Ed Gosney's Blog, page 30

What to Read While Waiting For SHAZAM!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 166, 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 .

  If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 166…

Cool Comics News!

As we head towards the last month of 2018, I thought I’d give you an update on my comic book reading goal for the year. If you recall, I decided to see if I could read an average of 100 comic books per month. And how am I doing? I’m glad to report that I’m over the 1,100 mark! Hitting 1,200 for the year now seems like a breeze. Yet I won’t be doing the same next in 2019, as my magazine and book piles grew a little out of control, but it really has been fun.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is SHAZAM! versus Daredevil! 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

#795 — Hardcore #1 Ashcan, Image, October 2019.

When my local comic shop hands me ashcan editions from Image Comics, I’m never sure if I’ll like the story or not. These limited series are typically very different from superhero comic books, sometimes whetting my appetite, sometimes not so much. Hardcore is rated M for Mature, but aside from some violence, that seemed to be the only reason…at least for this issue. The story is about a company that has the technical ability to implant a gizmo (that’s my technical term) into a host, then have a specialist, through use of some gadgets (more of my jargon speak), see through the hosts eyes, and control him or her for a limited period of time, thus enabling said company to assassinate others. The concept made me think of my own short story, “Mindhopper,” which is available in Collateral Damage: A Superhero Anthology, via Amazon and other online retailers (shameless plug! What’s wrong with me?). If you like this sort of sci-fi comic book experience, you may want to check out the ongoing series, which launches December 19. And on a last note, the concept for this story is by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. The cover price of Hardcore #1 Ashcan is free, while the current value is $1.

#796 — SHAZAM! Volume 1, DC, October 2013.

If you’re planning on buying SHAZAM! #1 next Wednesday, and you haven’t read Justice League #7-11, #0, #14-16 and #18-21 during the New 52 era of the DC Universe, there’s still time, because the SHAZAM! stories that were included in those issues are available in this collected edition. Whether you get it in hardcover (the edition I have), trade paperback, or digital format, this acts as a lead-in to the new ongoing series, and it’s fun, so I strongly advise reading it. Obviously the digital edition, via comiXology or Amazon, is easily obtainable if you can’t find paper editions fast enough to satisfy your reading habits. If you remember the character back in the days when he was named Captain Marvel, expect a few differences, but don’t let the differences keep you from reading it. The hardcover price of SHAZAM! Volume 1 is $24.99, while the current value is $25.

#797 — Cosa Nostra #1, Dirk Manning LLC and Dan Dougherty, February 2018.

When you buy indie comic books, it’s sort of like a box of chocolates, as Forrest Gump would say (and if you haven’t ever watched the movie, stop whatever you’re doing, watch it, then you can come back and finish reading…seriously, I love the movie that much). And when I decided to buy Cosa Nostra from Dirk Manning at Akron Comicon 2018, I reached in the proverbial box and pulled out a nice, tasty piece of candy. The art is black and white but highlighted by reds in a few places and also blue outlines of a particular character (which you can see on the cover). The art is very satisfying, and the story is more than intriguing, with great writing. Dirk Manning is very personable, so if you ever see him at a comic con, I suggest paying him a visit. According to his website there’s going to be a Kickstarter in March for the trade edition of Cosa Nostra, and I don’t want to miss out on this, so I signed up for his newsletter. The cover price of Cosa Nostra #1 is…well, there isn’t a cover price. I believe I paid $5 at Akron Comicon for this, which was well-worth it, as he signed it also.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 29)

#798 — Graphix Spotlight 2018, Graphix (an imprint of Scholastic), May 2018.

Free Comic Book Day continues to surprise me and enrich my comic book reading experience. If not for this week’s issue of Graphix Spotlight 2018 (featuring a story about Sparks!), I wouldn’t have found out that Scholastic has comic books through an imprint called Graphix. Click on the name and check out their website, because they have all kinds of kid-friendly titles. This is a great way to introduce young readers to the world of comic books. And while this particular comic is geared for a different generation of readers, I had a good time reading it. Some of their trades might make perfect gifts for the kids in your life. The cover price of Graphix Spotlight 2018 is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#799 — Mickey Mouse #151, Gold Key, September 1974.

Last week we had some Donald Duck goodness (at least on the cover) for our Cool Comics Kids selection, and this week we are staying with Disney and giving you the “King” himself, Mickey Mouse, the veritable spokesperson of The Magic Kingdom. I remember when I was a kid and I had a toy that was something like a puzzle set that had Mickey and friends in it. I can’t remember too many details about it, although I think the board was a light blue. But I do remember the excited feeling I got when I opened it the first time, and every time thereafter. I have no idea what it was called, or even what happened to it, but I loved it for a short time in my life. So when I saw this Mickey Mouse comic in a discount bin, it brought back those childhood feelings, and seriously, for just 25 cents (my store has the best discount boxes), I had to have it. The stories are entertaining if you pretend you are a kid again, and it isn’t that hard to pretend when you see the ads and your mind travels decades into the past. Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, Mickey Mouse comics never disappoint. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #151 is 25¢, while the current value is $18.

Cool Comics Classics

#800 — Daredevil #34, Marvel, November 1967.

As much as I like to keep my comic collection in nice condition, I love buying affordable low-grade books. If you have the cash for mint condition prices, great for you, and great for the comic shops where you spend your money. But I read a lot of comic books and adding classics like this one to my collection for just $4 (the current price of most new comic books) makes me feel like a winner! As long-time readers of Cool Comics know, the Seventies is my favorite era of comics, because that’s when I started buying them. But Sixties Marvel books is like owning a piece of history, since that’s when most of their iconic characters were created. This beauty features the pencils of Gene Colan and was written by Stan Lee. After Stan’s passing, I flipped through my filing cabinet of unread future Cool Comics Classics and decided this would be a fitting tribute to his memory. Stan wrote with a certain style, and it really shows in this issue (you definitely won’t think you were reading an issue written by, for example, Frank Miller). The cover price of Daredevil #34 is 12¢, while the current value is $95.

Recently Read Digital Comics

This week I ventured into the world of Miles Morales, that other guy also called Spider-Man. I didn’t know much about this character who originated from the Ultimate Marvel line, and I can’t say that I know much more after reading Spider-Men #1 and Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #1. But they made me curious to know more. I read a few issues of the new Champions comics when it crossed over with Avengers a while back, and if memory serves, he was in those comics. But team-ups usually don’t lend themselves to telling you much about any particular characters, so I came into these two digital titles without much knowledge. By the way, I always enjoy telling you when I get free comics from comiXology, and that’s just what happened. So why my sudden interest in Miles Morales? One, have you seen the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? Click the title and watch it, then come on back to Cool Comics. Well, doesn’t it look like a lot of fun? Oh, and the second reason is that on December 12, Miles Morales Spider-Man #1 hits comic shops near you. I don’t have it on my pull list, but I’ll probably grab a copy off the shelf and give it a try. Also, I’m considering reading more Miles Morales stories from the past via comiXology, if the price is right.

ComicBooks For Kids!

ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the Unites States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The X-Men Are Uncanny Again and The Avengers Celebrate 700 Issues!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 165, 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 .

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 165…

Cool Comics News!

Happy Thanksgiving, comic book fans! My wish is that all of you have a safe, wonderful time with family and friends. Watch some parades, cheer on your football teams, eat some delicious food, then settle in for the evening by reading comic books, of course (I’m guessing that applies to most people who read Cool Comics). At this time of year, people are often asked what they are thankful for, and you are welcome to tell us in the comments section below just what you are thankful for. Best wishes everyone. Just make sure to save a slice of pumpkin pie for me!

How cool is this? Make Comic Book Collecting Fun Again (they have a Facebook page and a website) is working in conjunction with ComicBooks For Kids! to get special coloring books to kids in hospitals across the country! Some awesome artists donated their time and creativity to this worthwhile cause, and you can help out, too. For every coloring book you purchase, two will be sent to hospitalized children. Click here to check it out and be sure to scroll down to the Variant C cover (yes, like comic books, there are several fun variant covers) where you’ll find the art of the Cool Comics logo, as drawn by Daniel Gorman!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Avengers versus Uncanny X-Men! 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

#789 — Avengers #10 (Legacy #700), Marvel, January 2019.

Throughout my comic book reading and collecting years, the Avengers have been a mixed bag. Sometimes the stories are fantastic, and sometimes I’ve decided I could do without reading them anymore. I’m not the biggest fan of renumbering a series just because a comic book brings a new creative team onboard (of course, it all means more money/more sales/more dollars, but I don’t have to like it, and you’ll notice that via the Legacy numbering, this is issue 700, which is a little weird to celebrate when you do things this way), but since Avengers started over with a new number 1 issue this year, I’ve enjoyed the direction the stories have taken and really like the team. The villains, along with a different super team, make this a very entertaining anniversary issue. And now it looks like they’ll be adding someone else to the team, along with an additional character entering the fray. The future looks bright for fans of the Avengers! So who are these two people? Well, that would be cheating. I guess you’ll have to read it yourself, so get thee to your local comic shop! The cover price of Avengers #10 (700th issue) is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#790 — Uncanny X-Men #1, Marvel, January 2019.

