Ed Gosney's Blog, page 31

Cincinnati Comic Expo Extravaganza!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 156, 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 156…

Cool Comics News!

Let’s see, 156 episodes, divided by 52 weeks per year, comes out to…it’s our third anniversary here at Cool Comics In My Collection, and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to the Cincinnati Comic Expo! The city was beautiful, the people were very nice, and I really enjoyed seeing some familiar faces there including Ted Sikora, the fantastic writer of Tap Dance Killer and co-writer of Apama The Undiscovered Animal, and the one and only Tony Acree, author and publisher of Hydra Publications! Last but not least, Cool Comics was able to visit with the cover artist of Transmutations, Travis Perkins, who has now taken the dive into comic books and recently published the first of a new series in which he did both the art and the writing! See below for more on this special Cincinnati Comic Expo comic.

Cool Comics In My Collection

#745 — Kona Guardians #1, Travis Perkins, August 2018.

Since I’m dedicating this Third Anniversary episode to the Cincinnati Comic Expo, there is no better way to start off than to feature Kona Warriors #1 as the only Cool Comic book this week! I went to a big comic book show, and only bought one comic book for myself. As crazy as that sounds, Cool Comics was busy rubbing shoulders with some cool celebrities, and since I had to pay cash to rub said shoulders, I limited my comic book purchasing to one. Actually, I wasn’t going to spend any money on comics, but when Travis showed me Kona Guardians #1 and told me it was his baby, done all by him, Cool Comics just had to acquire this book (and of course get it signed)! The Kona Guardians will remind you of the Power Rangers (at least that’s what they reminded me of…I’m not a Power Rangers follower, though, so maybe you’d have a better comparison?), but still with their own style and differences. I was impressed with this first issue, as the author/artist did a great job breaking down pages, giving us a nice variety of angles, tight and long shots, pacing, color, and storytelling. This is an Indie comic at its finest, and I’ll definitely be supporting Travis in his efforts. You won’t find this in Previews, and more than likely your local comic shop won’t have it in stock, but if you want to check out this up-and-coming comic book creator’s work, you can purchase it via print on demand ($4.99) or digital ($1.99) via IndyPlanet at: http://www.indyplanet.us/kona-guardians-1/.

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.

Cincinnati Comic Expo Highlights!

The event was held at the Duke Energy Center in beautiful downtown Cincinnati. If you want to see enlargements of any of the pictures, just click on them, and then hit the back arrow.

 

We started off Day 1 by visiting a galaxy far, far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, we saw a lot of cool stuff there!

 

 

 

I found out just how dangerous it is hanging around with Luke on the planet Hoth!

 

 

 

 

 

The hot new action figure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 started off with autographs and picture opportunities, starting with Cary Elwes (makes me want to re-watch The Princess Bride and Glory)!

 

 

Star Trek: The Next Generation fans take note, as we got to meet LeVar Burton!

 

 

 

They had some big comic books at the Expo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We met the coolest Sith Lords (John and Anique Thomas) in the galaxy while standing in line for one of the celebrity panels. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edna Marie “E” Mode from The Incredibles made a special appearance!

 

 

 

 

 

Any Hocus Pocus fans out there?

 

 

 

Cool Comics likes to keep up with our Elvish!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think these people are all having a great time at the Cincinnati Comic Expo!

 

 

 

The guys from Iconic Comic (check out their YouTube Channel!) gave Cool Comics some ideas during their panel about creating a YouTube Channel.

 

 

Is that really Neal Adams signing a Cool Comics bag? Why yes, it is!

 

 

 

 

 

Even Pinhead needs to chill with a cool drink every once in a while.

 

 

 

 

 

As Day 2 came to an end, we headed back to our hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Day 3, we arrived in style. Check out our wheels!

 

 

 

Summer Glau enjoys hanging out with the Cool Comics Crew.

 

 

 

What? Cool Comics is having a panel Sunday on Comic Book Nostalgia? 

 

 

 

 

 

Psst! It’s over here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really wish you could have been there! We gave away free comic books and Cool Comics mugs.

 

 

I hope these guys aren’t looking for me!

 

 

 

Maybe they’re looking for him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many talented people were at the Cincinnati Comic Expo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amalgamated Spider-Man/Mister Rogers bids us a fond farewell as we head out the doors on Day 3.

 

 

 

 

 

One of our favorite places to eat during our trip to Cincinnati was at the Frisch’s Big Boy in Carew Tower. The staff was great, and as a lover of comic books, we felt right at home with the iconic Big Boy art!

 

Once home, I had to snap this last picture to show off our Cincinnati Comic Expo autographs. Top left is J.M. DeMatteis, followed by Neal Adams, who wanted his to be top center! Far right in the center is Summer Glau, bottom left, LeVar Burton, next to him is Cary Elwes, and below his is Ted Sikora.

 

From Ducks and Geeks to The Führer and the Tramp!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 155, 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 155…

Cool Comics News!

What great comics have you been reading recently? This week Weapon H #7 came out with a great cover featuring the title character and Captain America. I love these two teamed together, and hope for more in the future!

Walmart DC Stuff in the News: As much as I love the concept, look, and feel of the DC 100-page Walmart exclusive comics for just $4.99, I’m no longer getting them. I got all four issues from the first month, and two of the four from August. I was able to find all of them, but I made a budgetary decision. If you love them and want more of them, I read this week that two more titles are being added to the mix. And, get this, there will be a special Swamp Thing 100-page Walmart exclusive October 7 in time for the scariest month of all, and a Walmart only DC Holiday special 80-pager coming out November 11. I plan on buying both of those one-shots.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#740 — Thanos Legacy #1, Marvel Comics, November 2018.

Does it seem like Thanos is everywhere in comics and movies today, or is it just me? No doubt he is an awesome villain (regardless of the fact that he’s a Darkseid knockoff), but sometimes when a character is overused, they kind of lose their potency. But maybe it’s just me. Regardless, I’ve been reading the new Infinity Wars mini-series and decided to pick up this one-shot. I hadn’t originally reserved it with my comic shop, but a couple days before it hit the stands, I realized I needed it (not wanted, but needed…collectors understand the difference), so I sent off an email and my fantastic shop owner pulled a copy for me. This issue is a little longer than a regular comic and has two stories, and both were pretty decent. Lovers of variant covers will have decisions to make with this comic, as there are several. If you are a fan of the Avengers Infinity War movie, you may want to try to find this one, although stuff going on in the comics is different than the movies, in case you’ve chosen to follow one instead of both. The cover price of Thanos Legacy #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#741 — The Brave and the Bold #29, DC Comics, January 2010.

This comic is my first experience with Brother Power the Geek, and I feel like I’ve finally filled that void after reading this issue of The Brave and the Bold. That probably comes off sounding crass, but actually, I really liked this comic, written by Babylon 5 architect J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Jesus Saiz. Straczynski does a great job of creating touching moments, and for someone like me who loves Sixties and Seventies comics, he made me want to find old Brother Power issues for my collection, along with more of this run of The Brave and the Bold. By the way, I was able to snag this excellent issue from a quarter box at my comic shop, and it’s in fantastic condition. The cover price of The Brave and the Bold #29 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#742 — Generation X #21, Marvel Comics, November 1996.

