Ed Gosney's Blog, page 8
February 9, 2023
Scalphunter’s in Peril & Blade’s Daughter Vanquishes Vampires!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 385, 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 385…
Cool Comics Stuff!
With Valentine’s Day drawing near, you may want to consider the gift of comic books instead of candy and flowers…but if this doesn’t go over well, please don’t rat out Cool Comics! And in keeping that theme in mind, Archie’s Valentine’s Spectacular, pictured above, could be the perfect gift! Right next to it, we see that Avenger Prime has finally been revealed in the newest edition of Avengers for those who have been anxiously awaiting. By the way, I’ve recently accumulated several comics via Kickstarter, mail order, and had one handed to me. Life has gotten a bit busy for me, but eventually they will show up in Cool Comics. I appreciate your patience!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Bloodline (Brielle Brooks) versus Lestat! 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 Batgirl! 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
.
#1941 — Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #1, Marvel, April 2023.
Cool Factor: A limited series featuring Blade’s daughter is reason enough to give this comic a try, although, admittedly, it wasn’t what I hoped it might be. However, by the time it wrapped up, I realized I’m excited to read issue 2! If you’re a fan of Blade, don’t let this one pass you by in the night…and keep plenty of garlic handy.
Comic Book Credits: Danny Lore (writer), Karen S. Darboe (artist/cover artist), Cris Peter (color artist/cover colors), Joe Sabino (letterer), Ryan Stegman (cover artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (cover artist), Gabriel Mata (production design), Martin Biro (assistant editor), and Annalise Bissa (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics#1942 — Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire #2, Innovation, 1991 (Original Source: Novel).
Cool Factor: I’ve found many cool comics in quarter bins over the years, and this issue of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire turned out to be so intriguing to me that I ordered the four missing issues in my collection after trying to find them locally. Innovation put out 12 issues to cover the novel, and fortune was with me the day I found 8 of them for a quarter each. The comic book series (which came out before the movie) is based on the legendary novel by Anne Rice, and yes, I don’t mind using legendary when it comes to such an influential work of fiction…which I still haven’t read but want to now after reading this comic book. If you’re a fan of the movie or book or both and you haven’t read the comics, I recommended giving them a try.
Comic Book Credits: Cynthy J. Wood (adapting, editing), Daerick Gross, Sr. (painting), Vickie Williams (calligraphy), and David Campiti.
Price and Values: The cover price of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire #2 is $2.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 40 of 2022)#1943 — Guardian of Fukushima, Tokyopop, May 2022.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue covers the true story of Naoto Matsumura, a farmer from Fukushima who braved the dangers of nuclear contamination after a devastating earthquake caused a tsunami that disabled a nuclear power plant. Naoto stayed behind to save abandoned animals. Based on a French graphic novel, this fascinating excerpt will leave you wanting to learn more. By the way, this took place a few months before I went on a missionary trip to Japan with some of my family members. While it didn’t interfere with our plans, it was a reminder of how precious life is and that we shouldn’t take anything for granted.
Comic Book Credits: Fabien Grolleau (script), Ewen Blain (pencils/inks/colors/cover), Vibrraant Publishing Studio (letters/retouching), Sol Deleo (cover & bonus content designer), Janae Young (associate editor), and Stu Levy (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Guardian of Fukushima is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1944 — Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #264, Gold Key, September 1962.
Cool Factor: I love finding these old issues in quarter boxes, but perhaps I paid too much since the cover price was only 12¢! What a different world that was back then, when you could buy these treasures with pocket change. Today, this comic has a high value, but a sizeable chunk is missing from the back cover of my copy, which I don’t really mind since I was able to get it at such a great discount. If you love these old stories with Mickey, Donald, and friends, be sure to check out the sale boxes at your local comic shop!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Tony Strobl (pencils) and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); Master Wrecker – Carl Barks (script/pencils/inks), Western Publishing Production Shop (colors), and Garé Barks (letters); Apple Pie Guy – Jack Bradbury (pencils/inks) and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); Magic Rug Bug – Jack Bradbury (pencils/inks) and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); Thumper’s Party – Tony Strobl (pencils) and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); Playpen Pickle – Don R. Christensen (script), Tony Strobl (pencils), John Liggera (inks), and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); The Treasure of El Dorado – Carl Fallberg (script), Paul Murry (pencils/inks/letters), and Western Publishing Production Shop (colors); League Bowling – Bob Karp (script), Al Taliaferro (pencils/inks), and Frank Reilly (editing); and Chase Craig and/or Del Connell (story editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #264 is 12¢, while the current values are $90 on CBR and $70 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1945 — Weird Western Tales #52, DC, February 1979.
Cool Factor: A little over a year ago, I was fortunate to run across three issues of Weird Western Tales for just a quarter each, giving me a chance to read some Scalphunter stories. When I was young, I had no interest in comics with western themes, but now that I’m more seasoned and just a bit wiser, I find great joy in discovering for myself why people yearn for these comics from days gone by. As a bonus, this one also features Bat Lash, and an appearance of President Lincoln, who is being targeted for assassination – and not by John Wilkes Booth!
Comic Book Credits: Gerry Conway (script), Dick Ayers (pencils), Luis Dominguez (inks/cover pencils & inks), Jerry Serpe (colors), Ben Oda (letters), and Ross Andru (editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of Weird Western Tales #52 is 40¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.
ool 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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 49
February 2, 2023
Nova Visits the Marvel Office & Archie Battles For the Future!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 384, 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 384…
Cool Comics Stuff!
DC fans take note: Dawn of DC officially launched in Action Comics #1051 last week. I’ve looked over the titles and will be trying a few of the new ones. Meanwhile over at Marvel, if you’ve been wondering about All-Out Avengers, the issue pictured above, number 5, was lots of fun as Spider-Man took on some heavy hitters! It just came out last week so it may not be too hard to find yourself a copy.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Flash versus Nova! 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, is Venom from Marvel Comics! 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
.
#1936 — Archie vs. The World #1, Archie, March 2023.
Cool Factor: When I flipped to the second page of this awesome Archie adventure, I knew I was in for some fun when I saw a couple Jackalopes dodging Archie’s jalopy. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland that will have you thinking about Mad Max, you’ve never seen the gang from Riverdale like this! And when Archie and Reggie collide at last, you’ll be yelling for a sequel. While I still love the good old Archie stories that I grew up with, I can’t help but appreciate seeing the world’s oldest teenagers in these crazy scenarios.
Comic Book Credits: Aubrey Sitterson (story), Jed Dougherty (line art/cover), Matt Herms (coloring), Doug Garbark (coloring), Jack Morelli (lettering), Jamie Lee Rotante (editor/senior director of editorial), Stephen Oswald (associate editor), and Vincent Lovallo (assistant editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Archie vs. The World #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1937 — The Flash #123, DC, March 2023 (Original Cover Date: September 1961).
Cool Factor: This iconic cover pops up on the Internet several times throughout each year, but thanks to this Facsimile Edition, I finally got to read this fun Flash story from 1961. I’m pretty sure it’s contained in a Flash digital anniversary comic I have on my tablet, but I haven’t read it yet. Besides, digital comics aren’t nearly as fun as the Facsimile Editions since these include the antique ads. Regardless of which Scarlet Speedster you prefer—Barry Allen or Jay Garrick—this issue is worth purchasing if you don’t have a copy of the original (and with a current value of $5,400, that 1961 issue is just a little pricey for many of us).
