Ed Gosney's Blog, page 6
April 20, 2023
The Micronauts are Living Large and American Dreams has Houdini!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 395, 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 395…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple cool comics that didn’t make the list this week include the start of a new Guardians of the Galaxy ongoing series, and Captain America: Cold War Alpha, which crosses into both ongoing Cap series, and a closing Omega special.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Looney Tunes versus Micronauts! 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 an original Batman piece of art 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! Be sure to check out all the other fantastic creations, games, illustrated novellas, and comics at RAK’s website.
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
.
#1991 — American Dreams #1, Band of Bards, March 2023.
Cool Factor: An experiment performed by Thomas Edison gives Jake Gold superpowers, and this series—full of historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Thomas Edison, JP Morgan, Emma Goldman, Nellie Bly, and Aleister Crowley—is one that I’ll be looking forward to each month. It’s fun to see capes and tights in a bygone era, and as far as I’m concerned, Houdini’s name alone convinced me to give it a try. This came out a few weeks ago, so you may need to try to find a copy online somewhere if your local comic shop is sold out.
Comic Book Credits: Daniel Kalban (writer), Dody Eda (pencils), Tebe Andry (inks), Warnia K. Sahadewa (colors), Matt Bowers (letters), Kyler Clodfelter & Marcus Jimenez (cover), and Lashawn Colvin & Andrea Smith (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of American Dreams #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1992 — Batman #357, DC, May 2023 (Original Cover Date: March 1983).
Cool Factor: This Facsimile Edition of Batman #357 allows current collectors to look back on the first appearance of Jason Todd and a second look (if you can call it a look) at Killer Croc. Or maybe you’d rather spend about $170 on an original, and if you have the budget to do that, more power to you! As for me, I absolutely love the look and feel of these Facsimile Editions, and make sure to pick them up whenever I can.
Comic Book Credits: Gerry Conway (writer), Don Newton (pencils), Alfred Alcala (inks), Ben Oda (letters), Adrienne Roy (colors), Ed Hannigan (cover pencils), Dick Giordano (cover inks), Anthony Tollin (cover colors), and Len Wein (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman #357 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Leftover from 2021)#1993 — Kyle’s Little Sister, JY/imprint of Yen Press, August 2021.
Cool Factor: There’s no doubt that this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue isn’t geared toward my demographic, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t end up enjoying the story…which continues in a graphic novel. Many of the FCBD issues I read each year are marketed toward the future of funny book readers, and that’s a good thing if we want comic books to continue coming out each week. Plus, we were all young once, so there’s quite possibly stories, like this one, that will strike a chord with your past and perhaps bring a nice memory back.
Comic Book Credits: For this FCBD issue, BonHyung Jeong is credited for the story and art, including the cover art.
Price and Values: The cover price of Kyle’s Little Sister is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1994 — Looney Tunes #40, Whitman, December 1981.
Cool Factor: One of the best ways for seasoned readers like me to feel young at heart is to read Looney Tunes comic books. Many of us have great memories of waking early on Saturday mornings, dragging ourselves out of bed, and eventually making our way to the living room to watch our favorite cartoons. Maybe we ate super sugared-up cereal, with or without milk, while watching, and either sitting on the floor or the couch. And when Bugs Bunny and his pals came on, you just knew it was going to be good. These anthology style comics may not give us the same kind of action and music the animated classics did, but they are probably the next best thing.
Comic Book Credits: Vic Lockman (script), Lee Holley (pencils), and Larry Mayer (letters) for the stories The Circus Runaround, Chief for a Day, The Cuckoo Clock Caper, The Midnight Stalker, and Hypno-Trick; Michael Maltese (script), Phil De Lara (pencils), and Rome Siemon (letters) for the story Hair-Raising Experiment; Pete Alvarado (cover art); and Del Connell (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Looney Tunes #40 is 50¢, while the current value is $8.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1995 — Micronauts #13, Marvel, January 1980.
Cool Factor: Micronauts toys came out in 1976, but I don’t remember having owned any of them or even remember anything about them. I don’t recall commercials or seeing other kids with them. Maybe by then I considered myself a little too mature for those toys. I can’t really be sure, but when I went off to college in 1981, a roommate re-introduced me to comic books, and I started reading Micronauts and felt like I discovered something completely new. I have great memories of those brief college comic book days and often think fondly about them.
