Ed Gosney's Blog, page 28

Cool Comics Presents: Headline Comics!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 185, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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 185…

Cool Comics News!

Marvel has been promoting War of the Realms for a few months now, slapping announcements on the banner of some of its comics so that you won’t miss it. I have to admit, I’ve been less than enthusiastic about all of this, because it’s just another ploy to have a big crossover and grab all our money, right? Well, I didn’t really think about it in exactly those terms (I like to stay positive and keep the hobby fun for myself), but it really didn’t mean much to me until my local comic shop gave me the free War of the Realms Magazine you see pictured here. I figured I’d give it a read before the first issue came out, and honestly, it worked its magic and made me feel 12 again! While I’m not “full in” (meaning that I’m not going to buy titles I don’t normally get that it crosses over into), I’m still going to try some of the mini-series that take place during this three-month long story. And you’ll probably see some of them in future episodes of Cool Comics. If you aren’t interested, I understand, but don’t worry, because we always bring you a variety of four-color adventures, some of which are sure to make you smile.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Umbra (Shadow Lass) versus Freyja (All-Mother of Asgard)! 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

#901 — War of the Realms #1, Marvel, Jun 2019.

In April, War of the Realms will be crossing over into Asgardians of the Galaxy, Avengers, Thor, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, and Venom (with plenty of others in May and June), as well as these mini-series: (they all have “War of the Realms” in front of them, but I’m skipping that, if it’s okay with you) Journey Into Mystery, Punisher, War Scrolls, and Uncanny X-Men. Hmmm? What’s that? You wonder what this is all about? Well, the Dark Elf Malekith enjoys a good battle as well as the next evil villain, so he and some of his friends (such as Loki, Ulik, Kurse, Laufey, Sindr, Queen of Heven, the Enchantress, and Dario Agger) decide to conquer everything. All ten realms, to put it simply (and no, I’m not going to name them, because by this time you’re sick of these lists). The last one they still have to conquer is Midgard (you know, good old Earth), and when giants, trolls, flaming beasts, and scary elves suddenly appear, you can understand why so many other heroes are involved in this comic. From what I’ve read, the writer, Jason Aaron, has been planning this and planting the seeds for something like five years, and from this first issue, I believe it’s paying off. Russell Dauterman is on pencils, and he does a good job of capturing the chaos that is unfolding. Cool Cover, right? It’s a gatefold, but I just used the front of the image here. The magazine in Cool Comics News above has the entire spread, so be sure to click on it for a better view. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon but think you might want to, grab this issue before it disappears. The cover price of War of the Realms #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#902 — Immortal Hulk #16, Marvel, Jun 2019.

Immortal Hulk seems to be one of the hottest properties at Marvel these days. Don’t believe me? Just check out some of the back issue prices! At the end of #15, Hulk and Doc Samson are standing in front of an empty grave. And yes, there is a name on the tombstone, but I’m not going to spoil it for you. And yet…the cover to this one, #16, might give you a clue, but it’s not quite, well…again, I’m not going to spoil it in case you haven’t read it. You are reading this comic, right? Wait, you’re not a Hulk fan? Let me tell you, this has been such an interesting journey so far that Hulk fan or not, I think you might enjoy it. I know I sure do. And while things may not turn out the way I want them to where the empty grave is concerned, it sure has been a fun ride so far! The cover price of Immortal Hulk #16 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#903 — Legends of the Legion #3, DC, April 1998.

The first Legion storyline I ever read was The Great Darkness Saga, which I bought each month as it came out in Legion of Super-Heroes. For those of you who know what that is, you can understand why I have a nostalgic fondness for these heroes from a far-off future. If you’ve never heard of The Great Darkness Saga, well, in some ways I envy you for getting to read it for the first time (and make sure you do read it! It’s probably available in a trade or comiXology, if you don’t want to search out the original individual issues from 1982). At any rate, because of this, I’m a fan of the Legion of Superheroes. I don’t have a ton of issues, but whenever I find them in quarter boxes, they come home with me. And this one, which, as the cover states, is “Solo Origins of the Legionnaires…” came at an even cheaper price, as it was stuffed in my legendary longbox that I bought for just $20. This four-issue mini contains post-Zero Hour origins, and this is the only one I own…so far. The cover price of Legends of the Legion #3 is $2.25, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 48)

#904 — Street Angel’s Dog, Image, May 2018.

If Street Angel’s Dog hadn’t been one of the offerings from Free Comic Book Day 2018, I never would have owned or read it. Frankly, I wouldn’t have given it another look. So, is it good or bad that it was part of FCBD? Let’s put it this way, after having read it, I’ll probably never read another issue (unless it’s part of FCBD again), but I don’t at all mind having gone through the experience. It’s really not a comic book that’s in my wheelhouse, but I don’t mind taking a break from my usual genres and exploring other things that are out there, which is one of the reasons I really appreciate Free Comic Book Day and make sure I get each issue offered. If you’ve read this and are a fan, I think that’s awesome. There are comics out there for everyone. Sometimes, you just have to explore and take chance before you find what you like. The cover price of Street Angel’s Dog is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#905 — Uncle Scrooge #170, Whitman / Gold Key, November 1979.

Though this Seventies time machine of a comic book came out at the end of the era, it still perfectly captures the spirit of that decade I so fondly remember. Gold Key put out a treasure trove of great comics for kids, and Uncle Scrooge is always a winner (by the way, my cover has the Whitman logo rather than Gold Key, but it’s still the same comic…it’s a long story…and I got this baby for just a quarter!). The first adventure we see features the rich old duck in “I.O.U. …But Who?” As we read along, how can we not enjoy the Twinkies comic ad featuring the Human Torch? After Scrooge solves the mystery, we are offered the chance to attain fame and fortune by selling GRIT “To Friends, Relatives, Neighbors and Others.” Believe it or not, I was a GRIT salesman for a short time in my youth. Hey, it helped buy a few extra comic books! The next story is about Gyro Gearloose and is called “The Sculptinker.” During this story we come to the centerspread, which covers Saturday morning cartoons on CBS, including Mighty Mouse, The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show, The All-New Popeye Hour, Batman, Tarzan, and more! The last story has Uncle Scrooge in “The Fickle Fortune-Finder.” But wait, we also get a page full of “Super Gifts & Gimmicks, including a Secret Agent Pen, an Atomic Mini-Pistol, the ever-popular Snake Nut Can, and many more childhood delights. The inside back cover gives us a pretty convincing line-up of ABC Saturday morning cartoons, starting with The World’s Greatest Super Friends, the Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, Scooby and Scrappy Doo (some consider Scrappy to be an abomination…), Spider-Woman, and more! The back of the comic book, of course, has a beautiful ad for Sea-Monkeys. The cover price of Uncle Scrooge #170 is 40¢, while the current value is $28.

Cool Comics Classics

#906 — Headline Comics #61, Prize Publications, October 1953.

When you get the opportunity to purchase a comic book from 1953 for one measly dollar, do it! “But that’s ten times the cover price,” you exclaim, casting a sidelong glance at me that sends shivers down my spine. Is the threat real? It felt like it, but by gum, I’ll purchase them if I want to! I guess the excessive wordiness contained in Headline Comics #61 has infected my brain this week…that’s my only excuse. I’d never read—or even heard of—this title before deftly lifting the slightly tarnished old issue out of its white, rectangular storage box, but the moment it caught my eye, I felt as if I was struck by a jolt of electricity from a severed live wire that I never should have touched. Folks, the stories in here are “adapted from TRUE POLICE and FBI cases.” From moonshiners to corrupt miners, if you enjoy your stories with a splash of truth, then Headline Comics is for you! If you’re lucky enough to find a copy on the cheap and hand over your dough, make sure to check out the ads, too, as there are some doozies from decades ago. The cover price of Headline Comics #61 is 10¢, 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.

Detective Comics Hits Four Figures!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 184, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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 184…

Cool Comics News!

“Seen any good movies lately?” Okay, we’ve heard that phrase for…well…ever. But have you? Tuesday, I saw Captain Marvel, and despite a lot of negativity surrounding it (I have one gripe, but does it really matter?), I had fun watching it. And over the weekend I purchased Aquaman and didn’t regret the decision after it was over. But the next big comic book movie coming out is one I’m really excited about, and it’s (of course you know what I’m going to say) SHAZAM! If the trailers are any indication, this should be a lot of fun. Even more fun is the fact that when I bought Aquaman on Vudu, I got a coupon for $8 off my SHAZAM ticket, and when I pre-bought my tickets while at the theater on Tuesday, they ended up giving me the ticket for free! And speaking of SHAZAM! (if I say it enough, will I turn into the World’s Mightiest Mortal?), I knew I couldn’t let down all you fearless readers after this build-up, so this week Cool Comics Classics features “The Big Red Cheese.”

