Ed Gosney's Blog, page 43
June 30, 2016
Blast Off with Comic Book Space Adventures!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 40, where we take a nostalgic look at seven cool comic books I currently own.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 40…
Cool comics in my collection #260: Space Man #5, August 1963.
I decided to do a theme week on Space comics, with a mix of issues that come before and after the first moon landing. Speaking of which, if you were alive (and old enough to be aware of what was happening) on July 20, 1969, can you remember the moment Neil Armstrong took “One giant leap for mankind”? I remember going on my front porch that evening and looking up, wishing I could see those brave men. Needless to say, the adventures in Space Man comic are nothing like what our real astronauts have experienced. You may be able to compare some strange science fiction movies or books to the stories in this comic, though. The imaginations of the writers are fun to witness, back when we didn’t really know what to expect from our universe. As an aside, all of the comics from this week came from a recent visit to my friendly neighborhood comic book store, Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio. This was definitely a fun and interesting week of comic book reading. The cover price of Space Man #5 is 12 cents, while the current value is $45.
Cool comics in my collection #261: Space Adventures #47, September 1962.
I picked up two issues of Space Adventures for my Space theme week, and the comic title proved to have some interesting stories. An anthology of shorts, you have to love the goofy cover of this issue, with The Beast of Bardo. The alien “monster” would probably have more people break out in laughter at its appearance rather than be frightened. But due to something in the soil, these poor space explorers find themselves helpless before The Beast of Bardo! The cover price of Space Adventures #47 is 12 cents, while the current value is $30.
Cool comics in my collection #262: Space Adventures #56, May 1964.
If you want to know all about the Fishermen of Jupiter, you’re going to have to splurge for Space Adventures #56. I love these old space comics and how it seems like anything is possible, such as intelligent life on Jupiter (if there is intelligent life on Jupiter, the joke’s on me!). These old anthologies may not have the most realistic space stories, and the character development is certainly lagging, but they are fun to read, giving you a look at the mindset of some writers back in the Sixties. The cover price of Space Adventures #56 is 12 cents, while the current value is $30.
Cool comics in my collection #263: Countdown #1, October 1967.
In considering a Space theme week, decisions had to be made. And I concluded that I wouldn’t do franchised comics. No Star Trek, no Star Wars, no Babylon 5, and no Battlestar Galactica. But Countdown found its way into my pile of comics when I recently visited Kenmore Komics. To be honest, I didn’t realize when I pulled it out of the box that it was based on a movie, but I think it fits in fine with this group (especially considering I veer a little to the left with the UFO comic that comes next). One of the reasons it works well is that it’s a much more realistic Space comic, a story that depicts the race to the moon against the Soviets. And there are no aliens between the pages. Have any of you readers ever seen the movie? It stars James Caan and Robert Duvall. I’d never even heard of it until recently, but with those two stars, I wouldn’t mind catching it sometime. I also want to mention that I never owned a Dell comic book until I started writing this blog, and I’m really glad that I’ve tried some of these companies and comics of the past. They really add a fun element to comic book collecting. The cover price of Countdown #1 is 12 cents, while the current value is $35.
Cool comics in my collection #264: UFO Flying Saucers #13, January 1977.
Another anthology, UFO Flying Saucers published by Gold Key was probably the most fun comic I read this week. Most of the shorts in this comic are based on incidents that people have claimed to be true, which gives it a little X-Files feeling, not to mention The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and Project U.F.O. (aka “Project Blue Book,” which aired in the late Seventies). It turns out that this particular issue, #13, was the last published. It may not have lasted long in the comic world, but I’ll more than likely search out the first 12 issues, because this took me back to my childhood. Back to a time when neighborhood kids talked about what happened to Barney and Betty Hill, to a time when we’d stare at the sky, wishing, hoping, to see bright lights fly past. To a time of wonder, when our imaginations could soar just as high. The cover price of UFO Flying Saucers #13 is 30 cents, while the current value is $15.
Cool comics in my collection #265: Mystery in Space #111, September 1980.
This issue of Mystery in Space, from DC Comics, was published in 1980, and after reading Space-themed comics starting back in the Sixties this week, you can certainly see a different level of storytelling. I was actually going to use the word “sophistication,” but I don’t think that’s a fair assessment, because it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. Not only has our knowledge of space and space travel changed over the decades, but the way writers and artists tell stories through comics continues to evolve. For example, one of the stories in this issue uses no words, while many of the older comics at times seem bloated with conversations. I wouldn’t say one era is necessarily better than the other – they are just different. The cover price of Mystery in Space #111 is 50 cents, while the current value is $7.
Cool comics in my collection #266: Space War #22, May 1963.
We finish up our trek to the far reaches of the universe with Space War #22, which takes us back to the pre-moon landing days. I wonder if this Charlton Comic anthology would have sold any better if it had a different name…perhaps like Star Wars? Nah, because the name on the cover doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the stories on the interior. I’ll admit that this one was the hardest for me to read of the seven this week. Some of the stories just didn’t keep my attention that well, but again, if I’d been reading this for the first time in 1963, maybe I’d be thinking differently. The cover price of Space War #22 is 12 cents, while the current value is $32.
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June 23, 2016
DC Comics Cavalcade!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 39, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 39…
Cool comics in my collection #253: JSA #2, September 1999.
During my third phase of comic book collecting (1993-2003), I learned a lot about the DC universe. I’d been mostly a Marvel reader, but the death of Superman hype started me back into reading and collecting, so when I saw this JSA series come out, I thought it looked pretty interesting and figured I’d add it to my monthly titles that I bought at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. And I really liked it, since I stayed with JSA through the first 46 issues. I really liked the characters, and the writing was phenomenal. The cover price of JSA #2 is $2.50, while the current value is $6.Cool comics in my collection #254: Shazam! The New Beginning #2, May 1987.
I’m old enough to have been a viewer of the live-action Saturday morning TV show Shazam! that aired from 1974 to 1976. Fawcett, the original company that put out Captain Marvel, definitely attracted kids with a hero who actually was a kid! I remember my dad saying how much he loved Shazam when he was young. So when I started buying and reading comics again in the Nineties, I found this older mini-series in a back issue box in Atlanta, Georgia, and just had to have it. And if the schedule holds, there will be a Shazam live-action movie coming out in 2019. I think the character is fun, and I’m glad I read these. The cover price of Shazam! The New beginning #2 is 75 cents, while the current value is $3.Cool comics in my collection #255: Strange Adventures #197, February 1967.