Comic Book Credits: Bill Mantlo (writer), Howard Chaykin (breakdowns), Al Milgrom (finished art/inks/editor), Bob Sharen (colors), Joe Rosen (letters), Michael Golden (cover art), and Jo Duffy (assistant editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Micronauts #13 is 40¢, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
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: 33
April 19, 2023
DUNE by Frank Herbert
Welcome to Page 8 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 8.
Confession time: I purposely avoided reading DUNE for several decades. Even though I’ve always enjoyed science fiction, I’d heard from a number of people that DUNE was a difficult read. And just like…well…pretty much everyone else, with all the craziness that happens in our lives, why make my escape between the pages of a book even more complicated?
Yet Frank Herbert’s classic kept appearing in front of my eyes, from reviews to comments and comparisons in popular media to movies to a Syfy Channel miniseries, and after watching the aforementioned Dune on my television in the comfort of my home, I decided it was time to crack open my wife’s old paperback copy and forge my way across those sandy hills.
Now if I’d read this book after watching the 1984 theatrical release (it has plenty of critics, as well as a cult following), it would probably have been a little more confusing for me (there are some parts of the movie that still have me scratching my head…which is as bald as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam), but considering that the Syfy Channel production is closer to the novel, I found this to be quite helpful. And now I’m a full-fledged Dune fanatic!
Seriously, the book really wasn’t all that difficult to read (I have a degree in English Education and have read some books that many people would never, ever want to try), and if you want to familiarize yourself with the story before heading to the theater in October to see the new version, then don’t let anyone stop you! The book is rich with plot, characterization, action, religion, ecology, royal struggles, space travel, and mysticism. I suggest taking your time as you explore the world of Dune and really soak it in. Much of it will stay with you, and you may find, when the need is there, girding yourself by repeating the Bene Gesserit Litany against Fear.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
It works for everything in life, whether you state it before picking up a novel (such as DUNE and its many sequels and prequels), taking an exam, or driving in bad traffic. Okay, I don’t really use the Litany against Fear in my life, but when I can toss some cool Dune stuff your way, why not, right?
And speaking of cool Dune stuff, check out the picture of my Funko POP! Dune figures. My family enjoys collecting these, and they know what I like when buying gifts. I’ll probably show off more of my POP! collection when I have a close match with particular books…or authors.
And one quick note before we reach the bottom of the Page: I love the musical score from the first movie…more than the movie itself, and often find myself humming portions of it…because it’s Dune!
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: 9
April 13, 2023
Planet of the Apes Returns to Marvel and D&D Cartoon Memories!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 394, 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 394…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I didn’t realize this was going to happen, but I ran out of 2022 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issues. Typically, I get my hands on the entire bundle, but I think there were a few I somehow missed out on. But as it turns out, FCBD 2021 (and you may remember this) took place in September instead of May, and when FCBD 2022 went back to the original schedule of the first Saturday in May, I ended up having some leftovers from 2021 (although I believe 2021 didn’t see as many issues offered as in previous years). So, until FCBD 2023 comes around, I’m going to fit in a few of these missed issues.
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Planet of the Apes versus The World of Warlord! 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 Mystique! 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
.
#1986 — Planet of the Apes #1, Marvel, June 2023.
Cool Factor: In so many ways I wish I could go back in time and experience the 1968 classic movie Planet of the Apes all over again. I saw the television debut (an online source said it was 1973, which sounds about right) and I was hooked. Come to think of it, I was probably hooked just seeing the ads before it aired. And then there were sequels, a cartoon, a short-lived TV series, an ongoing magazine, Mego toys, novelizations, etc. You get the picture. But this comic book series is focused on the modern version (although I was hoping it would be THE POTA version from when I was young when I saw the first artwork announcing it), and I haven’t even seen all the new movies. I know I saw the first one, and I think part of the second…but it wasn’t the same. If you’re younger or prefer a more scientific explanation, I can completely understand that this is your brand of POTA. But it’s not mine. Still, I think this first issue does a really nice job of setting up whatever is coming next, although if you haven’t seen any of the new movies, you’re missing out on a lot as far as this comic book goes. I’m going to stick with it for a while, and if it gets me interested enough, maybe I’ll watch all three of the newer films and even see the new one that’s supposed to be out in 2024.
Comic Book Credits: David F. Walker (writer), Dave Wachter (artist), Bryan Valenza (colorist), Joe Caramagna (letterer), Joshua Cassara & Dean White (cover artists), Jay Bowen (designer), Anita Okoye (assistant editor), and Sarah Brunstad (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Planet of the Apes #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1987 — X-23 #1, Marvel, May 2023 (Original Cover Date: March 2005).