I was in full collecting mode when Generation X launched back in the Nineties, but eventually I quit buying it. Not that it wasn’t a decent read, but sometimes you have to make decisions based on your wallet, which I’m sure you understand. Alas, due to that stoppage, I missed out on this issue with Howard the Duck who received top billing (get it?). Howard’s one of the strangest heroes in the world of comics. Really, with all the characters in Marvel, why a duck? Well, Donald and Daffy have been pretty popular over the years, so I guess they figured, “why not?” At one point I owned the first issue of Howard the Duck, but in a fit of insanity, sold it to a comic shop while in college to have some date money. Needless to say, that relationship didn’t last long. Anyway, Howard’s movie didn’t grab audiences and his comic run came to an end, but there is something nostalgic about this foul-feathered hero. The legendary longbox once more took me back in time. The cover price of Generation X #21 is $1.95, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 19)

#743 — Invasion, Chapterhouse Comics, May 2018.

I’ve heard of Captain Canuck (although I think just from seeing it listed in Previews), but this is the first comic I’ve ever read with him, so once more, Free Comic Book Day provided an opportunity for readers like me to explore other companies and heroes. With that being said, I wasn’t a fan of the politics included in the story. I know, I know, politics have always been a part of comics, but one of the reasons I enjoy the hobby is that they take me somewhere else, a place in which all the constant, daily bickering that happens in the real world is not a part of (and I don’t care which side of the coin is called out, I just don’t appreciate it). The rest of the story is a big buildup for future events, so I’d imagine that fans of this series will be excited. The cover price of Invasion is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#744 — Superman #344, DC Comics, February 1980.

I love the classic Universal monsters, so when I found out that there was a Superman issue with Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula pitted against the Man of Steel, I knew I had to get my hands on one. After striking out at my usual comic shop, I was able to find a copy for $4 at a neat store not too far away from me, in Barberton, Ohio, called Stuff Genie Emporium. The store is full of old toys, new toys like Funko Pops, and plenty of comic books. As we head towards the darker days of October, I begin thinking of cool monster comics to both read and write about here in Cool Comics. The problem is, I have several years’ worth of October scary comics, so this year I decided to start a little early (Pumpkin Spice “everything” is all over your grocery store shelves, so why can’t I start now?). And how did Superman do in his battle against the forces of darkness? It was tough going, to be honest, as Superman is vulnerable to magic, but in the end, well, you might just want to read this one for yourself someday, so I won’t spoil the fun. The cover price of Superman #344 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.

Recently Read Digital Comics

I recently finished all five digital issues of what seems like a bizarre concept for a comic book, but creator Sean McArdle (who is credited as Writer, Designer, and Editor) pulled off the black and white story of The Führer and the Tramp with flying colors! And covers. Yes, the covers are all in beautiful color. Also, I should mention Jon Judy, additionally named as a writer, and the fantastic art that so well captures the characters and settings is by Dexter Wee. So what exactly is The Führer and the Tramp? You know I never give away too much here, but if you like history and love old movies, you won’t want to miss out on this zany adventure featuring Charlie Chaplin, Hedy Lamarr, Errol Flynn, and yes, Adolph Hitler. Oh, and before I forget, FDR, Alfred Hitchcock, and others make appearances in this story that’s not easy to set aside. One quick warning, though. If we’re thinking about this in movie terms, it would probably get a PG-13 rating, so keep that in mind. Interested? You should be, because this was a fun read. If you want to read it, The Führer and the Tramp is currently on a Kickstarter campaign, so hopefully there will soon be a graphic novel! Please go to the link (click the word link…you won’t regret it), watch the little three-minute video, read the description, and then select a level to contribute. These creators did a great job, and I hope the best for them in all their future projects.

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.

How Many Times Has Reed Richards Gone Missing?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 154, 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 154…

Cool Comics News!

If you’re going to the Cincinnati Comic Expo September 14-16, be sure to come to my panel on Sunday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. in the Fandom Forever hall. Comic Book Nostalgia: Reflections on Our Collections will take you back in time as we discuss great finds and sometimes sad stories about our involvement in the hobby. Also, I’ll be giving away comic books and some Cool Comics In My Collection merchandise, and free is always good, right? I hope to see you there!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#735 — Hunt For Wolverine: Dead Ends #1, Marvel Comics, October 2018.

After four months of searching, between four teams of heroes, we get “Dead Ends.” Doesn’t sound promising for Wolverine, does it? Did anyone else out there jump on any of the “Hunt for Wolverine” mini-series? I didn’t intend to read them, but I like a mystery as much as the next guy, so I figured I’d go for the ride. Having been away from new comics between the last half of 2003 until the last part of 2017, reading the “Hunt For Wolverine” comics allowed me to catch-up with some characters and learn about others, and I did enjoy that aspect. But now each investigative team wrapped up their missions, and most have gathered at the X Mansion to discuss what they’ve found out. While this may not sound too exciting, there is an attack from above and suddenly the stakes are extremely high. And out of this, the mystery, partly, is solved. The cover price of Hunt For Wolverine: Dead Ends #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#736 — Batman Eternal #21, DC Comics, October 2014.

DC must have had a bundle of Batman Eternal comics left over from the New 52, because it seems like every time I buy a special bag of comics (you know, like the Walmart three for $5 vacuum sealed ones and the 4 Packs for $4 from Five Below) I end up with Batman Eternal issues. I’m not complaining, because they’ve been pretty interesting stories, despite the fact that I’ve ended up reading them way out of order since a bag of comics is sort of like a box of chocolates. The thing is, we all know that Batman is the most popular non-super powered hero in existence, so the philosophy seems to be something like, “No one will complain about another Batman comic book.” This issue, one from a Five Below deal, gives us an interesting look at Alfred in action, so if you’re a fan of the man who basically raised Bruce Wayne, give this comic book a try if you haven’t already. The cover price of Batman Eternal #21 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#737 — Superboy #11, DC Comics, January 1995.

For some reason, comics from the Nineties seem to get bashed more than any other period. Superman dies, and speculators jump all over it; Image makes its debut and collectors buy multiple copies of the comics; and new superheroes and comics make valiant efforts (yes, you caught that!) to capture the market, many disappearing after a few short years. I’m guessing that all of this plays into some of the reasoning behind fans slamming the Nineties, but as a reader, I really enjoyed a lot of what came out during this period and have fond memories of discovering comics like Ultraverse, Marvel 2099, and Milestone. Yet things go right and things go wrong in the world of comic books every decade, so why focus so much on the negative? I enjoyed the Superboy clone comic books, and maybe you did, too! I’m happy to report that my Legendary Longbox has a few more Superboy issues tucked away, which means I’ll get more Nineties memories in the future. The cover price of Superboy #11 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 18)

#738 — Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018 #00, Titan Comics, June 2018.

While I’ve watched a number of Doctor Who episodes on TV (very occasionally I’d watch bits and pieces of it in the Seventies; since the series rebooted, I’ve watched everything up until part-way through the Matt Smith Doctor…I’m unsure where I left off, but I’ll probably go back to it again someday), my experience with the Doctor in comic books is extremely limited. As a matter of fact, besides this one, I also have a Free Comic Book Day 2015 issue, and that’s all. Based on an interior add, it appears that Titan Comics puts out a variety of adventures using a variety of Doctors, so if you’re a fan of a particular actor, maybe those are the issues you really want. The stories in this freebie were decent, and at the very end of the issue it leads to the next incarnation of this amusing alien from Gallifrey. The cover price of Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018 #00 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#739 — Fantastic Four #261, Marvel Comics, December 1983.