I’m running out of Strange Adventures, as I have just one more to someday put in this column. I know I could go to my local comic shop and purchase more back issues, but it won’t be the same as these. This issue (along with the others I’ve written about) is one I was able to purchase for just a dime, back in the mid-Seventies, at The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia. If you ever get to Wheeling, try to go. They have wonderful used books and magazines. At the time I bought this issue of Strange Adventures, I loved monster movies, especially the ones that showed out of Pittsburgh on Saturday nights, hosted by Bill Cardille, also known as “Chilly Billy.” This comic fit right in with those giant insect movies. Those were the days, weren’t they? The cover price of Strange Adventures #197 is 12 cents, while the current value is $40.Cool comics in my collection #256: Valor #4, February 1993.
Valor is similar in strength and abilities to Superman, but has a different alien background. I started collecting the comic part-way through this short run, and sought out the back issues at comic book shops in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s fun to have complete collections, and when they are small runs, they don’t take up much space and you can have a variety of heroes and comics in your collection. While Valor may not be on your list as a cool comic, I like the character, and you’ve got to admit that this issue with Lobo on the cover makes him that much more appealing. The cover price of Valor #4 is $1.25, while the current value is $2.25.Cool comics in my collection #257: Legion of Super-Heroes #294, December 1982.
This issue marks the conclusion to The Great Darkness Saga. I’ve been trying to stave it off for a while now, because I didn’t want to be finished with it here, but all good things come to an end. I think with each issue I’ve urged you readers to get this series and read it, if you haven’t. You’ll really like it, as it has heroes galore, along with great villains, featuring Darkseid. I got into the Legion of Super-Heroes during my second phase of comic book collecting, while in college, and I’m really glad I saw this epic run through to the end. The cover price of Legion of Super-Heroes #294 is $1, while the current value is $8.Cool comics in my collection #258: The Flash #3, August 1987.
I like the cover date of this issue of The Flash, because it’s the month and year my wife and I got married. And is it any wonder that we watched both the original Flash TV series and also the new series? If you aren’t watching the current TV show, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. I bought this particular issue when I lived in Atlanta, Georgia, during my third phase of comic book collecting. I’d never bought and Flash comics before, and started reading him monthly, and picked up a few back issues when I was able to find them at good prices. This series covered the exploits of Wally West, while the TV show features Barry Allen. The cover price of The Flash #3 is 75 cents, while the current value is $5.Cool comics in my collection #259 (one that got away): Superman #1, January 1987.
In the early Nineties, when Superman became all the rage because Doomsday killed him, I started buying some back issues of the iconic hero. I was living in Atlanta, Georgia, at the time, serving in the U.S. Army, and I found many back issues at local comic book shops in the area, picking this one up for about a quarter. My father had started reading Superman, dating clear back to Action Comics #1, and he bought me the death of Superman issue, which got me back into buying comics once more. For several years I picked up monthly Superman comics for my father, and we it was fun to have this relationship. Unfortunately, my collection became too large, and I sold this issue, along with other Superman comics, at a garage sale. The cover price of Superman #1 is 75 cents, while the current value is $5.Are You A Fellow Comics Fan?
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June 16, 2016
When Howard the Duck Flew the Coop!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 38, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 38…
Cool comics in my collection #246: The Amazing Spider-Man #133, June 1974.
“THE BATTLE TO THE FINISH WITH THE MOLTEN MAN!” Although I’d bought issue #132 off the newsstand when I was a boy and really enjoyed it, for some reason I didn’t buy this issue at that time. My purchases were still somewhat sporadic, often depending on how much loose change I could scrounge up. Yet I was fortunate enough to find a used copy of this issue for just 10 cents at The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia. From what I recall, this may have been my last comic book purchase at that great little store. On subsequent trips I started buying books there. I wish I’d bought more of the comics, and I wish the store was a little closer to where I now live. One last memory: as a kid, I really thought the Molten Man was cool looking, and I can remember acting like I was him while chasing some of my friends around in my buddy’s front yard. I’d take slow, ponderous steps, pretending I was melting the grass as they tried to stay out of my super-heated grip. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #133 is 25 cents, while the current value is $80.
Cool comics in my collection #247: Omega the Unknown #4, September 1976.
“NIGHT OF A THOUSAND CLAWS!” Omega the Unknown had a short run, but there was something about this character, and the boy who was strangely connected to him, that kept me reading this comic month-after-month, until I decided I was too old for comics, and I missed the last issue (a friend later got it for me as a gift, when I was in college). If you have a fear of cats, this issue might just give you the shivers as you gaze upon the cover, seeing cat after cat after cat. It makes me feel as if I may start sneezing. Even the great Omega himself looks terrified! Anyway, I really loved this character and comic, and maybe you did, too. I bought it at Slicks, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, when it first came out back in 1976. The cover price of Omega the Unknown #4 is 30 cents, while the current value is $8.
Cool comics in my collection #248: Power Man #19, June 1974.
“DEADLIER THAN DIAMONDBACK! THAT’S THE COSTUMED KILLER CALLED – COTTONMOUTH!” Another fabulous Seventies comic series that slipped past me as a kid. It’s understandable that I didn’t have a full-time job to support my comic book purchases, but sometimes when I think back to the other items I bought back then, I wish I’d instead have picked up some extra comic book titles. We had a lot of things competing for our money back then, didn’t we? It seemed like every neighborhood had a nearby candy store that had just the right items to empty our pockets of coin, along with the grocery stores that carried baseball and football cards. And just down the street in my neighborhood was a Dairy Queen. Who could say no to a cold Mr. Misty on a hot summer day? Then we’d ride our bikes a few blocks north to Slicks, and we wouldn’t have much left for comic books. I really appreciate buying back issues like this one featuring Luck Cage. I picked it up for 50 cents in Atlanta, Georgia, which is a good price. Sometimes we miss out on these gems as kids, but then when we do eventually get our hands on them later in life, we relive those moments when we were just eleven years old, peddling our bikes off on adventures with our childhood friends. The cover price of Power Man #19 is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.
Cool comics in my collection #249: The Fury of Firestorm #2, July 1982.