Cool Factor: When I started buying comic books again after a long layoff (mid-2003 to mid-2017), I had no clue about X-23, so both the comic books and the movie Logan took me by surprise. And when I saw this Facsimile Edition solicited, I thought it would be cool to get some backstory. But the weird part is, a copy of the original comic is valued at around $10, so maybe it would have made more sense to try to find an original instead of grabbing this version. Still, Cool Comics is dedicated to Facsimile Editions now, so the decision ended up saving me a few dollars. I didn’t have great expectations when I started reading it, but ended up enjoying the story and would gladly read the rest if I ever find them at the right price.
Comic Book Credits: Craig Kyle (story/writer), Christopher Yost (writer), Billy Tan (pencils/cover pencils), Jon Sibal (inks/cover inks), Brian Haberlin (colors/cover colors), Chris Eliopoulos (letters), Cory Sedlmeier (assistant editor), and Axel Alonso (editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of X-23 #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Leftover from 2021)#1988 — White Ash #0, Scout Comics, August 2021.
Cool Factor: First off, if you skipped reading Cool Comics Stuff above, you may want to give it a quick look if you’re wondering why this is listed as a “Leftover from 2021.” Wow, that was quick, you’re back here already! Before I read this comic, I knew absolutely nothing about White Ash and The Game, and while the stories were okay, I’ll probably never read anything in their worlds again…unless we get more FCBD issues with them. White Ash blends real world and fantasy trappings (elves, for example), reminding me of some fantasy stories and novels I’ve read in the past. The back of the issue says the rating is Teen+, and having read this, you certainly don’t want to pass it off to the youngsters in your life.
Comic Book Credits: White Ash – Charlie Stickney (writer), Conor Hughes (illustrator/letterer/cover art), and Fin Cramb (colorist); The Game – Charlie Stickney (writer), Conor Hughes (illustrator/letterer), and Triona Farrell (colorist); and Joel Rodriguez (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of White Ash #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1989 — Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #1, IDW, March 2023.
Cool Factor: Do you remember Dungeons & Dragons airing as a Saturday morning cartoon? It ran from 1983-1985, and I didn’t see a single episode. Why not? Probably because I was in college and had no clue about it. I’ve never even played the game. But when I saw this recent issue on the shelf, I knew the nostalgia bug would be biting some of you, so I thought it would be fun to read it and experience a little slice of D&D. If you watched the animated series, I’m sure this comic made much more sense to you and your enjoyment factor would be much higher than mine…but still, I had fun reading it, and can imagine the excitement some of you may have gotten when purchasing this issue. And by all means, share some of your memories in the comments section below.
Comic Book Credits: David M. Booher & Sam Maggs (writers), George Kambadais (art/cover art), Ed Dukeshire (letters), Johanna Nattalie (production/design), and Zac Boone & Jonathan Manning (edits).
Price and Values: The cover price of Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1990 — Warlord #7, DC, July 1977.
Cool Factor: I never bought an issue of Warlord when it was originally published, but I’ve garnered a nice collection from back issue and discount boxes over the last few years. The premise reminds me of the Pellucidar novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I remember enjoying these books when I was a bit younger. The Warlord series gives us a nice blend of modern sensibilities clashing with the savageness of a world not unlike the one you’d find in a Conan the Barbarian story. And what a fantastic job Mike Grell does with the art! If you’ve never given more than a glance at this series, I suggest you try it if you like sword and sorcery stories. If your local comic shop has discount boxes, there’s probably a good chance you can grab some of these back issues at a sweet price.
Comic Book Credits: Mike Grell (writer/illustrator/cover) and Jack C. Harris (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Warlord #7 is 35¢ while the current values are $10 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $7.
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: 41
April 11, 2023
DEMPSEY by Jack Dempsey, with Barbara Piattelli Dempsey
Welcome to Page 7 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 7.
While growing up in the 1970s, I often watched boxing matches on television, usually on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and occasionally there would be a big fight on during the evening. My mother would sometimes tell me about her father watching Friday Night Fights and said he would have enjoyed the experience with me by his side (unfortunately, I was just five when he passed away).
I was a casual fan, but when the 1976 Olympics came around, my viewing started growing a little more serious, and I became hooked on The Ring magazine, along with other boxing publications. And over the next several decades, I found myself absolutely in love with the sweet science.
