Ed Gosney's Blog, page 4
June 29, 2023
The Perils of Summer Camp & the Return of COLLECTORZINE!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 405, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 405…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Cool Comics Crowd, that dastardly villain COVID-19 caused a delay in production for your favorite new fanzine, COLLECTORZINE, but now it’s finally back with issue two! And the momentum keeps going as issue 3 is nearly complete, while additional future issues are being planned even as you read these very words!
If you want to get the scoop on what’s coming next and learn how you can contribute to the magazine, be sure to join the Facebook group COLLECTORZINE MAGAZINE!
And how can you get your hands on a copy, you wonder?
Copies of COLLECTORZINE will be available at conventions via RAK Graphics throughout the year, or you can order directly at Collectorzine@gmail.com. Each issue costs $5 plus $4.95 for first class shipping. Each comic-sized issue will be a resource of fan art, original flash-fiction, interviews, reviews, vintage toys, and more.
Our fanzine will also be available in these fine comic shops in the Akron, Canton, and Cleveland area:
Bill’s Books & More – 2215 6th Street SW, Canton OH 44706 / 330-453-3996Comics Cards & Collectibles – 724 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44702 / 330-456-8907Hazel’s Heroes – 1664 Main Street, Suite 12, N Canton, OH 44720 / 330-244-9988JC Comics & Cards – 2609 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44723 / 330-929-1929Kenmore Komics – 1020 Kenmore Boulevard, Akron, OH 44314 / 330-745-5530Magic City Comics – 528 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, OH 44203 / 330-575-5579North Coast Nostalgia – 5853 Ridge Road, Parma, OH 44129 / 440-845-7040Rubber City Comics – 74 E Mill Street, Akron OH 44308 / 330-548-5992The Toys Time Forgot – 137 E Cherry Street, Canal Fulton, OH / 330-854-1700Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Veronica Lodge versus Richie Rich! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
Maybe you collected the cards from long ago or saw the movie and loved it, and now you get to see this exciting piece of art from Sydney Walton, Mars Attacks the White House! The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
You can have a piece of your art (or an original piece of art that you own) featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#2041 — Chilling Adventures Presents…Camp Pickens #1, Archie, August 2023.
Cool Factor: What do teens and summer camp have in common? Usually we think of fun, bug bites, new friends, and a break for parents, but sometimes (and especially if you’re a fan of horror movies) murder is mixed in. It seems that the Riverdale gang has their own version of Camp Crystal Lake in Camp Pickens, and this seasonal edition of Chilling Adventures Presents is full dark and demented camp craziness!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Matt Talbot; Bug Juice – Jordan Morris (story) and Diana Camero (line art); The Curse of Camp Pickens – Blake Howard (story) and Carola Borelli (line art); Down and Out and Death Cursed – Tim Seeley (story) and Mike Norton (line art); and Matt Herms (colors), Jack Morelli (letters), Vincent Lovallo (assistant editor/art director), Stephen Oswald (associate editor/production manager), and Jamie Lee Rotante (editor/senior director of editorial).
Price and Values: The cover price of Chilling Adventures Presents…Camp Pickens #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#2042 — The Amazing Spider-Man #121, Marvel, August 2023 (Original Cover Date: June 1973).
Cool Factor: Cool Comics has Seventies Spider-Man on the brain, because not long ago we featured the fabulous Facsimile Edition of the Punisher’s first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129, and now we bring you the Facsimile Edition of issue #121, which was a big part of my childhood as many kids in my neighborhood wanted their chance to read my copy. And though I read my original issue several times way back when, I just had to relive the shock and dismay of seeing Gwen Stacy die all over again, hoping that perhaps it’s all been a terrible mistake and that this time things would turn out differently. If you’ve never read this story, now is your chance to get a more reasonably priced edition, since a 1973 copy could cost you about $925.
Comic Book Credits: Gerry Conway (script), Gil Kane (artist), John Romita (inks/cover pencils & inks), Tony Mortellaro (inks), Artie Simek (letterer), David Hunt (colors), Danny Crespi (cover letters), and Roy Thomas (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #121 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 8 of 2023)#2043 — Mexikid, Dial Books for Young Readers, May 2023.
Cool Factor: Mexikid is now one of my favorite Free Comic Book Day issues (FCBD). This excerpt from the upcoming graphic memoir takes place several decades ago, and while reading it, I couldn’t help but think of my wife, who is Mexican American, and some of her relatives. Although this story is completely different from my wife’s experience, it charmed and entranced me, leaving me wanting to read the whole tale.
Comic Book Credits: Pedro Martin did everything, including the cover art, interior art, and script.
Price and Values: The cover price of Mexikid is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#2044 — Richie Rich Millions #111, Harvey Comics, June 1982.
Cool Factor: I didn’t appreciate Harvey Comics when I was a kid, because during those years I was completely enamored with Spider-Man, Captain America, and other Marvel heroes…especially those who appeared in the cartoons from the Sixties. But as my years grow shorter, I’ve come to appreciate Harvey and what they mean to kids (and those who are young at heart), and Richie Rich comics never disappoint. And if you don’t mind a few bumps and bruises on your comics, you don’t have to be as rich as the hero of these stories to purchase great four-color entertainment, as I’ve built my Harvey collection from discount boxes over the last few years.
Comic Book Credits: Credits weren’t given for this issue; stories include The Prisoner of Zendor, Project Evil-Eye, and Taking the Cake.
Price and Values: The cover price of Richie Rich Millions #111 is 60¢, while the current value is $6.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#2045 — Action Comics #516, DC, February 1981.
