighties comic has a great ad for selling the publication Grit, featuring Richie Rich, along with a nice public message about the importance of dental hygiene, brought to us by Casper. And if you’re a fan of the fun Twinkies comic ads, Hot Stuff is the star for this issue. The cover price of The Friendly Ghost, Casper #218 is 50¢, while the current value is $9.

Cool Comics Classics

#930 — The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #87, DC, April 1965.

I learned about The Adventures of Jerry Lewis from an article in the most recent issue of Hogan’s Alley magazine (# 22) and knew that I needed to add some to my collection. The article is very informative, explaining how it started off as The Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and just like their Hollywood split, the comic book relationship also came to a close. Why do I care about Jerry Lewis comic books? Because like so many of you, I grew up watching his zany antics on television, way back in the days when it was pretty easy to find lots of cool things to watch on a Saturday afternoon…or evening. Kids in the neighborhood would ask each other if they watched Jerry Lewis movies that happened to be on TV over the weekend, and we’d talk about our favorite goofy scenes. Jerry seemed like a pretty good guy, and we’d all try to catch lots of coverage of his famous MDA Labor Day Telethons each year. Simply put, he was part of my childhood, and when I found out about his comic books, it was a no-brainer. Since I like certain kinds of monsters, this issue is one that I wanted to add to my collection. The cover price of The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #87 is 12¢, while the current value is $85.

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 Unites 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.

Remembering The Beverly Hillbillies, plus FCBD 2019 Approaches!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 188, 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 188…

Cool Comics News!

No capes, no spandex, and no Marvel or DC this week. “What?” you ask? Well, as if you didn’t know, Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, and while Marvel, DC, and other companies will be flaunting their heroes, this is also a great opportunity to try something different. I’m sure that many of you have already read non-superhero comics, but if you haven’t had that experience, this is the time to do it! Also, many comic shops use this date as an opportunity to have sales and celebrities in their stores. That’s right, some of your favorite comic book creators may be closer than you think, so be sure to check the websites of stores in your area to see who just might be there. Also, click the FCBD image to learn more about it and see what’s being offered this year.

Below, in our FCBD the Cool Comics Way category, we come to the end of the 2018 issues just in time to start showing off the freebies for 2019!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Wacky Witch versus Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#919 — Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica #1, Archie, June 2019.

While there are those who just want their Archie comics in the classic vein, I like mine with a little “bite” to them, in which they actually open up that vein and start feeding! Recently we saw the end of two entertaining Archie Horror series, Jughead the Hunger and Vampironica. But the good folks guiding the course of America’s favorite teenager decided it was time to give fans something to chew on, and so we get the interdimensional crossover of the Archie Century, Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica! Way back when in the Seventies when I watched Chiller Theatre with host Bill “Chilly Billy” Cardille, my favorite scary movies were the old Universal monster features that had Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Frankenstein’s monster together in the same film! And to an extent, that’s the feeling I’m getting just from the idea of this series. The first issue is a bit of a framing device to show a Riverdale that’s post-Vampironica…or is it? I have a feeling issue 2 will present us with the “other” Riverdale, the one that recently had a werewolf problem. I still appreciate classic Archie, since I grew up reading a good number of them, but these horror twists are lots of fun. The cover price of Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#920 — Colonia #1, Bad Habit Books, 1998.

When I pulled this completely unfamiliar title out of my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), at first glance I thought it was going to be based on something in history. And I like history, so I was okay with that. But my first clue that things were a little cockeyed here should have been the kid riding in a treasure chest. When we start reading, the captain and his crew will make you think of pirates, but soon we see some people dressed in ordinary modern-day clothes. And all vestiges of common sense fly out the window when Jack, the boy in the treasure chest, sees a fishman…or a man made up of several fish…walking around on an island. There’s also a duck that talks, but that’s nothing new to comic book readers, right? Jeff Nicholson, who both wrote and illustrated this unusual black and white tale, takes us on a trip that would make Alice (in Wonderland…or Through the Looking Glass) proud. This is the only issue I have, and while I’m not on a search to find more, if I stumbled upon them while scouring through quarter boxes, I’d purchase them to find out more about what is going on. The cover price of Colonia #1 is $2.95, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Weeks 51 and 52)

#921 — The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics 2018, Gemstone, May 2018.