Which leads to the book I’ve chosen for Page 7 (yes, I’m finally getting there). I made it a point to learn the history of the sport, and for a while I could name successive champions in several different weight classes. But I took it a step further and started reading about individual fighters when I could find books about them. DEMPSEY, by Jack Dempsey, with Barbara Piattelli Dempsey, was one of the earliest I read.
Many years have passed since I read this book (which is told from the first-person viewpoint of the great heavyweight champion), so I don’t remember the details. What I do recall is how much I enjoyed learning Jack’s story, along with the many pictures in the book. Several years following its publication, a TV movie came out based on it, aptly titled Dempsey, starring Treat Williams.
As the heavyweight champion of the world, Jack Dempsey was a huge celebrity, attracting all kinds of fans. Here’s an interesting example from the book of one of his supporters:
Chicago’s Al Capone, to whom I was still The Hero, let the word out that he had enough dough and influence spread around to make sure I would win. Not wanting Scarface to do anything I might regret, I sent him a short handwritten note asking him to lay off and let the fight go on in true sportsmanship. If I beat Tunney, or Tunney beat me, it would only prove who really deserved to be champion. I didn’t hear a word in reply, but the next day Estelle received what must have been two hundred dollars’ worth of flowers, with a card signed simply, “To the Dempseys, in the name of sportsmanship.”
If you are a lover of boxing and desire to know more of the history of the pugilists, the sport, and the times they lived through, you can’t go wrong with DEMPSEY.
Eventually, when life got a lot more complicated than I ever thought it would, I quit following boxing. But something about the sport has pulled me back, and I’ve been enjoying it again over the last few years.
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
April 6, 2023
Ironjaw, SHAZAM, Gambit, and even Alf Take us to Yesteryear!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 393, 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 393…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Odds are, I’ll never read the Hulk trade edition comic above. Why, you ask? Because it’s written in Portuguese! A very dear friend of mine does missionary work and periodically travels to Portugal, and she surprised me with this really Cool Comic she bought at a bookstore there. I love it!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Alf versus Ironjaw! 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 Reb Brown as Captain America (and I remember watching the movie on TV when it debuted)! 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
.
#1981 — Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #2, DC, May 2023.
Cool Factor: The Lazarus Planet event at DC proved to be fun and interesting, but it’s not over yet, as wer’re still getting more by way of this Revenge of the Gods four issue run! One of my favorite DC characters (although he didn’t start out his career with them, as most of us probably know) is SHAZAM, so there was no way I was skipping this limited series, and especially since it’s going to set up a lot for future tales.
Comic Book Credits: Revenge of the Gods Part 2 – G. Willow Wilson (writer), Cian Tormey & Emanuela Lupacchino (artists), Jordie Bellaire (colorist), and Pat Brosseau (letterer); The Plague – Becky Cloonan & Michael W. Conrad (writers), Alitha Martinez (penciller), Mark Morales & John Livesay (inkers), Alex Guimaràes (colorist), and Becca Carey (letterer); Guillem March (cover artist); and Rebecca Bohanan (assistant editor) and Brittany Holzherr (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #2 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1982 — The Uncanny X-Men #266, Marvel, January 2020 (Original Cover Date: August 1990).
Cool Factor: I was a couple years late for Gambit’s debut in comic books, and as you can imagine, the first appearance of this popular X-Men character continues to go up in price (the original issue is listed at $200 on CBR). As a matter of fact, even this facsimile edition is climbing in value, so it’s a good think I grabbed it when I did! For those of us who watched the epic five-year run of The X-Men cartoon series, we’ll always have his voice in our heads when reading Gambit’s lines in comic books. Well, at least I do.
Comic Book Credits: Chris Claremont (writer), Mike Collins (pencils), Joe Rubinstein (inks), Brad Vancata (colors), Pat Brosseau & Tom Orzechowski (letters), Andy Kubert (cover art), and Bob Harras (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Uncanny X-Men #266 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $25 on CBR and $15 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 48 of 2022)#1983 — The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics, Gemstone Publishing, May 2022.
Cool Factor: I’m not sure if anyone else gets these fun Overstreet Guide comics for Free Comic Book Day, (FCBD), but I think they are underrated for entertainment value. The people who put them together do a great job of making comic book collecting fun.