Back in 1973 when I started buying comic books, I never gave The X-Men a glance. I’m not sure why, but I had no interest in the team of merry mutants. Sure, I knew about some of the characters from crossovers, team-ups, and Origins of Marvel Comics editions, yet I never laid down a quarter for just an X-Men comic. But in 1982, when I was in college, I started buying and reading comic books after being away for a few years, and I got to experience the X-Men firsthand, which had been renamed The Uncanny X-Men. And I enjoyed them! Yet once more, I quit collecting, but when I started up again in the Nineties, I bought lots and lots of comic books with Marvel Mutants. So when I came back to the hobby yet again in the summer of 2017, it surprised me that there was no Uncanny X-Men title (Volume 4 ended a couple months earlier, it turns out). Sure, there were X-Men comics, but none that were uncanny. This title means a lot to longtime readers, and I’m sure there are many people who are happy it’s here once more. The only downside is that the first ten issues are weekly. Yikes. Maybe that’s too “Uncanny.” But if this first issue is any indication, once a week may not be often enough! The cover price of Uncanny X-Men #1 is $7.99, while the current value is $8.

#791 — American Knight #1, Mask and Cape Comics, November 2017.

American Knight is another great comic purchase I made at Akron Comicon earlier this month. The writer (Jason Fitch) and artist (Rick Lozano) were both on hand, so my copy has their signatures on the cover. Another cool thing is that this particular cover is an Akron Comicon exclusive, and inside mine states that it’s #26 out of 35. That’s pretty rare! And even though this is a new character and may not be widely known like many of the heroes I talk about here at Cool Comics, I’ve really come to appreciate small publishers and independent creators. These people have to work so much harder, and often their work is just as good as the big companies. I was excited to find out they are working on issue #2, and even more excited after reading the comic, because the ending leaves us wanting more! The cover price of American Knight #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 28)

#792 — Bongo Comics: Free-For-All 2018, Bongo Comics, May 2018.

If you’ve ever read any Simpson’s comics, you know they are fun and tie-in well with the cartoon. When Bongo Comics first started, I bought one copy of each title, but alas, I no longer have them in my collection. So when I saw this issue in my pile of Free Comic Book Day goodies, it brought a smile to my face. This issue is an anthology with five different standalone stories that will keep you entertained. I love the multi-issue stories that dominate the spandex wearing heroes’ titles, but sometimes it’s just fun to grab something like this and read a few short stories that make you laugh. The cover price of Bongo Comics: Free-For-All 2018 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#793 — Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #292, Gold Key, January 1965.

What would Thanksgiving be without a great Thanksgiving comic book? Well friends, I was sure I had one for you when I purchased this golden oldie a few weeks back. Look at that beautiful cover! It’s suitable for framing and hanging in your living room each time November rolls around. I’ve come to appreciate Donald’s nephews in these old Disney classics, so I was anticipating a few laughs when I got to the story with them running from the big turkey…but as it turned out, there was no big turkey. And no Thanksgiving story. The tales included were okay, but I was a little disappointed that it didn’t contain the content I wanted. Still, even though I misjudged this book by its cover, the cover alone was worth the $4 I paid for it. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #292 is 12¢, while the current value is $50.

Cool Comics Classics

#794 — Batman #328, DC, October 1980.

Even though Batman was the first superhero I became aware of, due to the campy TV series in the Sixties (I was very young, and it was an awesome time to be alive!), I’ve never cared that much for his comics. I know that’s considered fighting words to many people, but most of the time I could have done without them. Yet I’ve come to appreciate Batman over the last year. I read some of his classic stories in digital format, I got my hands on some of the Rebirth issues, and I’ve been buying Detective Comics and Batman every time new issues come out. I guess “I’ve grown accustomed to his cowl” (which will be a hit song once I complete my off, off, off-Broadway musical sensation, My Fair Superhero!). I’m also a fan of Alfred, too, as I’ve read enough now to really appreciate Batman’s butler. So Batman is back on my radar, and now I like to dig up some old issues, like this one, when I can find them at affordable prices (and I was able to get about a dozen for a quarter each at my local comic shop yesterday!). The cover price of Batman #328 is 50¢, while the current value is $15.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Though the Disney comic failed to provide the Thanksgiving tale I was looking forward to, PEP Digital #185: Archie & Friends Thanksgiving Feast contains 62 pages of Thanksgiving shenanigans Riverdale style that more than made up for it. Most of the stories are just a few pages in length, but each one will put you in the mood to munch on a turkey leg and reach for a second helping of pumpkin pie (just be careful how much whip cream you spray onto those slices!). And the price is certainly right at just $1.99, with the option to purchase it via comiXology or on Amazon. While Riverdale has recently been overrun by zombies, werewolves, and vampires (not to mention the coven of witches next door in Greendale), it was really refreshing to read this mix of stories throughout Archie history, the kinds of stories so many of us grew up reading. If you like Archie, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Another digital comic I recently read is Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #148. This is currently free on comiXology, and you can’t go wrong with free, especially when you consider the lineup of creators for this one. Neal Adams did the cover, while the first story is written and penciled by Jack Kirby, with inks by Vince Colletta. The second story in this digital comic was written and inked by Joe Simon and penciled by Jack Kirby. When you can get a free comic, in any form, produced by such legends as these, don’t let it slip from your fingers (or tablet…or cell phone…however you prefer reading digital comics). The current value of this issue is listed at $45, so download this one soon, in case the free offer disappears.

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.

Green Lantern, Suicide Squad, and Saying Goodbye to Stan “The Man”

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 164, 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 .

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 164…

Cool Comics News!

Stan Lee. Just the mention of his name makes us smile, doesn’t it? And that’s why so many people are pouring out heartfelt grief all over social media and television due to the loss of this iconic giant of the comic book industry. Many of you have met him, shook his hand, or perhaps shared a conversation with The Man. We loved his writing, his enthusiasm, and his Marvel movie cameos. Stan was larger than life in so many ways. It seems like he’s always been present in our lives, entertaining us from the time we were young until the time we were a bit older, yet still, like Stan, young at heart. There’s really nothing more I can say that hasn’t already been said about this man who changed the way we look at comic books. But now, when I pick up my copy of Origins of Marvel Comics and read the essays Stan wrote about these marvelous creations, it won’t surprise me if I start to tear up a bit.  Our lives are so much richer because of him, aren’t they?

Last week I finished reading a book on my Kindle called Superheroes: The Best of Philosophy and Pop Culture. Though a tagline on the Amazon page (click the name of the book, or the cover image, and it will take you there) states that it’s free, that’s no longer applicable (I did happen to get it when it was free), although I feel it’s worth the 99¢ now being charged. But this book won’t be for everyone. Just because you enjoy reading comic books doesn’t mean you’ll like this book, because I’m sure some of you “Kant” even. Okay, stop groaning already…you knew I was going to do that, didn’t you? With Chapters like “Captain America and the Virtue of Modesty,” and “Why Doesn’t Batman Kill the Joker?” you’ll be taken down philosophical trails that may not have previously crossed your mind. Click the link, click on the book cover on Amazon, and check out the table of contents, and maybe you’ll decide this is for you. There’s even a chapter on Rorschach from The Watchmen, if you’re a fan of that classic.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Katana versus Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu! 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

#783 — The Green Lantern #1, DC, January 2019.

When I was a kid and collecting comic books (in the ancient era of the Seventies), number one issues didn’t pop up all that often…or at least compared to today. The Green Lantern #1 came out last week, and we readers were told that Grant Morrison (the writer…you quite possibly are very familiar with him; Liam Sharp is doing pencils) is not recreating the emerald ring-bearer, but rather fashioning Hal Jordan into Earth’s space cop. Let’s see, we’ll start over with Crisis, then reshuffle the deck with the New 52 “pickup” (I’ve had a lot of coffee today, in case you’re wondering), and then change everything all over again with Rebirth. So was a new title really necessary? The Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps title just before this would still work, wouldn’t it? Especially considering the amount of other Green Lanterns who appeared in this issue. But we all know that the number on the cover does make a difference, regardless of what may have been done in the past. I haven’t been reading Green Lantern comics for a long time, and while this issue started a little slow for me (mostly because I’m behind the eight ball), I see some good storytelling potential. And for those who love hints, clues, foreshadowing, etc., yes, you heard the rumors correctly, as there does appear to be a Dr. Manhattan symbol within these pages. By the way, this issue is rated T+ (Teen Plus), so it’s not meant for younger readers. The cover price of The Green Lantern #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#784 — Suicide Squad Black Files #1, DC, January 2019.