If you go into a comic shop on Free Comic Book Day, and they limit how many of the free issues you are allowed to take (most comic shops have a limit so that others have a chance to get some fun freebies), would you include this one if, for example, you could take five for free? Probably not, is my guess, but it’s actually both entertaining and educational…along with being self-serving, but that goes for all the titles (and that’s why they are free…try this free issue of Spider-Man, see how much fun it is, then come back to the store and buy new issues when they come out!). If you’re curious about how comic book grading works, this contains a guide, so you may want to check it out. This FCBD giveaway is heavy with the words and light on the pictures, so keep that in mind. Regardless if you got this one or not, you must admit the cover is clever. The cover price of The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics 2018 is free, while the current value is $1.

#922 — CBLDF Presents Defend Comics: FCBD Edition 2018, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, May 2018.

Can you believe it? We’re finally wrapping up Free Comic Book Day 2018 with the 52nd issue, which is both an informational publication about the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and an opportunity for more writers and artists to strut their stuff. This all ages edition provides several short pieces such as “Claudette Shuts-Up” by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado; “Chasma Knights” by Boya Sun and Kate Reed Petty; “Tiger vs. Nightmare” by Emily Tetri; and several more. In the back, there is an ad by First Second Books (where the stories came from) about further adventures of these tales. Across the page from it, there is an opportunity to financially support the CBLDF. If you want to learn more about the organization, the inside front cover gives a listing of corporate members, a mission statement, staff, board of directors, their website, etc. Again, this isn’t the freebie that most people are looking for, but if you are interested in helping the CBLDF, it’s not a bad place to start. The cover price of CBLDF Presents Defend Comics: FCBD Edition 2018 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#923 — Wacky Witch #19, Gold Key, July 1975.

In the Seventies, Gold Key published lots of great comic books for kids, many with familiar characters. But Wacky Witch? I picked this one up for a quarter knowing absolutely nothing about this original Gold Key creation. Though her comic didn’t last as long as most licensed comics the company put out (just 21 issues), she’s still part of the history and charm that brought delight to so many readers back when a quarter could buy you some great entertainment (and a quarter still can at my local comic shop!). On the first page of the comic book, Gold Key (or Western Publishing Company, if you prefer) has a tiny little rectangle at the bottom left that contains the characters in Wacky Witch’s universe. It’s just 1 inch by 1 and-a-half inches, and the drawings and names are, I guess, made for younger eyes. But then again, that was the target audience. Like the majority of comics aimed at younger readers, there are several shorter stories contained within, including, “You Don’t Have to be a Copy Cat,” “Keeping Up With a Neighbor Can Get You Down,” “The Day a Curl Became a Cure,” and a couple more. Part of the charm is looking over the ads, and thankfully, like so many from that period, we are presented with the chance to buy our own Sea-Monkey kingdom. The cover price of Wacky Witch #19 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.

Cool Comics Classics

#924 — The Beverly Hillbillies #7, Dell, December 1964.

When I was growing up, everyone—and I mean everyone—knew who The Beverly Hillbillies were, and most could sing the intro…you know, about a man named Jed. Now I didn’t see the show when it originally aired, but it was born the same year as me, so I was a little too young. But TV in the Seventies was rife with syndicated reruns, so it gave us kids a chance to also enjoy the crazy antics of the Clampetts. You can still find reruns of old shows from yesteryear if you flip around your cable stations enough, or perhaps find a streaming service that has what you want. I’m sure today there’s a large segment of the population who have no idea who these hillbillies are and have missed out on a really fun show, but each generation, I guess, has its own “Beverly Hillbillies.” The comic adaptation is spot on with characterization, the art is very fitting, and I really got my money’s worth as I paid just a dollar to relive this part of my childhood. I wish I could tell you the writer and artist, but I’ve not been able to find out who they were. The cover price of The Beverly Hillbillies #7 is 12¢, while the current value is $105.

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 Unites 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.

The Kents, War Scrolls, G.I. Joe, & Enemy Ace Light it Up!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 187, 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 187…

Cool Comics News!

What’s your favorite comic book decade? Constant readers quickly learn that the Seventies is where it’s at for yours truly, although comics from the year 1982 are also near and dear to my heart, because I started collecting again (for less than a year) after about three years away from the hobby. Not that I don’t appreciate comics from other times, because I do. But there is something about Seventies comics that really bring out those childhood memories of the excitement each week brought. If you’re so willing, please share your thoughts about your favorite comic book period in the comments at the end of this episode.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Howard the Duck versus Donald Duck! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#913 — War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1, Marvel, Jun 2019.