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Red She-Hulk versus SHAZAM! 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

#895 — Detective Comics #1000, Marvel, May 2019.

A thousand of anything is a lot, right? So being that Detective Comics has reached this milestone, it deserves to celebrate. Granted, just like Action Comics (which also hit the mark a while back), there were times when it came out more than once a month (currently it comes out twice a month), but still, if the reading public didn’t like it, it wouldn’t have hit four digits. And as the cover states, this is a “LANDMARK ISSUE!” So how did Detective Comics celebrate? By putting out multiple covers representing all the eras it published in. For me, I just bought the regular wrap-around cover pictured here, but I know that at my local comic shop the Frank Miller cover proved to be the most popular one. This is a big comic, with 96 pages for $9.99, and contains multiple stories from an all-star cast of creators. Is it worth $9.99? I think so, considering the history, writers, and artists involved…and let’s not forget that it’s Batman who stars in this. That doesn’t mean I loved all the stories, but I read it with both a sense of history and appreciation. The cover price of Detective Comics #1000 is $9.99, while the current value is $10.

#896 — Middlewest / Bully Wars Galley Edition, Image, January 2019.

In my opinion (and I would venture to say practically everyone else who has read these), Skottie Young has a couple hits on his hands with these two Image titles, Middlewest and Bully Wars. Though I’m a little late jumping on this bandwagon, thanks to my fearless comic shop owner who set me up with this advance sampler copy, I was able to read the first three issues of each of these limited series. From what I can tell, Bully Wars ended with issue #5, and Middlewest, which just put out #5 in March, may also be over…for now. You can pick up the trade for Bully Wars if you don’t want to go searching for individual issues, which is a bonus for many readers. Though I’m far from the target market, I could empathize with the characters, and that’s the key to good writing. These are two completely different stories. Middlewest is a fantasy that may make you think of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, trying to escape danger across the plains of Kansas, all the way to a mystical land. But Middlewest is definitely its own story, and if you like to venture into territory that isn’t full of supertypes, give this one a try. I think you’ll also love the art by Jorge Corona. Bully Wars might take you back to a place you don’t want to visit from your youth, but Young shows us various sides of the issue, besides the fact that this crazy tale is certainly not reality. But the story is fun, and the characterization is exceptional and will keep you interested. The art by Aaron Conley is very different when compared to Middlewest, but Conley captures the right perspective for this story. The cover price of Middlewest / Bully Wars Galley Edition is free (but hard to get your hands on), while the current value is $15.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#897 — Red She-Hulk #63, Marvel, May 2013.

Midway through the year 2003, I quit buying new comics for various reasons. Then a few years later I sold most of my collection at a garage sale (for buyers, it was pretty awesome). But in 2011, I started reading some of the back issues I’d kept and hadn’t read yet. In 2015, I started the Cool Comics In My Collection blog, and decided to visit my local comic shop to buy some back issues I could include in Cool Comics. For a while I got on a kick in which I did theme weeks in the blog (which was a lot of fun), such as westerns, military, horror, Saturday morning cartoons, TV shows, movies, etc. Hence, I started showing up at my comic shop a little more frequently, and during late December in 2016, the store owner offered me a longbox of comics sitting on his floor for just $20. Turns out there were 419 individual comics inside. I’d had and read 92 of them, which left 327 I’d never had the pleasure of reading. This box didn’t contain hidden gems that were going to make me rich, and some weren’t in great condition, but out of this, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap was born, and it’s allowed me to explore titles I’d never considered buying. Such as this week’s entry, Red She-Hulk. What got me interested in reading this one is that I just discovered Betty’s history as a Hulk from recent issues of The Immortal Hulk (one of the best ongoing titles in all of comics), not to mention that Aaron Stack, aka Machine Man, is part of this comic. I can’t say if I’ll ever read another issue of this title, but for being dirt cheap, it was worth it. The cover price of Red She-Hulk #63 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 47)

#898 — 2000 A.D., Rebellion, May 2018.

2000 A.D. is a British produced comic for Free Comic Book Day, and although the only character name I’m familiar with in this comic is Judge Dredd (and in this story he is Cadet Dredd), as I always say, FCBD is a great way to experience companies and characters that are new to you. The other comics in this freebie include Strontium Dog (which does sound vaguely familiar to me), Chet Jetstream, Tharg’s Future Shocks, and Dr. & Quinch. For me, the stories were hit or miss, but even the hits were so far out of my wheelhouse that I’m not going out on a hunt for their comics. But I’m glad to have had the opportunity to experience these stories that are so different from my normal weekly purchases. The cover price of 2000 A.D. is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#899 — Mickey Mouse #153, Gold Key, December 1974.

Often these old Gold Key comics aimed at kids contain multiple stories, usually four or five, but this one contained only three (and one of those was just one page), with the first, “Mickey Mouse in the Secret of Drake’s Island,” lasting for the majority of the comic. It was a pretty good adventure, and younger readers are bound to enjoy the exploits and perils that Mickey and Goofy face. Once it’s all over and we have a moment to catch our breath, there is a one-page short story (a nice feature for young readers to get in “book style” reading practice) featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale titled “A Packet O’ Racket.” Then we move on to “The Golf Hound” in which Pluto gets to be the hero, and finally a one-page comic vignette. Like so many older comics, the ads prove to be as fascinating as the stories, and even better, this one contains an “EXTRA 16 Page Fun Catalog!” that shows off, in comic book form, toys like: Dusty, America’s Most Beautiful Doll; Baby Alive (don’t blame me if it gives you nightmares, you’ve been warned that it’s in here!); a Snoopy power tooth brush set; Steve Scout and his friend, Bob Scout; Duke, the Super Action Dog; SSP Ultra Chrome Gleaming Hi-Gloss Racing Cars; SSP Smash-Up Derby; and more! I had some of the toys in here, so it was fun to take a walk down memory lane. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #153 is 25¢, while the current value is $18.

Cool Comics Classics

#900 — SHAZAM! #12, DC, June 1974.

I’m finishing up Cool Comics this week with an extra thick 100-page classic that harkens back to my childhood (Detective Comics #1000 was 96 pages, and the Middlewest / Bully Wars Galley Edition contains six issues, meaning that I did a lot of reading for this episode!). SHAZAM! was a hero I paid no attention to in comic book form, yet I did watch the live-action Saturday morning show. I remember seeing his comics, along with a few of the treasury sized editions (Limited Collectors’ Edition if you want the proper DC lingo), but they didn’t catch my attention. When I got a little older and started collecting again in the Nineties, I suddenly found myself interested in Billy Batson and his exploits (and especially so after my father told me he’d owned some of the original Fawcett Comics). But it wasn’t until last year that I finally purchased a comic from DC’s original run (which took place when I was a kid), and it happens to be this one. I’m slowly working on having the entire collection of the “100 Pages For Only 60¢” editions, and I was happy to get this one for $10. Containing multiple stories and multiple Marvel Family members (such as Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., and Uncle Marvel), this is 100-pages of pure fun (some of the stories date from the forties, for those of you who want a sampling of the Fawcett editions). The cover price of SHAZAM! #12 is 60¢, while the current value is $70.

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.

Conan Teams With Scarlet Witch & Other “Wacky” Adventures!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 183, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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 183…

Cool Comics News!
TwoMorrows Publishing celebrates 25 years with this beautiful book you can help support via Kickstarter!

Since I started this fourth phase of comic book reading and collecting in 2017 (phase one ran from 1973 to 1978, phase two lasted about 10 months in 1982, and phase three saw a decade of reading and collecting, from 1993 to 2003), I’ve become more interested in the history of the hobby. And not just the history of the characters, but also from the perspective of the creators, companies, periods, and fandom. I’ve read a few books that helped fill the void of knowledge in my head and heart, but what I look forward to most is reading another issue of Back Issue magazine. If I had more time, I’d also be a regular reader of Alter Ego magazine, but I was fortunate to get a decent amount of back issues of Alter Ego at a sale, so I need to catch up on them before making new purchases. I say all this because their publishing arm, TwoMorrows, recently came out with a Kickstarter campaign for a book celebrating their 25 years in the business, “The World of TwoMorrows.” They publish other magazines besides the ones I’ve named, along with a number of great books. Click HERE, watch their video, read up on it, and consider backing their Kickstarter!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics 

#889 — Avengers No Road Home #6, Marvel, May 2019.