After a year-and-a-half, DC has finally published the first issue of this six-issue mini-series. A controversy brewed after the writer of the second story in this issue (there are two stories running in this series, the first written by Mike W. Barr, with art by Philippe Briones, and the second written by Jai Nitz, with pencils by Scot Eaton) decided to put in a new character who would be called Doctor Endless, with ties to Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Universe. Only Gaiman still owns the rights to said universe, and as many comic readers know, there are once more Sandman comics being published. As a result, there was a long delay. But that couldn’t hold back the Suicide Squad, and the first book is out. If you like magic (and think it’s cool that Aladdin…yes, that Aladdin, is in the story), don’t miss out. Yet better is the fact that with this series, we’ll be getting six issues of story from legendary weaver of words Mike W. Barr in a tale featuring his creation, Katana. And like the Cool Comic above, this one is also rated T+, so you’ll want to keep it out of the hands of youngsters. The cover price of Suicide Squad Black Files #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#785 — The Viking Queen, One-Shot, Source Point Press, 2018.

If you take a look back at our last episode of Cool Comics In My Collection, you’ll find a picture of writer Paul Storrie signing the cover of this comic at Akron Comicon, which makes it really cool! The Viking Queen one-shot was published by Source Point Press, a smaller company who saw its debut in Previews (THE catalog of comic books…in case you aren’t familiar with Previews, you can pick up an issue at your local comic shop, browse through it, and work with the store to make sure they order the comics you’d like to purchase) back in February. I enjoyed this Conanesque tale (look at that, I used this word two episodes in a row!) and it was a real pleasure to chat for a short time with Paul, who has been around the business for a couple decades and has written comic books in worlds including Star Trek, The Green Hornet, Dungeons and Dragons, Justice League, and Captain America (to see what else Paul has written, click on his name above to go to his website, then look at his bibliography page). Paul also told me to be sure to visit the Source Point Press booth at Akron Comicon, and I’m glad I did. By the way, Viking violence abounds here, so you may want to keep it away from younger eyes. The cover price of The Viking Queen is $4.99 (unfortunately, no comics from Source Point Press are currently listed via ComicBookRealm).

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 27)

#786 — Drawn & Quarterly Presents 2018, Drawn and Quarterly, May 2018.

This week for our Free Comic Book Day selection, we have the 2018 copy of Drawn & Quarterly Presents, which features part of the much longer story of the historical fiction comic book Berlin, by Jason Lutes. While this black and white tale that takes place in post-World War I Germany with Nazism on the rise may bring Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus to mind, it deserves recognition in its own right. Far from the spandex wearing crowd of superheroes who soar above the clouds, this story attempts to show us the lives of people affected during these dark days. There is an interview with Lutes at the end of this comic that is worth taking the time to read, and while I’m unsure if I’ll ever read the entire story (nearly 600 pages), those who seek to learn more about this period of history should at least give it a look. The cover price of Drawn & Quarterly Presents 2018 is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#787 — Tom and Jerry #283, Gold Key, June 1974.

The child trapped inside of me is quite happy about my recent decision to add this Cool Comics Kids section to the blog! And while many of the comics I’ll be talking about here may be more familiar to people my age, don’t forget that you can always search in back issue boxes at your local comic shop (I was able to find this issue in a quarter box, meaning every comic book contained in it was just 25 cents apiece), then introduce these fun, innocent adventures to any of the youngins in your life. And maybe the kids will consider you as much a hero as Superman is! Because seriously, no one should go through life without knowing who Tom and Jerry are. Granted, the cartoons are better, but when we can get young people hooked on reading, it’s a win for everyone. Part of the beauty of comics like this is that they typically contain several complete stories, which is perfect for younger readers. This issue contains four adventures of your favorite cat and mouse team. The cover price of Tom and Jerry #283 is 20¢, while the current value is $14.

Cool Comics Classics

#788 — Master of Kung Fu #54, Marvel, July 1977.

I currently store all my upcoming Cool Comics Classics issues in an old filing cabinet I got at an estate sale for just $10, so when I was flipping through to make a selection for this week (my aim was to find a Marvel issue since I didn’t have one already earmarked for the blog…I don’t always have an entry from both of the Big2, but I often make the attempt), I decided it was time for another Master of Kung Fu. I’ve gotten a number of issues of the title recently, so I decided to spread them out a bit and give you one for this episode. I pulled out #53, started reading it, then discovered that it was a reprint of an earlier issue. Granted, Master of Kung Fu is always cool, but I felt an original issue would be worthier of being selected as a CCC, so after I finished reading it, I went straight to this one, number 54. Believe me, it’s always a pleasure to read two issues in a row of this fun series featuring Shang-Chi, and in this issue, we get to see Robin Hood and Attila the Hun. Sort of. If you dig the Master of Kung Fu, check this one out. The cover price of Master of Kung Fu #54 is 30¢, while the current value is $6.

Recently Read Digital Comics

This is the second Epic Collection I’ve read (both digital reads, as they were extremely affordable at just 99 cents when I bought them during a sale on Amazon/comiXology), and I have to say it was really cool to be able to get the entire story in one volume. The Avengers Epic Collection: The Avengers/Defenders War crossed back and forth between the two titles, but Marvel was smart in putting these in one volume so that readers would get the entire story. After it ended, the story continued with the Avengers and we even got an issue each of Captain Marvel (the original series) and the Fantastic Four. In case you are interested, this Epic is packed with over 400 pages, and collects Avengers (1963) #115-128, Giant-Size (1974) #1, Defenders (1972) #8-11, Captain Marvel (1968) #33, and Fantastic Four (1961) #150. It was worth every penny and isn’t crowding my bookshelf. While I still enjoy and appreciate reading on paper, I love the convenience of reading on my tablet, and being able to afford so many of these classic comics is a plus.

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.

 

Lots of Cool Comics plus Akron Comicon 2018!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 163, 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 .

  If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 163…

Cool Comics News!
Beta Ray Bill drawing by Dan Gorman on the blank variant cover of Thors #1, which I purchased from the artist at Akron Comicon.

In the spirit of comic book fun and memories, along with the inspiration and compassion of ComicBooks For Kids! (a charitable organization we support), Cool Comics In My Collection is adding a new section named, most appropriately, Cool Comics Kids, and will appear in most upcoming episodes, starting today. We hope you enjoy these more lighthearted and family friendly editions to the blog.

Free! Did I get your attention? Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so you have a chance to win in my upcoming Audible Code drawing. The only way to enter is by signing up.

And don’t miss my Photo Gallery from Akron Comicon this past weekend, following all this other comic book stuff! Many of the comics I bought at the con will be featured here in the weeks to come.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Booster Gold versus Dick Tracy! 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

#777 — Justice League 3000 #12, DC, February 2015.

If you like your comic books with some “comic” in them, then this one fits the bill, as Blue Beetle and Booster Gold find themselves in the year 3000, and the future isn’t so bright. I got this comic in a Five Below store, where they sometimes have packaged comics at a discount. I believe this one was in a four pack for $4. Not bad at a dollar apiece, especially when you add all the cover prices. And since I wasn’t collecting comics during The New 52 period, it’s always fun for me to read some of these to see what they were doing with the DC Universe. This is the second issue of Justice League 3000 I’ve gotten in a discount pack, and I’ve liked both of these visions of a dark DC future. The run was short, just 15 issues, and while I’m not actively searching for the other 13, if I find any of them in a discount box, I’ll probably get them. The cover price of Justice League 3000 #12 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

#778 — Weirdworld #1, Marvel, August 2015.

I’m coming right back at you with another Five Below purchase, this time from a Marvel 4 pack for just $4. When I saw this title, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it sat on my shelf for a while, until I read some recent Weapon H issues in which he and some friends happen to be in Weirdworld. So I figured this was the origin of Weirdworld, being that it’s a number one issue. Wrong. After a quick search on the Internet I found out that Weirdworld has been around since 1977. And even though I was buying some comic books at that time, none of them contained this…place. As you can see from the cover, this comic came out during the recent Secret Wars storyline that ran through much of Marvel (I wasn’t buying comics during this time, so yes, another reason why this is all new to me). The story was a little Conanesque (I’ve never heard of this term before, but after writing it down, found some usage of it on the Internet…sad to say I’m not the originator), and the art, by Mike Del Mundo, who is currently penciling Thor, isn’t my favorite style, but it works for Weirdworld. The cover price of Weirdworld #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#779 — Hawk and Dove #1, DC, November 1997.

Though I’ve known about Hawk and Dove for decades, they are like new characters to me, since I’ve read only one of their comics before this issue. Maybe they’ve had some appearances in other titles I’ve read, but I can’t recall (after you read a few thousand comics, sometimes it’s hard to remember them all, believe it or not!). And that’s what makes my legendary longbox (419 comic books jammed into a longbox that I bought for $20, sight unseen) so much fun. I get to experience characters and stories I wouldn’t ordinarily read. This is a short series and the cover tells us it’s Part One of Five. Guess what? My long box had four of the five issues! I’m still up in the air if I’m going to retain this one or put it in my garage sale bag of comics, but I’m happy I get to read more, since this was a fun story. The cover price of Hawk and Dove #1 is $2.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 26)

#780 — The Only Living Boy #12, Papercutz, May 2018.