Comic Book Credits: Gardner Fox (script), Carmine Infantino (pencils/cover pencils), Joe Giella (inks), Gaspar Salidino (letters), Murphy Anderson (cover inks), Ira Schnapp (cover letters), and Julius Schwartz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Flash #123 Facsimile Edition is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 39 of 2022)#1938 — The Incal Universe, Humanoids, May 2022.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition from Humanoids does a nice job of giving a brief background on The Incal, originally created by writer Alejandro Jodorowsky and artist Moebius. I’ve read one or two of these stories in past FCBD issues and found them to be fascinating. The issue gives us stories in three different settings, which is just perfect for those who want to know more. Just be aware that this issue is listed for Mature Readers.
Comic Book Credits: Cover Artists: Pete Woods, Jon Davis-Hunt, Yanick Paquette; Cover Color Artists: Pete Woods, Jon Davis-Hunt, Nathan Fairbairn; Editors: Mark Waid & Jake Thomas; Non-Titled first story: Mark Waid (script), Stephanie Roux (art), Hi-Fi Colour Design (colors), and A Larger World Studios (letters); The Psychoverse: Mark Russell (writer), Yanick Paquette (artist), Nathan Fairbairn (color artist), and Troy Peteri (letterer); Dying Star: Dan Watters (writer), Jon Davis-Hunt (artist/colorist), and Troy Peteri (letterer).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Incal Universe is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1939 — Bugs Bunny #118, Gold Key, July 1968.
Cool Factor: In the first story, Elmer Fudd is running for senator and traveling by train to garner votes. Of course, it doesn’t go as he hoped, since he’s promising a rabbit in every pot, and Bugs can’t let him get away with such an outrageous proposition! Other characters involved in this issue that will have you feeling young at heart include Tweety and Sylvester. My issue has a sizeable hunk missing from the back cover, but then again, I did find it in a discounted quarter box.
Comic Book Credits: Tony Strobl (pencils), John Liggera (inks), and Rex Maxon (pencils) are the only known credits for this comic chalk full of fun stories. For a look at the individual story titles, characters, and the few creator credits, visit the Grand Comics Database.
Price and Values: The cover price of Bugs Bunny #118 is 12¢, while the current values are $24 on CBR and $22 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1940 — Nova #5, Marvel, January 1977.
Cool Factor: While the cover of this issue of Nova explains that Evil Is The Earth-Shaker!, the bad guy has to share time with some Marvel creators who get put in the plot, including Marv Wolfman, Sal Buscema, John Verpoorten, and Archie Goodwin. Of course, Nova wants to meet Stan Lee, but he’s not available. And why are they in the actual issue? Richard Rider (Nova) happens to be watching TV when Marvel puts out a broadcast that they are interested in doing a comic book about Nova, so he decides it would be cool and drops by the Marvel office. While this may be off-putting for some, chalk it up to the Seventies.
Comic Book Credits: Marv Wolfman (script/editor), Sal Buscema (breakdowns), Tom Palmer (finished art/inks), Michele Wolfman (colors), John Costanza (letters), Jack Kirby (cover pencils), Frank Giacoia (cover inks), and Gaspar Saladino (cover letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Nova #5 is 30¢, while the current value is $10.
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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 54
January 26, 2023
Nightwing Hits 100, Dune is Back, & Arrow Flies!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 383, 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 383…
Cool Comics Stuff!
DC has been entertaining me lately with their Lazarus Planet storyline. Aside from the ongoing special issues, such as the one above on the left (Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1), the excitement is also affecting other titles, such as the limited series Monkey Prince, as seen above on the right. What’s this all about? A quick summation is that the Lazarus Volcano has erupted and now the DCU is facing chaos as people without powers are being transformed and those already with powers are going through changes. If you want to learn more, there’s lots of information on the web, such as this article.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Nightwing versus Arrow! 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 Hawkeye! 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
.
#1931 — Nightwing #100, DC, March 2023.
Cool Factor: While I read and collect both Batman and Detective Comics, I’ve avoided the other Bat-related titles for the most part. And even though I like the idea of Nightwing (because we seldom see our heroes as they age and change), his adventures never interested me that much. But when I saw this 100th issue, I decided to add it to my collection, and I’m glad I did. It not only deepened my appreciation of Dick Grayson, but also points his character towards even more maturity and leadership. I’m unsure if I’ll buy other future issues (I do need to be a bit mindful towards my comic book budget), but this one was really worth it.
Comic Book Credits: Tom Taylor (writer), Bruno Redondo (pencils/cover art), Scott McDaniel (pencils), Rick Leonardi (pencils/inks), Eddy Barrows (pencils), Javier Fernandez (pencils), Mikel Janín (pencils), Karl Story (inks), Eber Ferreira (inks), Caio Filipe (inks), Joe Prado (inks), Adriano Lucas (colors), Wes Abbott (letters), Jessica Berbey (assistant editor), Jessica Chen (editor), and Ben Abernathy (group editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Nightwing #100 is $6.99, while the current value is $7. The Key Collector Comics value is also $7.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics#1932 — Dune: House Harkonnen #1, BOOM! Studios, January 2023 (Original Source: Serialized in Analog Magazine).
Cool Factor: Being a Dune fan (I’ve both read and listened to the original six books, and I’ve read the majority of Dune 2.0…the books by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson), I felt compelled to add this series to my collection, possibly due to spice overexposure. I read the novel Dune: House Harkonnen long enough ago that this nearly feels like a new adventure across Arrakis and Giedi Prime, which adds to the fun. If you aren’t sure whether or not to commit to this series, perhaps you should repeat the litany against fear a few times to gain the courage you need to dive in and read.
Comic Book Credits: Brian Herbert (writer), Kevin J. Anderson (writer), Michael Shelfer (illustrator), Patricio Delpeche (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters), Raymond Swanland (cover art), Grace Park (designer), Gwen Waller (assistant editor), and Shantel LaRocque (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Dune: House Harkonnen #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 38 of 2022)#1933 — Max Meow: Cat on the Street, Random House Children’s Books, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) does a nice job of providing a mix of genres for a range of audiences. If you have younger kids, Max Meow might strike a chord and create a new comic book reader and collector in your home. And while I’m not the target audience, it was easy enough for me to see the appeal it may have for a younger generation.
Comic Book Credits: This FCBD issue has a couple stories and activity pages, with credits going to John Gallagher (pencils/inks/script/cover), Will Gallagher (story assistant), Sydney Cluff (art assistant), J. Robert, Deans (art assistant), Alyson LaMont (art assistant), and Raen Ngu (art assistant).
Price and Values: The cover price of Max Meow: Cat on the Street is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1934 — Strawberry Shortcake #1, IDW Publishing, April 2016.
Cool Factor: I can hear some of you now: This inclusion in Cool Comics takes the cake—literally. And I can’t say that I blame you, but we must remember that this segment contains Cool Comics for the Young at Heart, and while Strawberry Shortcake may not be your favorite slice of cake (or mine), there are some out there who love the character and are more than happy to see it here. How did I end up with this issue in my collection? Glad you asked! Longtime readers may recall some of my mentions of past finds at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, including 10-packs of comics in which you just see what’s in the front, and what’s in the back. Yup, this issue of Strawberry Shortcake was stuck in between. When I discovered this one in the pack, I figured I’d never read it, but as I said above, there is love out there for this character, and perhaps because I did include it here, I’ve gained a new set of readers…maybe.