Comic Book Credits: This FCBD issue contains a number of fun little stories about the world of collecting comics, and listed are the main contributors, along with this link in which you can see contributions by story: J.C. Vaughn (writer), Brendon & Brian Fraim (illustrators), Chris Summers (colorist), Mindy Lopkin (letterer), Marshall Dillon (letterer), and Amanda Sheriff & Mark Huesman (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics 2022 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1984 — Alf #2, Marvel, April 1988.
Cool Factor: Alf comic books take me back to yesteryear and make me want to experience the Eighties all over again! The show started in 1986, the year my wife and I got engaged while we were attending The Ohio State University. And while we weren’t regular Alf watchers, we saw enough episodes for the comic to stir up nostalgic feelings in us. If you paid any attention to the Cool Comics Battle of the Week (listed closer to the top), you may have laughed in seeing that I pitted Alf against Ironjaw, but remember: Alf has superior technology, so maybe he’ll be victorious!
Comic Book Credits: Michael Gallagher (story), Dave Manak (pencils/cover pencils), Marie Severin (inks/colors/cover inks), Bill Oakley & Rick Parker (letters), Laura Hitchcock (assistant editor), and Sid Jacobson (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Alf #2 is $1, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1985 — Ironjaw #2, Atlas/Seaboard, March 1975.
Cool Factor: The more Atlas/Seaboard comics I read, the more I wish the company had lasted longer. Some readers may not think much of this short-lived venture to take down Marvel, but they certainly gathered some awesome creators and came up with neat characters and concepts. This second issue of Ironjaw is a blast, and I could easily imagine myself back in 1975 and reading this when I was a bit younger.
Comic Book Credits: Michael Fleisher (script), Pablo Marcos (illustrator), Alan Kupperberg (lettering), Neal Adams (cover art), and Jeff Rovin (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Ironjaw #2 is 25¢, while the current values are $25 on CBR and $20 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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April 3, 2023
1776 by David McCullough
Welcome to Page 6 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 6.
What’s the most important year in American history? You’d be hard pressed to present a more compelling argument than Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough makes in his nonfiction, modern-day classic, 1776…which, perhaps, contains the most seminal moments in the history of the United States.
Argue all you want concerning the Civil War and the two World Wars and what they meant to our country. I won’t refute you. But in 1776, we were perilously close to losing to the British, and if that had been the outcome, the world would be an entirely different place.
I’ve always enjoyed history, but ever since I finished school, you could say I love it, because now the choices of what to read and study are left entirely up to me. While astute students and other people far more intelligent than I am may enjoy diving deeper into the Teapot Dome scandal and the XYZ Affair (click HERE to find out what these are about…because learning stuff is fun!), my preference leans towards pre-Revolutionary War history (Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth Colony are perfect examples), with a dash of the Revolutionary War and Civil War tossed in.
Back in high school and during my first couple years in college, I read a lot of books about the Vietnam War. I can remember seeing film clips on the news of our brave military members over there when I was a child, and I witnessed some of the devastating results firsthand (as a young boy, their war injuries disquieted me) when visiting my grandfather, a World War I vet, at a VA hospital in Pittsburgh (incidentally, David McCullough, the author, was born in Pittsburgh).
While I don’t praise the idea of war, I do honor and respect our military forces (I’m a proud Army veteran) who answer the call of duty. And how many people today, whether they’ve served or not, would be able to suffer through the harsh conditions that the continental Army, under General George Washington, went through in 1776? So many of these brave souls lacked adequate clothing, footwear, weapons, and sustenance (along with the nightmare of battlefield surgery) that our independence and freedom is nothing short of a miracle.
I really enjoy the way McCullough tells the story of this pivotal year, and while you’ll encounter historic figures you’re familiar with, in 1776 you’ll come across others you may never have heard of, but won’t soon forget. And you don’t have to be a history major to understand and enjoy the important information given in this volume, as you can see in this example from Chapter Two – RABBLE IN ARMS:
“But Nathanael Greene was no ordinary man. He had a quick, inquiring mind and uncommon resolve. He was extremely hardworking, forthright, good-natured, and a born leader. His commitment to the Glorious Cause of America, as it was called, was total.”
These heroes are worth learning about, and 1776 is a great way to get introduced to them.