Although Avengers No Road Home is a weekly series, and most of the time I tend to feature the first issue of a limited series, I wanted to wait until #6 came out. Those of you who have been reading it know why. Just look at that cover…yes, it’s Conan the Barbarian…with the Scarlet Witch! While I think it’s lots of fun to see the Cimmerian together with the heroes of the Marvel Universe, others, I’m sure, aren’t too pleased with it (sort of like Doomsday Clock and the meshing of the DCU with the Watchmen). And that’s okay, because we all like what we like, and don’t like what we don’t like. If you don’t want to see it, don’t buy it, and if you do, plunk your money down on the counter at your local comic shop and enjoy. From my perspective, the writers (Jim Zub, Mark Waid, & Al Ewing) and artists (Sean Izaakse: pencils; Jay David Ramos with Marcia Menyz: color) did a fantastic job with this issue. It didn’t feel forced, either, as the weavings of the plot made perfect sense. I often realized I had a big grin on my face as I read this issue, and that’s what it’s all about, right? I had fun. Lots of fun. And now I can’t wait to read the remaining four issues. The cover price of Avengers No Road Home #6 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#890 — Batman #67, DC, May 2019.

If you’ve been reading Batman, then you know it’s been an emotionally rough year for him. But with the publication of Detective Comics #1000 (it came out yesterday, so jump in your Batmobile and drive to your local comic shop and get it before it’s gone!), things can’t be all bad. Batman comic books have been around for a very long time, making me wonder just how many words total have been printed in comics the character has been featured in. It would take a long time to count them all…except for this one, Batman #67. If you like to read your comics quickly, this one fits the bill. But considering there are just a handful of panels that feature any dialogue, and not until we’re over halfway through the story, I suggest you slow it down just a little and enjoy the story that’s being told without words. Admire the art, get caught up in the chase, and prepare for the unveiling at the end. Typically, I like a decent amount of words in my comic books, but I truly enjoyed this issue, and if you’re a Batman fan, you will, too. The cover price of Batman #67 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#891 — X-Men: The Early Years #3, Marvel, July 1994.

During the Nineties, it certainly seemed like “more” meant “better.” The more comics on the shelf, the better the sales. So, for those who missed out on the early issues of the X-Men, Marvel decided to do some reprints, because they understood that the Sixties issues were too expensive for most people…plus, the company doesn’t make any money on back issue sales. To be fair, reprint titles were nothing new. I can remember a number of them from the Seventies, and to a new, younger collector like I was, it made continuity a little wonky because I didn’t realize the reprint titles were reprints. X-Men: The Early Years started publishing when I was just getting back into comic books for the third time in my life, but I was buying too many “current” titles to even think about getting this comic. The only reason I have this one is because it “issued forth” from my legendary longbox…you know, the box of 419 comics that I bought, sight unseen, for just $20 over a year ago. Reprints aren’t hard to come by today, and if you don’t mind reading digital comics, you can get some really old stuff really cheap. Yet until now, I’d never read the first appearance of the Blob. Plus, it was written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby, so those are reasons enough to enjoy this reprint from days gone by. The cover price of X-Men: The Early Years #3 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 46)

#892 — A Brief History of Tank Girl, Titan Comics, June 2018.

When this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition came out last May, some astute readers may have realized that Tank Girl had now been in existence for 30 years. Yes, it’s been around for a while. I remember seeing a couple Tank Girl mini-series solicited by Dark Horse Comics back in the Nineties, and then there was a movie in 1995 (some characters wait decades before a movie is made, but Tank Girl waited just seven years). Yet despite its longevity, I’d never read one of the comic books until this one, last week (and I still haven’t seen the movie). Did it make me a fan? Not really, but FCBD is a great opportunity to see what else is out there, because you never know what new favorites you might discover. As you can probably tell from the cover, this is one you won’t want to pass on to the younger comic book readers in your life. The cover price of A Brief History of Tank Girl is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#893 — Wacky Adventures of Cracky #10, Gold Key, March 1975.

Parents, no need to panic! Cool Comics is not steering you wrong, despite the title of this comic book. Cracky, a parrot, is the title character and he has some crazy (I guess I should say “wacky”) adventures with his buddy, a crow named Mr. Caws. From what I can gather, Cracky is a Gold Key original, and was the mascot for the company’s jokes and puzzle books. Was he deserving of his own comic? Well, only 12 issues were published, but let’s not judge based on numbers, because I’m a big fan of the original Omega the Unknown comic from Marvel, and it lasted a mere 10 issues (although Wacky Adventures of Cracky came out quarterly, so it lasted from 1972 to 1975, which seems more respectable). Still, some 21st Century kids may appreciate the goofy Cracky, and his comics are plenty safe for young readers. His adventures in this issue include, “The Perils of Sheerluck,” “The Great Jailbreak,” “The Big Thinker,” “A Hopeless Kaws,” and “Jokes by Cracky.” The cover price of Wacky Adventures of Cracky #10 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.

Cool Comics Classics

#894 — Four Star Spectacular #4, DC, October 1976.

Four Star Spectacular was a short-lived (just 6 issues) reprint comic that gave readers a chance to enjoy classic stories from the past, making them affordable and accessible. Today’s newer collectors can often find older comics at their local comic shop, eBay, and other online venues such as Facebook. But for some of us, it was seemingly a short time ago that the search for back issues wasn’t as simple as the click of a mouse. There was a certain appreciation for reprint comics (although, as I already stated, this one didn’t last long at all), giving readers a chance to “catch up” on the adventures of some of their favorite heroes. While the Seventies seemed to be chalk full of reprint titles, even the Nineties had X-Men: The Early Years, as seen above. I enjoyed the variety of tales in this issue, featuring Wonder Woman (story from 1943), Superboy (story from 1957), and Hawkman and Hawkgirl (story from 1965). Today, older comics can be attained more easily in paperback collections, via digital comics, and originals (often for a high price) through channels I already mentioned. In the end, it doesn’t really matter what form you read it in, as long as it brings you joy. The cover price of Four Star Spectacular #4 is 50¢, 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.

Fear The Grim Knight, Beware of Morlock 2001!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 182, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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 182…

Cool Comics News!

Do you listen to podcasts? Recently I’ve been listening to comic book-themed episodes of various podcasts in my attempt to educate myself as much as possible when it comes to our favorite hobby. While I may be very far off from being able to call myself a comic book historian, each podcast I listen to inches me that much closer to knowing today what I didn’t know yesterday (along with all the reading I do, including the magazines Back Issue, Alter Ego, and Hogan’s Alley, not to mention a number of books that focus on four-color fun). A couple weeks ago I bought an old Atlas / Seaboard Comic issue (see Cool Comics Classics below) and found a podcast that focused on the company. I really enjoyed the podcast, and after reading the issue I bought, I acquired more Atlas / Seaboard comics. Another podcast I recently enjoyed was the Quarter-Bin Podcast (I listened to episode #129), which is part of the Relatively Geeky Network. The host, Professor Alan, really is a professor. Listening to smart people like Professor Alan is like going to school for free! Tell us what podcast recommendations you have in the comments section below.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#883 — The Batman Who Laughs: The Grim Knight #1, DC, May 2019.

As most of us know, Batman is who he is because of what he experienced the night his parents were murdered. The euphoria of a great evening with mom and dad, then just a few moments later…Bruce Wayne’s world irrevocably changed. It’s hard to imagine that there are any comic book readers out there who haven’t witnessed this scene for themselves, as it’s often repeated between the pages, and nearly as often on the big and small screens. But what if things went down just a little differently, and in a moment of both madness and clarity, Bruce found himself with the same gun in his hand that moments before took away life as he knew it? When I made the decision to read Dark Nights Metal back in 2017 after having been away from new comics for 14 years, I knew I’d be lost in a big way. This mega mini-series, loaded with a history I didn’t know and crossing over into a number of other titles that I didn’t purchase, was still worth it, but I understood that I was missing out on a lot. Gone and seemingly forgotten for many months, I then found myself getting wrapped up in the offspring of Dark Nights Metal, The Batman Who Laughs. Pretty good stuff, I realized, knowing I’d made the right call again by adding it to my comic pulls. And now this one-shot adds to the Batman mythos in its own unique, agonizing, and fascinating way. The cover price of The Batman Who Laughs: The Grim Knight #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#884 — Tony Stark: Iron Man #9, Marvel, May 2019.

This isn’t the comic book I planned for this spot, but when I was partway through reading it, I knew I had to include it as a Cool Comic. Filled with Easter eggs and just the right dash of humor, it’s the perfect balance after the serious Grim Knight comic in #883 above. In case you haven’t been reading Tony Stark: Iron Man, his consciousness is trapped in a virtual reality game called the eScape, which was created by Stark Unlimited, and at this point he no longer remembers that what is happening to him isn’t part of the real world. People and “others” (such as Machine Man!) are trying to help him and other innocent people who are being manipulated in the eScape, things are crazy in the real world, and death seems to be knocking at a few doors. Then we get some awesome Sixties Iron Man cartoon love like the page I included here (and you know I love this, because I never include actual comic book pages in Cool Comics, just covers…and click on the link, because if you’ve watched the cartoon, you love the theme song, and if you’ve never seen it, this page makes much more sense). But as much as I love this page, Machine Man has two fantastic panels that make this comic worth the price of admission. The last several issues of this title have been coming out a little late, but I’m okay with that when they give me such a fun product. The cover price of Tony Stark: Iron Man #9 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#885 — SpyBoy #1, Dark Horse Comics, October 1999.