Did you read the cover? Reed Richards is missing! Believe it or not, just like Wolverine in Cool Comics #735 above, this is a plot device that’s been used a time or two. I remember when it looked like Reed was dead in the Nineties, and I’m sure many of you can think of other comic stories in which a hero is either dead or missing, only to show up again within a few months, or sometimes years later. Superman, the Green Goblin, and the Gwen Stacy clone immediately come to mind (oh yeah, Jean Grey, too!). So, who you gonna call when a member of Marvel’s First Family vanishes? Lo and behold, why not the Watcher? Still, the question is, will they be able to reach Reed, if he still exists, in time? I had a lot of fun reading this one, including seeing the ads from 1983. It was a period in which I wasn’t reading comic books, so it’s always interesting to step back in time to see what I missed the first time around. The cover price of Fantastic Four #261 is 60¢, while the current value is $6.

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.

Martial Arts Mayhem at Cool Comics!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 153, 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.

A great place to rest your head while reading your cool comics!

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the website 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 153…

Cool Comics News!

Do you remember the Kung Fu craze of the Seventies? The Billy Jack movies (the first one debuted in the Sixties), Kung Fu the TV show starring David Carradine, and the coolness of Bruce Lee movies filled our hearts and imaginations with wild adventures (and let’s not forget Howard the Duck, Master of Quack Fu!). This week Cool Comics In My Collection celebrates heroes of martial arts from Marvel, DC, Charlton Comics, and UDON Entertainment. Do you have a favorite character or series that features martial arts? Please tell us in the comments section below!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#730 — Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu #1, Marvel Comics, November 2009.

Marvel’s Master of Kung Fu holds a certain mystique (no, not the blue one!) in my mind. It’s nothing I can really lay my finger on, yet it’s there. I remember seeing comics and the black and white magazines he was featured in when I was growing up in the Seventies, yet I never read them. But when I went to college, I got a few issues my freshman year and liked what I read. Yet my days of reading comics while a college student didn’t last long, and they were all packed away until I started collecting again in 1993. Still, Shang-Chi was pretty absent in Marvel until a mini-series came out in 2002, which I did get, but it didn’t feel the same as the early Eighties ongoing series. And neither did this black and white one-shot comic I picked up for just 50 cents. Elements were there, especially after the first story (which was an odd, yet somewhat entertaining team-up with Deadpool), but it wasn’t the same. Which makes me glad that I can still find issues of the original series for decent prices when I’m fondly remembering the past. The cover price of Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#731 — Legion of Super-Heroes #103, DC Comics, April 1998.

If you’ve been reading Cool Comics for a while, then you know that I have a special spot in my heart for the Legion of Super-Heroes. Much like the Master of Kung-Fu above, I never bought any issues until my short time collecting while in college, but what a time that was, as I was able to buy and read all the issues in The Great Darkness Saga. Jumping into a Legion comic can be a pretty complicated journey because there are so many members and they have all different kinds of powers and abilities, along with decades of story history. Which also makes me think of the X-Men, but that team of Mutants has a lot of media exposure via cartoons, movies, and novels, and the members of the Legion aren’t as well-known. Still, there is something so fascinating about them that I try to get a lot of their issues when I find them in quarter boxes, regardless of what series they come from. And you can see why I picked this issue for Cool Comics this week, as we see Karate Kid in action! This is the second issue of Legion of Super-Heroes I’ve used with Val Armorr on the cover, in case this seems vaguely familiar! The Karate Kid is a master of all forms of martial arts in the DC Universe up to the 31st Century, which makes him fit in well for this episode of Cool Comics. The cover price of Legion of Super-Heroes #103 is $2.25, while the current value is $2.50.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#732 — Power Man and Iron Fist #8, Marvel Comics, November 2016.

When you’re doing a martial arts theme week, there’s always a little trepidation that maybe you won’t have what you need in your Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap legendary longbox. You know what I mean, right? Needless to say, we here at Cool Comics were ecstatic to find a Power Man and Iron Fist issue stuffed inside the box of cheap glory (for the few left who may not know, I bought a longbox of comics, jam-packed with 419 issues, for just $20, a little over a year-and-a-half ago). Sadly, the excitement wore off during the reading. If I thought Cool Comic #730 didn’t live up to Shang-Chi’s comics from days gone by, Luke and Danny’s adventure was an even bigger letdown for me. We all have different opinions about what makes a good comic, but for me, I can’t say I enjoyed much of it beyond the fact that it contained Iron Fist during my martial arts theme week. Also, it didn’t help that this was part of the Civil War II crossover event, and I don’t really know what’s going on in the greater Marvel Universe when this issue takes place. But really, how can I complain much about a comic that cost less than a nickel? The cover price of Power Man and Iron Fist #8 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 17)

#733 — Ultra Street Fighter II #1, UDON Entertainment, May 2018.

As far as I can remember, this is the first Street Fighter related comic I’ve ever read. Each week I pick up another issue from my Free Comic Book Day pile (yes, I have them all), and this week, upon seeing this title, my little brain decided it was time for another theme week, and thus we have Martial Arts Mayhem at Cool Comics! Lots of people enjoy the Street Fighter II (I’m assuming there was an original Street Fighter, and it progressed to II…but I could be wrong) franchise, whether it be comic books, movies, TV shows, and whatever else exists for Street Fighter fanatics out there (feel free to tell me other Street Fighter fun in the comments section below), and the people at UDON Entertainment made sure to give you even more during Free Comic Book Day. There have been a few of these freebies in which I haven’t been able to follow the action too well, but this one turned out to be easier to read for the uninitiated, which I appreciate. The cover price of Ultra Street Fighter II #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#734 — Yang #1, Charlton Comics, November 1973.

When it came time to pull a Cool Comics Classic out of the vault for this week, it ended up being a no-brainer, thanks to Back Issue! #105 (pictured here also). This is just the second issue of this fun magazine that I’ve read, and now I’m completely hooked. Without it, I would be clueless about Yang, Charlton Comic’s martial arts master. And maybe you’re shaking your head right now and saying, “Yang? Is he serious? Why not a Seventies issue of Master of Kung-Fu or Iron Fist comics?” Like me, you may have never heard of Yang, or paid no attention to him during his run many decades ago. Charlton Comics may not have been much on your radar. They certainly weren’t with me, though I had a few (now I really appreciate them!). But did you know that when the Kung Fu craze hit comics in the Seventies, Yang was the first to hit the stands? I learned that from Back Issue, as they had a really nice article about this character who I didn’t know anything about (if you enjoy learning about older characters and creators, there are a couple magazines you may want to look into: Alter Ego and the previously mentioned Back Issue! Both can be found at http://twomorrows.com/, and can also be ordered via Previews). Once I’d read about Yang, I decided I wanted to own an issue. I really wanted #5, as Yang battles a bigfoot, but since my local shop didn’t have a copy, I was more than happy to get his first issue for just $4. The cover price of Yang #1 is 20¢, while the current value is $20.

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.

Are Bob’s Burgers Better than Big Belly Burgers?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 152, 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 listings at 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 price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 152…

Cool Comics News!
Yes, I got these for $1 each!