My second phase of comic book buying and collecting started during my freshman year at Ohio State. Up to this point, I didn’t have many DC comics, and most were those 100 page giants that typically featured Superman and Batman. I just wasn’t a regular reader in that universe, but one of my new college friends introduced me to comics like The New Teen Titans and the Legion of Super-Heroes, and I realized that DC was putting out some cool comics. Firestorm had a short-lived introduction in the late Seventies, but come 1982, DC decided to try again, and I jumped on that bandwagon. The series doesn’t have much value, but I fell for the complex hero made up of two very different people, and when it came time to get rid of some comic books, I knew there was no way my Firestorm collection was leaving my house! The cover price of The Fury of Firestorm #2 is 60 cents, while the current value is $3.
Cool comics in my collection #250: Damage #1, April 1994.
To me, a cool comic doesn’t have to be one that has a popular hero, or a fantastic guest star, or a low print run that makes the resale value skyrocket. A cool comic in my collection may not be cool in your collection, and vice versa. People buy and collect for a variety of reasons. Some people collect comics based on artist or writer or even villain. Some collect because they like a certain comic book company. And sometimes your reasoning changes as you come to realize that you have more years behind you than in front of you. When I entered into my third phase of comics, while I was in the Army, serving near Atlanta, Georgia, I was willing to try new and different characters. Damage entered the DC universe, and I enjoyed reading it for a while. And when I got rid of a few thousand comics, Damage made the cut over many more popular comics. I can’t explain it, but I didn’t want to part with this series. The cover price of Damage #1 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.
Cool comics in my collection #251: Impulse #2, May 1995.
“BLOWIN’ UP!” Impulse is fun to read, and this cool comic came out around the time my family was involved in a bad car accident. We were living in Riverdale, Georgia, while I served in the U.S. Army, and my wife, baby daughter Renee (who was just under six months old), and I were driving south on Tara Blvd. on a rainy Saturday when suddenly there was a loud noise and our car turned sideways, sliding out of control towards a gas station. We hit a curb, flipped up in the air, and landed on our roof. Without seatbelts things would have been much worse. So what do you need when your car is totaled, your body is sore, and you end up going through physical therapy? You need something fun to read, and this issue of Impulse fit the bill. The cover price of Impulse #2 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.
Cool comics in my collection #252 (one that got away): Howard the Duck #1, January 1976.
Howard the Duck flew onto the scene during our country’s bicentennial year, and has been a rather strange addition to the Marvel universe ever since. Because he was based in Cleveland and Spider-Man makes an appearance in the first issue, I had to buy this comic when it came out. Even George Lucas decided to enter the dynasty of this duck, but the movie turned out to be fowl…. Yet Howard still found himself in the spotlight (albeit after the credits had rolled) in 2014 in The Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Who knows where he’ll show up next? You may ask yourself, “Why Howard the Duck?” The only logical answer? It was the Seventies. Alas, I no longer own this comic, and I didn’t even have it in my collection in 1986 when Lucas put him on the big screen. I sold him to a comic shop in 1982 (if you’ve been reading CCIMC for a while, you know that I sold a pile of comics for a date, and it ended up NOT being worth it…I’d rather have Howard back). The cover price of Howard the Duck #1 is 25 cents, while the current value is $40.
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June 9, 2016
Obscure Disney Movie Comic Adaptations
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 37, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 37…
Cool comics in my collection #239: Walt Disney Showcase #1, October 1970.
This number 1 issue of Walt Disney Showcase, put out by Gold Key, features the comic book adaptation of the Disney movie The Boatniks, which came out in the summer of 1970. In today’s world, a Disney movie is a pretty big deal, but back in this period (the Seventies), they’d put out movies that entertained, but weren’t necessarily destined to be blockbusters. The Boatniks starred Stephanie Powers, Robert Morse, Phil Silvers, Norman Fell, Wally Cox, Don Ameche, and Al Lewis. Many of these names are familiar to people of my generation, but younger readers may not recognize them (Al Lewis, you know, Grandpa Munster?). I remember seeing this movie at a drive-in theater with my sisters and parents, laughing and having a good time, and reading this comic was a nice revisit of those memories. I bought this issue earlier in 2016 in a back issue bin at Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio, for $3. The cover price of Walt Disney Showcase #1 is 15 cents, while the current value is $32.
Cool comics in my collection #240: Walt Disney Showcase #19, December 1973.
Walt Disney Showcase #19 features the adaptation of the Disney movie That Darn Cat, featuring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones, a couple of Disney regulars, along with Roddy McDowell, Elsa Lanchester, William Demarest, and Frank Gorshin. If you grew up in my generation, these are all familiar names, from The Riddler in the old Batman live-action TV Show to Uncle Charley in My Three Sons, from the Bride of Frankenstein to Cornelius in Planet of the Apes. If this doesn’t bring some memories flooding back, I don’t know what will! As for the movie, I remember that I saw it when I was a kid, but as I read this comic book, I realized I didn’t remember much of it, but it was a nice trip back in time. One of the highlights of this issue is a 16-page catalog of toys from 1973, which makes it that much more fun. I bought this in a back issue bin at Kenmore Komics for $2. The cover price of Walt Disney Showcase #19 is 20 cents, while the current value is $24.
Cool comics in my collection #241: Walt Disney Showcase #24, August 1974.
I didn’t realize until now that six movies were made about Herbie the Love Bug. Six. Sort of hard to believe. When I was a kid, I remember that I loved the first movie, but there are five more I’ve never seen, and probably never will. This comic adaptation of the second movie has some familiar names once again, at least if you’re a little on the older side, like me. Helen Hayes, Ken Berry, Stephanie Powers, and Keenan Wynn all played second, third, fourth, and fifth fiddle to the fiery little car who manages to save the day. I bought this issue early this year at Kenmore Komics for $1.50. The cover price of Walt Disney Showcase #24 is 25 cents, while the current value is $16.
Cool comics in my collection #242: Walt Disney Showcase #52, September 1979.
Anyone else out there unfamiliar with the Disney movie Unidentified Flying Oddball? The tagline on the cover states “A SPACECRAFT AIMED AT THE STARS…LANDS BACK IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND!” I like time travel stories, so I decided to give this one a chance. The story wasn’t too bad, but I don’t think this is one of Disney’s finest movies. The cast doesn’t even have any standout actors, although it stars Dennis Dugan, and if you look him up on Internet Movie Database you just might remember him, since he’s been on so many shows. There is also a Mickey and Goofy adventure in this issue, which turns out to be just as entertaining as the main comic. I bought this from a back issue bin at Kenmore Komics for $6. The cover price of Walt Disney Showcase #52 is 60 cents, while the current value is $14.
Cool comics in my collection #243: Walt Disney Showcase #54, January 1980.