SpyBoy? Even though I was a serious collector back in 1999, I can’t remember anything about this title. Yes, I got Previews on a monthly basis, but…this was 20 years ago, and my focus tended to be (and still is, for the most part) on superhero comics, mostly from both Marvel and DC. My Dark Horse Comics purchases have always been limited in comparison (although I do own several dozen). And if it weren’t for my legendary longbox (constant readers know that many months ago I bought a longbox stuffed with 419 comic books, sight unseen, much like a box of chocolates, for just $20, hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), I may have never read a single issue of SpyBoy (issue #11 was also stuffed into the legendary longbox), which would be a shame, because Peter David and Pop Mhan give us a fun, intriguing story. If you ever run across it, you may want to give it a try. The cover price of SpyBoy #1 is $2.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 45)

#886 — Scout Presents: The Mall #0, Scout Comics, May 2018.

Besides the variety of comics that came in my legendary longbox (see #885 above), Free Comic Book Day is another terrific venue for exploring comics and companies beyond the Big2. Scout Comics is a company that was completely off my radar before reading their FCBD offering, Scout Presents: The Mall #0. Besides the aforementioned “The Mall,” we also get introductions to Zinnober (London in ruins and Dragons…a winning combination for comic book readers!); OBLIV18N (everyone with any kind of authority or responsibility vanishes, chaos ensues, readers have a good time!); Geneticaa (futuristic tale in which evolution has run amuck); Monarchs (space exploration with the discovery of other sentient races); and The Source (a high school teacher finds out magic is real, but others will stop at nothing to prevent it). Several of them looked fairly interesting to me (they give you a couple pages of each to sample), but the title story “The Mall” was so good that I’m not sure the others can compare. As it states on the cover, it’s, “an ‘80s coming of age crime story,” and while that may not sound so great, the characterization is well done, with the focus being on a teenage boy, and you can’t help but want to see what happens next. I may have to pick up a trade of this someday, if one is ever issued. The cover price of Scout Presents: The Mall #0 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#887 — Porky Pig #56, Gold Key, October 1974.

Cool Comics Kids is a section of the blog that contains issues we consider safe for younger readers. A number of months ago, my local comic shop had a nice stack of older “kiddie” comics in the quarter-bins, and I couldn’t resist getting them. And since Cool Comics is a supporter of ComicBooks For Kids! (read about them below), it seemed like a perfect time to dedicate a section to the younger reader. And while you may not be fortunate enough to find older issues like the ones we’ve had here for just a quarter each, most of these can be found at decent back issue prices. This Porky Pig comic features several stories, and if younger readers have shorter attention spans, this might just fit the bill. The first tale is called “Warranty and Peace,” followed by “Misfortune-Teller,” and ending with “Saboteurs From Space.” Porky Pig is the star of all three, and Bugs Bunny is featured in two of these stories. These are fun comics from a bygone era, and even if you don’t have any youngsters in your life to buy them for, why not get a few for yourself and revisit your past? The cover price of Porky Pig #56 is 25¢, while the current value is $14.

Cool Comics Classics

#888 — Morlock 2001 #1, Atlas Comics, February 1975.

A couple weeks ago while taking a walk through my favorite comic book store, my eyes wouldn’t leave this cover when I saw it displayed at the front of a box of comics. In full cooperation my legs stopped on a dime, I did a left-face that would have made my old drill sergeant proud, and snagged Morlock 2001 as if my life depended on it. You see, many moons ago, during my third phase of comic collecting (1993-2003), I bought three issues of Atlas Comics in bargain back issue bins: The Brute #1 and Scorpion #1 and #2. I didn’t know the history behind Atlas / Seaboard, so I didn’t really appreciate them. Unread, I ended up selling them at my gargantuan garage sale that took place about nine years ago. Since that time, I’ve learned some of the background of the company through various pieces of literature, the Internet, and a podcast. But the podcast came after I bought this issue. And after listening to the podcast and reading this first issue of Morlock 2001, I went back to my local comic shop and loaded up on more Atlas titles. They published a total of 61 issues (along with a handful of magazines), and while some people won’t want a thing to do with a company that failed, to me they are a fascinating piece of comic book history, and one of my collecting goals is to own the entire collection. Maybe some of you hold a special place in your heart for Atlas / Seaboard Comics, too. The cover price of Morlock 2001 #1 is 25¢, while the current value is $20.

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.

Mechanoids and Doomsday Clocks on the Prowl!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 181, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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 181…

Cool Comics News!

Comic fans, there’s no time like the present to join the Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group, as we are “that” close to achieving our next goal, which is 100 members. What happens when we get there? I’m glad you asked! I’ll make an announcement to the group that anyone who wants to be in on the prize drawings should indicate so in a post. Then, after an allotted number of days go by, I’ll take the names and enter them all in an online randomizer, and the top three all get Cool Comics prizes! This will be our second giveaway, and this time we have some special variant covers of Hero Tomorrow Comics, signed by writer Ted Sikora! It’s really that simple. You just need to click on the link above, request to join the group, then once we hit our goal, make sure to watch for my prize announcement. Then sit back and hope you are one of the three winners!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Samuree versus Looney Tunes! 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

#878 — Doomsday Clock #9, DC, May 2019.

Way back in Cool Comics episode #114, we took a look at Doomsday Clock #1, the DC series integrating the Watchmen into the regular DC Universe. While some people have been against it from the beginning, I’ve enjoyed the series so far, especially the last two issues because of Firestorm’s involvement. And if what’s happening is really happening (and with comic books, you never know), then this is resulting in big changes for the Nuclear Man. The ramifications have the potential to make Firestorm…wait a minute…if you plan on reading this, but haven’t gotten around to it yet, you know me, I never want to spoil your fun. So read it, and if you want to discuss it further, be sure to tell us in the comments section below (and if you haven’t read it yet, you’ve been warned that someone might reveal something big in the comments). The only disappointing aspect of the series for me has been the perpetual lateness. I mean, here we are 14 months later, and there are still three issues left to go (their Doomsday Clock seems to be in perpetual “fall back” mode). Although dragging it out does keep it around that much longer. The cover price of Doomsday Clock #9 is $4.99, while the cover price is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#879 — Samuree #2, Continuity Comics, August 1987.

This week, courtesy of my legendary longbox (a few years back I paid $20 for a longbox of 419 comics, sight unseen), we bring you Samuree, straight from Neal Adam’s former company, Continuity Comics. For some of you, this is a trip down memory lane. Continuity ran from 1984 to 1994, and while I was away from comics between 1983 until 1993, Continuity was not on my radar when I started buying again. Before I acquired my dirt cheap longbox, I owned exactly two Continuity Comics titles: Megalith #3 and Ms. Mystic #1 (I also used to own the Pacific Comics first issue of Ms. Mystic). While I sold them both at a garage sale, I’m now in possession of two more Continuity titles with this and a copy of ToyBoy #1, which I wrote about in episode 145. Elliot Maggin (quite possibly a very familiar name to longtime DC readers) wrote the issue, which proved to be of interest as he was mentioned quite a bit in a recent Back Issue magazine I read. Samuree’s uniform is a bit…cheeky, to say the least, and I’m guessing that was part of the appeal way back when. I still don’t know much about Continuity Comics, but I find these Eighties companies interesting, as they boldly tried to gain readers from the Big2. The cover price of Samuree #2 is $2, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 44)

#880 — Starburns Presents #1, SBI Press, May 2018.

SBI Press is yet another company I know next to nothing about, which is part of the beauty of Free Comic Book Day. If you are attending this year (first Saturday in May, so please check with your local comic shops if they are participating), why not try out a few titles you’re unfamiliar with? Starburns Presents is an anthology featuring a variety of writers and artists, and I found most of the stories fairly entertaining. Patton Oswalt (remember him from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? And yes, he’s the narrator of The Goldbergs) wrote the first story, and Dan Harmon (the TV shows Community and Rick and Morty are a couple of the things he’s known for) also contributed to this issue. Just keep in mind that this issue is rated M for Mature, in case you decide to track it down. The cover price of Starburns Presents #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#881 — Looney Tunes #8, Gold Key, June 1976.

I’m betting that many of you grew up watching Looney Tunes on Saturday mornings and fondly remember Bugs Bunny and friends. Which is a large part of the appeal of this comic book; the other being that I was able to snag it out of a quarter box…and this is a case where paying cover price for a used item is a great deal! Not to mention that since this issue falls into our Cool Comics Kids category, readers can rest assured that little ones should be fine with it. Stories in this issue include “Tasmanian Goulash,” featuring Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and the Tasmanian Devil; “Mind Your Manners,” starring Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck; “A Peachy Idea,” with Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk; and also stories centering around Tweety and Sylvester, and Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. When reading these Seventies comic books, part of the fun is the ads, including, of course, one for Sea-Monkeys (one of the most controversial ads ever, right? Maybe someone should do a comic about Sea-Monkeys, and how they are sentient and have happy family units, but when people are around, they shapeshift into brine shrimp…and are secretly working hard to get into every home in America, with plans to eventually take over!). The cover price of Looney Tunes #8 is 25¢, while the current value is $22.