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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March 30, 2023
Naza and His Prehistoric Friends Battle in the Land of Giants!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 392, 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 392…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I’m a bit behind in recognizing some cool comics here, but I’ll eventually catch up, so if you haven’t seen something you’ve given me or that I bought through crowdsourcing, it should land here at some point. Speaking of which, I finally had a chance to read the third issue of Driver.Eight from Limitless Comics Group. This has been an exciting, fun series, and I’m looking forward to what comes next. Pictured above are the two covers I own, the regular cover and the cool Retro Foil edition. If you want to learn more about this Kickstarter (yes, it ended, but there will be more and perhaps a chance to catch up on what you missed), be sure to click the link.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Green Arrow versus Naza! 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 a fantastic piece of art by Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK) of Green Arrow and some of his enemies! 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! Be sure to check out all the other fantastic creations, games, illustrated novellas, and comics at RAK’s website.
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
.
#1976 — Doctor Strange #1 , Marvel, May 2023.
Cool Factor: You may recall that Doctor Strange was murdered, and then his wife, Clea, took over his role, and then he was alive again. Why? Because this is the world of comic books, a world in which staying dead is not easily accomplished. And once you are dead then back alive again, it’s such a reason to celebrate that you get a new number one issue, a new creative team, and perhaps some new fans who rush to join in on the fun. But most importantly, the story needs to be interesting enough to keep readers hanging around, and Jed MacKay gives us a nice start, so I think this series may last for a while. Or until Doctor Strange dies again.
Comic Book Credits: Jed MacKay (writer), Pasqual Ferry (artist), Matt Hollingsworth (colorist), Corey Petit (letterer), Alex Ross (cover artist), Kat Gregorowicz (assistant editor), and Darren Shan (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Doctor Strange #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1977 — Green Lantern #85, DC, January 2020 (Original Cover Date: September 1971).
Cool Factor: This is the second week in a row that we’ve shown some love to Green Lantern, which isn’t at all the norm at Cool Comics, but these things do happen. Still, this comic book is an entirely different matter since it’s a facsimile…and not just any facsimile issue, but one of the ones I’ve seen the cover for countless times over the years yet have never read. Speedy, how could you?! And now, after having devoured this issue, I keep asking myself that question, thinking about the decisions made, the reasons why, and wondering how many others have used the same excuse. Such a classic issue, but at a reasonable price, since I don’t want to shell out the $235 an original is currently listed at.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Neal Adams (pencils/inks), Jack Adler (colors), and possibly Gaspar Saladino (letters); Green Lantern Co-Starring Green Arrow – Denny O’Neil (script), Neal Adams (pencils/inks), and John Costanza (letters); The Strange Trial of Green Lantern! – John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks), and Gaspar Saladino (letters); and Julius Schwartz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Green Lantern #85 Facsimile edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 47 of 2022)#1978 — Dav Pilkey Sampler, Scholastic, May 2022.
Cool Factor: So which story did I like the best, you ask? Captain Underpants, Dog Man, or Cat Kid Comic Club? Is it fair to make me choose just one? But seriously, keep in mind that we’re about six weeks away from Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2023, and if you happen to venture out of your house (or apartment, or cave, or wherever you reside), then you too can get yourself some fun and cool comics like this Dav Pilkey Sampler, and many other choices. Some people don’t think much of FCBD anymore, but I think it’s a great way to dip your toes into unknown waters and try something different. And it’s also a great time to show appreciation to your local comic shop owner by purchasing a few titles while you are there.
Comic Book Credits: Dav Pilkey (writer/illustrator) – stories include Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Cat Kid Comic Club.
Price and Values: The cover price of Dav Pilkey Sampler is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1979 — Hot Stuff, the Little Devil #18, Harvey Comics, December 1959.
Cool Factor: It’s a rare occurrence that I find comics in quarter bins that are older than me, but this one most certainly is. I love reading Harvey Comics, as they are definitely for the young at heart (even though we often deal with devils, ghosts, and witches, who are all mostly harmless), but when I land one that is old enough to have ads I’ve never seen, it’s an exciting new experience. Unfortunately, this issue was missing a few interior pages, but the price was right and missing a wee bit of story didn’t interfere (much) with the fun.
Comic Book Credits: Unfortunately, I was unable to find any credits for Hot Stuff, the Little Devil #18.
Price and Values: The cover price of Hot Stuff, the Little Devil #18 is 10¢, while the current values are $140 on CBR and $65 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1980 — Naza #6, Dell, June 1965.