On the heels of Star Wars and Star Trek, Disney put out a spacefaring adventure movie in 1979 called The Black Hole. As a fan of science fiction, it probably surprises some people that I never saw the movie, but at the time, I was getting a little older, and this was a Disney movie after all. Different connotations back in those days. So now that I’ve read the comic book adaptation, if anyone has seen it and thinks it’s worth my time, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. The movie had some known stars, such as Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux, and Ernest Borgnine, along with the voices of Roddy McDowall and Slim Pickens. I bought this in a back issue box at Kenmore Komics earlier this year for $2. The cover price of Walt Disney Showcase #54 is 60 cents, while the current value is $16.
Cool comics in my collection #244: The Fighting Prince of Donegal #1, January 1967.
Before picking this one up, I was completely unfamiliar with this 1966 Disney movie, The Fighting Prince of Donegal. But since I like history, and with Irish blood coursing my veins, I forged ahead and experienced this thrilling Sixteenth Century adventure. If the opportunity presented itself to catch this movie on TV, I’d definitely stop and watch. In looking at the entry for it at IMDB, there is only one actor I recognize, Susan Hampshire, whom you may recognize if you’ve ever seen Monarch of the Glen or The Grand. If you like all things Scottish (even though the subject here is supposed to be Irish!), watch Monarch of the Glen. Like all the others from this week, I bought it at Kenmore Komics for just $2. The cover price of The Fighting Prince of Donegal #1 is 12 cents, while the current value is $32.
Cool comics in my collection #245: Walt Disney’s Big Red #1, March 1965.
Though the name “Big Red” sounds familiar, maybe I’m just thinking of the chewing gum…or the soft drink. The movie premiered a few months before I entered this world, and unless it aired on TV during one of those Disney specials they had way back when, then I’ve definitely never seen it. When I was younger, I went through a phase of reading dog books, such as Where the Red Fern Grows, Algonquin the Story of a Great Dog, and White Fang. And when I was even smaller I was a huge fan of the Lassie TV show. Boys and dogs go way back, and I certainly felt that childlike wonder of innocence and adventure while reading about Big Red. Another buy from Kenmore Komics, it cost me just $2. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Big Red #1 is 12 cents, while the current value for this second printing of the comic is $30.
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June 2, 2016
Cap, Controversy, & I Likes What I Likes
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 36, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 36…
Cool comics in my collection #232: Captain America #193, January 1976.
There’s a lot of hoo-ha (I really don’t know what that means, but I thought it sounded fitting for the situation) these days over Captain America. Something about him really being a Hydra agent all along in the new comics. Storylines make or break these heroes, and who knows which direction this will take the star-spangled avenger? Maybe it’s not really Steve Rogers, but instead a Life Model Decoy. Who knows? I enjoy the nostalgic feelings I get when reflecting back on the “good old days” of the seventies, when I first started buying and collecting comic books. And even that Captain America run wasn’t without controversy. They tended to get very political under the shadow of Watergate. This particular issue features Henry Kissinger, who has Captain America and the Falcon tested to make sure they are the real deal. Regardless of what happens in the modern Captain America comic, good or bad, I’d rather read these old issues and remember what it was like when I was a boy and my heart started pumping when I saw the new issue at Slicks, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, just waiting for me. The cover price of Captain America #193 is 25 cents, while the current value is $22.
Cool comics in my collection #233: Valor #3, January 1993.
Most of the superhero comics I talk about here at Cool Comics in My Collection are from Marvel, but I did read some DC during all of my collection periods. Just not as many, and a few years back when I needed to offload several thousands of issues to create a little more living space, many of my DC titles didn’t make the cut. You might question me as to why I kept my Valor comics, yet sold most of my Batman and Superman issues, and that would be fair. But there’s no accounting for taste, is there? I really enjoyed reading the adventures of this Daxamite who is very similar to Superman, and this particular issue has Lobo, Lex Luthor, and Eclipso, so what’s not to love? I bought this comic in a back issue box somewhere in Atlanta when I was in the Army. The cover price of Valor #3 is $1.25, whole the current value is $2.25.
Cool comics in my collection #234: The Flash #14, July 1988.
The Flash is another DC comic that DID survive my giant comic cut. I bought this back issue from a comic shop in Atlanta, GA, back in the mid-nineties. This is the second series of Flash comics, and features Wally West, rather than Barry Allen, the character used in both of The Flash TV shows. Although the new series does have a Wally West, and probably many of you are wondering just when he’ll get his abilities. At any rate, I thought this issue would be a cool one to put on here, because Vandal Savage is on the cover. Yes, the evil villain from Legends of Tomorrow is torturing poor Wally West in this issue. The cover price of The Flash #14 is 75 cents, while the current value is $3.
Cool comics in my collection #235: Thor #251, September 1976.
For some reason, I’ve always liked Thor, and when I started my third phase of comic collecting in the nineties, I decided to purchase lots of back issues that I missed. I bought this issue at a comic shop in Atlanta, GA. When I first started buying comics in the seventies, I was just so-so on the character, but then he grew on me. In this issue, Thor goes searching in Hela’s realm for Odin, his missing father. If you enjoy the Asgardians, this comic has Sif, Volstagg, Hogan, Fandral, and Balder. And even though it’s a Marvel comic, you really can’t go wrong, because it’s from the seventies. I just had to say that. Thor is virtuous and Captain America a true patriot! This is my golden age of comic books. And besides, the ads really ruled back then. Sea Monkeys were on every kid’s dream list. The cover price of Thor #251 is 30 cents, while the current value is $10.
Cool comics in my collection #236: Marvel Premiere #31, August 1976.
This is the third comic this week from 1976. Interestingly enough, I only bought one of those comics new off the stands. My comic purchases started slowing down in the Bicentennial year. I was buying a few books here and there, along with monster magazines, and I needed money to go to the local Dairy Queen in Martins Ferry, Ohio, with my neighborhood friends. Plus, it wasn’t considered all that cool back in those days to read comic books. So Marvel Premiere and the fascinating character of Woodgod had to wait about 25 years until I bought this as a back issue at Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio, back around 2001. I remember seeing one of my friends with a comic that had Woodgod on the cover, and I thought he looked awesome. So when I found this issue while digging through back issues, I knew I had to own it. The cover price of Marvel Premiere #31 is 25 cents, while the current value is $5.
Cool comics in my collection #237: Strange Adventures #192, September 1966.