Comic Book Credits: Georgia Ball (writer), Amy Mebberson (art/cover art), Fernando Peniche (colors), Robbie Robbins (letters), and David Hedgecock (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Strawberry Shortcake #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1935 — Arrow #1, Malibu, October 1992.
Cool Factor: Arrow is one of those comics that seems to turn up often in discount bins, so one fine day of comic book fishing saw me decide to finally reel this one in and give it a read. Was it great? Not in my opinion. But it did keep my attention, and I ended up enjoying the story well enough. It’s a one-shot that’s related to the superhero team comic Protectors and gives off vibes of The Punisher and a few other comic book vigilantes. Best of all, I felt it was worth every penny of the quarter I paid for it. If you want to experience some Nineties nostalgia (which I’ve done for the last three weeks in this section: Cool Comics from the 20th Century), then next time you see this one in a discount bin, add it to your collection and give it a read.
Comic Book Credits: Roland Mann (script), Lee Moder (pencils), Deodato Filho (inks), Gail Beckett (letters), R.A. Jones (continuity), Jennel Cruz (interior colors), Mike Brown (interior colors), Anne Chien (interior colors), Joseph Allen (interior color design), Thomas Derenick (cover pencils), Mike Miller (cover inks), Tom O’Connor (cover colors), Ed Hendricks (color separations), Mark Christy (color separations), and Dan Danko (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Arrow #1 is $1.95, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $2 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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 48
January 19, 2023
Avengers Old School Style and Archer & Armstrong Starts Strong!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 382, 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 382…
Cool Comics Stuff!
We had to make a trip to the airport Sunday night, and while there, visited with an old friend. If you ever find yourself in Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, be sure to go to the baggage claim area and visit the Superman display!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is the Avengers versus the Justice League of America! 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 the Sensational She-Hulk! 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
.
#1926 — Avengers: War Across Time #1, Marvel, March 2023.
Cool Factor: Paul Levitz, who worked at DC in various capacities for 47 years, takes his first crack at writing in the Marvel sandbox and does an admirable job. This limited series takes place after Avengers #11 (December 1964) and is a fun trip back in time to a different era of the Avengers. Over the last few years, Marvel has found success in giving readers a look at additional tales that happened in the past—stories not previously revealed—and that magical force known as nostalgia has grabbed the attention of seasoned collectors. If you yearn for the early days of Marvel history, make sure to grab a copy of this fun comic book.
Comic Book Credits: Paul Levitz (writer), Alan Davis (art), Rachelle Rosenberg (colors), Cory Petit (letters), Martin Biro (assistant editor), Annalise Bissa (associate editor), Tom Brevoort (editor), and Matt Hollingsworth (cover artist).
Price and Values: The cover price of Avengers: War Across Time #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1927 — The Brave and the Bold #28, DC, January 2023 (Original Cover Date: March 1960).
Cool Factor: Running parallel with new adventures that took place in the past, there’s still demand for reprints of classic tales, as comic book collectors always have wish lists of titles that they want to own but can’t afford. And while reprints are nice enough, facsimile editions give us an altogether different experience, as we get to see the exact ads, letter columns, and other fun facts that filled the titles when first printed. The Brave and the Bold #28 ushered in the age of the Justice League of America, and I’m presuming that most of us don’t have the greenbacks needed to purchase an original issue, which is listed at $93,000 for a 9.4 grade at Comic Book Realm. Even a copy at the grade of 0.5 will set you back $465. Hence, facsimile editions are a great way to experience these classic issues without breaking your budget. If you’re a JLA fan, you need to find a copy of this for your collection.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Murphy Anderson (inks), Jack Adler? (colors), and Ira Schnapp (letters); Starro the Conqueror! – Gardner Fox (script), Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Bernard Sachs (inks), and Gaspar Salidino (letters); Starro vs. Green Lantern – Gardner Fox (script), Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Joe Giella (inks), and Gaspar Salidino (letters); Starro vs. Wonder Woman and John Jones – Gardner Fox (script), Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Bernard Sachs (inks), and Gaspar Salidino (letters); Starro vs. the Flash! – Gardner Fox (script), Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Murphy Anderson (inks), and Gaspar Salidino (letters); and Starro vs. Justice League of America – Gardner Fox (script), Mike Sekowsky (pencils), Bernard Sachs (inks), and Gaspar Salidino (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Brave and the Bold #28 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 37 of 2022)#1928 — Equilibrium #1, Comic House, May 2022.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) adventure from Comic House shows us a future no one asked for! A creature known as Claw rules the world, and the heroes who fight for freedom do so at the peril of their lives. But fans, this FCBD issue is not a one-and-done story, as we find out at the end of the comic. And while I wouldn’t mind reading what happens next, I probably won’t find out any more about it since my comic book dollars only go so far. I enjoyed this harrowing adventure (although the only character familiar to me was Captain Canuck), furthering my appreciation of FCBD.
Comic Book Credits: Keith Champagne (script), Scott Brian Woods (pencils/inks), Mariano Morales (colors), Andrew Thomas (letters), Garrison Dominguez (cover pencils/cover inks),
Warnia Sahadewa (cover colors), Nate Wells (additional interior illustrations), and Keith WTS Morris (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Equilibrium #1 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1929 — Devil Kids, Starring Hot Stuff #11, Harvey Comics, March 1964.
Cool Factor: For many longtime comic readers, Harvey Comics tend to hold a special place in their hearts. Perhaps an issue of Ritchie Rich was the first comic book in your collection, or an older sibling handed off a pile of Casper comics to you. As much fun as these comics gave us during our formative years, it makes one wonder a little about this universe that was populated by ghosts, witches, devils, and an overly wealthy little boy. But regardless of who or what the characters are, it’s easy to end up loving the stories they’re featured in. And yes, for those of you who wondered, I found this issue in quarter box. Sometimes treasures can be had at a discount.
Comic Book Credits: Warren Kremer is credited for pencils and inks for several of the stories, Leon Harvey for editing, and Sid Jacobson for editing. For a complete look at story titles and partial credits, along with featured characters, please see the listing at Grand Comics Database.
Price and Values: The cover price of Devil Kids, Starring Hot Stuff #11 is 12¢, while the current value is $80.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1930 — Archer & Armstrong #0, Valiant, June 1992.
Cool Factor: Back in the 90s, when I was in Phase 3 (1993-2003) of comic book collecting, I started buying Valiant titles when I could find them in discount boxes. And I found quite a few. Eventually 2003 rolled around and I quit purchasing both new and old comic books. I still loved them, but finances dictated that comics were a thing of my past. And when I realized that we needed more space in the house, I sold thousands of issues at a garage sale, including all my Valiant comics. But when I came back to comics in 2017 and discovered that old comics could be had for a quarter at a local comic shop, I started buying Valiant comics from the 90s once more. I’ve read only a few of these Valiant issues over the last few years, and this was my first reading adventure with Archer & Armstrong. And probably because of the lack of capes and tights on the covers, my expectations weren’t high. A quick look at my collection showed me that the earliest issue is this one, #0, and then I have #8 through to the last issue, #26. Good enough, I thought…until I actually read this issue and decided I needed to add 1-7. Maybe you’ve read the title and it didn’t strike you as anything special, and that’s understandable. I may feel the same way sometime down the road. But this story really grabbed hold of me, and I’m looking forward to reading more from the series…especially since I was able to order #1-7 over the internet and they finally got here!