Cool Factor: If you’re a fan of the villainous Vandal Savage, make sure you have a copy of this issue in your collection. It’s a fun romp through time as Superman, along with sidekick Jimmy Olsen, tries to save history from being changed…forever! This crazy time caper not only features dinosaurs, but also Adolph Hitler, flying dragons, and cavemen. But wait a minute, that’s not all! Action Comics #516 also contains a complete short adventure starring the Atom, making it worth every penny of the 50 cents it cost back in 1981.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Rich Buckler (pencils), Dick Giordano (inks), and Tatjana Wood (colors); Time and Time Again! – Marv Wolfman (script), Curt Swan (pencils), Frank Chiaramonte (inks), Gene D’Angelo (colors), and Ben Oda (letters); The Clueless Capers of Chronos! – Bob Rozakis (script), Alex Saviuk (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Jerry Serpe (colors), and Milt Snapinn (letters); and E. Nelson Bridwell (consulting editor) and Julius Schwartz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Action Comics #516 is 50¢, while the current values are $8 on CBR and $6 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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June 26, 2023
THE PIONEERS by James Fenimore Cooper
Welcome to Page 18 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 18.
I’d avoided James Fenimore Cooper’s novels for most of my life, the most likely reason being that people said his work was boring and not worth the trouble. Yet somewhere in my pioneering soul a voice rang out, imploring me that I needed to learn about Natty Bumppo…Hawk-eye…Leather-Stocking.
And I had another reason to crack open the book: Library of America sent me Volumes I and II of The Leatherstocking Tales, and if it was good enough for them, it was certainly good enough for Gosneys (a phrase I came up with several years ago and is now our family motto).
I’m a big fan of The Library of America subscription editions. I love the look, the feel, the slipcases to store them in (not pictured, but you can see them if you go to the Forward of this blog), the sewn-in ribbon markers, and even the thin pages, which allows them to pack in plenty of pages. At some point in life, you come to the realization that your expiration date will be arriving – probably sooner than you expect – and you don’t want to leave all those wonderful books on your shelves unread.
With this thought in mind, I decided to start reading the adventures of Nathaniel Bumppo and his great friend, Chingachgook, in publication order. THE PIONEERS, or The Sources of the Susquehanna; a Descriptive Tale, is the fourth chronological story, but the first novel written in the series. The entire title is quite a mouthful, so it’s no wonder it’s just referred to as THE PIONEERS. In the image below from the book’s interior, you can see that this volume contains the first three novels, and the titles get progressively shorter.
Natty is past his prime in THE PIONEERS, which takes place from December 1793 to the fall of 1794. I’m guessing that a good number of people know the character from the film version of THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS, which takes place 37 years before THE PIONEERS. But regardless of his age, Natty is still resourceful and confident of his skills, yet he’s an introspective man of nature who reveres God and loves his dog.
“…that dog is more to be trusted than many a Christian man; for he never forgets a friend, and loves the hand that gives him bread.” ~Natty Bumppo
Hawk-eye is facing change all around him, and with the country expanding and people looking for ways to make their mark in this new world, whether by means honest or not, the pioneer hero has his thoughts on the subject.
“I trouble no man; why can’t the law leave me to myself? Go back—go back, and tell your Judge that he may keep his bounty; but I won’t have his wasty ways brought into my hut.” ~Natty Bumppo
THE PIONEERS may not appeal to many readers today, but I quickly became enmeshed in Cooper’s world of New York from a distant past, and have read all five Leatherstocking Tales.
Before we turn the page, did you know that there was a short-lived TV series named Hawkeye? It takes place in 1755, a couple years before THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Though I have yet to watch it, you can view it via a couple different streaming channels. I’ve included the opening credits below.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
Never Miss an Episode of I Read That Book!Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! 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.
Hits: 3
June 22, 2023
Aquaman Swims to the Rescue While Cold War Concludes for the Two Captains!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 404, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 404…
Cool Comics Stuff!Hi Cool Comics Crowd! I hope all is well with each of you readers of the wonderful world of four-color entertainment. My activities are a bit limited these days, as I’m still recovering from surgery (I’m a recent recipient of a bionic knee), but in case you didn’t see it, I wanted you to get a look at the outstanding video that our friend who runs the Sonic Theory YouTube page put together for me (and that’s his voice doing the narration). Along with this, he also made a short video about the Cool Comics Battle of the Week, so be sure to check it out while you’re on my channel, as it gained over a thousand views just a few hours after it launched. I’m not sure how often he’ll be able to make more Cool Comics videos, but be sure to subscribe if you want to see what comes next!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Captain Marvel Jr. versus Aquaman! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode of Cool Comics features the Man of Steel, Superman, along with some of his dastardly foes, by world renowned artist Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art!
You can have a piece of your art (or an original piece of art that you own) featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#2036 — Captain America: Cold War Omega #1, Marvel, August 2023.
Cool Factor: I appreciate smaller crossover events, such as this one, aptly titled Cold War, that just finished up a six-issue run across two specials and four issues of both Captain America titles. Steve, Sam, Misty, and Sharon battle crazy forces in Dimension Z in pursuit of their goal, which includes taking down Bucky, if necessary.
Comic Book Credits: Writers – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, & Tochi Onyebuchi; Artist – Carlos Magno; Color Artist – GURU-eFX; Letterer – Joe Caramagna; Cover Artists – Patrick Gleason & Alejandro Sánchez; Graphic Designer – Carlos Lao; Assistant Editor – Kaitlyn Lindtvedt; and Editor – Alanna Smith.