Once again, Free Comic Book Day allowed me the opportunity to read something fun and different that I was completely unfamiliar with. The Only Living Boy has come out in a couple hardcover and trade editions, but from what I can tell, this is the only “single-issue” comic edition, which is listed as #12, continuing the story. On the inside cover, we are given a “What You Missed…” in order to get a little background. This is exactly what new readers needed, and Papercutz provided it. It’s an adventure story that appeals to all ages (although there is some violence, and a few samples of other comic books in their stable are in the back, so you may want to keep it from younger eyes), and I wouldn’t mind reading more in this world. The only thing I didn’t like about this comic book is the size. It’s three quarters of an inch taller than standard comics, and therefore doesn’t store as well. But don’t let that keep you from reading it if you find a copy. The cover price of The Only Living Boy #12 is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#781 — Looney Tunes #1, Gold Key, April 1975.

Although people are first introduced to comic books at various ages, many of us got our start when we were kids. It’s a hobby that appeals to many people for many different reasons, and although I’ve had lots of comic books listed as Cool Comics over the years that are geared towards a younger audience, now these books have earned their own special heading. A few weeks ago I was digging around in quarter boxes at Kenmore Komics & Games and ended up buying a big stack of titles that perfectly fit this category. Why? Because sometimes we like to relive our childhood, and sometimes we just like to branch out with our reading. So they sat in a box for a while, untouched. Then I found out about ComicBooks For Kids! and decided it was high time to install this category into Cool Comics. I picked Looney Tunes #1 for the first issue to feature here because Bugs and friends were a big part of my childhood. And who doesn’t like these characters? For those who want complete stories in one sitting, this fits the bill. There are five stories with a variety of characters, whisking you away to those Saturday mornings so long ago. The cover price of Looney Tunes #1 is 25¢, while the current value is $45.

Cool Comics Classics

#782 — Dick Tracy #139, Harvey, April 1960.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was read the Sunday Funnies section. While Dick Tracy wasn’t much on my radar, I’d give it a read most of the time…after I’d finished with Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Peanuts, Hagar the Horrible…well, you get the picture. And when the Dick Tracy movie starring Warren Beatty came out, I was more interested in the action figures. Yet as I watch the calendar continue to march forward on this journey of life, I’ve come to better appreciate things of the past in a different way. And especially so with Dick Tracy, now that I’ve read my first comic book featuring the “World’s Most Famous Detective.” Though this issue came out over a decade after my father had quit getting comic books when he was young, I can’t help but think of him when I’m reading older characters. And it adds a certain joy to the experience. My father passed away in 2001, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. I believe he would have enjoyed reading this Cool Comics Classic just as much as I did. The cover price of Dick Tracy #139 is 10¢, while the current value is $95.

ComicBooks For Kids!

ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the Unites States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Akron Comicon Highlights!

On Saturday, November 3, I attended the 2018 Akron Comicon and once again had a terrific time, meeting and talking with a variety of creators and vendors. Below are some pictures from the event, and in the coming weeks, I’ll feature some of the comics I purchased there as part of my Cool Comics Collection, along with a note that I got them at the con. This year I focused mostly on small press and Indie comics and had a lot of fun talking to everyone!

Isn’t this a “Cool” welcome banner?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allen Bellman, comic book legend! I bought his book Timely Confidential and look forward to reading it.

 

 

 

 

 

Love comics AND the Beatles? Then this Beatlemania booth was made for you!

 

 

 

Writer Brett R. Pinson signs my copy of Boomtown Scabs #4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How awesome was Akron Comicon? Some attendees traveled a long, long way!

 

 

 

 

 

Author Chris Lambert signs a copy of his book The Best of Comic Spot for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Yambar proudly points out his signature in Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Boldman holding a Jughead sketch I bought from him with the Riverdale version and the original comic style.

 

 

 

 

 

Author and comic book writer Dirk Manning signing for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The newest Happy Holidays edition signed by writer and artist George Broderick Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

Writer Jason Fitch and artist Rick Lozano holding the copy of American Knight they both signed for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Tap Dance Killer writer Ted Sikora with Josy Jones, who looks just like the character!

 

 

 

 

 

Marc Sumerak signs “Franklin Richards A Fantastic Year” for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Paul D. Storrie signs The Viking Queen. Look for this title in Cool Comics next week!

 

 

 

 

 

Want to learn more about comic books? Watch the DVDs of Super Hero 101 parts one and two, from Pixler Perfect Products (with cover art by Dan Gorman).

 

 

A signed copy of Day 165 from writer Tony Wright.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Trek fans had an opportunity to sign up to be part of the USS LAGRANGE, a club that dates back to 1982!

 

 

 

 

 

A view from above just after finishing my lunch. What an awesome day!

Cryptozoologists Rejoice! Hawkman Reveals the Secret of the Yeti!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 162, 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 .

  If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 162…

Cool Comics News!

Last week I released Episode 161 a day early, on Wednesday instead of Thursday. You probably didn’t even notice, unless you’re a subscriber. See, once each episode goes live, subscribers get email notification with a little tidbit from me and a link directly to the blog. One day early isn’t a big deal, but, as I’ve said before, there are advantages to joining my newsletter, so I hope you’ll take the time to sign up if you haven’t already (and then you can enter my upcoming Audible code contest!).

If you’ve picked up any of Marvel’s new What If? titles, I strongly recommend the one with Thor as a Frost Giant, which came out last week. So far, I’ve read 5 of the 6 (I just bought the last one yesterday), and this had to be my favorite. To be honest, some of them didn’t do much for me, but sometimes that’s the way it goes.

And one more thing I want to bring to your attention. Dan Gorman, the phenomenal artist who did my Cool Comics logo, was recently featured in a news story about his recent number 3 world ranking as a sketch card artist. How cool is that? You can find the story and video here.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Moon Knight 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

#772 — Avengers Halloween Special #1, Marvel, December 2018.

More often than not, when a new comic becomes a “Cool Comic” and is included here in the blog, I made the purchase of it at my favorite comic shop the previous week. But sometimes, due to holidays, something happening in upcoming issues of a comic, or just because, I include one from the current week, which doesn’t give me much time since new comics come out on Wednesdays and new episodes drop on Thursdays. Such is the case with Avengers Halloween Special #1. I think it was a smart move for Marvel to wait until Halloween to have this one hit the stores. This special contains five short and spooky stories that feature Daredevil, the Fantastic Four with Doctor Doom, some Avengers with a Captain America who’s not so friendly, a Punisher style story set in a different century, and a couple little trick-or-treaters who find themselves in a haunted X-Mansion. I enjoyed the last two the most (especially the last one, since it takes place on Halloween), but was sorry to discover that the fantastic cover (by Geoff Shaw & Rain Beredo) turned out to be just a cover. I was looking forward to a scary Halloween story about these kids dressed up like their favorite heroes and came up empty. Still, the cover is so cool this comic would make a great Halloween display on your wall, don’t you agree? Hopefully there will be an issue #2 in October 2019. The cover price of Avengers Halloween Special #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#773 — Moon Knight #200, Marvel, December 2018.

This issue brings Volume 8 of Moon Knight to an end, with no new comics on the horizon. After Marvel Legacy kicked in, many of their issue title numbers suddenly advanced by the hundreds as the company wanted to hit some big anniversary issues, such as 200 for Moon Knight (they simply added up all the issues from the previous volumes and started numbering from there). After a while, many of the titles relaunched once more, starting with number ones, but Marvel kept the legacy numbering on the covers, underneath the new numbering. Hence, first issues are a great jumping on point, and more people buy number one issues, etc., etc. But is that what really keeps readers buying titles each month? In the Seventies and Eighties, I just started buying titles of comics with heroes I was interested in, regardless of the issue number. If Moon Knight starts up again in a couple years, it will start with issue 1, and maybe have “LGY#201” underneath that number. Or maybe not, until they get closer to issue 300. Things sure have changed from when I was a kid. By the way, in the last few issues the storyline has been on a personal level for writer Max Bemis, and while I respect that, I wasn’t having as much fun reading it. I stuck with it to the end, but if I hadn’t read that the end was near, I probably would have dropped it. This last issue was okay, but still not the kind of Moon Knight comic I would have preferred. Another one of the titles I’ve been enjoying, Sentry, also came to an end last week with issue #5, yet the ending that has me hopeful for more story in the future (just a heads-up for any of you Sentry fans out there). The cover price of Moon Knight #200 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#774 — Ultimate Power #4, Ultimate Marvel, June 2007.

Years ago, when I needed to downsize my collection and could use some extra money, I sold my Ultimate line of Marvel comics on eBay. Since they were rather new at the time, I wasn’t as attached to them, and it took a little getting used to the different spin the creators put on this version of the Marvel Universe. And I must admit that I haven’t really missed them, especially considering the rate of return. So I haven’t exactly been in a rush to get to this particular comic book. Ultimate Power is a nine issue limited series, and it sort of stinks that the only one in my legendary longbox (419 comics stuffed in a box, sight unseen, for just $20…yes, it was fun to get this!) comes in the middle of a story. And especially so, considering it was written by J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5. I enjoyed what I read, but even more frustrating is the fact that it looks as if in the next issue there will be a huge smackdown, and I’m missing out on it! I think I’ll keep a close watch on comiXology to see if the collected version goes on sale. The cover price of Ultimate Power #4 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 25)

#775 — Die Kitty Die! #1, Chapterhouse Publishing, May 2018.