Comic Book Credits: Bob Layton (story/editor), Jim Shooter (story/writer/editor-in-chief), Barry Windsor Smith (pencils/inks/cover), Ralph Reese (inks), Maurice Fontenot (colors), and Chris Eliopoulos (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Archer & Armstrong #0 is $2.50, while the current values are $10 on CBR and $4 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 75
January 12, 2023
Barbarians, Batman, and Brigade Invade Cool Comics!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 381, 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 381…
Cool Comics Stuff!Some of you may have noticed that Cool Comics has added links to three places I often visit on the web: Longbox Junk, Josh’s Geek Cave, and the Sonic Theory YouTube Channel (look on the right-hand side of the page near the top or scroll way down if reading this on a mobile device). Recently, Sonic Theory put out a new video and talks a bit about Cool Comics! Please give it a watch and look for the Cool Comics plug around the 6:37 mark! While you’re there, consider showing some support and give a like to the video and perhaps even subscribe to this rapidly growing channel!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Batman versus Conan the Barbarian! 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, is the Ghost Rider from Marvel. Syd’s portrayal of Ghost Rider is so good it may have you shaking in your shoes! 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
.
#1921 — Batman #131, DC, March 2023.
Cool Factor: Currently, Batman has been giving readers two stories in each issue, which can cause not only confusion, but leave new readers wondering if it’s worth it, especially when you get part 4 of one story and part 2 of the second one. But this issue starts a new arc, and both tales are just beginning, so this might be what you’ve been waiting for. I’ve been enjoying Chip Zdarsky’s take on the Dark Knight, and this issue didn’t disappoint. This isn’t your dad’s or grandfather’s Gotham, and I suggest you give it a try if you are a Bat-fan.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jorge Jiménez; The Bat-Man of Gotham: Part 1 – Chip Zdarsky (script), Mike Hawthorne (pencils), Adriano Di Benedetto (inks), Tomeu Morey (colors), Clayton Cowles (letters), Dave Wielgosz (associate editor), and Ben Abernathy (editor); The Toy Box: Part 1 – Chip Zdarsky (script), Miguel Mendonҫa (pencils/inks), Roman Stevens (colors), Clayton Cowles (letters), and Dave Wielgosz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman #131 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Pulp Magazine)#1922 — Conan the Barbarian #45, Marvel, December 1974.
Cool Factor: When Conan comics were in full bloom back in the Seventies, I didn’t pay any attention to them. I watched the movies several years later, but for me, comic books were mostly capes and tights, Archie silliness, and Dennis the Menace hijinks. Yet we change as we mature, and now I appreciate Conan and other creations from Robert E. Howard. But I still need to read the original Conan stories that were a part of pulp magazines, such as Weird Tales, and to remedy that, I recently bought a collection of the original stories for my Kindle.
Comic Book Credits: Roy Thomas (script/editor), John Buscema (pencils), Neal Adams (cover inks/inks), Bob McLeod (inks), Russ Heath (inks – and possibly Russ Heath and/or Ralph Reese on inks), Glynis Wein (colors), John Costanza (letters), and Gil Kane (cover pencils).
Price and Values: The cover price of Conan the Barbarian #45 is 25¢, while the current value is $15.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 36 of 2022)#1923 — The Electric Black, The Children of Caine #0, Black Caravan, May 2022.
Cool Factor: The two stories in this Free Comic Book Day issue from Black Caravan (an imprint of Scout Comics, for those of you keeping track) brought to mind TV shows like Night Gallery and Friday the 13th: The Series—and you could probably toss in Kolchak: The Night Stalker, too, as Carl Kolchak would want to investigate these strange phenomena. A little research shows that a handful of issues of Electric Black have come out over the last few years, so for those who liked this freebie, you may want to search out what came before it…if you dare!
Comic Book Credits: Created, written, illustrated, and cover by Joseph Schmalke & Rich Woodall; colors by Alyssa Slobodzian and edited by Shawn French.
Price and Values: The cover price of The Electric Black, The Children of Caine #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1924 — The Inspector #15, Gold Key, June 1977.
Cool Factor: When I was a kid and watched The Pink Panther Show cartoon on Saturday mornings, I never quite got what the Inspector had to do with anything…until a few years later when I saw the movie starring Peter Sellers. Back then, I never bought or read a comic book that features the Inspector, but now, thanks to quarter boxes at a local comic shop, I can dig around and find hidden treasures like this. This issue (which, indeed, made me feel young at heart) does have one story with the Pink Panther, for good measure, and if you’ve never read a comic with him, be forewarned that it feels a bit odd to us older folks, since he speaks in the comics, but is silent in the cartoon.
Comic Book Credits: There are no available credits for this Gold Key comic book, which contains the following stories: Case of: The Potted Plant; Case of: The Kindergarten Tour; Case of: Beasts Out of Bounds; and Pink Painter.
Price and Values: The cover price of The Inspector #15 is 30¢, while the current value is $12.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1925 — Brigade #1, Image, May 1993.
Cool Factor: Nineteen ninety-three was the year I came back to comic books for my third foray of reading, collecting, and enjoying the hobby. I sometimes refer to it here as my third phase (1993-2003), with my first phase running from 1973-1979, and phase two lasting not even a year, in 1982 (I’ve been in phase four since 2017). There were a few purchases between 1982 and 1993, but I don’t think any of them came from a comic shop. It was mostly discounted bags of comics (containing three issues) from small publishers that I found in stores like Big Lots. When phase three hit, it was an exciting, exploratory time for me, and I became a bit fascinated by the breakaway stars who started Image. This issue of Brigade #1 isn’t the original that I bought back then, as I sold that copy in a garage sale several years ago. I found this one in a quarter box at a store in Akron, Ohio, and while I wasn’t a fan of the comic the first time around, and I had trouble following the plot a bit during that first read because there were so many characters who were new to me, I bought this one and reread it anyway. With pretty much the same result. But sometimes the nostalgia bug bites deeply, and I didn’t mind the low price I paid for a chance to go back to 1993 earlier in the week.
Comic Book Credits: Rob Liefeld (plot), Marat Mychaels (plot/pencils/cover pencils), Eric Stephenson (script/editor), Norm Rapmund (inks/cover inks), Paul Mounts (colors), Chameleon Prime (color separations), and Kurt Hathaway (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Brigade #1 is $1.95, while the current values are $3 on CBR and $2.50 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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 50
January 5, 2023
A New Superman Era, Savage Combat Tales, and War Party Pleases!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 380, 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 380…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A few months ago, I read about War Party #1 in Previews, and since it sounded like something I might enjoy, I added it to my pull list. As it turns out, I liked it 
even better than I anticipated and can’t wait for the second issue! The comic takes place during The French and Indian War and includes Skinwalkers. Yup, Skinwalkers. The intro makes a comparison to the movie version of The Last of the Mohicans (I also really loved the novel), so if you are fascinated about the history of this time period, you might want to search for a copy of War Party. One of the coolest aspects is the inclusion of character backgrounds (see image), which is fairly extensive, along with some other neat items of interest. War Party debuted on Indiegogo, and there is currently a second chance campaign! Lastly, I like the look and feel of this comic. The pages are just the right thickness, the colors are pleasing, the art is great, and the story is fascinating.
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Pokémon versus Mickey Mouse! 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 the one and only Chakan! 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
.
#1916 — Action Comics #1050, DC, February 2023.