Guess what? No War of the Realms next week, so if you aren’t a fan, you can breathe a sigh of relief! But for now, yes, we have another issue to talk about here at Cool Comics. When I bought this issue, which is the first of three, I didn’t realize that it’s basically a War of the Realms anthology. Now longtime readers know that I have a thing for Seventies comic book anthologies, and to think I almost missed out (as I mentioned a couple weeks ago in Episode 185, after reading Marvel’s War of the Realms free magazine, I changed my mind on a few of the offerings) on some fun stuff! War Scrolls gives us a variety of creators and characters, and in this issue, readers are presented with: Daredevil in “The God Without Fear” Part One; The Warriors Three in “The Warriors Three (or Four)”; Wolverine & Punisher in “Nice Shot, Frank”; and Howard the Duck in “Waugh of the Realms.” Just below the table of contents we’re given a note to “Read War of the Realms #2 before this issue.” If you missed that, I don’t think it’s really a big deal, but I’m not going to be a spoiler and tell you why. If your budget is limited, you can still enjoy WOTR without getting this series. I see this comic as an enhancement that will take you deeper into what’s going on in the Marvel Universe. The cover price of War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#914 — G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #171, IDW, October 2011.

I’m young enough to have missed out on the original G.I. Joe toy craze (it started in 1964) and too old to have cared when the smaller Joes (A Real American Hero) came out in 1982. I was more of a Mego toy kid, since they had superheroes and Planet of the Apes. When Marvel got the license and started putting out the comic in 1982, I was just coming to the end of my second phase of collecting, and when I rejoined the world of comics once more in 1993, I had no interest, since I didn’t have a history with the toys (although I was an avid toy collector for a while in the late Eighties to mid-Nineties), comics, or cartoons. Yet as an Army veteran and someone who continually looks to add comic book knowledge and experience notches in his belt, I’ve started grabbing G.I. Joe comics whenever I find them in quarter bins, which is where this one came from. The day I picked it up, I found a nice handful of IDW titles, along with a few of the older Marvel Joes. When you pick up an issue that’s had 170 come before it, you can’t expect to know what’s going on, and that’s okay. Larry Hama (writer) and S L Gallant (artist) kept my attention, and I look forward to reading more of these in the future. The cover price of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #171 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#918 — The Kents #1, DC, August 1997.

When this 12-issue limited series came out in 1997-1998, I didn’t have much interest in it. I mean, in the world of superheroes, who really cares about Pa Kent’s ancestors? For Pete’s sake, Kal-El isn’t even truly related to him. That’s a good enough rationale when deciding what comics to spend your hard-earned cash on, but it’s not really a good defense if you’re trying to say this series is not meaningful to Superman’s worldview. But many years have gone by, and while I never gave The Kents another thought, fate sometimes has a way of giving you a second chance. This chance came by way of my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20 a while ago; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap). While sorting through the longbox, I found not just issue one of The Kents, but 8 of the 12. Finally, I picked it up and started reading. And the answer is a resounding “YES!” Oh, you want to know the question? Okay, here goes: Did I enjoy it? I love history, and this is full of action and decisions that helped change the direction of history and gives us a look at the family of the man who helped raise Superman. Now I need to find the other four issues! The cover price of The Kents #1 is $2.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 50)

#916 — Strangers In Paradise XXV #1, Abstract Studio, May 2018.

Terry Moore’s black and white comic Strangers In Paradise started publishing in 1993, seemed to be finished in 2007, then started up again in 2018, including this Free Comic Book Day issue, which is also available at the full price of $3.99. Admittedly, this is the first one I’ve ever read, so needless to say I didn’t understand the motives behind the actions all that well. And keep in mind that this is for a more mature audience, so you probably don’t want to be sharing it with the kiddos…and they probably wouldn’t care about it anyway. I can’t say I’ll never read a copy of Strangers In Paradise again (because it may pop up at FCBD once more in the future), but I won’t be looking for any. While it may be for you, it’s not my cup of tea. This was the last “regular” FCBD offering, and next week we close out the 2018 giveaways with a couple books thrown in for specific purposes, so tune in if you want to know what they are. But don’t fret, I’ll be back in a few weeks with FCBD 2019 comics! The cover price of Strangers In Paradise XXV #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#917 — Donald Duck #264, Gladstone, July 1988.

While Mickey Mouse may be the face of Disney, the ducks are no slouches when it comes to popularity, and as I’ve mentioned in Cool Comics Kids before, Donald’s nephews have really been growing on me, not to mention Donald himself. This issue of Gladstone’s Donald Duck (which I rescued from a quarter bin) gives us stories from 1988, 1986, 1952, 1948, and 1938. The opening story, “Recipe for Disaster,” takes up about the first half of the comic, and the remainder consist of a few short one page “gags” and some quick stories. Oh, and I’ll also mention that there are a couple Carl Barks credits in this issue. Who is Carl Barks, you ask? He’s the Lord of the Quacks! Okay, I didn’t mean to offend those who know the name like the back of your hand, but if you’ve never heard of him, just do a Google search. This is a nice edition to any comic book collection, and especially so for younger readers. The cover price of Donald Duck #264 is 95¢, while the current value is $8.