I love my local comic shop and feel lots of loyalty, but when it comes to great sales on back issues, sometimes we have to get them when and where we can. Last Saturday Rubber City Comics in downtown Akron, Ohio, had a one-day sale in which every comic in the store was just $1 each. I made sure to get there about 10 minutes before the doors opened, and of course found myself waiting in line. Once inside, there was not necessarily a method to my searching. I had to look at boxes that were available for browsing (meaning no one was crammed in front of them at the moment), and I didn’t want to dawdle and hold others up. A few people had lists they were checking against, and some probably moved too slowly for what this was, but I flipped through lots of boxes and came up with some really cool comics. I went for old stuff, the older, the better. At the end of an hour, I had 53 comic books I was happy with. When I got home, I spent a couple hours adding them into my computer files and looking up the values (for how I do this, please see the second paragraph from the top…no grading involved, just simply seeing what the secondary prices would be if they were rated at 9.4). And the total came out to $2,529. You read that right, $2,529. And remember, I paid just $1 each. Okay, I couldn’t sell them for that price on eBay, because the grades don’t hold, but it’s a lot of fun to get such great deals, and you’ll get to see what I bought via the Cool Comics Classics section of my blog over many future episodes.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#724 — Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. #2, DC Comics, January 2014.

This is the second “Forever Evil” comic I’ve read, and I got them both in special discounted packs. I wasn’t collecting comics during the reign of The New 52 at DC, so it’s been interesting seeing bits and pieces of it. This comic came from a 4-pack I bought at Five Below for just $4. Not bad at a buck apiece. The way the packaging worked, I could see both the front and back comics, but not the two in the middle. So, you take your chances, but remember, folks, that most of the comics coming out today are $3.99 each. If you don’t know what’s going on with the whole “Forever Evil” saga, it usually doesn’t do much good trying to figure it out with a number 2 issue, but at least this featured two familiar names in Steve Treavor (you know, Chris Pine in the Wonder Woman movie…not to mention Lyle Waggoner from the Seventies TV series…and oh yeah, I think he appeared in the comic books a long, long time ago) and Deathstroke the Terminator (not to be confused with the Arnold Terminator movie franchise…but Slade Wilson was here first). The cover price of Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

#725 — Justice League 3000 #3, DC Comics, April 2014.

Have you read this series (again, part of The New 52, and one of the Five Below comics in that 4-pack for $4 I mentioned above)? What did you think of it? From this one issue, it seems kind of cool, and Superman’s resurrected personality makes it fun, in a twisted way. This series ran 15 issues, and another came in my 4-pack, which I’ll save for a future Cool Comics episode. I guess if I ran across other issues in the quarter boxes at Kenmore Komics & Games I’d buy them. This takes place in the far future, so DC could do whatever it wanted, and it wouldn’t eventually have to “be,” since the future isn’t set in stone…or is it? Can time be interfered with? Can it be changed on a whim? In the world of comic books, all sorts of wacky things can and do happen, and change is the only constant. Time travelers may vow not to interfere, but the very fact that they appear somewhere that’s not in their own time makes a timeline different, doesn’t it? Some people hate time travel in fiction, but I love it. What about you? The cover price of Justice League 3000 #3 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

#726 — Cable & Deadpool Annual #1, Marvel Comics, October 2018.

I never intended to buy this comic book, but, as a reader of Cable (although his ongoing series is no longer ongoing), my local comic shop pulled it for me. I love the store, and they are very good to me, so I decided to purchase it. And whereas I like Cable, I’m not a big fan of Deadpool. I own the first comic he appears in (The New Mutants #98) and also collected the first couple of mini-series featuring the character (I think I passed them on to my son), but he wasn’t for me. I’ll be the first to admit that I loved this annual, which pays tribute to time travel via hints of The Terminator series and Doctor Who. Was Deadpool funny? Yes. Yes he was, as he often talks directly to the reader, explaining the differences between the movie experience versus the comic book, and also explains, in his way, how comic books are interactive. This reads perfectly fine as a standalone if you don’t have much of a background on the two featured characters. Sometimes enjoyment comes from unexpected places. The cover price of Cable & Deadpool Annual #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#727 — J2 #1, Marvel Comics, November 1998.

J2 (Zane Yama-Marko) is the son of Juggernaut, and first appeared in the second volume of What If #105…you know, the one with Spider-Girl. J2 became part of the MC2, a possible future Marvel Universe that is populated with offspring of our current heroes and villains. It was a fun concept while it lasted, and I actually bought Spider-Girl from the beginning through issue 63, at which point I stopped collecting comics completely for a while. It was fun, and now that I’ve had a chance to read this story (which happened to be part of my Legendary Longbox, so the cost of this individual issue was less than 5 cents) about the son of Juggernaut, it seems a shame that these didn’t make it. The problem is, collectors can only afford so much, and while these were perfect jumping on comics for a younger set of readers, they had more entertainment choices in the Nineties than I did in the Seventies. I ended up giving my Spider-Girl collection to my oldest daughter, and I think J2 #1 should find a home with those comics. The cover price of J2 #1 is $1.99, while the current value is $2.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 16)

#728 — Bob’s Burgers, Dynamite, May 2018.

You never know what you’re going to get when it comes to Free Comic Book Day issues, especially when you have the opportunity to read them all, and they contain lots of things you’d never pick up on your own. This is the third issue of Bob’s Burgers from Dynamite for FCBD, not to mention a couple volumes of series they published a few years back. I’ve never read one of these comics before, nor have I watched a single episode of the cartoon. The first story in this comic is an alternate trip on the Titanic aptly called “Tinatanic,” which I admit wasn’t my kind of story. Perhaps you loved it. But the second story was strange enough, odd enough, and bizarre enough that I found myself enjoying this weird tale. It’s titled the “Bizarre Bazaar,” and that made it worth the price of…wait a minute, this was a free comic, right? The last entry is called “Where the Fried Things Are,” and I’m sure you can figure out the motivation for it. I may never read another Bob’s Burgers comic again for the remainder of my days, nor watch an episode on TV, but now I’ve experienced it, and have been forewarned not to put pineapple on my burger. The cover price of Bob’s Burgers is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#729 — The Amazing Spider-Man #145, Marvel Comics, June 1975.

I was twelve years old when this issue of The Amazing Spider-Man hit the racks at Slicks, a little mom and pop shop in my small hometown of Martins Ferry, Ohio. And just as in the previous issue, we see more of the Gwen Stacy clone. Clone? I can remember being a little confused, because I’d also been reading some issues of a comic called Marvel Tales, and in those, Gwen Stacy was alive and well, and certainly not a clone. It was probably around this time that I figured out, after careful examination of the current issue of Marvel Tales, that it was a reprint of an older issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. All the Marvel Tales issues in my collection were reprints. And I realized Spider-Man was so popular that he got reruns! Anyway, this issue sets the stage for what’s to come in the remainder of the clone saga, as Gwen’s fingerprints match, not to mention that her body is still buried. Hence, the way is also paved for Ben Reilly. Some people are critical of this storyline, but I remember how exciting it was to twelve-year-old me. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #145 is 25¢, while the current value is $55.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Peter Parker is a rich tech genius with a company that is global. He no longer has to worry about paying his rent and where his next meal is coming from. You know, comics and characters go through change, just like the people who read them. But sometimes certain changes just don’t feel right. I didn’t mind Peter teaching and being able to support himself that way, and I realize he’s up there intellectually, but suddenly being in Tony Stark’s tax bracket just doesn’t feel right for Peter Parker, in my opinion. I have several more digital collections from this series yet to read, but I’ll take Seventies (and Sixties) Spider-Man any day of the week over this Amazing Spider-Man: Worldwide Vol. 2 collection. The good thing about these is I always manage to get them when they are very inexpensive, and they aren’t taking up any space in my house!

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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Fantastic Four is Back, and What Happens When Warlord Fights Kull?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 151, 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 listings at 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 price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 151…

Cool Comics News!