Cool Factor: The cover of this issue of Action Comics tells us that A NEW ERA RISES. Most comic book fans are in the know when it comes to Superman, including highlights such as his debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938, the big storyline when DC drummed up more readers by killing him in 1992, and then his eventual resurrection, complete with mullet. Obviously, there are a lot more things that took place in his fictional life, such as finally marrying Lois Lane and then having a super son. And now, once again, DC is attempting to stir up interest in the Man of Steel (and many in their line of heroes), and this is a good place to jump onboard if you want to witness his new adventures.
Comic Book Credits: Writers: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Tom Taylor, and Joshua Williamson; Artists: Mike Perkins, Clayton Henry, and Nick Dragotta; Colorist: Frank Martin; Letterer: Dave Sharpe; Cover: Steve Beach; Assistant Editor: Jillian Grant; and Editor: Paul Kaminski.
Price and Values: The cover price of Action Comics #1050 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics#1917 — Fantastic Four #52, Marvel, January 2023.
Cool Factor: If you’ve been enjoying Media Tie-In Cool Comics each week, be assured that it hasn’t disappeared. Now it will be featured every other episode, as I’m splitting this space with Facsimile Edition comics (which contain the original advertising!). I’ve noticed my collection of cloned comics is growing a bit large and decided it would be fun to revisit some of these classic stories that aren’t affordable for many of us in the original published comic. This issue of Fantastic Four, which features the first appearance of the Black Panther, is valued at $2,000 on CBR and $4,600 on Key Collector Comics. Yes…it’s a little out of my price range. But for a measly $3.99, you can pretend you’re back in 1966 and reading about the leader of Wakanda for the very first time!
Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (script/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils/cover pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks/cover inks), Sam Rosen (letters), Stan Goldberg (cover colors), and Artie Simek (cover letters)
Price and Values: The cover price of Fantastic Four #52 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 35 of 2022)#1918 — Pokémon Journeys/Pokémon Adventures: X-Y, VIZ Media, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Both stories in this Free Comic Book Day edition are excerpts from graphic novels, and if you’re part of the Pokémon fandom, you’ll probably want to add this one to your collection. In a few more years, Pokémon will be celebrating three decades. That’s a lot of staying power for the little yellow guy!
Comic Book Credits: Pokémon Journeys – Story & Art: Machito Gomi; Script: Shoji Yonemura, Deko Akao, & Junichi Fujisaki; Translation: Misa “Japanese Ammo”; English Adaptation: Molly Tanzer; Touch-Up & Lettering: Joanna Estep; Design: Kam Li; and Editor: Joel Enos; Pokémon Adventures: X-Y – Story: Hidenori Kusaka; Art: Satoshi Yamamoto; Translation: Tetsuichiro Miyaki; English Adaptation: Bryant Turnage; Touch-Up & Lettering: Annaliese “Ace” Christman & Susan Daigle-Leach; Editor: Joel Enos; Cover: Design/Plus One.
Price and Values: The cover price of Pokémon Journeys/Pokémon Adventures: X-Y is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1919 — Mickey and Donald #2, Gladstone, May 1988.
Cool Factor: This Gladstone anthology of Mickey and Donald contains tales from 1938, 1954, 1959, 1983, and 1988, so if you enjoy taking a step back in time when it comes to Disney characters, this is a fun issue to read. Like so many of the comics I show here that fit in well with those who feel young at heart, I was able to find it in a quarter bin, which just goes to show that you can add fun older stuff to your collection without breaking your budget!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Walt Kelly; The Bus Stops Here: Homer Brightman (script); Al Taliaferro (pencils/inks), and Floyd Gottfredson (editing); The Grounded Air Taxi: Carl Fallberg (script), Jack Bradbury (pencils/inks), and Chase Craig (editor); A Sound Deal: William Van Horn (script/pencils/inks/colors/letters); Raven Mad: Daan Jippes (script/pencils/inks), Byron Erickson (U.S. script), Susan Daigle (colors), and Bill Spicer (letters); Turkey Trot at One Whistle: Carl Barks (script/pencils/inks), Garé Barks (letters), and Chase Craig (original editor); The Ice Have It: Bob Foster (script), Frank Smith (pencils/inks), and Greg Crosby (editor); Geoffrey Blum (associate editor), Leonard Clark (associate editor), and Byron Erickson (editor-in-chief).
Price and Values: The cover price of Mickey and Donald #2 is 95¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1920 — Savage Combat Tales #1, Atlas/Seaboard, February 1975.
Cool Factor: Savage Combat Tales #1 was the last of the number one issues I needed for my Atlas/Seaboard collection. No, I don’t have the first issue (or any issues) of Vicki, but that title wasn’t an original, since it was first published by Tower Comics in the Sixties. Anyway, now I’ve finally got it, and that makes it the last of the Atlas firsts, here at Cool Comics. If you like to read military and war comics, this is a title you may want to get your hands on. I’ve done some reading on World War II over the last year, and the two stories in this issue felt like they could have happened. Next up when it comes to Atlas/Seaboard issues at Cool Comics will be the number two issues…as long as I can find the second issue of The Brute!
Comic Book Credits: Reborn In Battle – Archie Goodwin (script) and Al McWilliams (pencils/inks/letters); Bounty – Archie Goodwin (script), Jack Sparling (pencils/inks), and Alan Kupperberg (letters); Cover – Al McWilliams (pencils/inks) and Gaspar Saladino (letters); and Larry Lieber (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Savage Combat Tales #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $16 on CBR and $9 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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 84
December 29, 2022
Finishing Up 2022 with Superboy, Bone, and Mary Jane & Black Cat!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 379, 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 379…
Cool Comics Stuff!
While I haven’t been reading the Batman vs. Robin limited series, I made sure to grab issue #4 since it leads into the upcoming Lazarus Planet storyline. The other pictured cover is the last entry of the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths series (#7), which brings us to Dawn of the DCU, as the cover makes sure to tell us. I’ve never been as big a reader of DC titles as I have Marvel, but Superman and his pals look to have some great stuff coming up in 2023!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Mary Jane Watson versus Lana Lang! 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 Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze! 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
.
#1911 — Mary Jane & Black Cat #1, Marvel, February 2023.
Cool Factor: It’s always fun when Mary Jane and the Black Cat get together, but this issue sees a bit of a change in the dynamic. If you don’t want to know and have been avoiding all discussions about this issue, then maybe you shouldn’t look any further until you’ve read it. Everyone else with me? Okay, here we go: Mary Jane now has powers. How did she get them? How do they work? Is she a superhero or supervillain? This first issue doesn’t tell all, but if her powers last, you may want to add this issue to your collection. And before I forget to mention it, this crosses over with all the Dark Web clone craziness, in case you hadn’t noticed by the cover.
Comic Book Credits: Jed MacKay (writer), Vincenzo Carratú (artist), Brian Reber (color artist), Ariana Maher (letterer), J. Scott Campbell (cover art), Adam Del Re (senior designer), Tom Groneman (associate editor), and Devin Lewis (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Mary Jane & Black Cat #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Comic Strip)#1912 — Bone #20, Cartoon Books, October 1995.
Cool Factor: Are you a fan of Bone? The comic strip Thorn made it’s first appearance in The Lantern, the weekly student newspaper at Ohio State University, and I was a student there when Jeff Smith started his legendary work. I always enjoyed reading it each week but didn’t realize until years later that Bone became a comic book. Rather than buying individual issues, I started acquiring collected editions. However, I ran across this one in a quarter box at my local comic shop and couldn’t resist adding it to my collection. Reading it reminded me that I still haven’t read the entire run, and certainly need make sure I do at some point.