Any readers of Die Kitty Die! out there? Once again, Free Comic Book Day brings me something I’d never experienced before. Did I like it? Sort of, in a weird way. It was certainly different. The first segment made me think of the Little Archie comics I used to buy back in the Seventies, then the story advanced in time, with the plot continuing the same themes. If you took a pot, dumped in Little Archie, Caspar, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Afterlife with Archie, you might come up with something similar (and this shouldn’t be all that surprising, considering Dan Parent is one of the creators…he’s written and penciled for a number of Archie comic books). This freebie is rated T for teens, so keep that in mind if you think this is something your kids might be interested in and you happen to find a copy somewhere. The cover price for Die Kitty Die! #1 is free, while the current value is $1

Cool Comics Classics

#776 — Hawkman #27, DC, September 1968.

A few months ago, a comic shop in Akron, Ohio, ran a back issue special in which their comics where just one dollar each. I mentioned it in Cool Comics News after I found so many cool comics there, and I bring that up because this particular issue from that sale had a “Landis Collection” sticker on the protective bag. As a matter of fact, several of the issues I bought that day were marked with the Landis Collection stickers. If anyone out there knows anything about this collection, I’d love to hear about it, so feel free to email me at the email address above or tell us in the comments section below. As for the comic, this was the last issue from Hawkman’s first series, and I’m really happy I found this one for a dollar. It was fun, it featured a Yeti, and the story was compelling in that great comic book fashion. What more could you ask for? The cover price of Hawkman #27 is 12¢, while the current value is $80.

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.

Grim & Ghoulish Reading For Late October Nights!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 161, 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.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 161…

Cool Comics News!

There may be a few of you out there who recall that I set a goal for myself early this year of reading an average of 100 comic books a month. So how am I doing, you ask? I’m happy to announce that I’m over the thousand mark, and on pace to reach 1,200! That’s a lot of reading, no doubt, along with a lot of comic books (good thing I’m able to find so much “gold” in quarter boxes, along with great digital sales!). Maybe when the year is over, I’ll finally be able to catch up on some of my piles of books and magazines I’ve neglected for so long.

If you hand out candy to little goblins next week, do you have a preferred type you like to buy for the trick-or-treaters? This year I’ll be giving away some of the mini Halloween ComicFest issues you could order through Previews. I’m hoping to turn some of the candy-loving kids into comic book readers of the future! And as a reminder, Halloween ComicFest is this Saturday, so check with your local comic book shop and see if they are participating so you can get some free and discounted comics!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Sabrina versus The Living Mummy! 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

#768 — Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Book One, Archie, July 2016.

Around five years ago, back when I wasn’t making weekly trips to my local comic book shop, I found out about Afterlife With Archie. I don’t recall the details but decided I would subscribe to it. Later, with the success of the comic, Archie published another horror title called Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. I didn’t find out about this one until six issues had come out, but during a sale at the Archie website, I ordered the trade edition containing the first 5 issues, issue #6, and subscribed to it, starting with #7. They sat untouched for a while, but when I found out that Sabrina would be having a show on Netflix with the same title, I knew it was time to read the collected edition. If you haven’t read this, and plan on watching the show, just be warned that it is a far cry from the Sabrina show and comic books of the past. But if you like the Archie Horror line, you’re probably looking forward to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which drops on Netflix October 26. I enjoyed the dark twists that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa put in these first five issues, and Robert Hack’s art was a huge contributor to the mood and setting. Also, please be aware that this is rated Teen Plus, meaning it’s definitely not for the kiddos. The cover price of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Book One, is $17.99, while the current value is $18.

#769 — The Tick Big Halloween Special, New England Comics, September 2001.

I’m sure there are some Tick fans out there shouting “Spoon!” as soon as they see this cover, and while I’m not a die-hard fan, I appreciate the humor. My first experience with the big blue guy was via the Nineties cartoon version. Later, when I saw this Halloween special listed in Previews way back in 2001, I ordered it from my comic shop. Yet for some reason, I never got around to reading it, so when I stumbled across this Halloween Special a few months ago, I decided I’d save it for some fun October reading. And fun it was! It was silly, goofy, and typical of what you’d expect from a Tick story, and just perfect for this time of year. I’ve never watched any of the live-action TV shows about the Tick, but I wouldn’t mind giving them a try sometime, because reading this made me miss the cartoon. The cover price of The Tick Big Halloween Special is $3.95, while the current value is $4.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 24)

#770 — Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero’s Journey #0, TOKYOPOP, May 2018.

Has it really been 25 years since The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in theaters? No doubt it’s a strange blend of holidays, but the movie and subsequent toys have many loyal followers. I have to admit that as someone who liked Oingo Boingo back in the Eighties, I think it’s cool that Danny Elfman (the lead singer of the band) wrote the original score and is the singing voice of Jack Skellington and a few other characters. Yet as far as I can remember, I’ve only seen the actual movie once, and that was a long, long time ago, now that I’ve come to see that the movie has been around for a quarter of a century. This TOKYOPOP Free Comic Book Day edition runs true to manga form, as you read the story the opposite way you’re probably used to (unless you often read manga). This is the second or third FCBD edition in which I’ve done this, so I’m getting exposed to new experiences. The story wasn’t bad at all, so if you are a fan, you may want to try to find this issue, along with the ongoing issues. The cover price of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero’s Journey #0 (that’s a mouthful of a title!) is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Classics

#771 — Supernatural Thrillers #5, Marvel, August 1973.

I found this comic book at my local comic shop several months ago and was ecstatic to find a copy in decent condition that didn’t cost me an arm and a leg (I paid $20, which is the most I’ve ever spent for a single issue). When I discovered comic books in 1973, I was all about the superheroes. And while I loved monster movies (especially the Universal films), I reserved my comic book dimes, nickels, and quarters for the spandex crowd. Yet I always noticed Frankenstein, Tomb of Dracula, and Werewolf By Night comic books on the stands. But there was only so much pocket change to go around, so Spider-Man and his amazing friends took precedence. As I got older and started collecting again, I decided I’d made a mistake by ignoring these monster classics, and now I’m slowly building up some cool issues for my collection. Marvel’s The Living Mummy never had his own title, but the majority of the issues of Supernatural Thrillers during its short run featured this anti-hero, and this one contains his first appearance and origin, which turned out to be much different than I imagined. If you find this one at a good price and you appreciate these older titles, I strongly recommend getting it. The cover price of Supernatural Thrillers #5 is 20¢, while the current value is $105.

Recently Read Digital Comics

When it comes to Halloween-themed comic books, I’m usually easy to please. I typically prefer stories that are going to give me a little fright (okay, that doesn’t often happen, but I appreciate the effort!), and especially so if they contain vampires, werewolves, and other classic monsters. But you know what? It’s just as easy for me to channel my inner child and enjoy more innocent tales, such as you might find in a “regular” Archie Halloween special, or Dennis the Menace, and especially Disney comic books. This digital treat, Donald Duck’s Halloween Scream #1, was a Free Comic Book Day issue in 2015, but since I wasn’t collecting at that time, I was more than happy to find it as a free download on comiXology. Again, much like the Disney comic I talked about in last week’s episode (Magica De Spell: Giant Halloween Hex #2), this one contains two reprint stories, both from 1990: Donald Duck Adventures #7 and #8. The first story focuses on something that happens one Halloween when Donald makes a wager with his nephews, while the next story covers the aftermath. I appreciate that there was an actual Halloween setting this time around. Do you have any favorite Halloween-based comic books? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section at the end of this episode.

 ComicBooks For Kids!

In my last blog I mentioned ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) as a charity we are 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.

Dark Shadows & Swamp Thing, Believe It or Not!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 160, 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.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 160…

Cool Comics News!

Recently I’ve become aware of a neat charity that works hard to get child-friendly comic books into the hands of kids who are hospitalized. Cool Comics believes this is a great goal and wants to help the cause, and we’re hoping you may happen to feel the same way. Some of the top comic book publishers are also on board and making donations, along with retailers and individuals just like you. ComicBooks For Kids has some rules about what kind of comic books may be donated (condition and age appropriateness are top considerations), but money is also a way to help get comic books in the hands of these hospitalized children. I hope you’ll take some time to click on the link (you can click on the name in bold above or the image) and look around the website to see what ways you might want to help out. Maybe someday you’ll be listed on the “Wall of Heroes,” which is a really “cool” thing to do! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Swamp Thing versus Barnabas Collins! 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

#763 — Magica De Spell Giant Halloween Hex #2, IDW, September 2018.