Price and Values: The cover price of Captain America: Cold War Omega #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#2037 — Marvel Family #1, DC, December 2022 (Original Cover Date: December 1945).
Cool Factor: If you appreciate the history of comic books and enjoy stories that probably came out before your time, then I hope you grabbed an issue of Marvel Family #1 when the Facsimile Edition came out last year. My late father sometimes mentioned to me how much he liked Captain Marvel, and my dad wasn’t far from my thoughts as I read through this issue, which featured the one and only appearance of Black Adam during Shazam’s original run. Besides the fun of seeing the ads from 1945, the price differential is sweet, since an original copy could set you back about $7,000.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – C. C. Beck (pencils); The Mighty Marvels Join Forces! – Otto Binder (script), C. C. Beck (pencils), and Pete Costanza (inks); The Show Case – Dick McCay (script/pencils/inks); The Marvel Family and Baby Marvel – Otto Binder (script); and Sidonie M. Gruenberg (consulting editor), Wendell Crowley (editor), and Will Lieberson (executive editor). There are also some speculative credits and other story titles listed HERE.
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Family #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 7 of 2023)#2038 — Frazettaverse #0, Opus, May 2023.
Cool Factor: I love the idea that this Frazettaverse Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition gives us samples of stories based on Frank Frazetta’s art, but I want to caution readers that this isn’t a comic to pass on to the kiddos in your life (and if you’re familiar with Frazetta’s art, you may have already figured that out). There are a few mature scenes and some language tossed in, even in the Mothman story (which makes me wish that someone would put together a comic universe populated with Cryptids!), so proceed with caution.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Frank Frazetta (painting); Death Dealer – Enter: The Norseman – Mitch Iverson (script), Richard Pace (pencils/inks/colors), and Jacob Bascle (letters); Mothman – Tim Hedrick (script), Andrea Mum (pencils), Gigi Baldassini (inks), Valerio Alloro (colors), and Jacob Bascle (letters); Dawn Attack – Jody Houser & Eric Campbell (script), Diego Yapur (pencils/inks), Carlos Cabrera (colors), Jacob Bascle (letters), and Holly Interlandi & R. G. Llarena (edits); and Denton J. Tipton (editor). Additionally, there are several interior Frank Frazetta paintings.
Price and Values: The cover price of Frazettaverse #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#2039 — Beep Beep the Road Runner #78, Gold Key, April 1979.
Cool Factor: In the same vein that a demented part of me wants to see Sylvester make a meal of Tweety, those same sentiments apply to Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. Perhaps an Elseworlds special for a dark October evening? But I doubt it will ever happen, and besides, in this universe, the Road Runner, along with his sons, is the good guy, and no amount of ACME products will ever take him down. If you long for those golden days of watching Saturday morning cartoons while decked out in footie pajamas and munching on a bowl of super sweetened cereal, Road Runner comics are a nice gateway.
Comic Book Credits: As is typical with most of the Gold Key Comics aimed at younger readers from this era, no credits are available. Stories contained in this issue include Surprise Party, Flying High, The Mutt Mistake, and Dust Bust.
Price and Values: The cover price of Beep Beep the Road Runner #78 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#2040 — Adventure Comics #449, DC, February 1977.
Cool Factor: I’m pretty sure my first exposure to Aquaman came by watching Super Friends when I was a kid. And while most of my comics are Marvel made, I say there’s plenty of room in the sea for both Namor and Aquaman! I was fortunate to find a small stack of Adventure Comics from the Seventies in a quarter bin at a local comic shop, and it’s been a blast periodically reading these stories and learning more about DC’s golden haired swimming star. Additionally, this issue features the first of a multipart adventure with Martian Manhunter!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jim Aparo (pencils/inks), Tatjana Wood (colors), and Gaspar Saladino (letters); The Menace of the Marine Marauder – Steve Skeates (script), Jim Aparo (pencils/inks/letters), and Elizabeth Safian (colors); Mission Catch a Killer – Denny O’Neil (script), Michael Netzer (pencils), Terry Austin (inks), Carl Gafford (colors), and Ben Oda (letters); and Paul Levitz (story editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Adventure Comics #449 is 30¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
Hits: 48
June 19, 2023
HALLOWE’EN PARTY by Agatha Christie
Welcome to Page 17 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 17.
If you’re in the mood to fit in a fun, quick mystery when October arrives, and you’ve never had occasion to read HALLOWE’EN PARTY, I highly recommend it. I read my copy, which sports an appropriate orange and black cover, a good long while ago, well before the film version aired as part of the British TV series Poirot. Yet now, thinking back on it, I wish I’d seen the episode first, because I’m sure I would have enjoyed the book even more by picturing the actors in my mind while experiencing the novel. For me and many others, David Suchet IS Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s delightful detective.
“A girl was murdered,” said Poirot. “Murdered by someone who had strength enough to hold her head down in a bucket of water. An ugly murder and a murder that was committed with what we might call no time to lose. Somebody was threatened, and whoever it was struck as soon as it was humanly possible.”
No need to fear, Poirot is here!
When things go sour at a children’s Hallowe’en Party, it’s time to call in the often-underestimated expert of murder and mayhem. The Belgian detective follows the dictates of logic and reason, and it’s fun for the reader to experience Poirot’s methods as he uncovers the crime.
If you’ve never seen the Hallowe’en Party episode of Poirot (season 12, episode 2), you’re in for a treat (and maybe even a trick!). The individual episode can be purchased via some streaming outlets (I bought it on Amazon Prime a few years ago), and the show appears to be on Apple TV, which also has a fun trailer you can watch by clicking HERE.