Comic Book Credits: Jeff Smith (script/pencils/inks/letters/cover pencils/cover inks/editor) and David Reed (cover colors).
Price and Values: The cover price of Bone #20 is $2.95, while the current values are $8 on CBR and $6 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 34 of 2022)#1913 — The Best Archie Comic Ever! #0, Archie, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Archie has long been a part of my life, and though I’ve ignored him and the Riverdale gang at times, they’re always there, waiting for me to join them in some crazy adventures. This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition is put together in a cool way, switching to various highlights and iterations throughout, such as Agent A.R.C.H.I.E. and Pureheart the Powerful. Whether you’re an Archie purest or prefer the modern-day twists that often take place in the newer storylines, this is a fun FCBD issue, and I suggest adding this to your Archie box of comics.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jamal Igle (pencils/inks/colors); Script – Fred Van Lente (pages 1-2, 4, 21), Thomas Pitilli (pages 3, 5, 13), J. Torres (pages 6-11), Micol Ostow (page 12), Stephanie Cooke (page 14), and Evan Stanley (pages 15-20); Pencils – Tim Seeley (pages 1-2, 4, 21), Thomas Pitilli (pages 3, 5, 13), Gretel Lusky (pages 6-12), Lisa Sterle (page 14), and Evan Stanley (pages 15-20); Inks – Tim Seeley (pages 1-2, 4, 21), Thomas Pitilli (pages 3, 5, 13), Gretel Lusky (pages 6-12), Lisa Sterle (page 14), and Evan Stanley (pages 15-20); Colors – Matt Herms; Letters – Jack Morelli; and Editing – Jamie Lee Rotante (editor), Stephen Oswald (associate editor), Vincent Lovallo (assistant editor), and Mike Pellerito (editor-in-chief).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Best Archie Comic Ever! #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1914 — Sad Sack Comics #210, Harvey Comics, November 1969.
Cool Factor: Though I haven’t read many Sad Sack comic books, I always buy issues when I find them cheap (meaning in quarter boxes). I appreciate Harvey Comics today more than I did in my youth, and to me, the brand is synonymous with fun. Throughout comic book history there have been military and war comics, and while many of those wouldn’t be considered appropriate for young readers, or at least anyone feeling young at heart, Sad Sack is in line with Beetle Bailey and focuses on some of the crazy antics of military personnel at their post. And often the experience of reading these comics brings a smile to your face, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Comic Book Credits: George Baker (cover) and Leon Harvey (editor) are the only available credits. This issue contains the following stories: The Lull, New Idea, Nobody Pets the Pet!, Stuck, and Change.
Price and Values: The cover price of Sad Sack #210 is 15¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1915 — Superboy #205, DC, December 1974.
Cool Factor: When it comes to comic books, one of my collecting goals is to attain every 100 Pages for only 60¢ issues (if you’re unfamiliar with it, just look at the top of the cover I’ve included here, then Google it for more details). I started buying these at the pharmacy where my dad worked in the mid-Seventies (SuperX Drugs in Martins Ferry, Ohio). And since my dad got an employee discount on what he bought there, he’d use an ink pen and draw a slash across the 60¢ and then write in his cost somewhere near it so the cashiers would know his cost. Collectors today might cringe at that, but when I’m flipping through my collection and spot one that my dad marked, the memories make me smile. I was able to get this issue in Columbus, Ohio, at a comic shop near the food court close to the hotel where my wife and I stayed earlier this month for GalaxyCon. The condition of the comic isn’t that great, but it was only $3, so that got me a little closer to achieving my goal. And the old stories were fun, too!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Nick Cardy (pencils/inks); The Legion of Super-Executioners – Cary Bates (script), Mike Grell (pencils/inks), and Ben Oda (letters); The One-Man Team! – Robert Bernstein (script) and George Papp (pencils/inks); The Outcast Super-Heroes! and Part II: The Devil’s Dozen! – E. Nelson Bridwell (script), Curt Swan (pencils), George Klein (inks), and Milt Snapinn (letters); Lore of the Legion – E. Nelson Bridwell (script), Dave Cockrum (pencils & inks page 1-2), Curt Swan (pencils page 3), George Klein (inks page 3), and George Roussos (inks – Insect Queen figure); The Forgotten Legion! Part I and Part II: The Faces Behind the Masks! – E. Nelson Bridwell (script), Curt Swan (pencils), George Klein (inks), and Milt Snapinn (letters); and Murray Boltinoff (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Superboy #205 is 60¢, while the current values are $65 on CBR and $60 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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 73
December 22, 2022
We Wish You a Cool Comics Christmas!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 378, 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 378…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Cool Comics In My Collection wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Spawn versus Casper! 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!
Reader Josh Thomas provided a couple timely sketches for Cool Comics this week. Josh met Krampus comics artist Christian DiBari at a con a few years ago and picked up these pieces of original artwork. Thanks for sharing them with us, Josh!
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
.
#1906 — Batman/Spawn #1, DC, February 2023.
Cool Factor: Remember the excitement back in 1994 of not one, but two Batman/Spawn crossover team-ups? Well, maybe you’re not old enough, and some of you may not have been born yet, but the Nineties saw a lot of company crossovers, and of course Batman and Spawn were a bit of a big deal. I bought both at the time, but today I just own one of them. This new crossover nearly made me feel like I’d traveled through time, back to my days in the Army, stationed at Fort McPherson, near Atlanta, early in my third phase of comic book collecting. If you like these characters, I suggest you give this one-shot a try.
Comic Book Credits: Todd McFarlane (writer/inks/cover inks), Greg Capullo (pencils/cover pencils), Jonathan Glapion (inks assist), Dave McCaig (colors/cover colors), Tom Napolitano (letters), Ben Abernathy (editor), and Marie Javins (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman/Spawn #1 is $6.99, while the current value is $7. The Key Collector Comics value is $7.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Children’s Book)#1907 — The Friendly Ghost, Casper #230, Harvey Comics, March 1987.
Cool Factor: Being that we’re on the cusp of Christmas, I decided it was time to finally read this quarter bin find. As per usual with Harvey Comics, this issue contains several complete tales, mostly centering around the holiday. What I learned after deciding to include this cool comic is that it fits in the Media Tie-In category, since Casper first appeared in a children’s book. Perhaps you already knew that, but it was news to me. If you like reading holiday-themed comics during December (especially the ones that don’t include bloodshed, which so many do these days), then you can’t go wrong when you include The Friendly Ghost, Casper!
Comic Book Credits: No credits given. This issue contains the stories A Visit to Santa Land, untitled Wendy story, The Toy Thief, The Would-Be Santa Claus, untitled Casper story, untitled Spooky story, and The Husher.
Price and Values: The cover price of The Friendly Ghost, Casper #230 is 75¢, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 33 of 2022)#1908 — Disney Masters: Donald Duck & Co., Fantagraphics, May 2022.