Cool Comics Classics

#918 — Star Spangled War Stories #141, DC, November 1968.

Way back in Episode 92 of Cool Comics In My Collection, we included an issue of Star Spangled War Stories (Cool Comic #449)…but it was a newer rendition, from 2014. And now, at long last, we are presenting to you, dear reader, an issue that is ancient of days for Cool Comics Classics! While Seventies comics will always hold a special place in my heart, adding comics to my collection that are even older allows me to appreciate the deep, rich history that is our favorite hobby. This issue focuses on Enemy Ace, The Hammer Of Hell! Hans von Hammer is a German World War I flying ace (no, he doesn’t battle Snoopy!), so if you are used to reading your war comics from the perspective of U.S. forces, this gives you a whole different look. Written by Robert Kanigher, with art by Joe Kubert, this issue is worth way more than the dollar I paid for it (yes, you read that correctly, I paid just one dollar). The cover price of Star Spangled War Stories #141 is 12¢, while the current value is $150.

Recently Read Digital Comics

While not a comic book per se, The Complete Peanuts Vol. 1: 1950-1952, more than deserves to be mentioned here. Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang (Charles Schulz was not a fan of the name Peanuts, which you’ll find out in the interview at the back of the book) are American icons, and Schulz melted the hearts of Americans (and around the world) from coast to coast with his daily strips. If you love the cartoons and have perhaps read a few of the books (many of you probably remember getting Peanuts paperbacks via Scholastic book orders), not to mention the lengthy syndicated comic strip, this volume from Fantagraphics Books will lead you down a path of pure joy. Yes, the characters are a little different, and Charlie Brown is a bit of a trickster at times, but as you read through this first volume, you’ll see how Schulz started shaping these kids into the ones recognized today. And you don’t have to stop here. There are many more volumes in this series, and while it can get expensive to purchase, you can always check with your local library or go the Kindle route. I read this first one for free through the Amazon Prime Reading program through the Kindle app. If you’re a Prime member, there are lots of comics and graphic novels offered that won’t cost you an additional penny.

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 Unites 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.

Godzilla, Green Arrow, and More War of the Realms!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 186, 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website www.comicbookrealm.com . They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com .

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!

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 186…

Cool Comics News!

At some point last year I mentioned in Cool Comics News! about “the magazine of the cartoon arts,” Hogan’s Alley, and how I’d just purchased No. 21, my first issue. Now, at long last, No. 22 is available for the low price of $7.50 (especially when compared to so many other magazines out there, not to mention that it’s over 140 delicious pages). Hogan’s Alley covers more than just comic books, so if you appreciate comic strips and cartoon arts in general, this annual magazine is well worth your money. I was able to find issue 21 at a large chain bookstore, but this year it wasn’t available, and I’d neglected to order it via Previews through my local comic shop. So how did I get a copy? I subscribed. Granted, it feels a little strange to pay for future editions that come out just once a year, but this magazine is worth it. There is a Facebook page for Hogan’s Alley, and people post pictures of themselves with their copies when they arrive, so I did the same (of course while wearing a Cool Comics In My Collection shirt!). Wouldn’t you know it, the editor of the magazine, Tom Heintjes, ended up using my picture on Twitter! Pretty cool, right? I’m 20 pages in and loving every minute of it, just in case you wondered.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Green Arrow versus Godzilla! 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 In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#907 — War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1, Marvel, Jun 2019.

What? War of the Realms…again? It shouldn’t come as a surprise, since I warned you last episode that you’d find more WOTR in Cool Comics in the coming weeks. Honestly, this issue is part of a mini-series I wasn’t going to read, but after getting a chance to look at a few preview pages, I decided it would be worth the risk. Did it deliver? You bet! An unlikely group of heroes led by Baldar the Brave is gathered to protect his (and Thor’s) baby sister from the minions of Malekith, the Dark Elf, and Balder quickly learns that things have changed since he was imprisoned in Hel. He’s excited to get the aid of Spider-Man, only it turns out to be a younger, less experienced Miles Morales Spider-Man. Wonder Man, one of the most powerful heroes around, is now a pacifist; the Hawkeye he gets is a younger female, Kate Bishop; instead of Deathlok, Death Locket is along for the ride; and rather than Doctor Strange, Druid is the wizard assigned to this task. The humor hit the mark, the adventure is fun and full of peril, and I’m enjoying watching this group of heroes work on becoming a team. And it doesn’t hurt that Thori, Thor’s talking dog, is also going with them. The writing team is the McElroys (Clint and Justin), and from what I’ve heard they are famous bloggers, but they are newcomers to me. Maybe you’re familiar with them. The cover price of War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#908 — Green Arrow #39, DC, April 2015.