I don’t read a lot of mysteries, but you can’t go wrong with the Queen of Crime! If you decide to experience HALLOWE’EN PARTY and discover that you want more Christie on your bookcase, keep in mind that she wrote 65 other novels, along with 14 story collections. That will keep you busy for a while!
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
Never Miss an Episode of I Read That Book!Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! 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.
Hits: 13
June 15, 2023
Knight Terrors Come to DC & Shakespeare is Unleashed!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 403, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 403…
Cool Comics Stuff!
This episode is giving some love to Monstrous Books and the ultra-cool Kickstarter campaigns they’ve produced, thanks to the imagination of James Aquilone. Not only does the Dead Detectives Society anthology look fantastic (with stories from some of the biggest writers in the business), but they are also launching the first issue of Monstrous Magazine, a digest-sized offering that will contain comics! Don’t miss out as this Kickstarter ends June 28!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Falcon versus Iron Fist! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
In this episode, Cool Comics shows off Ed Griffie’s version of Captain Bucky! Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
You can have a piece of your art (or an original piece of art that you own) featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#2031 — Shakespeare Unleashed One-Shot, Monstrous Books, 2023.
Cool Factor: Shakespeare Unleashed is a fun, digest-sized book influenced by writings from the Bard and contains illustrations, comics, sonnets, and stories. This was an add-on from a recent Shakespeare Unleashed Kickstarter that I’m really looking forward to and contains cool stuff that should satisfy most fans of the famous playwright. Near the close of 2022, it hit me that I should probably read more Shakespeare, and while I’ve gotten through five plays so far in 2023, Shakespeare Unleashed provides classical entertainment in its own unique way. This was a fun read that left me wanting more! If you are interested in the prose anthology and missed out on the Kickstarter, you can find out how to order it at Monstrous Books.
Comic Book Credits: Bloody Thou Art (based on Richard III) by David Avallone and Helena Masellis; Romeo and Juliet: Afterlife by James Aquilone and J.K. Woodward; Exit, Pursued by Bear (based on Shakespeare’s most infamous stage direction) by James Aquilone and Zac Atkinson; and a prose tale, The Gaslighting of the Shrew, by Jeff Strand, based on The Taming of the Shrew, with art by Marco Finnegan; all lettered by Tom Napolitano.
Price and Values: The cover price of Shakespeare Unleashed One-Shot is $7.99.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#2032 — Captain America #117, Marvel, March 2021 (Original Cover Date: September 1969).
Cool Factor: When I bought my first Captain America comic book in 1973, the Falcon was a regular part of the series. I was exposed to the patriotic hero through reruns of the Sixties animated series, but the Falcon hadn’t yet been created when those cartoons hit the airwaves. Immediately I thought the new, high-flying superhero was cool, especially considering that his companion Redwing was real (unlike the current movies). And while the original first appearance of Sam Wilson (the Falcon) is a bit out of my price range ($1,800 current value), this Facsimile Edition works for me.
Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (script/editor), Gene Colon (pencils/cover pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks/cover inks), Sam Rosen (letters/cover letters), and John Romita (cover pencils & inks alterations).
Price and Values: The cover price of Captain America #117 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 6 of 2023)#2033 — Dawn of DC Knight Terrors Special Edition, DC, July 2023.
Cool Factor: This summer things are getting scary at DC, as the usual titles will all be a part of Knight Terrors (along with a four issue limited series). This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue is a good way to decide if you want to enjoy the chills along with your favorite heroes. Just beware that if you want to go all in, the most terrifying aspect probably will be the amount of dollars flying out of your wallet, because lots of titles are involved.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jason Fabok (pencils/inks) and Brad Anderson (colors); Knight Terrors – Joshua Williamson (script), Chris Bachalo (pencils/inks/colors), Howard Porter (pencils/inks), Jaime Mendoza (inks), Danny Miki (inks), Brad Anderson (colors), Troy Peteri (letters); and edited by Ben Abernathy. Additionally, there are illustrations for this FCBD issue, and you can see the credits for them HERE.
Price and Values: The cover price of Dawn of DC Knight Terrors Special Edition is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#2034 — Mickey Mouse #188, Gold Key, October 1978.
Cool Factor: Mickey Mouse comics, regardless of the publishing company, consistently provide great adventure stories for younger readers who want a little more action. Like most of the comics I feature in this Young at Heart section, I was able to snag this issue for just a quarter, so unless you want all your comics to be pristine, you can get some fun stuff without breaking your budget…especially if you’re going to pass them on to the little ones in your life.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Larry Mayer (pencils/inks); The Secret of Earthquake Island – Carl Fallberg (script) and Paul Murry (pencils/inks/letters); The Mixed-Up Fixer – Paul Murry (pencils/inks/letters); Larry Mayer (art director); and Del Connell (managing editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Mickey Mouse #188 is 35¢, while the current value is $12.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#2035 — Marvel Premiere #24, Marvel, September 1975.
Cool Factor: My favorite period of comic books is the Seventies for various reasons, and anthology titles like Marvel Premiere is one of the reasons why. Some of the issues can be found in discount bins, but those days are growing rare (depending on condition) since older collectors are gravitating more and more towards the comics of their youth. When this issue originally came out in 1975, Iron Fist was nowhere on my radar (Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America were my favorites), but as time seems to slip past me a little quicker these days, I have a greater appreciation for the less popular heroes.