I ordered this comic via Previews from my local comic shop without much knowledge of what it was about…but the word “Halloween” was on the cover, so I needed it for my collection (you’ll note a September cover date, but this was late and just came out last week). I saw that it was Disney, just by having Scrooge McDuck on the cover, but I had no idea what Magica De Spell meant. I figured it was some kind of magical spell, but rather, it turned out to be a character. A completely new character from my perspective, although when I did a little digging, I found out that this Italian sorceress has been around since 1961 and had a number of appearances in the DuckTales cartoon series. Only I never watched DuckTales, and rarely read comics with Disney characters, so to me, this was all new. The comic itself is thicker than usual and contains one long story and one short. And guess what? Both of them were reprints. But it is the first time they’ve appeared in the United States, so for many audiences, they are new stories. The first tale, “The Gifts of the Gods,” was originally published in Italy in 1990, while the second, “She’s an Animal!” appeared in Denmark in 2010. These weren’t bad stories (although I’m not the target audience…big surprise), but they really didn’t have anything to do with Halloween and could have been published any month of the year, in my opinion. But the cover is cool and with the big “Halloween” splashed across it, this comic would make a good display for October. The cover price of Magica De Spell Giant Halloween Hex #2 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#764 — Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Giant #1, DC, October 2018.

Remember the new DC/Walmart 100-page exclusives? This month they put out a special one-shot featuring Swamp Thing. Just like the ongoing titles, out of the 100 pages you get a 12-page new story, while the rest are reprints. For the price, they are pretty good deals, especially if you are either new to comics or skipped a number of years (like I did). In that case, almost every story will be new to you. Although I quit getting the ongoing comics during the second month, I made sure to buy this Halloween special. If you are interested in it, you should be able to find some copies if you live close enough to a Walmart, as they seemed to stock a good number of this special. Besides the new Swamp Thing story, it also contains a reprint of his origin, and some other Halloween tales featuring Aquaman, Superman, Zatanna, Batman, and Robin. Perhaps my favorite was the second story in the comic, starring Enchantress and Blue Devil, which pays tribute to a very familiar Halloween cartoon beloved by nearly everyone. If you’re a person who gets into the spirit of Halloween, you’ll probably want to add this comic to your collection. The cover price of Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Giant #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 23)

#765 — Howard Lovecraft Big Book of Summer Fun, Arcana Studio, May 2018.

The Free Comic Book Day title this week contains two stories, and while neither are Halloween stories, both of them are in tune with October. The first features a young Howard Lovecraft, the horror author, in a fictitious tale that alludes to the reasons behind his later writings. While it was entertaining to a point, it contained no dialogue. Nothing but narrative blocks to keep the story going, and I wonder if young readers would stay with it. The second story is “The Steam Engines of Oz,” and yes, we get to see flying monkeys. And I think we’re all in agreement that those winged terrors gave us nightmares after seeing the musical version of The Wizard of Oz when we were kids. That and the Wicked Witch of the East’s legs curling up and sliding under Dorothy’s house. That scene is still creepy to this day! The publisher, Arcana Studio, produces animation based on their comics, and gets some big names for the voices, such as William Shatner. I’ve never seen their work, but if you have, tell us in the comments what you think of them. The cover price of Howard Lovecraft Big Book of Summer Fun is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#766 — Ripley’s Believe It or Not! #82, Gold Key, October 1978.

I love it when I find future Cool Comics Classics in discount boxes, and I’ve really struck gold as of late. The Ripley’s Believe It or Not! anthology title was originally published by Harvey Publications, but later Gold Key acquired the license and produced the comic from 1967 to 1980. These old comics make great October reading, or really during anytime of the year. This 48-page issue contains six tales that appear to be stories you’d think would be more fitting in a Twilight Zone comic, but, believe it or not, every word is true! Or are they? I guess Ripley’s gives you a choice in the matter. At any rate, none of the stories was so overly long that boredom set in (which is always a good thing); although younger readers might not enjoy these tales as much as more seasoned comic book readers would. The cover price of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! #82 is 50¢, while the current value is $16.

#767 — Dark Shadows #30, Gold Key, February 1975.

One of my most vivid memories of being scared as a young kid happened at the house next door. A girl my same age lived there, and we were at her house, playing around as kids do. I believe one or both of my sisters were there also (one a little older, one a little younger), and the girl who lived there put Dark Shadows on the TV. As the ocean waves came crashing down on the screen, and I found out this was a soap opera with a vampire, I remember being very scared! Now that I’m older, Dark Shadows doesn’t give me the heebie-jeebies the way that it did back then, but for years, just hearing the name Barnabas Collins would put me on edge. So if you like to read scary comics in October, you may want to peruse the back issue bins at your local comic shop and see if you can find any of these old Gold Key gems. But sometimes snooping around can cause more trouble than it’s worth, as you’ll find out if you happen to read this issue! The cover price of Dark Shadows #30 is 25¢, while the current value is $50.

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.

King Arthur, Dracula, Thor, Dr. Strange, & … SpongeBob SquarePants?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 159, 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.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 159…

Cool Comics News!

Guess what, faithful readers of Cool Comics? Because of you, the blog is now listed in Feedspot as a Top 75 Comics Blog on the web. As of now, we stand at #74, and I hope we continue to see growth and gain readers! Please help spread the word about Cool Comics In My Collection to your comic book loving friends, neighbors, and family members. We try to keep things fun and light here, and always welcome comments and guest bloggers, giving you the chance to show off some of the cool comics in YOUR collection! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter so that you don’t miss any episodes, follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/edgosney_author), and keep on reading! To see a comprehensive list of all the comic book blogs, just click on https://blog.feedspot.com/comics_blogs/

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Flash Thompson Spider-Man versus SpongeBob SquarePants! 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

#756 — What If? Spider-Man #1, Marvel, December 2018.

I was an active comic book reader when “What If?” came on the scene in 1977, although I didn’t get many of this title. Then, during my third foray into the 4-color world in the Nineties, “What If” comics were once again a thing, and I bought some sporadically, if the scenario caught my interest. So when I saw that Marvel would be issuing a handful of What If? one-shots in October, my nostrils caught a whiff of nostalgia and I jumped back on-board the bandwagon. Last week when this landed at comic shops there was also an X-Men release, but of the two, I preferred this one. See who is wearing the Spider-Man outfit? That’s right, none other than the late Flash Thompson. So how does Flash fare as a high school superhero compared to Peter Parker? I won’t spoil it for you in case you haven’t read it yet, but this takes a turn I wasn’t expecting. As a bonus, Gerry Conway, who happened to be writing The Amazing Spider-Man when I first started reading the comic back in the Seventies, is the writer for this one. The cover price of What If? Spider-Man #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#757 — Battlestar Galactica (Classic) #0, Dynamite Entertainment, October 2018.

While I’ve never been a big Battlestar Galactica fan, the original series took place in the Seventies and was a part of my weekly TV viewing. As for the newer series (which is now kind of old), I’ve seen bits and pieces. So why did I get this comic book? Besides the nostalgia factor, it was cheap. How cheap? If you click on the cover to get a closeup view, you’ll notice it was just 35¢. And I remember those days when all my new comic books were just 35¢. If you’re wondering if I bought this out of a discount box, the answer is no. It came out last week, brand new! In an age when most new comics are $3.99, this is a great marketing tool to get readers interested in starting a new series. If you yearn for the original Battlestar Galactica, this is your chance to relive those days. The cover price of Battlestar Galactica (Classic) #0 is 35¢, while the current value is 35¢.

#758 — Murder Falcon Ashcan #1, Image, August 2018.

Once again, the owner of my local comic book shop, Kenmore Komics & Games, got an Image Ashcan into my hands, knowing that Cool Comics enjoys bringing a variety of comics to its millions (don’t I wish!) of adoring readers each week. And speaking of variety, Murder Falcon gives you heroes, villains, monsters, and music! Admittedly, this is not a comic I will be adding to my pull list, but I enjoyed the journey of reading something so different. Like most ashcans, this comic is black and white, and everything is smaller (so if you wear reading glasses, make sure you have them handy!), but ashcans are usually on the rare side, so you might not be able to locate this. But don’t despair if you want to give this one a try, because the regular number one issue just came out October 10. The cover price of Murder Falcon Ashcan #1 is free, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 22)

#759 — SpongeBob Freestyle Funnies, United Plankton Pictures, May 2018.

I remember my kids watching lots of SpongeBob cartoons in their younger years. At first, I thought they were kind of funny. Then, when it seemed like SpongeBob was the only thing my TV would broadcast, it got a little annoying. But it’s been years since I’ve seen him and his buddy Patrick, so I didn’t at all mind this Free Comic Book Day issue featuring the guy who lives in a pineapple under the sea. And the story, written by Derek Drymon, was pretty amusing, using comic book collecting as a vehicle. But best of all was the beautiful art by Robb Bihun, who did both the pencils and inks and made me feel like this 2018 comic book would fit in well with those of us who cut our teeth on Seventies stuff. And while I’m heaping on praise, I might as well tell you that the vivid colors by John Kalisz made this even more attractive. The cover price of SpongeBob Freestyle Funnies is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#760 — Camelot 3000, DC, Trade Paperback 2008.