Cool Factor: A few years ago, I hit Naza paydirt while digging around in discount boxes. I happened upon four of the nine issues in quarter boxes. I realize I paid more than double the cover prices, but I had no problem handing over my cash for these prehistoric beauties. And take a gander at the cover of this one! Naza and his tribe run across giants (remember the TV series Land of the Giants?)! Or do they? There’s much more than meets the eye in this mysterious cave man melodrama.
Comic Book Credits: The only name given for this comic is Jack Sparling, credited with cover and interior pencils and inks.
Price and Values: The cover price of Naza #6 is 12¢, while the current values are $50 on CBR and $15 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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March 28, 2023
NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King
Welcome to Page 5 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 and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 5.
Back in the early Eighties during one summer break when I was going to college, my brother-in-law Walt handed me a stack of books by an author I’d never read before and told me I should give them a try.
And this was how I was introduced to Stephen King. Walt suggested that I start with NIGHT SHIFT, a short story collection of tales that King had previously published in various magazines (mostly men’s magazines…so maybe some people were reading them for the great fiction).
I was immediately entranced by the storytelling skills of King, and like so many of us who live and breathe for reading, I didn’t want to put the book down. In my mind, I’ve probably romanticized these stories a little too much, because I’ve read better, but this was the start that boosted me into reading horror fiction, and therefore it holds a special place in my heart (despite the way some of these terrifying tales turn out!).
Here’s a sample from one of the stories, Night Surf, so that you can get a taste of King’s early prose…and it feels eerily relevant to our world today:
“So here we were, with the whole human race wiped out, not by atomic weapons, or bio-warfare or pollution or anything grand like that. Just the flu.”
The image of the book included here is the copy I own, but it’s not the one that Walt loaned me – which was the paperback copy with a hand, with the lower portion wrapped in gauze, and the hand and fingers have eyes. To me, it’s unforgettable, and I may need to get that version someday…
The stories from this collection that stand out to me (and remember, I read this close to 40 years ago) are:
Jerusalem’s LotGraveyard ShiftNight SurfSometimes They Come BackThe LedgeQuitters, Inc.Children of the CornBut to be honest, there’s really not a bad one in the bunch if you enjoy King’s style of writing. If you’ve never read any of his fiction and want to give him a try, you can’t go wrong with NIGHT SHIFT.
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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March 23, 2023
A Double Dose of Green Lantern and BRZRKR’s Final Fate!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 391, 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 391…
Cool Comics Stuff!
This week I want to plug some of the links we feel strongly about. When using a PC, you can see them on the right, no matter what page you are on at my website, and when using a mobile device, you just need to continue scrolling past whatever page you are reading here at edgosney.com. So please check them out by clicking the links and subscribing where appropriate. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the support from this great Cool Comics Crowd!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is BRZRKR versus Green Lantern! 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 Green Lantern! 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
.
#1971 — BRZRKR #12 , BOOM! Studios, March 2023.
Cool Factor: After 12 issues, we bid farewell (at least for now) to the Keanu Reeves creation, BRZRKR. It was crazy, it was fun, and it was kind of gross. Supposedly we’ll next see the character on Netflix, but we all know how the reported deals often fall through. And even if it does make the cut, I’m not so sure I’d want to see some of the stuff from the comics on my TV (because yes, some of it was kind of gross). Anyway, it was fun while it lasted.
Comic Book Credits: Keanu Reeves (writer/creator), Matt Kindt (writer), Ron Garney (illustrator/cover), Bill Crabtree (colors/cover), Clem Robins (letters), Grace Park (designer), Ramiro Portnoy (associate editor), Eric Harburn (editor), and Matt Gagnon (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of BRZRKR #12 is $6.99, while the current value is $7. The Key Collector Comics value is also $7.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1972 — Moon Knight #1, Marvel, July 2022 (Original Cover Date: November 1980).
Cool Factor: While a copy of the original Moon Knight #1 won’t set you back as much as some comics (current value is about $125), the facsimile edition is good enough for me. I’d read this a few years back on comiXology, so the story was nothing new, but experiencing a paper copy is a whole different ballgame, so I was glad to add this one to my collection.
Comic Book Credits: Doug Moench (writer), Bill Sienkiewicz (art/inks/cover), Franki Sienkiewicz (inks), Tom Orzechowski (letters), Bob Sharen (colors), and Denny O’Neil (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Moon Knight #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 46 of 2022)#1973 — Clementine #1, Image, May 2022.