This issue of Green Arrow came out a year before the New 52 run ended. I was able to find it in a quarter bin at my local comic shop a few months back and finally got around to reading it. I’ve mentioned on here before that I wasn’t actively collecting comics during the era of the New 52, so even though they’re now sort of old, they’re still “new” to me. And I guess that goes for any comic you’ve never read. Now that I’m reading comics regularly again, I do like to take a look back every once in a while to see what I missed out on. Just last month the Rebirth run of Green Arrow came to an end at #50. I haven’t been buying it, but felt bad for the hero, so in tribute, I decided to read this issue. Probably the most interesting thing to me was how it seemed so closely related to the TV show, including Felicity Smoak. The cover price of Green Arrow #39 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#909 — Artemis: Requiem #4, DC, September 1996.

Anyone remember back in the Nineties when Artemis held the title of Wonder Woman? I was reading Wonder Woman during that period, but I confess I don’t recall much about it. Even after I pulled this issue out of my legendary longbox (a while back I bought a longbox stuffed with 419 comic books, sight unseen, for just $20), I didn’t remember anything about this character. Does anyone know if this was intentionally a mini-series, or if it just got cancelled early? Six issues are all that came out, and it never helps to start reading after you’ve missed the first three. While the penciller, Ed Benes, isn’t someone I’m familiar with (however, I discovered I’ve read several other comics he’s drawn), the writer, William Messner Loebs, is a name I immediately recognized. The cover price of Artemis: Requiem #4 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 49)

#910 — Comics Friends Forever, First Second Books, May 2018.

It’s come to my attention that First Second Books puts out some pretty nice comics for younger readers. Though I picked this out of my Free Comic Book Day box and was completely unfamiliar with the characters and creators, I’ve come away quite impressed with the stories and age appropriate art. “Be Prepared” by Vera Brosgol, “All Summer Long” by Hope Larson, “The Amazing Crafty Cat” by Charise Mericle Harper, “Zita the Spacegirl” by Ben Hatke, and “Real Friends” by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham touch on issues that are often important to kids, and even adults when told a little differently. The company states that they have great graphic novels for every reader, and picking up this FCBD issue is a good way to sample their wares. The cover price of Comics Friends Forever is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#911 — Tom and Jerry #327, Gold Key, February 1980.

Do kids today know who Tom and Jerry are? When I was growing up, I think every kid in my hometown knew about the classic cat and mouse battles, since they seemed to make weekly visits on our televisions. The other mouse in this comic is Tuffy (see, he’s on the cover), but I admit I don’t remember him at all from the cartoon. And maybe he was never in the cartoons, or at least had rare appearances. As usual with a Gold Key comic from this time period, there are several stories packed into one regular sized comic, which is just perfect for younger readers as they work to build up their attention spans. I paid less than cover price for this one, as it was tossed in a quarter bin with several other “kid” comics I’ve been using for this section of Cool Comics. When you can get issues in decent shape at such a great prices, it’s hard to pass up, and even as a grown man I’ve gotten a kick out of these stories from my youth. If you’re looking to build four-color interest with the youngsters in your life, make sure to check out discount bins, because you never know what gold you may find. The cover price of Tom and Jerry #327 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.

Cool Comics Classics

#912 — Godzilla #4, Marvel, November 1977.

I really like the cover of this Godzilla issue, though looking at it makes me a little wistful. Once up on a time, I owned 20 out of 24 issues from this series. And even though I hadn’t gotten around to reading a single issue, I sold them at a garage sale because comic book boxes were taking over the house. But last year I found a couple issues featuring everybody’s favorite big green thunder lizard for just 50¢ each, and being that the Seventies is my favorite period of comics, I quickly made the decision to put some Godzilla back into my collection. And now that I’ve finally gotten around to reading an issue, well, that’s why I’m feeling a little disappointed. Because I really had fun with this and wish I had my collection back! But the chase is also part of the fun, so now I’m on the lookout for more from this series. Written by Doug Moench and penciled by Tom Sutton, it had me feeling like I was a kid again on Saturday afternoon, watching battles of big beasts on the small screen. One thing I want to be sure to mention to those not familiar with Marvel’s run on this series is that SHIELD is involved, with a fair amount of Dum Dum Dugan in this issue. The cover price of Godzilla #4 is 35¢, while the current value is $16.

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 Unites 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.