Comic Book Credits: Chris Claremont (script), Pat Broderick (pencils), Marie Severin (pencils/inks), Vince Colletta (inks), Phil Rachelson (colors), Karen Mantlo (letters), Gil Kane (cover pencils), John Romita (cover inks), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), and Len Wein (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Premiere #24 is 25¢, while the current values are $45 on CBR and $25 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $25.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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June 13, 2023
WAR AND PEACE by Leo Tolstoy
Welcome to Page 16 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 16.
I’m not sure if there is another book out there that gets its title bandied about more than WAR AND PEACE. I’ve heard it discussed in movies and on television, both in a serious and joking context; not to mention its reputation of being such a long novel (and it is, but there are books with higher page counts). And up until 2019, I never even considered reading it because I didn’t think Tolstoy’s masterpiece would interest me. Then I watched the 2016 mini-series.
There have been other movies and mini-series based on this literary tour de force that follows several Russian families from 1805 through 1820 (during the time of Napoléon Bonaparte’s reign), but I haven’t seen them, so I can’t really give an opinion. But the BBC One version I watched entranced me so much that I was more than happy to finally pull my dusty copy off the shelf and tackle it during the first part of 2020.
I don’t feel that having watched it first spoiled the book for me whatsoever. In fact, my mini-series viewing enhanced the experience. With the haunting soundtrack playing in the background of my memories and seeing the faces of the actors in my mind as I came across them on the pages, the book came to life for me in ways it never would have had I picked it up first.
There is a rather large cast of characters, but as always, we readers quickly decide on our favorites, sometimes against the intentions of the author! My copy (weighing in at 1,146 pages), which is from around 1930, was translated by Constance Garnett. There may be other, preferred translations, but I was happy enough with this version. Sometimes translators have variations in the spelling of names, but that’s nothing to quibble over. Some of my favorite characters from the novel (and mini-series) include Pierre, Andrey, and Marya. And yes, there are others, but those are probably my top three. Not surprisingly, I’m not a fan of Napoleon; however, he appears inside the front cover of my copy of the book.
WAR AND PEACE isn’t a typical novel, as it’s also infused with history and philosophy. At times, you may wonder why you are reading it, but don’t give up! My belief is that if you watch the 2016 mini-series, you’ll want to get through it, and you’ll be glad you did once you finish.
Earlier I mentioned that WAR AND PEACE has been used in a joking context, and perhaps one of the best examples is from the TV series Seinfeld, when Jerry convinced Elaine that Tolstoy originally had a different title he wanted to use for his novel, and she ends up putting her foot in her mouth.
WAR AND PEACE is about families and relationships, the search for self and meaning, the trials and tribulations of war, selfishness via vices like gambling and adultery, the shame of children not living up to the expectations of their parents, choices both right and wrong, bravery and cowardice, and faith in God. But most of all, it showed me the power of friendship.
Prince Andrey scowled and turned away. Pierre, who had kept his eyes joyfully and affectionately fixed on him ever since he came in, went up to him and took hold of his arm. Prince Andrey, without looking round, twisted his face into a grimace of annoyance at any one’s touching him, but seeing Pierre’s smiling face, he gave him a smile that was unexpectedly sweet and pleasant.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
Never Miss an Episode of I Read That Book!Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! 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.
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June 8, 2023
Childhood Memories of Punisher’s Start in Timely Spotlight!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 402, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 402…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Did this episode get out of the starting gate on June 8? I can only hope, as I prepared early for week #402 of Cool Comics In My Collection, because I was scheduled to have surgery yesterday (which all sounds a bit strange since I’m finishing this up the evening of June 6). At least I’m hoping it was yesterday and that I was able to hit the launch button Thursday morning from my phone while resting in a hospital bed. Yet if I’m unable to publish Cool Comics on June 8, and I’m a day or two late, please forgive me. At this point, I can’t vouch for my level of pain and need for painkillers. And if I am late, I’m hopeful that I’ll get back on track the following week (or two).
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Benjamin Sisko versus Frank Castle! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
This episode’s Cool Comics Creation by artist Sydney Walton features this commissioned piece featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt from the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer. The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
You can have a piece of your art (or an original piece of art that you own) featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#2026 — Star Trek Annual, IDW Publishing, May 2023.
Cool Factor: Wait a minute…Star Trek two episodes in a row? It’s not often that Cool Comics does this, but the Star Trek Annual was too good to ignore. Whether you’re a new or old fan, just look at the cover and you’ll want to find out what this is all about! IDW’s Star Trek line has been putting out great adventures lately, boldly going where no reader has gone before, and if you decided to skip this annual, you may be having second thoughts now!
Comic Book Credits: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (writers), Rachael Stott (artist), Charile Kirchoff (colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer), Neil Uyetake (design/production), Vanessa Real (editorial assistant), and Heather Antos (senior editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Star Trek Annual is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#2027 — The Amazing Spider-Man #129, Marvel, April 2023 (Original Cover Date: February 1974).
Cool Factor: The Punisher has been in the news lately, as Marvel/Disney seem to have decided to get rid of this character who saw his start way back in 1974. Cool Comics decided on including the Facsimile Edition of his origin in this episode a couple weeks ago, before hearing the news, so the timing is a bit interesting. But regardless of how you feel about Frank Castle, this issue of The Amazing Spider-Man became a bit legendary with kids in 1974. I was a regular reader of the series, but somehow, I missed grabbing a copy, although my best buddy got it and let me look over this haunting issue. But at least I now own the Facsimile Edition of The Punisher’s first appearance, because an original could set you back around $4,000! And sadly enough, my friend’s original copy fatefully ended up in a garbage can, tossed away without his prior knowledge.