Cool Comics Classics

#882 — Iron Man #32, Marvel, December 1970.

This week, Cool Comics Classics brings you the Mechanoid! To be precise, he’s Mechanoid Scout MK-5, and he was sent by the masters. What masters? I don’t know the answer to that, but maybe you do. From what I can find, Mechanoid Scout MK-5 also had a brief appearance in the next issue, #33, and that was it. So if you want to bring up an obscure character in Marvel history the next time you’re trying to stump your friends, this one seems to fit the bill. Aside from that, this was an enjoyable story brought to us by Allyn Brodsky (writer) and George Tuska (artist), complete with 2 pages of fan letters (Sock It To Shell-Head) and Marvel Bullpen Bulletins, including Stan Lee’s Soapbox. As so many of you know, the ads are a big part of the experience when reading these older comics, and there is even one for Alter Ego magazine, “Edited By Rascally Roy Thomas Himself!” For a four-issue subscription you had to cough up $5. Speaking of money, I had to pay a measly $2 for this issue, and while far from perfect, it’s in great shape for reading and experiencing this period in Marvel history. The cover price is 12¢, while the current value is $45.

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.

Catching Up With the Man of Steel

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 180, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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. 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 180…

Cool Comics News!

Fred Andrews, father of Archie Andrews, made his first comic book appearance in Pep Comics #22 in December 1941. I mention this because many of you probably saw the announcement of the passing of actor Luke Perry, who most recently has been portraying Fred on the TV series Riverdale. I guess you could consider Fred as one of the longest ongoing characters in the history of the medium, and there’s a good chance he’s been around longer than your favorite superhero (I know, a few have been around longer, but not many). From 90210 to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) to Riverdale, we’ve seen Luke Perry for a good portion of our lives. It’s always sad when someone so familiar to us passes away, and in tribute to Luke Perry, I made sure to include Archie Milestones Jumbo Comics Digest #1 as a Cool Comic in this episode.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Superman versus Alpha Flight! 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

#872 — Action Comics #1008, DC, April 2019.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with the ongoing Man of Steel comics, and this week is as good as any to report that I, for one, am really enjoying what Brian Michael Bendis is bringing to a character who has been around, in the world of comic book superheroes, seemingly forever. This is part 2 of a storyline named “Leviathan Rises,” and in May a Leviathan Rises prestige special is scheduled to come to a comic shop near you (I use the word “scheduled,” because anyone who has been around comic books long enough knows that lateness happens). While the cover to this one comes across as a little misleading, the energy and characterization we’re getting in both Action Comics and Superman these days has been a whole lot of fun, in my opinion, so all is forgiven. If you haven’t been reading Superman comics but have considered giving them a try, why not now? The cover price of Action Comics #1008 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#873 — Archie Milestones Jumbo Comics Digest #1, Archie, April 2019.

Once upon a time there was a working relationship between Archie and Marvel, with Archie publishing reprint digests for “the House of Ideas.” You’d get about 200 pages of Marvel history for $6.99, and I was enjoying the journey. I’m not sure what went wrong, but after eight issues, it came to a screeching halt. And now Archie seems to have taken that same basic idea and recently came out with their new “Milestones” digest, which reprints stories from different eras, with sections containing similar themes and subject matters. I didn’t order this one from my local comic shop, but when I was in a Barnes & Noble, I happened to see this issue and decided to give it a try. I went through a period in the Seventies when I was reading several different Archie titles, and over the last few years I’ve been enjoying the alternate “horror” comics with the gang from Riverdale. But if I hadn’t read Archie in the past, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the new stuff as much. Anyway, if you like Archie and want to read a variety of stories throughout their history, you may want to give these digests (which are scheduled to come out six times a year) a try. The cover price of Archie Milestones Jumbo Comics Digest #1 is $6.99, while the current value is $7.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#874 — Alpha Flight #9, Marvel, April 1984.

About midway through 1982 until several months into 1993, the only comic books I purchased were a few issues from companies I’d never heard of (like First, for example) at Big Lots…or Odd Lots…or whatever the store was called in the area I was living in at the time. They came three in a bag for a nice discount, but I had no idea what was going on in the stories, because these were unfamiliar characters. And the same thing applied when I started collecting again in 1993 and I saw Alpha Flight #120 on the shelves. It was nearing the end of its run (of course I didn’t know that at the time), and when I was looking over all the ongoing titles at a little used bookstore just south of Atlanta, Georgia, I decided to give it a try. I didn’t know they were a Canadian-based team, I didn’t know who the members were, and I didn’t buy any new issues afterwards. But I did pick up a few back issues here and there in discount boxes (including the first issue), so I had a nice little collection before I sold them at a garage sale about seven or eight years ago. I can’t recall how many of those I actually read, but I did read this one that I recently pulled out of my legendary longbox. I like Sasquatch, and if you’re reading Immortal Hulk (and if you aren’t, you should check it out!), then you know that the big hairy guy’s alter ego, Walter Langkowski, has been a part of that ongoing story. I enjoyed this old comic (Wolverine even shows up in it, but who do you think Sasquatch faces off against, based on the cover?), and recently found a little over a dozen more Alpha Flight issues in the quarter boxes at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, so it looks like some fun reading ahead. The cover price of Alpha Flight #9 is 60¢, while the current value is $3.50.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 43)

#875 — Lady Mechanika, Benitez Productions, May 2018.

This week’s Free Comic Book Day issue features Lady Mechanika, and while I recognize the character (I’ve seen covers and drawings plenty of times over the last several years since I started blogging, and at some comic conventions, like the Cincinnati Comic Expo, there was a table featuring Lady Mechanika), I didn’t know anything about the comic books. And it turns out that Lady Mechanika doesn’t know much about herself, either, so now I don’t feel so bad! She’s sort of a “bionic woman,” part human, part machine, and her tales are set in England in the early 20th Century. She’s been around in the world of comic books since 2010, and there have been a number of titles in her series of adventures, but from what I read, she is searching to find out the mysteries of her past. This FCBD issue features two stories, and both are pretty interesting. If you are a fan of steampunk, I suggest you give these comics a try, if you haven’t already. The cover price of Lady Mechanika is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#876 — Woody Woodpecker #187, Gold Key, February 1980.

Remember the old Woody Woodpecker cartoon? He comes across as fairly obnoxious, doesn’t he? I’ll be the first to admit that, yet I find myself strangely liking the kooky bird. Or maybe my reasoning isn’t so strange after all. I remember once, when I was young, my paternal grandmother giving me a Woody Woodpecker drawing that I could color and send in for a contest through our local newspaper (which is where she got the drawing in the first place). This is a nice childhood memory, so I associate positive feelings towards the bird. Gold Key put out a lot of comics aimed towards younger readers back in the Seventies and early Eighties, and this one seems safe enough to pass off to young readers. This issue contains three silly stories, which is perfect for shorter attention spans. The cover price of Woody Woodpecker #187 is 40¢, while the current value is $9.

Cool Comics Classics

#877 — Dagar the Invincible #10, Whitman/Gold Key, December 1974.

Fans of sword and sorcery adventures, take note: while Dagar the Invincible is no replacement for Conan the Barbarian, this was a pretty decent tale. Comprised of just 19 issues, this series ran from 1972 to 1982; needless to say, the schedule didn’t exactly fall into a monthly pattern…or every other month, for that matter. But it tried to come out quarterly. Then in December 1976, with issue #18, Dagar the Invincible seemed to be finished. At least until #19 came out in April 1982. If you are a completist, it may take a little work since this isn’t a Marvel or DC comic, but I bet you could find every issue in this run. I like that this comic book contains a complete story, which was helpful since I’d never even heard of the character until I bought this one for just a dollar. If you enjoy action-packed covers, Dagar has lots of them, many suitable for framing right next to your other barbarian friends. The cover price of Dagar the Invincible is 25¢, 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.

What In the World is a Hulkverine?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 179, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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. 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 179…

Cool Comics News!

Despite all the news about comic shops closing and DC slimming down their monthly offerings (sorry if one of your favorite titles got/gets cancelled, but there are still tons of comics that come out each month you can enjoy), I try to look at things in a positive light and enjoy the hobby. Whether I’m grabbing new comics on a Wednesday or digging around in back issue boxes, there is still a lot of fun to be had for those who never tire of reading comic books.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Immortal Hulk versus Weapon H! 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

#866 — Hulkverines #1, Marvel, April 2019.