I often think back, both fondly and with a bit of melancholy, about my short time of reading and collecting comic books when I was at Ohio State. Early in 1982, a roommate, also named Ed, got me hooked back into the hobby, and I enjoyed seeing familiar titles like The Amazing Spider-Man, and new ones, including The Fury of Firestorm, the Nuclear Man. But that second phase didn’t last long. I’d changed, and my interests seemed to be elsewhere. One of my regrets from that period is that I wouldn’t find out how Camelot 3000, a new 12-issue limited series, would end, let alone enjoy the journey. I thought it was a really cool concept at the time, having always enjoyed the King Arthur stories and legends. But last year at Akron Comicon I decided I needed to buy the trade paperback (from the writer himself, the legendary Mike W. Barr!) and finally finish the story. Yet it sat on my shelf for many months, unread. Foolish me. Once I picked it up and read the introduction, I knew I’d read this too fast if I didn’t discipline myself. I wanted it to last, unlike my past, which I now see has gone by much too fast. In the year 3000, England has need of its greatest hero, and Arthur, along with some of his knights and the wizard Merlin, are awakened to once more do battle. Yeah, it’s good stuff (although it’s not for preteen readers, so please keep that in mind), and I give it the Cool Comics seal of Coolness! The cover price of the Camelot 3000 Trade Edition is $19.99, while the current value is $20.

#761 — The Little Monsters #23, Gold Key, December 1973.

Until I bought this back issue, I wasn’t at all familiar with this comic. The Little Monsters hit the scene in 1964 and lasted until 1978. Fourteen years seems like a nice, long run, but Gold Key published just 44 issues of this monster family, which will remind you of a couple classic TV shows, The Munsters and The Adams Family. There are a handful of stories in this issue, but I couldn’t tell you if each issue is like this, or if any have just one story. No doubt this comic is aimed towards a younger audience, but if you channel your inner child (and especially if you were raised in the Golden years of The Little Monsters run), you can appreciate it, along with the ads from 1973. The cover price of The Little Monsters #23 is 20¢, while the current value is $20.

#762 — Thor #333, Marvel, July 1983.

A couple episodes back we visited Thor #332 (Cool Comic #750), which saw the “Mighty” hero battling vampires and coming out victorious, yet the issue ended with Asgardian Sif in the clutches of Count Dracula! Now in Thor #333 we see the God of Thunder going toe-to-toe with the Prince of Darkness, and this is one fun battle to get to read for the month of October. While some comic book aficionados may prefer to keep the more classic monsters separate from the superheroes, I enjoy seeing them face off against one another. As you can surmise, Sif does not become a permanent member of the creatures of the night club, so you can breathe easy if you don’t have this cool comic in your personal collection. For more on Dracula facing heroes in the Marvel Universe, make sure to check out my Recently Read Digital Comics section below. The cover price of Thor #333 is 60¢, while the current value is $8.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Somewhere around the end of last year, comiXology and Amazon had an unbelievable sale on Marvel digital comics, and I was able to get this collection—Doctor Strange vs. Dracula: The Montesi Formula (which consists of seven comics, Tomb of Dracula #44, and Dr. Strange from 1974 #14, 58-62)—for just 99¢. How in the world could I pass up Doctor Strange versus Dracula? Well, obviously I couldn’t, and let me tell you, it was one fun read. But perhaps the most interesting thing of all that I learned from this is how the Darkhold (you know, that evil book, full of power, indestructible, and even featured on TV for a season on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) came to be, the origin of vampires, and that Dracula didn’t want to face Thor again. Blade, the Nightstalkers, the Scarlett Witch, and others join in the battle!

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, 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.

From Stranger Things to Ghosts, October is Here at Last!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 158, 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.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 158…

Cool Comics News!

October is finally here, so Cool Comics will be bringing you some scary issues to put us all in a fall harvest kind of mood (although I cheated a little and started giving you some chillers during the second half of September…and hopefully you loved them!). The weather is getting colder, the sun disappears much quicker these days, and strange shadows seem show up out of nowhere. If you love spooky comic books, perhaps you also love spooky books, and for the October season, my favorites are the Jason Crane series by Richard Gleaves.

If the name Crane sounds familiar, then chances are you’re familiar with Washington Irving’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Maybe you’ve never read it, but with all the movies, cartoons, and TV shows and characters that have been inspired by Ichabod Crane and his battle against the Headless Horsemen, now that proverbial bell is ringing in your head! SALEM: Blood to Drink, is the 4th in the series and is available in paperback and via Kindle (this version releases October 5), and I can’t say enough good things about these books, which give us a modern-day story that is surrounded by all the myths and legends not only of Irving’s tale, but we also get a little Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe thrown in (and maybe others that I didn’t notice). The catch, though, is that these myths and legends turn out to be real, and the descendants are very much affected by all of it.

If you haven’t read any of them, you can find all four on the page linked at the book title above (or click on the book cover). A word of warning, though—once you start, you won’t want to stop, as these books are very addictive (also, Richard Gleaves is an excellent writer and knows how to pull you in, making you feel like you are right there in the story). Lovers of Halloween cannot go wrong with the Jason Crane Saga!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Demogorgon versus Spectre! 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

#752 — Stranger Things #1, Dark Horse Comics, September 2018.

Have you seen Stranger Things? You know, that show on Netflix. Yes, the one that takes place in the Eighties and kids are playing Dungeons & Dragons, Eggo Waffles are a food staple, and even a Hobbit from The Lord of the Rings (Samwise!) has a role in season two. Chances are you’ve seen it, but if you haven’t, make sure to start watching as soon as you finish reading this episode of Cool Comics. It’s a fun adventure with tense moments, Eighties nostalgia, and a mysterious place called the Upside Down. As the rest of us know, a boy named Will goes missing not long after the show begins, and while we see a little of what he goes through, we don’t get the full picture. But fear not! Stranger Things the comic book (at least this first 4-issue series) is focusing on Will Byers and what happens to him in the Upside Down. As a fan of the show, I enjoyed this first issue and appreciate the art and writing, as they both capture the flavor of the Netflix hit. And since there is such a long wait for Season 3, why not check out the comic series? The cover price of Stranger Things #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#753 — Oddly Normal #1, Image Comics, September 2014.

Being that it’s now October, I tried to find something in my legendary longbox that would fit the season, so when I found a handful of comics called Oddly Normal, I felt I was on to something. This quaint story, written and illustrated by Otis Frampton, reminded me a bit of The Munsters TV show, with Oddly being like niece Marilyn—only Oddly is fully aware of just how different her family is. Not to mention that unlike Marilyn, Oddly has green hair and pointed ears. We come to learn that her mother is a witch, and this half-witch little girl wishes she were normal. So why does it remind me of The Munsters when it seems so different? I guess it’s something I can’t really put my finger on, yet the impression is there. Regardless, I ended up enjoying this story more than I thought I would, and I’d think that younger fans of Stranger Things and Harry Potter would enjoy this comic. The cover price of Oddly Normal #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 21)

#754 — Pokémon: Sun & Moon, Viz Media, May 2018.

Often people make statements that comic books aren’t for kids these days, and while that applies in some cases, it doesn’t in others. For example, this particular Free Comic Book Day issue is most certainly targeted for readers much younger than me (not to say that some older readers couldn’t appreciate it, but it’s obvious I’m not the kind of reader Viz Media has in mind), along with a number of other comic books that come out each month. You just have to know where and how to find them. And this is another reason that I appreciate FCBD. I do appreciate being exposed to different companies and different characters, even if I’ll never read certain titles again. So if you know of any Pokémon fans out there (and we all know they exist, as some are still chasing them around with their cellphones), consider getting them some comic books as an alternate form of entertainment. The cover price of Pokémon: Sun & Moon is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#755 — Ghosts #97, DC, February 1981.

I love old comic book anthology titles, and when they come with scary tales, that’s all the better! Typically, these comics don’t feature characters we are familiar with, but as you can see on the cover of this issue of Ghosts from 1981, the Spectre is in one of the stories. Usually when I think of old comics, anything published in the Seventies and earlier are what first comes to mind, but I have to face facts that the Eighties were quite a while ago. When this issue came out, I was a senior in high school, but I was no longer buying comic books. I was way too cool for that kind of thing (at least that’s what I told myself). But as we age, we gain wisdom, and I wish I had been buying comics back then…because they were so cheap compared to today! Still, I was able to buy this in a quarter box at my local comic shop, so I ended up getting it for less than cover price. Do you love to read scary comics in the month of October? If so, what are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments section below! The cover price of Ghosts #97 is 50¢, while the current value is $18.