Several times throughout my life I’ve made comic books an important part of who I am, only to end up turning my back on them. It was never that I didn’t like them, but other things sometimes got in the way, like school, work, storage space, etc. But since I’ve started blogging about my Cool Comics, I feel like I’ve scooped out a small place where I belong. Then I had the opportunity to create a comic book nostalgia panel, and the experience was so much fun I’ve repeated it at several venues. Also, I’ve had a few short stories published in Superhero and Supervillain anthologies, and while not the same as writing a comic book, they were a blast. I’ve also been attending cons the last couple years and have met some incredible people who are part of comic book lore and legend. It’s a neat community. And now I even have my own official logo for the blog, which is extra cool! Yet, as life seems to rush by faster and faster, and the realization comes that I’m just one of thousands in a sea of fans who write a comic book blog, I must enjoy my brushes with the four-color world where I can take them. In January of 2017, I was blessed to have a short story published in an anthology named The Jurassic Chronicles (part of a series of Future Chronicles books). There are a few big names in it, and one of them, Seanan McGuire (a multiple award-winning author), is now writing comics for Marvel. Which I think is very cool. Now, if only Seanan would guest host an episode of Cool Comics!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#719 — Fantastic Four #1, Marvel Comics, October 2018.

While the Fantastic Four comic book (billed as “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” yet again!) has been missing for several years, the situation is different for me, since I went from mid-2003 to mid-2017 before buying new stuff again. And though I’d heard the title was no longer around when I wasn’t actively collecting, it didn’t mean that much to me at the time. But as I’ve been reading Marvel 2-In-One, featuring the Thing and the Human Torch, I started getting excited about the possibility of Marvel bringing all four back together again. But Reed, Sue, and the kids were dead. Benjamin Grimm said it, so it must be true. Then this issue came out, and I started hoping almost as much as Johnny Storm has been hoping. Wait, what’s that? The Fantastic Four signal in the sky! Could it be? Johnny flames on and races to a rooftop! Does he find Reed and Sue? Nope. Only a couple punks from the Yancy Street Gang. And once more, our hopes are dashed. Reality starts setting in that they really are dead, but then…well, you’ll see when you read it for yourself, if you haven’t yet. It may not be quite what fans were wishing for, but issue #2 could be, right? The cover price of Fantastic Four #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#720 — Teen Titans Giant #1, DC Comics, July 2018.

Although Teen Titans Giant #1 released way back on Sunday, July 1, it appeared, at least at first, to be the difficult to find issue out of the four exclusive DC Giants that are being offered at Walmart. I tried three different Walmart stores, all within driving distance during the first couple weeks, then looked just occasionally when it seemed that I would never find it, and I read that people were selling this issue on eBay for a lot more than cover price, and it was listed on Comic Book Realm for $18. Word spread that there weren’t as many published as the other three titles. I figured I’d never get my hands on one. But last week I happened to find a couple at one of the stores, and now the Walmart that is closest to my home has about five copies of this issue. Leading me to think it’s not all that rare. I believe that my local Walmart has not been putting their DC Giants out when they are supposed to, based on what I’ve read about the distribution, but what can you do? At any rate, I was glad to finally get this issue. The only reprint in any of the four Giants that I’ve previously read is the Super Sons run in this one, but the story is so good that I’ll continue to reread it, as long as I decide to keep getting these giant issues. The cover price of Teen Titans Giant #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $8.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#721 — Warlord #106, DC Comics, June 1986.

From 1993 to 2003, I’d often buy back issues of certain of comic books when I could find them at great prices (usually 50 cents for less). Warlord was a comic I’d never read, but had some interest in. When I was younger and collecting in the Seventies, barbarian-type comics like Conan didn’t interest me at all, and really not so much in the Eighties when I collected again for a short period. But as I got older, I started gaining more interest in Sword and Sorcery comic books, and eventually found myself with six issues of Warlord. Alas, my comic collection had grown too large, so I had to sell off several thousand issues. And Warlord, having never been read, didn’t make the cut. And yet he popped back into my life, via the legendary longbox I purchased at my local comic shop for just $20, which contained 419 comic books inside, just waiting to be discovered. Being that this is issue #106, it takes place at a time the series had been going on for a while, so there’s a lot of backstory that I don’t know about, yet I enjoyed this for what it was. I’m sure there are a number of Warlord fans out there who could sing the praises of this series, and I’m glad to have finally participated. The cover price of Warlord #106 is 75¢, while the current value is $4.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 15)

#722 — Relay #0, AfterShock Comics, May 2018.

Anyone who is delving into Relay from AfterShock Comics will want to get their hands on this Free Comic Book Day issue, which serves as a springboard to the series. Relay is a science fiction story that will remind you in several ways of the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and probably a few other films or books in the genre. I love it when companies other than the big 2 (or even big three, considering Image does well and puts out a lot of science fiction series) produce stories that keep you wanting to find out more, and that’s what Relay does. Though I’m not buying the series, I’ll keep my eye out for the release of the collected series (probably on digital, as that helps solve some of my storage problems, and they are less expensive). And by the way, this issue is currently free on comiXology if you didn’t pick it up on FCBD and want to take it for a test drive. The cover price of Relay is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#723 — Kull the Conqueror #7, Marvel Comics, December 1984.

What, two barbarians for the price of one? I recently dug this issue out of a quarter box at my local comic shop, considering that I now have a soft-spot in my heart for barbarians. Though created by Robert E. Howard, Kull doesn’t have the fan base that Conan (another Howard creation for those who may not know, but I realize most of you probably do) has, whether it be the box office, comic books, or even action figures. Wait a minute, you might be saying, movie? Yes, in 1997, Kull the Conqueror tried and failed to take the movie world by storm. It starred Kevin (Hercules) Sorbo and featured others such as Tia Carrare and Harvey Fierstein. It has a rating of 4.8 on IMDB, and I’ll admit I’ve never seen it, so who am I to judge? Marvel and Dark Horse have put out a few short series featuring Howard’s Conqueror, but Conan is whomping poor Kull when it comes to sheer numbers. I thought this comic was pretty cool, and I wouldn’t mind reading more of his adventures. The cover price of Kull the Conqueror #7 is 60¢, while the current value is $4.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Somewhere between 1989 and 1992 I discovered First Comics, not in a comic book store or at a newsstand, but in a Big Lots…or maybe it was an Odd Lots. First Comics started in 1983, but I hadn’t bought any new comics since 1982, so it was interesting to me to see these titles and characters I’d never heard of before. Sold as three packs in plastic bags for about a dollar (I can’t completely remember, but maybe you saw these also), I picked up a few packs of them that contained Nexus, Badger, Dreadstar, E-Man, Grimjack, Jon Sable, and Whisper comics. The problem was, I had no background information and none of the comics were number one issues. But it was a fun excursion during one of my comic dry spells. It turns out that Nexus existed before First Comics came to be, but what did I know? This digital freebie from comiXology, Nexus Greatest Hits, has commentary and highlights covering some of the First Comics issues and the Dark Horse run, as an introduction for bringing the character back via Rude Dude Productions. Any Nexus fans out there?

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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Infinity Wars Ups the Ante & Unknown Soldier Joins the Fun!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 150, 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 listings at 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 price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 150…

Cool Comics News!

Lots of cool comics have come out the last couple weeks, and it got me to thinking…if you could only buy three ongoing titles (some come out twice a month, so I don’t want to go monthly), which would they be? I’d love to see your lists, so please include them in the comments section below.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

  #714 — Infinity Wars #1, Marvel Comics, October 2018.