Comic Book Credits: Gerry Conway (scripter), Ross Andru (artist), Frank Giacoia (inks), Dave Hunt (inks/colors), John Costanza (letterer), Gil Kane (cover pencils), John Romita (inks), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), and Roy Thomas (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #129 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 5 of 2023)#2028 — Fishflies, Image, May 2023.
Cool Factor: Jeff Lemire produces entertaining stories, if not sometimes a little on the gross side, such as what we get with this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue, Fishflies. I would venture to say that most people aren’t big fans of insects, and when they can fly, that often makes them worse. Is it any surprise, then, that this mature-rated story isn’t for the faint of heart? There’s a lot more going on here than just a swarm of bugs, and if you’re a fan of Lemire, make sure to find a copy of this FCBD issue and put the upcoming series (starting in July) on your pull list.
Comic Book Credits: Jeff Lemire (script/pencils/inks/colors/cover pencils/cover inks/cover colors), Steve Wands (lettering/design), and Greg Lockard (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Fishflies is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#2029 — Tweety and Sylvester #10, Gold Key, March 1969.
Cool Factor: Do you ever feel sorry for Sylvester? Sure, he tries to make a meal out of Tweety on a consistent basis, but that’s his nature. Tweety, on the other hand, sometimes bates the cat and gets him in trouble with Granny. Some of you have probably seen more cartoons of these two than you could ever keep count of, yet the stories never grow old. Comics like this one are great when you want to recapture some of the moments of your youth. Lucky for me, I’m often able to find such issues in quarter bins, so I can take that trip back in time for a pretty good price.
Comic Book Credits: No credits are available for this anthology issue, which contains the stories The Flighty Legionnaires, Brave Knave, The Sleep Singer, and Tweety Tooth.
Price and Values: The cover price of Tweety and Sylvester #10 is 15¢, while the current values are $40 on CBR and $15 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#2030 — DC Comics Presents #38, DC, October 1981.
Cool Factor: If I see both Superman and the Flash on a comic book cover, I want it. It’s just a natural inclination for fans of these two fast characters. So, when I ran across this one in a quarter box, I didn’t hesitate to buy it. The only problem is, as I was reading it over the weekend, I came to a crucial part of the story in the middle and discovered that a couple plot pages were nowhere to be found. Drats! Still, there was enough story left that it didn’t spoil the fun as much as it would have had the missing pages come at the end of the tale. And maybe someday I’ll find a replacement issue from the very same discount bin (it’s good to keep a positive outlook, right?)!
Comic Book Credits: Martin Pasko (story), Don Heck (art), John Costanza (lettering), Gene D’Angelo (coloring), George Pérez (cover pencils/cover inks), Tatjana Wood (cover colors), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), and Julius Schwartz (editing).
Price and Values: The cover price of DC Comics Presents #38 is 60¢, while the current value is $6.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? Our
Cool Comics Reader Reviews
section is looking for fans just like you to submit your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may
provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this
to
edgosney62@gmail.com
. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the United States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
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June 4, 2023
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? by Philip K. Dick
Welcome to Page 15 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 15.
One thing we quickly find out when reading DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, the basis of the hit movie Blade Runner, is that the book and film are as different as night and day. I’m sure plenty of people have experienced confusion with the book, especially if they bought a copy like mine (pictured below), since Blade Runner is written across the top. They see the movie, really enjoy it, and decide to read the media tie-in edition, only to discover that the original novel (if they even realized this was a novel first) is nearly as different as Star Trek is from Star Wars…and while that’s probably taking this apples and oranges comparison a little too far—because you will recognize some aspects from the movie—I’ll venture to say that a few readers would probably agree.
I’m not knocking either version, though, because there’s plenty of room in fandom to enjoy and appreciate the book and the film. Being an avid reader, I typically like the book better when it’s been made into a movie…but not always. In some rare cases I prefer the movie (or miniseries or streaming show), and probably even more rare for me is liking both about the same, regardless of the differences. Which is my sentiment for Blade Runner and DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?
It, he thought. She keeps calling the owl it. ~ Rick Deckard
The novel goes into Mercerism, a strange religion created by a man named Wilbur Mercer, and rather than taking the time to explain it, you can take a deeper dive at the link HERE, if you so choose.
I remember thinking how much better we are, how much better off, when we’re with Mercer. Despite the pain. Physical pain but spiritually together; I felt everyone else, all over the world, all who had fused at the same time. ~ Iran Deckard
It’s a status symbol to own animals in DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?—they are rare and expensive (nuclear war tends to do that), which created a market for…electric sheep…and other robot creatures…for those who can’t afford a live one. Rick Deckard, the protagonist, carries his Sidney’s Animal & Fowl Catalogue January supplement with him so that he can ascertain values when he comes upon animals that he may be interested in buying. Not exactly like the movie, right?
More in line with Blade Runner, Deckard is a bounty hunter, with an assignment to “retire” (kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids (called replicants in the movie). And, like the movie, Deckard may or may not be an android…or replicant.
If you’ve neither read the book nor seen the movie, perhaps you’re interested in giving them a try. Which do I suggest you experience first? I’ll leave that up to you because I see them as two separate entities. Additionally, if you’ve never seen the movie, you may want to skip the clip below (should I have put this warning out earlier? Hmmm), which is one of my favorite scenes.
The book probably sounds weird and strange…and it is. But love it or hate it, I think fans of the movie should give the source material a try. I’ve read several Philip K. Dick books, and I know there will be more in my future…perhaps showing up here, too.
And yes, I have a couple Funko Pop! Blade Runner figures.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
Never Miss an Episode of I Read That Book!Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! 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.