Recently Read Digital Comics

The longer I read comic books, the more I appreciate what came before my time. Several months back, Previews offered an upcoming #0 issue of a comic called Project Superpowers, from Dynamite, for just a dime. Ten cents sounded like a good deal to me, and it turned out that I had the #0 issues of volumes 1 and 2 in this series, so I read them in advance. Of course, I barely got any story, but at least I was able to read something with the characters. Turns out they are Golden Age superheroes that weren’t being used, and Dynamite got the licensing rights. Maybe you know all this, but when these first two series came out, I wasn’t getting comic books, so the entire thing was fresh to me, including the heroes from the late Thirties to early Forties. The Green Lama, Samson, the American Spirit, Fighting Yank, Masquerade, and many others became a part of my reading world. After the 10-cent issue came, I continued with the third series. Yet, I needed to know more to really appreciate the story, so when an omnibus of everything that came before was offered via comiXology (I bought mine on sale through Amazon for under $10, and this normally sells for $29.99), I added it to my digital collection. Project: Superpowers Omnibus Vol. 1: Dawn Of The Heroes, contains Project Superpowers Chapter 1: #0-7, Project Superpowers #½, and Project Superpowers Chapter 2: #0-12, along with some additional art. It’s 550 pages, and I’m glad I could read it on my tablet instead of lugging a big volume around. It takes some getting used to these characters since they aren’t the familiar big screen stars of today, but I certainly had fun reading it.

In last week’s Cool Comics episode, we told you about a Kickstarter for a comic book called Mississippi Zombie. It needed more donors then, and it still needs more donors to reach its goal, but in the meantime, I read a digital copy of another comic book by the same writer, Bradley Golden. Timmy Lala’s Ice Cream is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign, and this horror one-shot (this is the month for horror, so you might want to get this one) is available in both digital and paper. It’s been garnering good reviews, so if you’re a horror comics aficionado, you may want to add it to your collection. Timmy Lala’s Ice Cream has no real surprises in it, and while you may just figure it all out before the end, this is one of those stories in which the reader should just sit back and experience the journey. The art is good and creepy (a good thing in this case!) and the writing pace works well and keeps the story moving. While this isn’t the typical kind of scary comic book I like to read, I appreciate this for what it is, and it’s got me excited for Mississippi Zombie. And like usual, Cool Comics warns parents (and other readers who don’t like this kind of material) when a story contains things not meant for certain eyes, and Timmy Lala’s Ice Cream does have a few choice words and depictions that make this a horror comic to keep away from your kids. If you’re a fan of variant covers, this did come with one (but I’m unsure of the availability) and I included both so you could see them. If you want to purchase this comic, write to the author, Bradley Golden, at Secondsightstudios2014@gmail.com, and he can answer your questions and get a copy into your waiting hands!

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Old Stuff, New Stuff, & Why You Should Care About Mississippi Zombie!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 157, 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.

If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 157…

Cool Comics News!

October is right around the corner, and as I think more about some of my favorite old Universal Monster movies, I’m also excited about a Kickstarter project called Mississippi Zombie. If you love monsters, The Walking Dead, zombies, and comic books, why not consider helping out these talented creators like I did? For a $10 pledge, you get both the print copy and a PDF for digital reading. There are other pledge levels too, including advertising. As of this writing, Mississippi Zombie is behind on its goal, so I’m hoping you will click the link (here it is, Mississippi Zombie), find out more about the project (there’s even a video you can watch), and choose to pledge before time runs out. Oh, by the way, the fabulous artist who made my Cool Comics logo, Dan Gorman, is involved, which is another reason for Cool Comics readers to get excited about it! Want another reason to get involved? Ten percent of the proceeds from this Kickstarter are going to St. Jude Charity.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Hyperion versus Thor! 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

#746 — Squadron Supreme, Vol. 1, Marvel, August 1997.

I bought this trade paperback when it was released, having ordered it via Previews back in 1997. And it has sat on my shelf until earlier this month. Why did I wait so long to read it? I have no idea, but now that I’m finished, I have an even deeper appreciation for the creative genius of the late Mark Gruenwald, who wrote the twelve issues of the original series (this edition also contains Captain America #314, which Mark wrote). And yes, in case you were wondering, this is the edition in which Mark’s ashes were mixed with the printer’s ink. Some may find that off-putting, but Mr. Gruenwald was a tremendous lover of comic books, especially team books, possessing a deep knowledge of characters and stories, so it’s a fitting tribute. The original limited series was published before The Watchmen, and while there are a few philosophical similarities, these are different stories, both worth taking the time to read. This is one of those stories that all comic book fans should read at least once. The cover price of Squadron Supreme, Vol. 1, is $24.99, while the current value is $25.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#747 — Gunfire #1, DC, May 1994.

This week I plucked Gunfire #1 from my legendary longbox, written by late comic book legend Len Wein, a fitting tribute as Len passed away about a year ago in September 2017. Granted, this is the only issue of this title I’ve ever read, but it was pretty good, making me wonder why the series lasted only 13 issues. Then again, I’m still wondering why Omega the Unknown made it to just issue 10 back in 1977. Cool Comics insider info: If you’re a new reader, the referenced “legendary longbox” is, basically, a comic book longbox stuffed with 419 issues I bought from my local comic shop for just $20 (making the cost of each comic book less than a nickel), sight unseen, which continually has produced entertaining stories for over a year-and-a-half. Someday the box will be empty, but as of today, it feels like it’s infinite. The cover price of Gunfire #1 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 20)

#748 — Silver, Dark Planet, May 2018.

Though I skipped the Free Comic Book Day entry last week, I don’t need to double up yet to avoid crashing into FCBD 2019. But the Free Comic Book Day issue we have for this episode packs a mighty punch in the darkening fall days we love so much here at Cool Comics, as it has ties to the Dracula mythos. Our free issue introduces us to James Finnigan and his team of con men who are out to rob items from a children’s charity in 1931 (this is a black and white comic, which seems fitting considering the time period). But immediately we are drawn into the story by learning that the items were owned by Jonathan and Mina Harker, names that any self-respecting King of the Vampire fans would recognize. This comic brought to mind the movie National Treasure and the Doctor Who Episode “Blink” in a few of the panels. It has mystery, action, and excitement, and I was happy to find out that volumes 1 and 2 of the trade paperback graphic novels are available, with more to be released in the future. This is a story I may continue with at some point, because at the end there is an article entitled, “What Happens Next?” and it sounds fun, as Rosalynd Van Helsing (another familiar last name) enters the fray. The cover price of Silver is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#749 — The Twilight Zone #15, Gold Key, May 1966.

Cool Comics Classics is probably my favorite section of the blog, and perhaps you feel the same way, so for this episode we are starting the fourth year of Cool Comics In My Collection with three classics! Old comic books often hit me with a wave of nostalgia, sometimes from remembering the actual reading of them back in the Seventies, and sometimes they help me recall other kinds of memories, such as this issue of The Twilight Zone. It was always exciting to find a TV station with Twilight Zone reruns when I was a kid. Some of the episodes were downright spooky, while others brought a smile to your face. And sometimes they just made you sit up and ponder the consequences. Gold Key did a nice job bringing these feelings to the world of comic books, and whenever I can find back issues at good prices, I make sure to grab them. This issue contains several stories, including narration by the comic book version of Rod Serling, so how can you go wrong? The cover price of The Twilight Zone #15 is 12¢, while the current value is $75.

#750 — Thor #332, Marvel, June 1983.

A couple weeks ago, when I decided to include Superman #344 (which is officially Cool Comics In My Collection #744) in Cool Comics Episode 155, I stumbled upon another comic book I knew I had to include, and soon. If you remember, the Superman issue had the Man of Steel facing off against Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster. The other comic I saw was Thor #333, with Dracula on the cover! Now I’d have a chance to see how an Asgardian would fare against the Prince of Darkness. When it came time to read, however, I noticed that the story was a continuation. Drats. But not one to give up easily, I pulled open the top drawer of an old file cabinet where my unread Thor issues currently reside, flipped through, and by golly, I had #332, which has a frightful cover with bats battling the Mighty Thor! It’s a fun issue, but at the end, our concern grows as Dracula has captured Lady Sif. I have a suspicious feeling you’ll be able to find Thor #333 as a Cool Comic sometime in October! The cover price of Thor #332 is 60¢, while the current value is $8.

#751 — The Amazing Spider-Man #127, Marvel, December 1973.

When I started reading comic books way back in 1973, I really didn’t understand how often they came out, so for a while, my collection was spotty. The first one I bought was The Amazing Spider-Man #125, and then I’d find other titles I wanted, like Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Tales, Captain America, Thor, and others. And for some strange reason, I didn’t purchase another issue of The Amazing Spider-Man until issue 132 came out. Understandably, I was just ten years old, and had no one to explain any of this to me. Once I got older, I’d sometimes buy back issues whenever I could find them, only to go through periods of life in which comics weren’t a part. And sometimes, shockingly, I’d sell some comics. But never The Amazing Spider-Man issues. This past summer, a local comic shop ran a one-day sale, with dozens of boxes of comics, all for just a dollar each, and I couldn’t believe it when I stumbled upon this one! Slowly but surely, I’m finding these gems at reasonable prices and filling in the gaps. The storytelling was different back in those days, and while modern readers may not appreciate it, this issue took me back to the simpler days of my childhood, which is definitely worth more than a dollar. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #127 is 20¢, while the current value is $100.

Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!

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