Cool Factor: I’ve read less than a handful of Walking Dead titles, so it was a bit of fun getting Clementine as part of Free Comic Book Day. Additionally, this issue is great good value because it also includes an excerpt from Everyday Hero Machine Boy and Sea Serpent’s Heir, making it a very thick offering without costing a cent to consumers.
Comic Book Credits: Clementine – Tillie Walden (writer/artist/letterer/cover), Cliff Rathburn (grey tones), and Alex Antone (editor); Everyday Hero Machine Boy – Tri Vuong (creator/writer/artist), Irma Kniivila (creator/writer/colorist), Aditya Bidikar (letterer), Carina Taylor (logo design), and Arielle Basich (editor); and Sea Serpent’s Heir – Mairghread Scott (creator/writer), Pablo Tunica (creator/artist), Ariana Maher (letterer), Carina Taylor (logo design) and Jon Moisan (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Clementine #1 is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1974 — Daffy Duck #62, Gold Key, March 1970.
Cool Factor: Gold Key produced so many great titles for those feeling young at heart, and Looney Tune characters are always welcome in my collection. When it comes to comic book ducks, Daffy has lots of competition (Donald, Howard, etc.), but he never seems to disappoint us in his wacky stories.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Phil De Lara (pencils); The Charming Chump – Michael Maltese (script), Phil De Lara (pencils), and Rome Siemon (letters); Foes in Fairyland – Michael Maltese (script), Phil De Lara (pencils), and Rome Siemon (letters); The Castle Snatch – Vic Lockman (script), Pete Alvarado (pencils), and Larry Mayer (letters); Dog Days – Michael Maltese (script) and Fred Abranz (pencils); and Pesky Passenger – Fred Abranz (pencils).
Price and Values: The cover price of Daffy Duck #62 is 15¢, while the current value is $20.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1975 — Green Lantern #140, DC, May 1981.
Cool Factor: This issue came out several months before I started my second phase of comic book collecting, and it did a great job of taking me back to that time and place, because Green Lantern was one of the titles I tried for that short period. So yes, this is an enjoyable story, and it also contains a fun EXTRA! featuring Adam Strange!
Comic Book Credits: Marv Wolfman (writer), Joe Staton (pencils), Steve Mitchell (inks), Milt Snapinn (letters), Carl Gafford (colors), Dick Giordano (cover pencils & inks), Anthony Tollin (cover colors), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), and Jack C. Harris (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Green Lantern #140 is 50¢, while the current values are $9 on CBR and $6 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
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March 18, 2023
LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry
Welcome to Page 4 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 and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 4.
“It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living. I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live.” ~ Augustus McCrae
Fans of the 1985 novel by Larry McMurtry (which won a Pulitzer Prize the following year) won’t soon forget Augustus McCrae and his special brand of philosophy. And that same sentiment goes for his longtime friend and business partner, Woodrow F. Call, who may not speak as often, but he’s still one of the strongest forces in American literature.
For some, the thought of reading a Western isn’t appealing, and if that’s you, Lonesome Dove probably doesn’t reside on your bookshelves. But this adventure is bigger than simply applying a genre label to it. The novel is an epic tour-de-force in the tradition of Homer’s Odyssey (okay, maybe Greek classics aren’t your thing…in that case, I’ll compare it to something a little more modern that you may have read…Stephen King’s The Stand), filled with characters you’ll not soon forget. Gus, Call, Newt, Deets, Lorena, and others from the Hat Creek Cattle Company set out on a cattle drive from their home in Lonesome Dove, Texas, a small town on the Mexican border, with the goal of establishing the first cattle ranch in Montana.
One character is running from the law, some are searching for love, and others see this as their last, best opportunity to be a part of something grand. All the while, they battle the forces of both man and nature as they continue to move north, no matter the cost.
By now it should be obvious that I’m passionate about this book. I’ve both read it and listened to it on Audible, and I’m a big fan of the television mini-series, which I’ve probably watched too many times (as if that’s possible). If you’re considering reading Lonesome Dove and have never watched the series, it wouldn’t hurt one bit to experience the show first. It’s an enjoyable experience to read the book and picture the wonderful actors in your mind.
Remember the quote from above? It’s not exactly the same in the mini-series, but it’s close, and you can really get a feel for this epic adventure after watching this brief clip.
The musical score of a film has the potential to bring a story to life in an unforgettable way, and that’s exactly what Basil Poledouris achieved with the Lonesome Dove soundtrack, which I’m listening to while writing this. Want to hear it for yourself? Just click the link to enjoy or listen to the main theme 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.
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