When I think back to my childhood days, comic books played a large part. If you’re a regular reader of CCIMC (Cool Comics in My Collection), then you know that the majority of comic books I bought came from a little neighborhood store called Slicks, located in my hometown of Martins Ferry, Ohio. But my second favorite place to buy comic books was at The Paradox Bookstore, a small, privately owned establishment in Wheeling, West Virginia, that carried gently used books, magazines, and comics! The comics were a steal at just 10 cents each, and I was fortunate to add some early great Amazing Spider-Man issues to my collection. But I also bought some older stuff like this issue of Strange Adventures. This originally came out when I was just short of my fourth birthday and didn’t even know what a comic book was. But in the early seventies, I saw this cover with the scarecrow and had to have it! I loved monster movies and creepy things, so for a dime, I was one happy kids. The cover price of Strange Adventures #192 is 12 cents, while the current value is $40.
Cool comics in my collection #238 (one that got away): Tales of the New Teen Titans #1, June 1982.
A friend (whose name is also Ed) reintroduced me to comics when I went away to college, and also opened my eyes to the New Teen Titans. 1982 was an exciting time to come back to the world of superheroes, and I made sure to collect all four issues in this series. I really didn’t know much about this young team of heroes, so this series was a great way to learn more about these cool heroes, such as Cyborg, who is featured in this issue. This one came out not long before summer break after my freshman year, and I made arrangements with that friend I mentioned to buy all the comics on my list for a couple months, as I’d be away for part of the summer. He came through like a champ, and sent my comics in a nice package, including a few gifts he’d thrown in with his own money. Whenever I see the cover of this comic, I think about jazz, hockey, and Indy racing. Things that Ed loved besides comic books. He was a great friend to have my freshman year at college, and I see now, in looking back, just how blessed I was. Oh, and as this is a comic I no longer own, I thought you might find it interesting that it’s now in the hands of another Ed, my son. The cover price of Tales of the New Teen Titans is 60 cents, while the current value is $8.
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May 26, 2016
TV Show Comics of Yesteryear!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 3, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 35…
Cool comics in my collection #225: The Six Million Dollar Man #2, August 1976.
Charlton Comic’s The Six Million Dollar Man comic book started in 1976 and lasted just 9 issues, and I can’t believe I somehow missed this when it originally came out. I loved the show and bought the original novel and a sequel, and made sure to always watch the adventures of Steve Austin on TV. Another thing I owned was the Six Million Dollar Man action figure and Bionic Transport Station, which plays into this comic book issue, because the bad guy has a doll made that looks just like that action figure, and he is able to control Steve Austin with it. All told, it’s a pretty silly issue, but reading it was worth every penny I paid, as memories of watching the show and talking about it with friends flooded my mind. I bought this issue in the back issue bins at Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio, for just $2. The cover price of The Six Million Dollar Man #2 is 30 cents, while the current value is $15.Cool comics in my collection #226: Gomer Pyle USMC #1, July 1966.
Gomer Pyle aired from 1964 until 1969, and though I never saw the show in primetime, the reruns could be found constantly throughout the seventies. When I was a kid, it seemed like everyone watched those reruns and knew all about Gomer and Sgt. Carter. Today, I really don’t know how many people are familiar with the character, let alone the star, Jim Nabors, who was also famous for his singing voice. He appeared on variety shows quite often, and also showed up as a guest on TV every once in a while taking a trip on The Love Boat. For those who don’t know, Gomer was a down-home spun character who drove Sgt. Carter crazy. Things would get out of hand, but Gomer usually found a way to make everything come out all right, and seem like a top notch Marine. I bought this issue at Kenmore Komics for $4 earlier this year. The cover price of Gomer Pyle USMC #1 is 12 cents, while the current value is $125.Cool comics in my collection #227: The Courtship of Eddie’s Father #2, May 1970.
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, starring Bill Bixby, Brandon Cruz, and Miyoshi Umeki, aired from 1969 to 1972, and had a great theme song. I admit that I also liked the show because it had my name in it, but what kid wouldn’t appreciate that? Last summer while strolling around the Hartville Outdoor Flea Market, my wife happened to find this issue. She was also a fan of the TV show (is that why she married me?), and since it cost just $2 from a person selling comic books there, we bought it. A couple months ago, when I was flipping through some comic books in a box, I saw this one and decided to do a theme week on comic books based on TV shows. Not surprisingly, the stories focused around Eddie trying to find a new wife for his father, since he wanted to have a mother. Reading this issue really brought the past back to life for me. The cover price of The Courtship of Eddie’s Father #2 is 15 cents, while the current value is $50.Cool comics in my collection #228: Daniel Boone #9, May 1967.
Daniel Boone, starring Fess Parker, aired from 1964 to 1970. I really didn’t see many episodes of it, but I remember it had lots of fans. I’d probably appreciate watching it now much more than back when I was a kid, as I have a greater appreciation for history today, especially for great American heroes like Daniel Boone. The comic, which I bought at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, for $7.50, had good stories and I was glad to add it to my cool comics. I also like the picture cover used in so many of the older movie and TV comic issues. The cover price of Daniel Boone #9 is 12 cents, while the current value is $30.Cool comics in my collection #229: Ben Casey #5, April 1963.
Ben Casey ran on TV from 1961 to 1966, and though I know it was a popular show, I never saw a single episode. Obviously I was too young in the sixties to watch a show like this (I was born in 1962), but I watched a lot of shows from before my time in syndication during the seventies. If Ben Casey reruns took place, I never knew about it. Doctor/hospital shows have always been popular, from soap operas to nighttime dramas, and since I’d heard what a classic Ben Casey was, I decided to pick up an issue to introduce me to the character. I love these old Dell comics with the photo covers, and this is a good one to show the gruff exterior of this confident doctor. I bought this issue at Kenmore Komics earlier this year for $2.50. The cover price of Ben Casey #5 is 12 cents, while the current value is $50.Cool comics in my collection #230: Adam-12 #8, August 1975.
Adam-12 was a successful half hour police drama that aired from 1968 to 1975. There were a total of 174 episodes. I knew it was on for a while, but never realized just how long until I read this comic book and looked up some information. For those who grew up during the show, it was hard to avoid, considering that we didn’t have many channel choices back then, but mostly because it was a good program and we wanted to watch it. Who knew they’d made a comic book series of it? I sure didn’t until a recent trip to Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, where I found this issue for just $2.50. Though unlike the TV show, this comic book series lasted just 10 episodes. Gold Key, Dell, and Charlton were not comics I paid any real attention to back when I was first collecting comics as a kid, but since I started this blog, they’ve gotten my attention, taking me back to yesteryear, and hoping you feel a little nostalgic reading about them, too. The cover price of Adam-12 #8 is 25 cents, while the current value is $45.Cool comics in my collection #231 (one that got away): Welcome Back, Kotter #2, January 1977.