Cool Factor: One of my comic book philosophies these days is that you can’t go wrong with Donald Duck comics. In my mind, it’s a maxim that doesn’t need any sort of defense. Of course, this Free Comic Book Day (FBDC) issue also contains Super Goof, Fethry, the Big Bad Wolf, and others, but Donald and Uncle Scrooge are on the cover, leading the charge, boldly stating that they are the stars. If you’re a Disney comic collector, you may want to hunt for this one if you didn’t get it last May.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Marco Rota (pencils/inks) and Egmont & David Gerstein (colors); Sore Losers (Donald Duck): William Van Horn (script/pencils/letters), Andrea “Casty” Castellan (inks), Michele Mazzon (inks), and Jo Meugniot & Digikore Studios (colors); Here Today, Gone Apollo (Super Goof): Joe Torcivia (script), Giorgio Cavazzano (pencils), Sandro Zemolin (inks), Disney Italia (colors), and Paul Baresh (letters); Fall Guy (Donald and Fethry): Dick Kinney (script), Al Hubbard (pencils/inks), Scott Rockwell & David Gerstein (colors), and Willie Schubert (letters); Family Feud (The Big Bad Wolf): Bas Heymans (script/pencils/inks), Pasqua Heymans (script), David Gerstein (translation/dialogue), Sanoma (colors), and Paul Baresh (letters). Edits by David Gerstein.
Price and Values: The cover price of Disney Masters: Donald Duck & Co. is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1909 — The Original Astro Boy #1, NOW Comics, September 1987.
Cool Factor: Way back when, in episode 191 in May of 2019, The Original Astro Boy #2 was one of our featured Cool Comics. It was the only issue I owned, but lo and behold, I found the first issue while diligently digging in a quarter box! If you look back at that entry (it’s Cool Comic number 942 in the link above), you’ll notice how I gush over the creator Osamu Tezuka and his other creations that meant so much to me, and the fact that Astro Boy wasn’t really on my radar. And it still wasn’t, even after reading issue #2. But now, having read the origin story in this comic, I have a better sense for who and what Astro Boy is, and I’m interested in reading more.
Comic Book Credits: Mike Dimpsey (script), Ken Steacy (pencils/inks/colors/cover pencils/cover inks), Paul Rivoche (colors), Deb Marks (colors/letters), and Tony Caputo (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Original Astro Boy #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1910 — Dazzler #1, Marvel, March 1981.
Cool Factor: Dazzler #1 came out about a year before I started my second phase of comic book collecting, so when I picked up a couple issues off the rack in 1982, I didn’t have a good feel for Allison Blaire. And being that I wasn’t reading comics when Dazzler made her debut in X-Men #130 either, I didn’t have much interest. But a few years ago, while looking through boxes of comics that were just a quarter each, I found a nice handful from this series and decided I should probably complete it. Then a few months later, in that very same comic shop, the owner had the entire collection on sale, and I pass up such a great bargain. It took a while before I finally decided to read an issue, but this one is kind of like a Christmas cover, with ornaments of the Enchantress, Nightcrawler, Iron Man, and Spider-Man, so it fits with a holiday theme. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to reading issue 2, but I enjoyed this trip back to 1981. By the way, some of you may know that there were some recalled copies of Dazzler #1. Two pages of advertising (pages 24 and 25) ended up being printed without color, and my copy is one of those error issues.
Comic Book Credits: Tom DeFalco (script), John Romita Jr. (pencils), John Buscema (uncredited pencils for the Dazzler character on page 1), Alfredo Alcala (inks), John McLeod (uncredited inks for the Dazzler character on page 1), Glynis Oliver (colors), Joe Rosen (letters), Bob Larkin (cover pencils, inks, colors), and Louise Simonson (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Dazzler #1 is 50¢, while the current value is $15 for the recalled printing error edition (which is what I have), and $12 on CBR and $15 on ZKC for the regular issue. The Key Collector Comics value is $10 for the regular issue and $15 for the recalled edition.
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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
Hits: 74
December 15, 2022
Christmas Comic Book Memories & Our Trip to GalaxyCon 2022!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 377, 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 377…
Cool Comics Stuff!Below are some of the highlights from GalaxyCon 2022 in Columbus, Ohio, December 2-4. As you can see, my wife and I had a fantastic time!
Friday night, we arrived, signed in, and proceeded to John de Lancie’s Q&A…with heavy emphasis on the Q!
Pics with John de Lancie.
Superman! With Tom Welling from the TV series Smallville.
The Flash! John Wesley Shipp was super nice!
Superman Returns! Brandon Routh has portrayed both Superman and the Atom, and he also had a role in Chuck!
David Gerrold, the creator of Tribbles for Star Trek!
And an autograph from David Gerrold on a copy of a special tribute of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction!
John Glover! Do I like him better as Lionel Luthor (Smallville) or Brice Cummings (Scrooged)?
Panel Q&A with Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano!
Ashley Eckstein had a large crowd at her panel and her autograph line.
It’s Jim Shooter signing a poster!
From American Graffiti to Jaws to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Richard Dreyfuss ruled the box office. It was awesome to meet an Academy Award winner!
Gates McFadden from Star Trek: The Next Generation!
Jonathan Frakes, also from Star Trek: The Next Generation, was super nice!
Kyle Higgins holding up a trade paperback edition of Radiant Black that he signed for us!
Lana Lang! Kristin Kreuk looks happy to be a part of Cool Comics!
Sunday Smallville panel!
The Fifth Element! There were lots of cosplayers at GalaxyCon 2022.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Jughead versus Dennis the Menace! 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, is the Demogorgon from the Netflix hit series, Stranger Things! The awesome image, complete with Christmas lights, will take you back to the first season of Upside Down craziness in Hawkins, Indiana! 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
.
#1901 — Archie Christmas Spectacular #1, Archie, January 2023.
Cool Factor: For some of us, it just isn’t Christmas without Archie and the gang from Riverdale. There were years when I wasn’t buying comics, and I had no new Archie Christmas comics to read, but I often found my thoughts turning to them and the fun I had reading them during my younger days. When I purged thousands of comics about seven or eight years ago, I kept all my Archies, many of them Christmas issues, and looking back, I’m glad I did. Even now I can take myself back in my mind to those days of sitting in bed in late December, during the Seventies, reading about the fun times the teens were having in Riverdale during the yuletide season. Perhaps you can’t go home again, but Christmas with Archie tends to get me a little closer.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Bill & Ben Galvan with Rosario “Tito” Peña; Christmas Pie Guy – Tom DeFalco (writer), Holly G! (pencils), and Bob Smith (inks); Holiday Lights – Bill Golliher (story/pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); O Christmas Tree – Dan Parent (story/pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); Santa Baby – Dan Parent (story/pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); Santa Con Carne – Ron Robbins (story), The Fab K-Bros (pencils), and Jim Amash (inks); Glenn Whitmore (colors), Jack Morelli (letters), and the editorial team of Jamie Lee Rotante, Vincent Lovallo, and Stephen Oswald.
Price and Values: The cover price of Archie Christmas Spectacular #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Movie)#1902 — Dragonslayer #2, Marvel, November 1981.
Cool Factor: Last episode I featured Dragonslayer #1 for the Media Tie-In category, and since I enjoyed reading it so much, it was an easy choice to go ahead and read the concluding issue to see how the story ended. As I mentioned last week, I never saw the movie, and I don’t ever recall hearing about it, but the creators of the comic version pulled me in to this fun fantasy adventure. If you did see the movie and are a fan, you may want to hunt down these two issues to add to your collection.
Comic Book Credits: Denny O’Neil (script), Marie Severin (pencils/colors/cover art), John Tartaglione (inks), Joe Rosen (letters: page one), Irv Watanabe (letters), and Jim Shooter (editor). Adapted from the screenplay by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins.