Infinity Wars is hitting readers with all kinds of surprises. First, in Infinity Wars: Prime #1, which released July 25, we see a certain character from the Marvel Universe shockingly killed by a mysterious person. In Infinity Wars #1, which came out August 1, the killer, calling herself Requiem, runs her blade through the chest of another popular Marvel character. In case you haven’t read these yet and plan to, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but wow! The question is, will this stay as the status quo, or will someone use an Infinity Stone (such as the Time Stone) to erase these deaths? And if they do that, why not resurrect Spider-Man’s poor old Uncle Ben? Writer Gary Duggan is raising the stakes in this series, while Mike Deodato, Jr., is bringing the scenes to life on the page. If you’ve been enjoying the Marvel movies but haven’t tried the comic books yet, you may want to give this mini-series a try. The cover price of Infinity Wars #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#715 — Batgirl #1, September 2016.

As a guy in his fifties, I’m not going to claim Batgirl as one of my favorite characters. We just don’t have that much in common. But then again, what do I really have in common with most superheroes? So why do I have a Batgirl comic featured here at Cool Comics? First of all, in my opinion, DC hit a homerun with Rebirth. I’ve enjoyed almost every Rebirth title I’ve read. So when I saw a handful of Batgirl Rebirth comic books in the quarter bin at my local shop, it was a no-brainer to add them to my collection. I grabbed all eight issues that I found, because for $2, how could I go wrong? Batgirl has a long history in my superhero fan life. My first real awareness came through the Batman TV show back in the Sixties, and I have to admit that little Ed had a little crush on Barbara Gordon when she came on the show. And good memories are reason enough, right? The cover price of Batgirl #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#716 — Hawkeye #2, Marvel Comics, February 1994.

This is another beaten up comic from my legendary longbox. The cover is loose, wrinkled, and torn, but the issue is completely readable. I don’t at all remember this coming out back in 1994, but it was okay to have such a cheap copy to read and get a flavor for this four issue limited series. Hawkeye has never been one of my favorite characters, but he was actually pretty cool in this issue. Possibly the most interesting thing is that the Secret Empire is involved in shenanigans in this series, so anyone trying to collect appearances prior to the big series last year may want to try to hunt this down. The cover price of Hawkeye #2 is $1.75, while the current value is $5.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 14)

#717 — Overwatch & Black Hammer, Dark Horse Comics, May 2018.

It’s been a few episodes since I’ve really liked the weekly Free Comic Book Day issue as much as this one. Though my budget won’t permit me to run out and purchase either the Overwatch series or Black Hammer, they were the types of stories I prefer when it comes to comic books…superhero sci-fi action and adventure. Not that I don’t have an appreciation for other comic book genres (I read all the Archie horror lines and the trade editions of the ongoing “modernized” Archie comic), but life is short, so why not commit most of my reading time to titles I’ll most likely enjoy, right? Another thing I liked about these two stories was that I could actually follow along with what was happening, which is helpful when you are giving comics away in an attempt to gain new readership. The cover price of Overwatch & Black Hammer is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Classics

#718 — Unknown Soldier #248, DC Comics, February 1981.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I knew nothing about the Unknown Soldier when I recently picked up this copy in a quarter box at my local comic shop (yes, I’m sure you are plenty envious that my shop has multiple quarter boxes stuffed with goodness waiting to be discovered each week when I walk through those hallowed doors!). I’ve mentioned here in the past that my military comic collection has always been pretty sparse (I had a couple issues of Charlton’s Fightin’ Marines and #3 of DC’s Blitzkrieg during my first comic book heyday in the Seventies, and that was about it until I started getting a few back issues a couple years ago), and that’s a situation I’ve slowly been rectifying. As a veteran and former Army journalist, I have an appreciation for military comics that I didn’t have way back when. Anyway, the Unknown Soldier was a fun read, and this particular issue had his origin, so I appreciated getting to read it. The cover price of Unknown Soldier #248 is 50¢, while the current value is $20.

Recently Read Digital Comics

When digital comics are on sale for just 99 cents, I often jump on those deals (especially when you can get them though Amazon and you have Amazon gift cards), and I typically buy collections to really get my money’s worth. Back in Episode 148 I talked about having read the Secret Empire limited series, and this week I’ve finished a couple related collections that I picked up at the same time. Secret Empire: United We Stand, contains three standalone Secret Empire comics, consisting of Uprising, Underground, and United (all with “Secret Empire:” in front), along with Uncanny Avengers #24 and 25, and All-New Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1. While none of these stories were great (in my opinion), none were terrible, either. But they weren’t as good as the “parent” story.

Secret Empire: Brave New World gives us five issues all with this same name, starting off with a segment called “Sanctuary” that takes place in Atlantis, featuring Namor, the Sub-Mariner, and a couple of his World War II buddies, the original Human Torch and Toro. That was probably my favorite in the bunch, but even still, I could have lived without having read it. The same with the rest of the Brave New World issues. I didn’t care much for them. Maybe you read them and loved them. We all have different tastes, right? Again, I’m always very glad to get digital comics at such deep discounts, and especially so when the stories aren’t for me and I don’t feel like I lost out on much money.

 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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Wonder Woman Assembles a Weird Team in Justice League Dark!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 149, 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 listings at 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 price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 149…

Cool Comics News!

Some of you may be wondering why I don’t have Acton Comics #1001 this week, the first issue with Brian Michael Bendis at the helm. But both Bendis and the Man of Steel have gotten more than their fair share of attention at Cool Comics over the last couple months, so I decided to skip covering this issue (I did enjoy reading it, by the way). And speaking of Superman, this past weekend I finally finished the hardcover book Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman. If you appreciate the longevity of the hobby’s first superhero and want to know more, this is a fun book to read, as it contains 17 previously published issues of Action Comics, an unpublished issue with a special story behind it, and a handful of essays that true fans will want to read.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

#709 — Mr. and Mrs. X #1, Marvel Comics, September 2018.

A few months back, Marvel Previews solicited a new comic called X Classified, so I decided to have my local comic shop pull the first couple issues for me. I like mystery and intrigue as much as the next person, and this X-title had a blank cover, so in the interest of satisfying my curiosity and bringing you, the readers of Cool Comics, my impressions of Marvel’s newest thing, it made perfect sense. Then when the events of X-Men Gold #30 happened, it was revealed to us that X Classified’s real comic book name was Mr. and Mrs. X…the adventures of a now married Rogue and Gambit. For those who love these two characters, it’s a neat opportunity to get a more intimate look at them (and with this comic being rated T+, we get more than I cared to see). But now that the secret has been revealed, I guess I’m a little underwhelmed, and I won’t be continuing beyond the first couple issues. The cover price of Mr. and Mrs. X #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

  #710 — Justice League Dark #1, September 2018.

I never intended to buy this comic. I didn’t add it to my pull list and I didn’t pay much attention to it in DC Previews. DC has been putting out great comics since I’ve started my fourth phase of reading and collecting, which makes it even more difficult to stick to a comic book budget. Most of my pull list consists of Marvel titles, along with a spattering of DC, Archie, Image, Dynamite, and Valiant. But last week, I sort of got interested enough that I told myself I’d buy it if there were anymore on the shelf at my local shop. Well what do you know, there it was, just waiting for me, and I had a great time reading it. Swamp Thing, Detective Chimp, Zatanna, Man-Bat, and Wonder Woman certainly make this an unusual team, and I have no regrets in picking up this one stray issue. Will I get issue two when it comes out? Maybe. The cover price of Justice League Dark #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#711 — Young Heroes in Love #2, DC Comics, July 1997.