If you grew up in the seventies, it was hard to avoid this TV show, which ran from 1975-79. It started John Travolta along the path of popularity, and to top it off, the character Arnold Horshack carried around a Planet of the Apes lunchbox. Frankly, even though I watched the show for the most part, I’m surprised that I bought an issue of the comic book series. By 1977 my comic purchases were down, so why did I pick this one up? I certainly can’t remember, but I do recall having a good time talking about the show with my friends, back in Martins Ferry, Ohio. The cover price of Welcome Back, Kotter #2 is 30 cents, while the current value is $15.Are You A Fellow Comics Fan?
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May 19, 2016
Back Issue Bonanza!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 34, where we take a nostalgic look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 34…
Cool comics in my collection #218: Warlock #4, February 1973.
“MAKE WAY FOR THE DEMON CALLED TRAX!” Will Adam Warlock ever make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Hints have been given with his cocoon, but we have yet to see this interesting artificial construct. I didn’t read any of his comics until my third phase of collecting, which started in 1993. Part way through the run of Warlock and the Infinity Watch I started buying it, and then greedily bought up the earlier issues. I still need a handful of issues for that run. So one day while living in Atlanta and looking through back issues, I found this issue from the seventies at a good price. Warlock is a very cool character, and if you haven’t read any of his comics, I highly recommend them. The cover price of Warlock #4 is 20 cents, while the current value is $15.Cool comics in my collection #219: Spider-Woman #1, April 1978.
“ORIGIN ISSUE: ALL THE WORLD AGAINST HER!” If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of the very first Spider-Woman, this issue contains the story. Things haven’t been easy for Jessica Drew. The High Evolutionary was her father’s partner, which led to her gaining her powers, then later she was held captive by HYDRA, who brainwashed her. I remember when this came out, and at the time I was buying very few comics, and definitely passed on it. But about 15 years later, I found a back issue copy for 50 cents in Atlanta, Georgia, and decided to buy it. She definitely isn’t Spider-Man, but seventies comics are my favorite era, so this is a good addition to my collection. The cover price of Spider-Woman #1 is 35 cents, while the current value is $20.Cool comics in my collection #220: Frankenstein #12, September 1974.
“FROZEN IN ICE FOR HALF A CENTURY, HE COMES ALIVE–TODAY!” At this point, I own just two issues of Marvel’s Frankenstein comic from the seventies, and intend to add to this collection over time. As I’ve said here before, I wasn’t into monster comics at all, yet, strangely enough, I loved monster movies and monster magazines. I remember walking into a little party store/candy shop/newsstand named Slicks, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and seeing Frankenstein, Tomb of Dracula, and Werewolf by Night, but basically ignoring them for the superhero crowd. And don’t get me wrong, I still love the superhero comics, but now I hold a special affinity for these seventies monster comics. I bought this issue earlier this year at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, out of the back issue boxes for $6. This is a great issue, as Frankenstein emerges from ice into our modern world. I look forward to buying more! The cover price of Frankenstein #12 is 25 cents, while the current value is $14.Cool comics in my collection #221: The Amazing Spider-Man #124, September 1973.
“THE MARK OF THE MAN-WOLF!” Way back in 1973, the very first Spider-Man comic book I bought was issue #125, the second part of this story. So years ago when I found a nice copy of #124 for about 50 cents in Atlanta, Georgia, I grabbed it! I loved the Man-Wolf (even though, as I stated above, I didn’t buy monster comics) and really wanted this issue for a while. Besides, I really love to add to my seventies comic collection, particularly The Amazing Spider-Man. I used to own hundreds more issues of Spider-Man comics, with adjectives like Spectacular, Sensational, and, well, just Spider-Man. But when my collection became too monstrous, I had to decide what to keep and what to get rid of, and even though I love Spider-Man, there are many other heroes I wanted to keep around, so I just kept a few early Spectacular issues and all of my Amazing issues. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #124 is 20 cents, while the current value is $150.Cool comics in my collection #222: The Champions #7, August 1976.
“THE MAN WHO CREATED THE BLACK WIDOW!” Okay, so we do meet the man who created the Black Widow in this issue, but we don’t really learn anything about him. The Champions is another of those cool seventies comics that I neglected to buy in my misspent youth. It lasted just 17 issues, but had a fun lineup consisting of Hercules, the Black Widow, Angel, Iceman, and Ghost Rider. And though I never touched an issue way back when, I’m making up for it now, and need just two more to make my run complete. I bought this particular back issue at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, for just $1.50. The cover price of The Champions #7 is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.Cool comics in my collection #223: Cage #1, April 1993.
“MARVEL’S HOTTEST ACTION HERO RETURNS!” In case you think I’m stuck in the seventies, I thought I’d through in a nineties comic to help dissuade you a bit. I’ve been a fan of Luke Cage for several decades, though I never started buying any of his comics until my third phase of comic book collecting (1993-2003). And since then, I’ve bought back issues of Power Man, Power Man and Iron Fist, and Cage. He’s probably a little more in the limelight now that his character is going to have a show on Netflix, so it may be a little harder to find back issues at good prices at your friendly neighborhood comic shop. I bought this issue when I was in the Army, serving in Atlanta, Georgia, for 50 cents. The cover price of Cage #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.Cool comics in my collection #224 (one that got away): The Uncanny X-Men #158, June 1982.
I never bought an X-Men comic until my second phase of collecting, while I was in college in the early eighties. This particular issue features the first time Rogue appears in the X-Universe. I really enjoyed reading X-Men comics, but during my third phase of collecting, it seemed that there were just too many related titles, and when I decided I needed to get rid of a few thousand comic books, I sold nearly my entire X-collection, including this issue. There are probably a few that I now wish I’d kept, but hindsight and all that, as we well know. Being that my blog attempts to put a nostalgic feeling into all this, yes, I’m feeling nostalgic, but not so much about the X-Men as I am my friendships at Ohio State, back when I bought this comic. The cover price of The Uncanny X-Men #158 is 60 cents, while the current value is $10.Are You A Fellow Comics Fan?
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TRANSMUTATIONS Leads to a Strange Change!