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June 1, 2023
Cougar Attacks, Swamp Thing Appears, & Thor Faces Furious Foes!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 401, where we look at various comic books I own (and in some cases ones that I let get away), both new and old, often with a nostalgic leaning for those feelings of yesteryear. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, episode 401…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Cool Comics is sending out a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Sonic Theory, who is now a YouTube Pro! It takes a lot of work and dedication to hit the milestones necessary to monetize a YouTube channel, and Sonic Theory put in the time to reach these goals. The videos are fun, exciting, and as polished as any professional could hope to achieve, and all this was accomplished in under a year! Please click the image and check out how cool this channel is!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Thor 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 Creations!
This episode of Cool Comics features that titanic Asgardian, Thor, by Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art!
You can have a piece of your art (or an original piece of art that you own) featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and if it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name, an optional picture of yourself to go here, and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to
edgosney62@gmail.com
.
#2021 — Thor #34, Marvel, July 2023.
Cool Factor: Ever since I started reading comic books, Thor has always been one of my favorite characters. But a hero needs challenges, and when you look at this cover, it’s hard to imagine taking on both Thanos and Doctor Doom in the same issue! It took me a while to warm up to Torunn Grønbekk’s storytelling, and with thrillers like this one, who wouldn’t be hoping for more! But alas, the end is coming, and a new creative team will be upon us come August. Let’s just hope we continue to get such great Asgardian adventures.
Comic Book Credits: Torunn Grønbekk (writer), Juan Gedeon with Sergio Dávila (penciliers), Juan Gedeon with Sean Parsons (inkers), Matt Wilson (color artist), Joe Sabino (letterer/designer), Nic Klein (cover artist), Michelle Marchese (assistant editor), and Wil Moss (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Thor #34 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#2022 — House of Secrets #92, DC, October 2019 (Original Cover Date: July 1971).
Cool Factor: What’s so special about this Facsimile Edition of an older horror anthology? Longtime comic book fans are sure to know, but if you’re rather new to the world of four-color fun, this issue features the debut of Swamp Thing! Now if you want an original copy in as good a condition as my Facsimile Edition happens to be in, you’ll set yourself back around $1,500. So, if you don’t happen to have that kind of cash available for your comic book budget, this is definitely the next best thing!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Bernie Wrightson (pencils/inks) and Jack Adler (colors); Welcome to the House of Secrets – Gerry Conway (script), Bernie Wrightson (pencils/inks), and Ben Oda (letters); Swamp Thing – Len Wein (script), Bernie Wrightson (pencils/inks), and Ben Oda (letters); After I Die – Jack Kirby & Mark Evanier (script), Bill Draut (pencils/inks), and Ben Oda (letters); It’s Better to Give… – Mary Skrenes (script), Alan Weiss (pencils), Tony DeZuniga (inks), and John Costanza (letters); Trick or Treat – Gerry Conway (script) and Dick Dillin (pencils/inks).
Price and Values: The cover price of House of Secrets #92 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $12.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 4 of 2023)#2023 — Star Trek, IDW Publishing, May 2023.
Cool Factor: I’ve been enjoying several of the ongoing Star Trek titles at IDW, and this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) offering features a prelude to a big story that’s coming out later this summer, titled Day of Blood. If you’re a fan but somehow missed this FCBD issue, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy before the storyline starts!
Comic Book Credits: Prelude to Star Trek: Day of Blood – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, & Christopher Cantwell (writers), Mike Feehan (artist), Lee Loughridge (colors), and Clayton Cowles (letters); Lower Decks #1 Excerpt – Ryan North (writer), Chris Fenoglio (art/colors), and Johanna Nattalie (letters); Malachi Ward (cover artist), Johanna Nattalie (designer), Vanessa Real (editorial assistant), and Heather Antos (senior editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Star Trek is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#2024 — Hot Stuff, the Little Devil #85, Harvey Comics, August 1968.
Cool Factor: If you’re of a certain age, you probably have some great memories when it comes to Harvey characters (regardless of the fact that they tossed devils, witches, and ghosts at little kids!). I was able to find this old issue while fishing through quarter boxes (the condition isn’t what many of today’s collectors want, but the price is certainly within my budget), and it’s always hard to resist bringing home a handful of Harvey memories. When you want to feel Young at Heart, Hot Stuff and his friends are hard to resist.
Comic Book Credits: No given creator credits for this issue, which contains the stories The Weird Laughing Mystery, The Last Laugh, Stumbo the Giant in Mighty Suspicious, and a couple unnamed Hot Stuff adventures.
Price and Values: The cover price of Hot Stuff, the Little Devil #85 is 12¢, while the current values are $28 on CBR and $14 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#2025 — Cougar #2, Atlas/Seaboard, July 1975.
Cool Factor: As longtime readers may remember, I’ve finally finished my collection of all the Atlas/Seaboard original titles from the mid-Seventies, a company that I never took a chance on as a kid. For me, the stories are all new and contain a great flavor of nostalgia from such an important time in my comic collecting life. But I want these magical moments to last, so I don’t read more than one every month or two. And as it happens, this second issue of the Cougar was the last in the series. But the ending demands more! Oh well, I’m just glad to have it as part of my collection.
Comic Book Credits: Gary Friedrich (script), Frank Springer (pencils/inks), Sharon Iborn (letters), Rich Buckler (cover pencils), Al Milgrom (cover inks), and Larry Lieber (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Cougar #2 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews! The New Teen Titans, Volume 1Reviewed by Steve Adams
Hello, fellow comic book fans. It’s Steve Adams again, with another review. It has been a while, but I have not been neglecting comics. I have been keeping up on Dan Slott’s run on Fantastic Four, as well as reading the adventures of Ms. Marvel after watching her series on Disney+. I also spent some time on Spectacular Spider-Man, centering around issue 300 of that title.