Sometimes comic book titles are just…comical. And when you take a look at the concept and participants, they might seem completely ridiculous. Yet as goofy as the name Hulkverines may be, and as silly as this mini-series appears at first glance, issue 1 is a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to more craziness in the next two issues. Regular readers of Cool Comics know that I became a fan of Weapon H, a title that (died too soon) featured a soldier named Clay Cortez who is transformed into a killing machine by making him…well, part Hulk and part Wolverine. And now Hulk and Wolverine are coming after Clay. No one likes to be mocked, and it seems that’s what he’s doing, in a sense, right? Okay, it goes a little deeper than that, and the Leader is involved, and we get a pretty cool Hulk versus Weapon H battle in this issue…the kind of stuff we dream up as kids, right? Anyway, Wolverine does show up near the end, so you just know the last couple issues are going to be every bit as good, in a crazy kind of way. The cover price of Hulkverines #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#867 — Wolverine: Infinity Watch #1, Marvel, April 2019.

Just when Cool Comics readers thought things couldn’t get any more ridiculous than Hulkverines, along comes Wolverine: Infinity Watch. Seriously, did you ever in your life imagine seeing the Infinity Gauntlet with claws sticking up between the knuckles? I guess Marvel must think we’re pretty gullible in trying to pass off this level of crazy to its readers. And yet I bought it, didn’t I? Curiosity mixed with apprehension and dread and the ever-hopeful possibility that this might turn out to be special all convinced me to shell out my money to see Logan put on the glove. Inside the cover we are told that this takes place following the events of Return of Wolverine #5, which tells me that rather than have an ongoing Wolverine title at this point, Marvel must feel that by publishing a bunch of mini-series they’ll get more readers because…more #1 issues. I’m not complaining, just rationalizing (guessing is more like it). And guess what, folks? Much like Hulkverines, this turned out to be a lot of fun, and I’m glad I purchased my ticket for the ride. At least with what I’ve seen so far. The cover price of Wolverine: Infinity Watch #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#868 — Doom Patrol #1, Tangent Comics, December 1997.

At this moment, someone out there may be saying to themselves, “I’ve heard of Doom Patrol, and I think it’s a live-action show on the DC streaming channel. So why is this published by Tangent Comics, and what IS Tangent Comics?” Bingo on the first part, because yes, Doom Patrol is currently airing on DC’s streaming channel (I haven’t seen it yet, have you? What do you think of it? Feel free to share in the comments section below.). As for the question about Tangent Comics, they were an imprint of DC, way back in the dark ages, just before the turn of the century. Dan Jurgens, a writer, was sort of given his own sandbox to play in, using DC names and characters, but since it wasn’t part of DC Universe proper, he could try different things. Over a two-year period (1997-1998), 18 one-shots were produced that “reimagined” DC. But that wasn’t the end of Tangent Comics, and if you want to know more, just click HERE. Although I was actively collecting when these were published, I didn’t have the budget to try them, so I’m not disappointed that my legendary longbox (yup, the one crammed with 417 comics for just $20) gave me the opportunity to read one. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about Doom Patrol to begin with, but then again, this issue goes in a different direction, and it was enjoyable enough for the cost. The cover price of Doom Patrol #1 is $2.95, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 42)

#869 — Miraculous Adventures of Lady Bug & Cat Noir, Action Lab Comics, May 2018.

Free Comic Book Day brings lots of interesting stories that we might otherwise never pay attention to, right? While it’s great to grab the fun stuff from the Big2, there are many companies out there offering comics that might entertain us in ways we never imagined. Not to mention companies we’re clueless about. And that’s my story when it comes to Action Lab. While they are completely unfamiliar to me, this freebie provides stories that all ages can enjoy, and I’d have no qualms about passing it on to a younger reader someday when I decide to part with it. The first couple stories, “Homework Essay” and “The Notebook,” were far from the typical comic books I read, but the bonus preview of Sami the Samurai Squirrel appealed to the younger me trapped inside my mind. There is an ad on the inside of the back cover for another one of their comics, “Ghoul Scouts, I was a Teenage Werewolf,” and I really think I’d enjoy reading that one if I ever come across it. The cover price of Miraculous Adventures of Ladybug & Cat Noir is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#870 — Chip ‘N’ Dale #48, Gold Key, September 1977.

I have to admit that I’m not a fan of Chip ‘N’ Dale, or chipmunks in general. Sure, they look cute skittering around your yard, but they do a lot of damage, too. I’ll try to keep the grown-up me in control while I talk about these adorable little creatures that Disney seems to think we should enjoy both onscreen and in print. These kind of comic books usually contain several little complete stories, and this one is no different, starting with “The Madcap Movie,” in which a sensible Donald Duck is made to look like the bad guy, then these two madcap ‘munks travel “Way Out West,” and this is where my trouble starts. Because the center page, with the resolution, seems to be missing! Suddenly the scene changes from cactuses to watercraft, as Donald Duck is once more made to look like a troublemaker when his boat causes problems for Chip ‘N’ Dale (and I don’t have the title for it, because of the missing pages). We finish this comic with “All Shook Up,” and once more those pesky little chipmunks make Donald Duck out to be the bad guy. Oh well, what’s a duck to do? Howard the Duck would have really given them what for! Despite the constant framing of Donald, this is a fun comic for kids. The cover price of Chip ‘N’ Dale #48 is 30¢, while the current value is $9.

Cool Comics Classics

#871 — Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #70, Whitman/Gold Key, September 1976.

Cool Comics readers know that I absolutely love old anthology comics, and when Boris Karloff’s name is attached to it, well, that’s gold, in my opinion. I grew up watching reruns of The Twilight Zone, Boris Karloff movies, and Night Gallery, so this comic really hits home for me. And even better, it didn’t cost me a dime! This issue was a gift to me from a longtime friend from my hometown, and I can’t express my appreciation enough. So thanks, Del! By the way, comic book fans, if you happen to enjoy Ohio State football, Del pens the best OSU blog you’ll find on the Internet. Once you’ve finished this episode of Cool Comics, click HERE and check it out! And now, back to Boris! The first tale, “Growing Pains,” concerns some consequences faced by a couple of pranksters. “The Serpent’s Clutch” is a warning against greed. In “Mistaken Identity,” the lesson I come away with is to stay out of prison! And finally, we get “Fair Exchange,” which convinced me that I’m at peace with not being an astronaut. Lots of fun in this issue, and I recommend it. The cover price of Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #70 is 30¢, 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.

“What If?” I found a Cool Comic For Just a Quarter!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 178, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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. 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 178…

Cool Comics News!

I often talk about number one issues in our Contemporary Cool Comics section, because I like to let you know when a new series is out that you might be interested in. And this past week saw a couple new series start that I’m not including, but I’ll mention them here. Savage Sword of Conan #1, the second ongoing series from Marvel featuring the barbarian, became available February 13, along with Avengers: No Road Home #1, which will consist of 10 issues, coming out weekly. I liked both, but in Avengers: No Road Home #6 we are promised that Conan will be having some interaction with at least one contemporary Marvel hero, and that sounds like fun, so I’ll give you my impressions the week after it comes out. Happy reading, everyone!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics

#860 — The Flash #64, DC, April 2019.

Do you watch The Flash on the CW? I do, yet for some reason, I haven’t been reading the comic book version. I had to draw the line somewhere, yet for someone who enjoys the show, it probably does seem odd I haven’t been reading it. But maybe it’s because I get my Flash fix on the small screen. So why did I buy this issue? Because it’s part of a crossover with Batman, and I don’t like being in the dark. And for parts 2 and 4 of “The Price of Innocence,” a couple Flash issues are becoming…yes, I’m going to say it…Cool Comics In My Collection. You know what? Flash and Batman work well together. From the Batwing’s speed challenging Flash in a race to the Caribbean to Bruce and Barry admiring each other’s crime scene investigation skills, it’s a lovefest featuring the two greatest detectives as they attempt to thwart the bad guys. While I wasn’t reading new comics when they crossed paths earlier on in “The Button,” I did read the digital version, and perhaps we need to see more of them together in the future. The cover price of The Flash #64 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#861 — Oblivion Song #12, Image, Feb 2019.

Many of you have asked, “Are you still reading Oblivion Song?” And the answer is a resounding YES! Okay, truth be told, no one has asked me that, but now, after 12 issues, I thought I’d bring it up once again, since the last time we visited it was with the release of #1. Aside from a few ashcans, I rarely have Image comics in my episodes, because this is the only ongoing title of theirs that I buy. You’ll be seeing a few more crop up in the coming weeks or months via Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap, but for now, I’m here to tell you that I really enjoy the sci-fi adventure that Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici continue to bring us month after month. It’s fun, poignant, sad, and exuberant! The writing is tight and meaningful, and the illustrations transfer you to Oblivion in a believable way. If you want to try something different from the typical superhero stories (which make up the majority of what I read), you may want to give this series a try. The cover price of Oblivion Song #12 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#862 — Tempest #1, DC, Nov 1996.