My version of the apocalypse, started by the book series Apocalypse Weird, takes place in the tri-state region of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, specifically featuring the cities of Pittsburgh, PA, Wheeling, WV, and Martins Ferry, OH (where I grew up). I had lots of fun writing this, as I tried to capture some of the highlights of my youth via the geography and certain landmarks that were meaningful to a twelve-year-old boy who grew up next to the Ohio River, surrounded by hills populated with an old barn and a cave, and also a mine runoff that we all called the Orange Crick.
TRANSMUTATIONS is available to read on Kindle, via Amazon, for a paltry 99 cents. Trade paperbacks will also be coming out in the near future.
You can see it on Amazon by clicking here!
May 12, 2016
It’s Disney Week!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 33, where we take a nostalgic look at seven fun comic books I currently own.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 33…
Cool comics in my collection #211: Mickey Mouse #99, February 1965.
“Robin Mickey and the Sheriff of Blottingham” is the cover story for this Mickey Mouse comic, which contains a total of seven different adventures. Some are just one pagers, but you get a wide variety here, with stories featuring Pluto, Goofy, and Li’l Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. The Robin Mickey story is the longest in this issue, and also features Goofy and Minnie Mouse. I bought all of this episode’s comics recently at Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio. This issue from Gold Key cost me $4. I’d never bought or owned any Mickey Mouse comics as a kid, so I brought out my inner child to enjoy this one. I remember how magical anything Mickey seemed to me during my really young years, so reading this took me back to those long-ago days. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #99 is 12 cents, while the current value is $18.
Cool comics in my collection #212: Chip ‘N’ Dale #8, December 1956.
Chip ‘N’ Day #8, from Dell, has eight different stories in this issue. Much like the Mickey issue above, some are just one pagers, and back in those days they would put them on the inside of the front and back covers. There definitely weren’t as many pages of advertising back then. All of the stories except one feature the fearless chipmunks, with that other adventure focusing on The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. I wasn’t a big fan of most of the Chip ‘N’ Dale stories, but there is one in which they drive around in a toy car, and it’s fun to read. The back cover has an ad for Trix that is pretty funny to see, using line drawings of kids, with pieces of the cereal for their eyes and other features in the ad. This issue cost me $3.50 at Kenmore Komics. The cover price of Chip ‘N’ Dale #8 is 10 cents, while the current value is $80.
Cool comics in my collection #213: Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade #3, January 1964.
“CHRISTMAS ON BEAR MOUNTAIN” is the lead story in this fun Disney Christmas comic. Donald Duck and his nephews, along with Uncle Scrooge McDuck, are featured, and it’s a lot of fun. Huey, Louie, and Dewey are funny and much braver than their Uncle Donald. The second feature is called Santa Claus Land, and Goofy wants more responsibility at the North Pole. His job becomes taking care of the reindeer, and he discovers immediately that one is missing, and Mickey Mouse helps out. Later, they are joined by Dumbo, so fans of the little flying elephant will enjoy this adventure. As in so many of these Disney comics, the inside of the front and back covers have 1 page stories, but neither are Christmas themed. I’m sure many of you have memories of Disney Christmas themed cartoons or other comics, so I hope seeing the cover of this issue took you back to a pleasant place and time. I bought this at Kenmore Komics for $3.50. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade is 12 cents, while the current value is $20.
Cool comics in my collection #214: Covered Wagons, Ho! (Four Color #814), July 1957.
This issue is part of Dell’s Four Color run, and if it seems a bit confusing the way they number and label their comics, it’s because it is. Gold Key also has some strange numbering schemes, but I’m grateful to all those who have done this work and put it on the Internet, making it much easier for the rest of us. Unlike the previous Disney comics in Episode 33, this story actually covers the entire issue. Our heroes are living in the 1840s and attempting to get to the Oregon territory to farm the land and start businesses. Goofy takes the wrong path and trouble occurs with some Native Americans, who want to use Huey, Louie, and Dewey for fishing purposes. It’s a fun adventure story, and once more the little ducklings steal the show. I bought this at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, for $3.50. The cover price of Cover Wagons, Ho! is 12 cents, while the current value is $75.
Cool comics in my collection #215: Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #224, May 1959.
This anthology Disney comic book from Dell has some pretty good stories in it. We start off with a Donald Duck story, and of course it has his nephews Huey, Louie, and Dewey, along with Daisy. Next up is Scamp, a story from Lady and the Tramp, then hijinks with Chip ‘N’ Dale, and lastly a Mickey Mouse Alaskan Adventure, which was just okay. This is a nice comic for kids who love Disney because of the variety, and each story goes for several pages. The nice thing about all these Disney comics is that I was able to purchase them for good prices out of the back issue boxes, and for parents who want to buy some fun comics for their kids, or for themselves, you may want to consider getting some of these older issues. I bought this issue at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio, for $4. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #224 is 10 cents, while the current value is $35.
Cool comics in my collection #216: Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #280, January 1964.
Five years later we have the same title, but now it’s being published by Gold Key. This issue also starts off with a Donald Duck story that is lots of fun, as he and Uncle Scrooge McDuck disguise themselves as each other to avoid commitments, and it doesn’t work out the way they wanted. Next is Li’l Bad Wolf, and of course the Three Little Pigs make an appearance. Following that are several adventures featuring Brer Rabbit, Daisy Duck and Donald, and Mickey Mouse and Goofy. I paid $3.50 for this issue at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. If you are a Disney aficionado, this anthology title is something you may want to considering buying. My local comic book store has lots of back issues, and you get to read about characters you don’t really see today. Fun stuff! The cover price of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #280 is 12 cents, while the current value is $55.
Cool comics in my collection #217: Mickey Mouse #135, April 1972.
“THE AMAZING UNDERSEA OYSTERKINS!” Mickey and Goofy face an undersea adventure that rivals both Namor and Aquaman…okay, that’s a bit of a stretch. But they do battle against forces of evil and triumph in the end. Phew! This story takes up the majority of the issue, followed by Daisy and Donald in “The Misspelled Spell.” This issue also has an ad for Disneykin play characters. Sets A and B each have 16 fun mini Disney figures for just $2.98, and there is a Special offer to get 4 all-time Disney favorites for an additional $1. Don’t you wish you could order them today at 1972 prices? The ads in these older comic books are definitely a large part of the charm. I bought this issue at Kenmore Komics for $4.50. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #135 is 15 cents, while the current value is $10.
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May 5, 2016
A Cool Comics Salute to All Who Have Served!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 32, where we take a where we take a nostalgic look at six comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away.