In 1997 I was deep into my third phase of comic book collecting, which consisted mostly of the superhero sort. But when this superhero romance comic came out, I wanted nothing to do with it. I preferred my superhero exploits to be on the more serious side. Besides, weren’t romance comics a thing of the past? (by the way, the first recognized romance comic is Young Romance #1 from September 1947 at a cost of 10 cents…with the creative team of Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, and valued today at $1250!) Yet last week I reached into my legendary longbox and out popped this strange combination. Actually, several issues were jampacked into the box, but this is the earliest issue in the bunch. And you know what? I actually had fun reading it, so I don’t mind having those additional issues. If you can pick any of them up as cheap as I got them (the legendary longbox cost me $20 and contained 419 comic books), then by all means give them a try. The cover price of Young Heroes in Love #2 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 13)

#712 — Invader Zim, Oni Press, May 2018.

Am I the last person on the planet to find out about Invader Zim? Until I started reading this Free Comic Book Day 2018 issue, I’d never heard of this bizarre, alien creature. Then I found out it had been a series on Nickelodeon at the turn of the Century. I’m probably not in the right demographic. And after reading this issue, I know I’m not in the right demographic. It wasn’t a bad story, but it just dragged on and on and on. Sort of like if I’d watch Gilligan’s Island today, compared to when I was a kid. But that’s the beauty of these free comic books. We get an opportunity to see what’s out there, and if we find a story and characters that make us happy, then we can target more of those comics for future purchases. And though Invader Zim doesn’t fit into my future, I can see how kids might enjoy it. The cover price of Invader Zim is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Classics

#713 — Detective Comics #384, DC Comics, February 1969.

Every once in a while, I’ll walk around my local comic shop and look for some good old stuff at affordable prices. Some collectors wouldn’t touch the issues I buy, because for me, condition is secondary to pricing. I want to be able to afford a handful of comics without breaking the bank (and I have a feeling there are many of you who feel the same way). I wasn’t collecting comic books in 1969, so snagging this Detective Comics issue for just $6 (and the condition isn’t bad at all, in my opinion) was a victory in my mind. We get a Batman story and a Batgirl story, and while readers today may not care for the writing style of the Sixties, I really dig it, man. Going back in time is a great way to keep the hobby fresh, if that makes any sense. The cover price of Detective Comics #384 is 12¢, while the current value is $100.

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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Riverdale Goes Gotham!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 148, 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 listings at 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 price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 148…

Cool Comics News!

As July comes to a close, and a new month is nearly upon us, what comics are you most looking forward to in August? For me it’s probably The Fantastic Four #1. What about you? Share with us in the comments section below!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is the Archie Gang from Riverdale versus Mystery Science Theater 3000 characters! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cool Comics in My Collection

#704 — Archie Meets Batman ‘66 #1, Archie Comics, September 2018.

If you get the monthly Previews catalog, or at least step into your local comic shop on a Wednesday when the new issues arrive, then you know that lots of comic books come out every week. We see new characters and titles all the time, so many that it gets hard to keep up with them all. But in the new mini-series titled Archie Meets Batman ’66, this company crossover gives us two of the oldest and most familiar characters in the history of comics. Over the last couple years, Archie comics have gone through a bit of change to modernize them, including the Riverdale series that is related to the TV show, and the horror line the started with Afterlife With Archie. I fondly remember watching Archie cartoons as a kid and getting the occasional issue (sometimes the digests) in the Seventies, and I’m glad the company is still putting out a different brand of comic entertainment…meaning other than superheroes. Batman needs no introduction, and I imagine it’s hard to find a person who’s never heard of the famed Caped Crusader. But for this mini-series, we get Batman and his friends and enemies from the famed, campy, live-action TV show from the Sixties. Yowza! I really enjoyed issue one and look forward to my monthly fix through the six issues. What a great way to wax nostalgic. The cover price of Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#705 — Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Comic Ashcan Edition, Dark Horse Comics, July 2018.

Though I love comic books, along with fantasy and science fiction books, movies, and TV shows, I’ve never seen an actual episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in any way, shape, or form. I’ve heard of it, and seen short clips, but that’s as far as it goes. So when my local comic shop owner gave me this ashcan, I had absolutely no expectations (although I had seen information about the first issue in the September Previews, but didn’t add it to my pull list). From what I’d gathered, it was just a goofy thing with weird little robots making odd comments about B-movies. Whether or not any of that is accurate is beside the point, though, when it comes to this ashcan edition (which I had a great time reading). If you love old comic books (and if you’re reading my blog, I have a strong inclination that you do), then I would imagine you’d enjoy this every bit as much as I did. Will I pick up the first issue when it hits the stands in September? I’ll have to say I’m not sure, as I do have to mind my comic book budget, but it will be awfully tempting. The cover price of Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Comic Ashcan Edition is free, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#706 — Guy Gardner: Warrior #29, DC Comics, March 1995.

When I started my third phase of comic collecting in the Nineties, I had no idea who Guy Gardner was, but soon came to learn that he was far from being a typical superhero. I read a few of his issues during that period, which started out simply titled Guy Gardner, then eventually got the Warrior moniker tagged on. When I bought my legendary longbox of 419 comic books for just $20, I had no idea what I’d find inside, but it brought a bit of a smile to my face when I found a handful of Guy Gardner comics. Some I had already owned and read in the past, but there are a few that are new to me, such as this one. Issue 29 turned out to be a lot of fun, and you know it’s going to be interesting as soon as you flip the cover to the first page and see Darkseid gazing at you. And why is the nefarious villain and ruler of Apokolips looking so stupefied? Because he’s trying to figure out why all the heroes are gathering together. And he’s probably sad that he wasn’t invited. Guy has opened his new tavern, Warriors, and we get to witness a massive roll-call of DC characters in attendance (click the bold text to see the line-up). As much fun as this issue turned out to be, it’s probably going into my garage sale comic box, because I just can’t keep them all. The cover price of Guy Gardner: Warrior #29 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 12)

#707 — My Hero Academia & RWBY, Viz Media, May 2018.

When I made the decision to read every comic issued during Free Comic Book Day 2018, I knew it would be an adventure, as there are so many different kinds of comics produced on a weekly basis and this would give me an opportunity to sample some that are way out of my wheelhouse. And this was one of them. Though written in English, My Hero Academia & RWBY is to be read back to front (at least that’s the way it seems when you’re used to doing it the other way!) and from right to left, just like a manga issue from Japan. The other side of this comic (not pictured) actually came with a little chart to help guide readers, which I appreciated. Yet I’m not sure if it would have made a difference which direction I flipped pages as I read. There is lots of action going on in both My Hero Academia and RWBY, but I couldn’t figure much out. Maybe I was distracted by such a different reading experience, but I sort of came away with nothing. To some people that probably comes as no surprise, and we’ll leave it at that! This one is rated T for Teens, and any teen who reads it probably could tell me a thing or two about the plot that my brain couldn’t extract. The cover price of My Hero Academia & RWBY is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#708 — Master of Kung Fu #33, Marvel Comics, October 1975.