I have always been a Make mine Marvel guy, but today, I am focusing on the Distinguished Competition. In particular, I am reviewing Volume 1 of The New Teen Titans, which collects issues 1-8 of this game-changing series. I remember as a kid, seeing a small paperback book sized, black and white reprint of these issues at a book sale, and I had to have it. I only knew Robin, but I didn’t care. I recall being amazed by the stories, and the immediate emotional connection this 9-year-old developed with the heroes featured here. Other than Spider-Man, no other title at that time was treating ‘kid heroes’ with any level of seriousness or respect. Titans changed that.
There are only a handful of truly iconic and legendary runs by authors in the world of superheroes. I mentioned Slott earlier. His run on FF is second only to John Byrne’s. Chris Claremont’s time on X-Men not only saved that book, but comics as a whole, in my opinion. It was at this same time that Marv Wolfman launched his unparalleled 16-year association with the Titans. Legendary does not cover it. He and Claremont made a lot of new comic fans with their tight, emotional, and realistic portrayals of not only the heroes, but the people under the masks as well. In these first eight issues of Titans, Wolfman quickly built a team of young heroes that reflected their surroundings and raised them from the perception that they were the Junior Justice League, and made them a top-level team in their own right. He gave us a team of seven heroes, some old, some new. Robin, Kid Flash, Changeling, and Wonder Girl were the familiar names that got people to notice the book. Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg rounded out the team. And of course, issue #2 gave us DC’s coolest character ever, Deathstroke the Terminator.
As good as the writing was, the art was just as good. George Perez drew these characters with a very clean and crisp style that still appeals to me today. His characters are expressive, and he is able to use his art to make the reader spend as much time reading the artwork as they did reading Wolfman’s script.
These stories are good, believable, and fun. You can see the initial tension between teammates melting away, and relationships growing. The emotions displayed are earned and honest. The New Teen Titans deserves to be remembered as probably DC’s best title in the early ‘80’s, and one of its absolute best ever. Check out the collected versions for yourself and see.
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May 31, 2023
DRACULA by Bram Stoker
Welcome to Page 14 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 14.
Note: This was originally published October 1, 2021, on my Substack blog.
The air is cooler, the apples are crispier, and the leaves will soon be turning brown and crunchy. The dark, evening sky comes more quickly now, giving us less time to hang new strands of garlic around our doors and windows in preparation of the anticipated nightly visits. It’s October, and Dracula is waiting for you to finally take Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic off the shelf and start reading during this most appropriate time of year.
“Do you mean to tell me, friend John, that you have no suspicion as to what poor Lucy died of, not after all the hints given, not only by events, but by me?”
“Of nervous prostration following a great loss or waste of blood.”
“And how was the blood lost or wasted?” I shook my head.
He stepped over and sat down beside me, and went on, “You are a clever man, friend John. You reason well, and your wit is bold, but you are too prejudiced. You do not let your eyes see nor your ears hear, and that which is outside your daily life is not of account to you. Do you not think that there are things which you cannot understand, and yet which are, that some people see things that others cannot? But there are things old and new which must not be contemplated by men’s eyes, because they know, or think they know, some things which other men have told them. Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all, and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain.”
~ conversation between Dr. John Seward and Abraham Van Helsing
I put off reading DRACULA for decades, not really having much of an interest. Sure, like so many people, I’ve watched various movies featuring the blood-dependent Count, but the way the book is written didn’t appeal to me. It wasn’t the 19th Century style so much as the fact that the novel is constructed with diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles. Which isn’t necessarily the best formula for a page turner. Yet as a horror reader, I knew my education wouldn’t be complete until I read it.
As it turned out, the experience was better than I thought it would be, but I don’t think DRACULA is for everyone. It takes some patience, but if you stick with it, you may decide it was worth every moment. You’ll also see a number of differences from many of the movies out there. As an example, the original conception of Count Dracula by Bram Stoker allowed the vampire to walk in the day, while Hollywood decided sunlight would be a great way to combat his unearthly powers. However, I would hazard to say that most people will see Dracula on the screen before they even think about reading the book. And speaking of books, you can see from the pictures above that I have an old edition that came out shortly after the Universal classic starring Bela Lugosi.
While Lugosi is on my mind…and probably on his way to my neck…is it any surprise that I have the special Universal boxed set that contains five spooky Dracula movies? The first three items in the image above are all parts of that DVD collection, while the image to the far right is a DVD set containing four Dracula movies from Hammer Studios, starring Christopher Lee as the Count. Pictured below is the original box that contained the Universal DVDs, and as you can see, it also included two other sets of movies, along with neat busts of these monstrous heroes of horror films.
And since we’re still on the movies, I’ve included below one of the most famous scenes from the 1931 classic.
If Bram Stoker were alive today (and who’s to say he isn’t, considering what he wrote), he’d be a wealthy man. Not only have there been hundreds of movies featuring the king of the vampires, but Dracula’s image has also been used in cartoons, comic books, stage plays, and musicals. And toys, too! Below are a few I own.
There are plenty of fun things to watch and collect if you’re a Dracula fan, yet none of it would exist if not for the source material. As I admitted above, I put off reading DRACULA for a long time, but was glad when I finely explored this eerie tale and could experience it firsthand. While it’s not my favorite classic horror novel, I liked it enough to also listen to an Audible version a few years ago. And since it’s now October, perhaps you’ll want to read it, too.
And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!
Note: The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.
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