For each of the comic books below, 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), as long as there are seven comics in your episode (you can still own all seven, or do it like me and include one you no longer own). 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 32…
Cool comics in my collection #204: All-American Men of War #102, March-April 1964.
“BLIND EAGLE–HUNGRY HAWK!” Military and War comics are something I never paid attention to during my earlier three periods of comic book collecting. I owned three issues of Fightin’ Marines that my mother got me in one of those Charlton comic packs, and I actually bought myself a copy Blitzkrieg when I was a kid (which is seen later in this week’s blog). During a trip earlier this year to my local comic shop, Kenmore Komics, in Akron, Ohio. I decided I’d do a theme week on comics that focus on the men and women who’ve served in our armed forces. I bought this issue for $4. This DC comic features a Joe Kubert cover, which certainly caught my eye, and tells the story of a Navajo fighter pilot and a prophecy that could be the end of him! The story entertains, and I absolutely love the old ads in this issue. Back in 1964 you could send in for a 100-piece D-Day plastic set of solders for just $1.50. But my favorite ad is for Aurora monster models, on the back cover. I still have most of mine to this day! The cover price of All-American Men of War is 12 cents, while the current value is $90.
Cool comics in my collection #205: Battlefield Action #53, June 1964.
“RUN, CHICKEN, RUN!” This 1964 comic book from Charlton gives us four stories of combat, showing us bravery in action, but perhaps more poignantly asks the question, “What makes a man break and run under fire?” No one wants to think this would happen to them, but it did and does happen. Our military personnel train long, hard hours, but things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes the fear is too great. The title story was good, as were the other three. This is a comic I would like to buy more issues of to add to my Military comic collection. This comic gives us heroic stories, much like the military heroes I’d create with my old Marx Army figures. My grandfather worked for a while at a Marx Toy factory, and he gave me lots of those old green Army men. I’d set up battle scenes and act them out with the toy soldiers, often burying the dead in the back and side yards of our house, I had so many of them. Years later, my father would sometimes dig some of them up while working in his yard! Again, I bought this at Kenmore Komics, for just $2. The cover price of Battlefield Action #53 is 12 cents, while the current value is $28.
Cool comics in my collection #206: Battle Stories #18, 1964.
“THE JET FROM NOWHERE!” and “HIT THE SILK!” and “A HERO’S MISTAKE!” all in one action packed fantastic issue, coming straight to you from Super Comics. Super Comics? Originally they were I.W. Publications, but later put out their titles under Super Comics, which sound a little more exciting, but not enough to stick around as long as D.C. and Marvel. It’s hard to find the exact publication dates for the Battle Stories series. It began in 1963, and this issue came out in 1964. They are reprints from an even more obscure comic company, Superior Publishers Limited, from Canada, from a comic book titled U.S. Fighting Air Force, in the 1950s. The stories were pretty good, focusing on the bravery of American fighting men, and sometimes having to overcome their fears. I picked this up at Kenmore Komics for $2. The cover price of Battle Stories #18 is 12 cents, while the current value is $16.
Cool comics in my collection #207: Boy Commandos #1, October 1973.
Boy Commandos is yet another reprint, bringing us a story from Detective Comics #66 (from August 1942 and valued at $10,000) and Boy Commandos #1 (published Winter 1942-43, and valued at $7,000). So rather than spend $17,000 on these two stories contained in this issue, I instead forked out $2 at Kenmore Komics for the reprints. Boy Commandos comes to us by the same creative team that introduced Captain America to the world, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. I’d never read any of their exploits before, and even though it’s a war time comic, it doesn’t have the same feel as the others I read for this special week. Magic and mysticism are in these pages, and when it comes to that, I’d rather be reading Doctor Strange. But still, this represents a piece of history in comic books, and I’m glad that I read it. The cover price of Boy Commandos #1 is 20 cents, while the current value is $15.
Cool comics in my collection #208: Fightin’ Air Force #41, November 1963.
“RETURN TO STALAG 9” is one of four stories featured in this issue of Fightin’ Air Force. After reading a variety of Military/War comics for this week, I must say that Charlton Comics does a good job of producing exciting stories for this genre. I love the “Fightin’” line, covering the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy. I still have yet to read a Fightin’ Navy comic, so I’ll have to pick one up the next time I cover Military comics again. It was definitely a different world we lived in when all of these comics came out, from the early to late stages of our involvement in Vietnam. I don’t know if anyone produces these kinds of comics anymore. When I was younger Sgt. Rock was big, and there were tales of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos. But there is something about these comics from the sixties and the way they try to capture the humanity of the fighting men who found themselves on the battlefield. I bought this at Kenmore Komics for $3. The cover price of Fightin’ Air Force is 12 cents, while the current value is $24.
Cool comics in my collection #209: Garrison’s Gorillas #1, January 1968.
“A RAT PACK OF UNDERCOVER COMMANDOES SPREAD HAVOC AND DESTRUCTION BEHIND ENEMY LINES!” This comic was based on a TV series of the same name, though I’d never heard of it. I showed it to a friend a couple weeks ago, and he’d watched it! I initially bought it for my Military/War comics week because the picture cover features Ron Harper front and center. Who is Ron Harper, you may be asking? He just happened to be one of the astronauts from the short-lived but awesome Planet of the Apes TV series from 1974. So there was no way I wasn’t going to buy this! Plus, it was only $3.50 at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. Turns out that Garrison’s Gorillas are convicts that are trained to be commandos behind Nazi lines during World War II, in exchange for their eventual freedom. The show was inspired by The Dirty Dozen. The title lasted just five issues, so I’ll see if I can complete this short run. The cover price of Garrison’s Gorillas #1 is 12 cents, while the current value is $65.
Cool comics in my collection #203 (One That Got Away): Blitzkrieg #3, May 1976.
“THE EXECUTION!” and “THIS IS THE FACE OF THE ENEMY!” I don’t remember anything beyond the cover to this issue. I bought it directly off the newsstand at Slicks in Martins Ferry, Ohio. And I’m not sure why I bought it, since I typically didn’t read Military or War comics. I’ve always liked history, and perhaps that was why. Also, sometime back then, I remember there was a show on TV about World War II, so that could have been an influence. Or maybe I was just looking for something different to read at the time. Obviously it didn’t rate keeping when I culled over half of my collection, and now that I’m starting a line of War Comics, I wish it was still in my arsenal. The cover price of Blitzkrieg #3 is 30 cents, and the current value is $32.
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