A handful of episodes ago in Cool Comics News, I made mention of Back Issue magazine’s Aquaman special, which just so happened to cover this Tempest mini-series. Admittedly, I don’t have much of a background with Aquaman or Aqualad…or Tempest, if you will. I have nothing against DC’s heroes of the ocean deep, but when spending my cash, it hasn’t gone swimming much. But Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap isn’t about my decisions, instead it’s typically the result of the haphazard, mish-mash craziness of 417 random comic books jammed into a longbox I bought for just $20. Consisting of just four issues that came out late in 1996 until early 1997 (cover dates, that is), Phil Jimenez drew and wrote this titanic tale that gives you more details than you ever knew you wanted to know about a guy named Garth. The cover price of Tempest #1 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 41)

#863 — Worlds of Aspen, Aspen Comics, May 2018.

I admit I know next to nothing about Aspen Comics. From my perspective, their number one star is Fathom, who was born in the pages of Top Cow, an imprint of Image, back in 1998. I had the first three issues, which I picked up for about 50¢ each, but they are now long gone from my collection. Fathom’s creator, the late Michael Turner, was president of Aspen MLT, and while I notice the solicitations in Previews each month, I’ve never given them much of a look. But now I have one in my collection, thanks to Free Comic Book Day. This Worlds of Aspen freebie gives us a look at two new series, Dissension: War Eternal and Nu Way. Both were fairly entertaining introductions, but if I had to make a decision to read only one, I’d go with Dissension: War Eternal. If you have a chance to grab a handful of comics for absolutely nothing the first Saturday of May, perhaps you should step out of your comfort zone and explore companies and characters you’ve never experienced. The cover price of World of Aspen is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#864 — Mickey Mouse #233, Gladstone, December 1987.

I was excited to find this Gladstone Mickey Mouse comic in a quarter bin at my LCS a couple weeks ago, mostly because I wanted something a little newer for my Cool Comics Kids section (lately it’s been Seventies heavy…mostly because I found several dozen kids comics from that era in the same quarter bin). And wow, late Eighties! Still old stuff to many of you, but completely different to more “seasoned” collectors. So I open the cover when I pick this up to read it and immediately notice that the art looks old. I mean REALLY OLD. Turns out that during that period, Gladstone was reprinting old newspaper strip adventures, and this issue contains an ongoing story that ran from September 30 to November 15, 1935. The story, “The Pirate Submarine,” continues into the next issue (and no, I don’t have that one). The original story in the strip ran until January 4, 1936. The adventure was later captured in a Big Little Book in 1939. I love the old style of Mickey art and had a lot of fun exploring something from so long ago. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #233 is 95¢, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Classics

#865 — What If? #31, Marvel, February 1982.

Another quarter bin classic! That’s right, I snagged this awesome What If? for just 25 cents. Is the condition perfect? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s not terrible either, and it’s just a great copy for reading and enjoying. Nearly everyone who knows anything about Marvel Comics knows that there have been some epic Hulk vs. Wolverine battles over the years, and as a matter of fact, Wolverine’s first appearance came by way of The Incredible Hulk. What If? #31 takes us back to that exact moment, only this time around, Wolverine actually kills the Hulk! Heady stuff, I know (and if you don’t like or agree with the outcome, our Cool Comics Battle of the Week gives you the opportunity to pick your winner of this same fight!). And as amazing as this story is, the other one in this very same issue is “What If the Fantastic Four Had Never Been?” The ramifications of Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny not banning together to help save mankind from the forces of evil is catastrophic! If you like your comic books to tell you a complete story, What If? is a fun, alternative way to go. The cover price of What If #31 is $1, 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.

For the Love of Cool Comics!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 177, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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. 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 177…

Cool Comics News!

This episode we’re going to have a little fun with Valentine’s Day, so I hope you enjoy our “romantic” little themes for each Cool Comic!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Daredevil versus 007, James Bond! 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

#855 — Daredevil #1, Marvel, April 2019.

A couple episodes ago I was bemoaning the fact that Guardians of the Galaxy just started a new series, which is the fifth volume of the title (well, I really wasn’t upset, just pointing out how crazy it is that some popular titles keep stopping and starting all over again…does starting with number one issues really help pull in that many new readers?), and now here is Daredevil #1, volume…wait for it…6! Seems a little excessive, doesn’t it? At least the legacy numbering (#613) helps us track just how many issues we’ve seen through the years, but it kind of takes something away from it all. At least for me. Did Chip Zdarsky as writer and Marco Checchetto as artist really need to have that #1 slapped on the cover? I try to stay positive here at Cool Comics, but sometimes I just have to say what I have to say. And now that I’m done with all that, we’ll get to some fun. So why Daredevil on this Valentine’s Day episode? Because he wears red, of course! I really loved the writing, the story kept me turning page after page, the art is fantastic, and the ending…well, I’m not going to reveal it in case you haven’t red it yet, but something surprising happens. And we like surprises in our comics to keep us interested, don’t we? This issue is rated T+, so keep it away from the little ones. Aside from what made it T+, I’m interested to see what Zdarsky has planned for the next several issues. The cover price of Daredevil #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 40)

#856 — James Bond: Vargr, Dynamite, May 2018.

When I decided to do a Valentine’s Day theme for this episode, I knew I might have some difficulty with the Free Comic Book Day category. And being that it’s week 40, I don’t have many remaining to pick through. But when I saw this James Bond issue, I figured that would work, since Bond is famous for his numerous dalliances. Bingo, I’m all set. However, upon reading it, I discovered that James isn’t shown in any romantic encounters, which was fine with me. Dynamite published this one, and I really appreciate that there are several companies using licensed characters. If a fan base already exists, that’s half the battle, right? You just have to make sure that your product doesn’t stray from what makes—in this case—James Bond, well…James Bond. From my perspective, it seems like Dynamite is doing a good job. The cover price of James Bond: Vargr is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#857 — Little Archie #88, Archie, August 1974.

Continuing a Valentine’s Day theme into our Cool Comics Kids category also proved to take a little work, as I had to dig out the box containing all my old Archie Comics and search through my Little Archie collection to find something romantic, yet innocent enough to belong here. Though it’s not Valentine’s Day in Riverdale, you can’t help but notice the symbolic hearts floating on the cover as Archie is helping Veronica plant some seeds. And astute observers have already noticed the scowl on Betty’s face. As long as she’s tromping around with that garden tool, Veronica better be careful! But don’t worry, this isn’t part of the Archie Horror line of comics, so this issue is safe for the little readers in your life. The issue contains a number of shorts, which is perfect for the limited attention span many kids have. We begin with a fun Archie and Jughead tale in which a Rhino may or may not be loose at school. Next, we get a two-pager with Little Sabrina and Jughead, followed by a Betty story in which she has hearts flying around her head, but by the end, she wishes it was only hearts! Then there is a Little Jughead story, Li’l Jinx, and we conclude with Little Archie as the lead. In between, there are a few activity pages. These Little Archie comics are good fun for kids, and I’m sure you can find them at decent prices at your local comic shop. The cover price of Little Archie #88 is 25¢, while the current value is $18.

Cool Comics Classics

#858 — Love and Romance #1, Charlton, September 1971.

What would a Valentine’s Day theme be without some romance comics, right? If you thought you’d never see one here at Cool Comics, you’re right…sort of. Because I’m bringing you two! First up is Love and Romance #1, from Charlton. I honestly never thought I’d be buying a romance comic, and when I decided to run with the theme, I was very happy to find a number one issue for just $2 at my local comic shop. It’s not that I’m unfamiliar with romance (hey, I’m a married man and I’ve watched some Hallmark movies with my wife), but when it comes to comic books, I’m definitely more of a superhero kind of guy. We start off with a story called, “Please Darling,” in which a small town couple learns what happens when one of them wants to live in the big city while the other doesn’t. Yes, you guessed, heartbreak ensues and tears flow. Next up is “Marry Me Now, My Love.” This one teaches us that when dating in college, the romance sometimes needs to take a back seat, because the consequences aren’t always pretty. “Turnabout” is a one-pager that has the “don’t judge a book by its cover” theme. Sometimes father knows best, right? I mean, there was even a TV show by this name. And in “Do Your Thing,” dad knows a good guy when he sees one, even if it takes his daughter a little longer to come to that realization. In “Tonight, My Darling” we learn that sometimes it’s not wise to push too hard too early in a relationship. Finishing out the comic is an advice column called “Just Jeannette” for those who may want a little extra help. All in all, it was actually kind of a fun read. The cover price for Love and Romance #1 is 15¢, while the current value is $35.

#859 — Young Romance #143, DC, September 1966.