The current issue of Back Issue magazine (that sounds confusing, doesn’t it?) focuses on Kung Fu comics from the Bronze Age, and as I was reading through it the other day, I knew I needed to pull an unread issue of Master of Kung Fu out of the old filing cabinet and go have adventures in an era long gone by. That’s a huge part of the beauty and charm of this hobby: the ability to time travel within the confines of our reading experience. Funny thing is, I didn’t read any issues of this title until 1982, but that doesn’t make a bit of difference. I remember seeing them on the rack of the little shop around the corner and up the block where I bought my comics as a kid, but in 1975 my hard-earned, grass cutting money was spent on Spider-Man, Captain America, and the occasional monster magazine. As an adult, I get to revive those childhood feelings by searching through quarter boxes and finding comics like these. For that price, they are often a little rough around the edges, but then again, it’s no different from the aches and pains my body experiences with age. Yet when I’m kicking back and lost in these stories, my aches and pains are forgotten about for a little while. The cover price of Master of Kung Fu #33 is 25¢, while the current value is $10.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Weighing in at 459 pages and rife with controversy is Secret Empire, the comic book series from Marvel that tossed Captain America, that staunchest of patriots, into the arms of Hydra! When this massive event started, I wasn’t buying new comics at the time, but I remember reading on social media how angry fans were about this. I wouldn’t have paid the regular price of $19.99 for this digital collection, but when it was on sale for just 99 cents, I decided I’d see for myself just how evil old Cap had become, and if lots of what I was hearing and reading was true. And as it turned out, I think some of the most vocal, angry voices never read it. Because seriously, who really thought Superman would stay dead…I mean, who really thought Marvel would have Captain America fighting for Hydra forever? While I didn’t love this series, it had some enjoyable moments and was worth every penny that I paid. This digital version collects Secret Empire #0, Secret Empire #1-10, Secret Empire Omega #1, Captain America #25 and material from Free Comic Book Day 2017 Secret Empire 1.

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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

Two Iconic Comics Start Over & Fondly Remembering Excalibur

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 147, 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 listings at the website ComicBookRealm.com. They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading price 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. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 147…

Cool Comics News!

The big Comic-Con International in San Diego has opened, and once more I’m still in Ohio. But maybe someday! Are any of you planning on attending any comic cons in the near future? There are three that Cool Comics plans on attending before the end of the year, and we’ll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share in upcoming episodes.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

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

Cool Comics in My Collection

  #699 — The Amazing Spider-Man #1, Marvel Comics, September 2018.

The Amazing Spider-Man finally got its turn to put out a number one issue (Legacy #802 for those keeping score) during Marvel’s “Fresh Start” campaign, and the new creative team of Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley give us part one of a story called “Back To Basics.” Meaning that we go back to the old down on his luck Peter Parker. And this time, the poor guy is publicly disgraced. I won’t tell you how, as we try to avoid spoilers at Cool Comics, but if you don’t read the issue and want to know, I’m sure it won’t take long to find out via Google. The cover, which is a wraparound (not shown here…and by the way, there are 14 variant covers to this issue in case you’re trying to collect them all, two being ComicBookRealm.com exclusives…for me, this one is good enough), gives us a nice look at Peter’s friends and foes, giving us the feeling that we’re back in the Sixties and Spider-Man is the hot new comic. But just because the comic has #1 on the cover doesn’t mean the past doesn’t count, which long-time readers can appreciate. So it’s once again sad-sack Parker. But there is one shining light that we get at the end of the main story in this issue, which is sometimes enough to keep a person going, right? The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

#700 — Superman #1, DC Comics, September 2018.

Interesting that both DC and Marvel have relaunched #1 issues of their flagship characters, with both coming out the same day. Is it a coincidence? Does anyone have statistics on which sold better? I read online that Superman sold more, but it was close…although this was not put out by Diamond Comic Distributors. (By the way, Superman has just four additional variant covers to collect, so you won’t break the bank the way you will with The Amazing Spider-Man #1’s 15 total covers.) There are certain advantages for Superman: fans had the opportunity to sample the new writer (Brian Michael Bendis) via The Man of Steel weekly mini-series; Superman has about 25 years more history than Spider-Man does (although most new collectors are very familiar with both characters); and lastly, DC kept it to regular page length, so the price is $2 less than its Marvel rival. I like the direction Bendis is taking with Superman, so I’ll certainly be sticking with it for a while. I like comics that are just as relevant for kids as adults, and if you are going to have your characters talk about current issues, the companies (DC in this case) should be careful not to alienate readers. And keep the heroes true to who they are. There is an interesting scene in this issue with Martian Manhunter that turns political, and even Superman looks a little uncomfortable with the subject. The point is made, and that’s the end of it. At least for now (this is about as political as I get here at Cool Comics, where we aim for fun, with a splash of nostalgia). If you could read just one comic between this one and The Amazing Spider-Man #1 issue above, which would you pick? Feel free to tell us in the comments section below. The cover price of Superman #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#701 — Excalibur #3, Marvel Comics, December 1988.

Excalibur wasn’t supposed to be the “Done Dirt Cheap” comic from my legendary longbox this week, but after reading maybe half of the one I originally pulled out (which shall remain nameless) I decided it was so family unfriendly that I couldn’t put it here, and ended up giving away all 12 issues that came in my longbox. So once more I needed to reach in, and like pulling a sword from a stone if your name happens to be Arthur, Excalibur #3 easily slid out. And what’s not to like about this X-title that ran from 1988-1998? Marvel published 125 issues along with a couple annuals featuring this super team of mutants who had their base of operations across the Atlantic. I was an Excalibur reader during it’s last few years of existence and reading this much older issue was a lot of fun. It made me realize I miss Lockheed and his friends, and that I sort of regret that I no longer own those issues. But that’s life, isn’t it? At least I have the memories, and the issues that came in my legendary longbox. By the way, if you enjoy comics with super baddies, this one contains the Juggernaut. The cover price of Excalibur #4 is $1.50, while the current value is $5.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 11)

#702 — World’s Greatest Cartoonists, Fantagraphics Books, May 2018.

I suppose that if you want to get the public’s attention (or at least the comic book reading public), you slap the words “World’s Greatest” on the cover. It worked for Marvel with The Fantastic Four, right? To be honest, I’m not familiar with any of the cartoonists in this Fantagraphics Books offering from Free Comic Book Day 2018, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been dubbed with that title at one time or another or won prizes of some sort. But most of the stories in this free anthology weren’t my cup of tea. Obviously, there are other fans out there who love this type of comic entertainment, and I’m sure they were excited to grab this freebie at their local comic shop. It seems like there really is something for everyone when it comes to this hobby. And before we leave here, just a word of warning that this comic is Rated M for Mature. The cover price of Word’s Greatest Cartoonists is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Classics

#703 — Mystery In Space #115, DC Comics, January 1981.

With these old anthology style books, you never know what you’re going to get (okay, don’t worry, I won’t do the Gump/box of chocolates thingie). DC’s Mystery In Space started in 1951 and published 117 issues. For 30 long years, the company that brought you Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman also gave you a variety of science fiction stories taking place in the great unknown, and one of the things I enjoy about these old issues is that you can purchase them and enjoy the stories without having any previous issues. They are sort of like little Twilight Zone episodes. Some are good, some great, and some might put you to sleep. But when I picked this one up to read, I was immediately excited to see that the first story was written by Mike W. Barr, a writer I admire and have gotten to know a little, as we both attend a monthly gathering of other comic book minded people and share our hobby with each other. Which makes this Cool Comics Classic even more special to have in my collection. The cover price of Mystery In Space #115 is 50¢, while the current value is $14.

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 getting my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.