Young Romance is considered the first romance comic to be published. Prize Publications brought them to adoring fans for 124 issues, from 1947 until it was bought by DC in 1963. The company that brings you Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman then went on to romance readers for another 84 issues, so obviously there was a market for it. But perhaps the most interesting piece of trivia centers around the creators of Young Romance #1: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. That’s right, the same two guys who brought you Captain America and so many other heroes and villains also launched the roses and box of chocolate genre into the public eye. Much like the comic above, I was able to get a good deal on this one for just $2.50, so I wasn’t too worried if the stories weren’t very good, which was kind of my expectation. Yet again, the tales of love and misery filling these pages turned out to keep my full attention. “Save a Part of Your Heart – For Someone Else!” teaches us that sometimes when you see your significant other with someone else, it might only be his sister. “Betrayed” is a story of love so deep that even bankruptcy won’t keep this couple apart. And in “I Want Our Love to be Different!” a jealous ex-girlfriend tries to keep her former beau and his new girlfriend from tasting the love she couldn’t have. Also, there is a one-page column devoted to solving “Your Beauty Problems.” And I also have to mention that I always appreciate the ads in these old comics. The cover price of Young Romance #143 is 12¢, while the current value is $50.

Recently Read Digital Comics

We haven’t had a digital comic since Episode 170, so we’re overdue, and this fun comic with the same title as one from long ago fits our Valentine’s Day theme perfectly, with Madam Mask in her red uniform! Exciting Comics #1 was published in April 1940 by Better-Standard Publications (I know, the name isn’t familiar to most of us), and now Antarctic Press brings us a new #1 (it came out yesterday), sneaking in a tiny “70” underneath the 1, since the original run lasted for 69 issues. If it’s good enough for the competition and their “Legacy” numbering, why not, right? If you were fortunate enough to tell your local comic shop to pull it for you (it’s currently on back order and eBay prices are on the rise), you’re in for a treat, as the three stories are a lot of fun. First up is Black Jaq, written by Bradley Golden and John Crowther, with art by Carlos Tron. When a gang of toughs start charging protection money to small businesses, Black Jaq tries to protect them, but while fighting the leader, did she go too far? The next story is about the Crimson Scorpion, written by David Furr, with art by Salvatore Cuffari. This one feels like a cross between Indiana Jones and The Scorpion King, so you just know it’s packed with comic book fun. Last, we meet Madam Mask, written by David Doub, with pencils by Spike Jarrell. This story is action-packed from the beginning and doesn’t let up. By the end, things don’t look so good for her, but we’ll have to wait until April to see what happens next. For all of them. These three stories are all listed as Part 1 in the table of contents, and that’s really good, because after reading this, you’ll definitely want more! Just a word of caution that these stories are not for little ones. On the cover, the label says, “Antarctic Comics Are Cool,” and Cool Comics agrees!

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.

Would You Dare Journey Into Unknown Worlds?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 176, where we take a 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 of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are 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. 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 176…

Cool Comics News!

We awarded some Cool Comics prizes over at our Facebook group recently, with more coming in the future, so you may want to get onboard if you like getting free stuff (just click the link a few lines above to join). Wonder what we gave away? You can find out right here!

Free Comic Book Day is just 86 days away! If you’ve never attended this celebration before, find out if any comic book shops near you are participating, mark it on your calendar (two holidays in one: Star Wars Day: May the 4th Be With You and FCBD!), and go get yourself some free comics. It’s a great opportunity to try something new. And while you’re in the shop, maybe buy a new issue or two of something else that looks good to help out your friendly neighborhood retailer.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Azrael versus Wild Boy of the Congo! 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

#850 — Journey Into Unknown Worlds #1, Marvel, March 2019.

In 1939 Timely Publications launched Marvel Comics #1 (then it became known as Atlas Comics in the Fifties, then Marvel Comics in the Sixties…history lesson accomplished), and in celebration of 80 years of putting out comic books, Marvel is releasing several one-shot specials. Atom, author of the fantastic blog Longbox Junk, recently talked about one of the releases from a couple weeks ago, Crypt of Shadows. I wasn’t going to get any of these specials, but after reading some of his thoughts on it, I decided to give Journey Into Unknown Worlds a try, and I’m glad I did, as it’s good old-fashioned sci-fi blended with horror, and packed with plenty of fun. Be aware that it’s rated T+, so make sure you don’t give any kids nightmares by picking this up for them. The one-shot contains two stories: Bones of the Earth, written by Cullen Bunn (if his name sounds familiar, that’s because last episode I told you that he’s the writer on Blossom 666), with art by Guillermo Sanna; and Chrysalis, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with art by Francesco Manna. If you like compete tales, these 80th anniversary specials are something you should consider. The cover price of Journey Into Unknown Worlds #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#851 — Azrael #2, DC, March 1995.

If you thought Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap was gone for good, you’ll either be happy or sad to see that it’s back from its short hiatus while we showcased some Akron Comicon finds. Most of these have come from my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox of 417 comics, sight unseen, for $20 from my LCS, making each issue come out to just under a nickel each), although I’ve sprinkled in some quarter box finds on occasion. When I knew we’d be getting back to the longbox, I decided to shorten it up a bit and just talk about one of each title, since, for example, it contains a dozen issues of Sovereign Seven. Plus, I often have some great quarter box finds I’d like to include here in future episodes. This issue continues a story from issue 1 (which I owned at one time in my life, but it’s long gone) called Fallen Angel: 2, and is written by Dennis O’Neil, with pencils by Barry Kitson. My first encounter with the character came during the Knightfall storyline (and its follow-ups…Knightquest and KnightsEnd), when Jean-Paul Valley filled in for Batman while he was on the mend after suffering a broken back, courtesy of Bane. The character caught on for a while, but never seemed to have a big following. The cover price of Azrael #2 is $1.95, while the current value is $3.50.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 39)

#852 — The Metabaron, Humanoids, May 2018.

This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition of The Metabaron is Book 3: The Meta-Guardianess & The Techno-Baron. Yet never having read anything that came before, it presented a fascinating look at this world so different from our own. The series started in 1981, and according to Wikipedia concluded in 2003. Another source listed this FCBD edition as a spinoff, so maybe it’s new, and maybe it isn’t, but regardless, the publishing company, Humanoids, would be happy if it got you interested enough to want to read more. Just keep in mind that this comic book is Rated T, so it’s not meant for younger eyes. The issue is written by Alejandro Jodorowsky, and if that name sounds familiar, you just may be a Dune fan (if not, you can click his name and read all about him). The cover price of The Metabaron is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#853 — Uncle Scrooge #169, Gold Key/Whitman, October 1979.

While the organization ComicBooks For Kids! (see below) inspired me to start doing this Cool Comics Kids category, I enjoy writing it just as much as any other part of the weekly episodes. Reading kids comic books takes me back to a much simpler time. There were no bills to pay, no work to worry over, I had great friends, and my parents provided a good homelife. And most of all I remember reading comic books, loaning them to friends, and talking about them as if they mattered. And you know what? They do! Whether you’re a sports junkie, a fan of afternoon soap operas, hooked on music, or dedicated to a steady regimen of exercise, we typically find enjoyable ways to occupy our time when we aren’t working or doing other chores. And as a kid, we tend to have more free time; hence, the memories are special. And that’s why I enjoyed reading this issue of Uncle Scrooge that I got from my local comic shop for just a quarter. The memories it invoked were priceless. Plus, the three stories in this issue were fun (especially the first one, which involves time travel). What’s not to love? If you want to build a library of comics for younger readers, this is a good one to add. The cover price of Uncle Scrooge #169 is 40¢, while the current value is $28.

Cool Comics Classics

#854 — Wild Boy of the Congo #9, St. John Publishing Company, October 1953.

I’d never heard of Wild Boy of the Congo when I snagged this beauty that dates clear back to the Fifties for just one measly dollar, and if you think you’ve seen this kind of story before, you’re right, it reminds one of both Tarzan and Ka-Zar. Still, the stories were interesting, and it gives you a look at comics from a much earlier period. This issue contains the following: The Jaws of Death, Killer Leopard, The Big Hunt (this one features a character named Joe Barton), a strange little section called Jungle Tales: Monkey Business, a two page prose story titled “The Witch Doctor’s Secret,” a one page comic called Cobra: Terror of the Jungle; and Wild Boy and The Oracle of Ikwani. I got a lot for my dollar, plus some nifty Fifties ads. The stories, like so many from that era, are text heavy, and Jungle Boy, though young, is wise beyond his years, often surprising the adults around him with his problem-solving skills (I’m sure the young readers back then appreciated that). My copy was apparently displayed somewhere by a previous owner, as there are tiny holes at the top and bottom, with round indentions from what must have been tacks. I don’t mind, because it was cool adding this one to my collection for such a good price. The cover price of Wild Boy of the Congo #9 is 10¢, while the current value is $175.

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.