Price and Values: The cover price of Dragonslayer #2 is 50¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 32 of 2022)#1903 — Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters, Oni Press, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), for me, continues to be a great source of delight. It’s an opportunity to discover new characters, creators, and companies, and sometimes old and familiar names. While Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters isn’t a comic I’ve read before (this FCBD issue is a reprint of the first issue, which has a March 2021 cover date), I am a fan of writer and artist Chris Samnee, who does the art for one of my favorite comics, Fire Power. With this freebie, I’m able to see more of his art, and what his writing is like. So, while some people don’t care much about the whole free comic book thing, I really appreciate it!
Comic Book Credits: Chris Samnee (script/art), Laura Samnee (script), Matthew Wilson (colors), Crank! (letters), Robin Herrera (editor), and Zack Soto (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1904 — Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series #123, Fawcett, October 1973.
Cool Factor: For some of us, it just isn’t Christmas without Dennis the Menace. Yes, I realize I made the same basic statement above, for Archie. And it’s kind of true. A reader requested that I include a Dennis the Menace Christmas comic, and I was more than happy to pull one out of a box and reread it, which, of course, made me feel young at heart! The difference, though, is that the Archie comic has a new story, but Dennis the Menace comics are now a thing of the past. Which makes it even more special to include one from my childhood. I started reading Dennis comics a few years before discovering Archie (which seems like a natural progression), and a flood of nostalgia poured over me as I lay in my bed and reread this last week. It seems hard to believe that I first read this issue 49 years ago. And while it wasn’t quite the same experience as before, I may just take this one out of the box and read it again in another 49 years.
Comic Book Credits: No known credits. Story titles for this issue are: Oh Christmas Tree, OW! Christmas Tree!; Black Marks and Bright Stars…; Hello, Kid-Dough!; and Early Christmas.
Price and Values: The cover price of Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series #123 is 35¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1905 — Batman and the Outsiders #30, DC, February 1986.
Cool Factor: I’ve always loved superhero team books, and though Batman and the Outsiders ran during a period in which I wasn’t buying new comics, I’ve been able to put together a modest collection (very modest) from fishing in quarter bins. And this series has a personal appeal to me for a couple of reasons: I’ve gotten to know the writer, Mike W. Barr, a bit over the last several years, and the title also includes Black Lightning, and I’ve had opportunity to speak with Tony Isabella, the creator, several times, also (both most recently at Akron Comicon this past November).
Comic Book Credits: Mike W. Barr (writer/editor), Alan Davis (Cover & Interior pencils/inks), John Workman (letterer), Adrienne Roy (colors), and Barbara Randall (associate editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman and the Outsiders #30 is 75¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!By Ed Gosney
The Edge #1
The Edge is another Comicsburgh title I picked up at Akron Comicon back in November from creator Marvin Wynn (and if you click the cover, you can see his signature in the top right corner).
Everything about The Edge #1 is appealing: the story is intriguing and well-written, the art looks good and helps tell the story, the colors pop and help draw your eyes to the action, and even the lettering job caught my attention.
If you enjoy team books with action and great characters, I recommend giving The Edge #1 a try. You can order issues at The Edge website and learn more about what The Edge is (a steroid or enhancement that gives the user certain abilities), along with the characters and other fun information.
The creative team for The Edge consists of:
Marvin Wynn (Writer/Creator)Mark Louie VuycanKiat (Pencils/Art Director)Jaymes Reed (Letters/Design)Luis Antonio Delgado (Colors)Steven Lisefski (Colors)King Bola (Colors)Exciting things are happening at Comicsburgh, as their titles will be offered in Previews starting in 2023. You can follow updates by checking out Marvin Wynn’s substack, which also includes links, art, and even The Edge Strike theme song!
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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
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December 8, 2022
Justice Society of America Starts & Kolchak Still Stalks the Night!
Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 376, 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 376…
Cool Comics Stuff!
If you like Christmas-themed comics, then make sure to get DC’s Grifter Got Run Over by a Reindeer #1, an oversized anthology edition that costs a little extra but…’tis the season. If you haven’t been paying attention to Superman lately, you may not have realized that he’s been off planet for a while, helping to free aliens from Warworld, only to be captured himself. Well fans, he’s back on Earth now, and this special issue marks the beginning of a new era for the Man of Steel. Both issues appeared in comic shops November 30, so get them before they are gone!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Power Girl versus Rogue! What do you think would happen if they faced each other in a titanic tussle, and how do you see the winner achieving victory? Let us know in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Creations!
Here is an image of the original back cover of the one and only Chakan! 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
.
#1896 — Justice Society of America #1, DC, January 2023.
Cool Factor: Some of you may remember how I was praising the storytelling abilities of Geoff Johns in episode 373, and I’m here to tell you that Cool Comics is back with more from one of my favorite writers! If you’re a JSA fan, this is an issue (and probably entire series!) that you don’t want to miss. I loved everything about this comic and can’t wait for more! By the way, over the weekend, my wife and I went to GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, and while there, we met John Wesley Shipp (who starred as the Barry Allen Flash on the TV series in the early Nineties and more recently as the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, in several DC shows). He’s an unbelievably nice guy, and while chatting, he mentioned texting TV show stuff with Geoff Johns. I love it when the TV stars and comic book creators are buddies! Pictures? Do I have pictures from GalaxyCon? You bet. Be sure to check back next week to see all the fun people we met. In the meantime, grab Justice Society of America #1 if you haven’t already added it to your collection.
Comic Book Credits: Geoff Johns (script), Mikel Janín (cover, pencils, inks), Jerry Ordway (pencils, inks), Scott Kolins (pencils, inks), Steve Lieber (pencils, inks), Brandon Peterson (pencils, inks, colors), Jordie Bellaire (colors), John Kalisz (colors), Jordon Boyd (colors), Rob Leigh (letters), Marquis Draper (associate editor), Andrew Marino (editor), and Katie Kubert (senior editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Justice Society of America #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Movie)#1897 — Dragonslayer #1, Marvel, October 1981.
Cool Factor: The movie Dragonslayer appeared at theaters in 1981, but I don’t remember even having heard of it, let alone knowing that there was comic book adaptation. That year, I was at a place in my life in which I wasn’t buying comic books, and probably not paying a lot of attention to what was showing in theaters, since I was getting ready to go to college. I found this issue a while ago in a quarter box and decided to give it a read, since it’s most certainly a Media Tie-In comic, and found myself surprised a bit by how much I enjoyed the story. Which is no surprise when you see some of the creator names below. You may have noticed on the cover that it’s a Paramount/Disney production. And since Disney’s role was in handling the international rights, you’ll have to stream it on Paramount Plus, if you want to watch…which you may, if just to see actor Ian McDiarmid, who is best known as Palpatine in the Star Wars franchise.
Comic Book Credits: Denny O’Neil (script), Marie Severin (pencils, colors), John Tartaglione (inks), Irv Watanabe (letters), Earl Norem (cover painting), and Jim Shooter (editor). Adapted from the screenplay by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins.
Price and Values: The cover price of Dragonslayer #1 is 50¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 31 of 2022)#1898 — Nottingham, Mad Cave, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Are you a fan of Robin Hood? I read an abridged version of Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood when I was in grade school and before that, was a fan of the Disney cartoon version (yes, that’s right, the one in which all the characters were animals). A few years ago, my wife and I watched a BBC series that lasted a few seasons and really liked it. And who hasn’t seen the Costner movie version? There have been several movies since then (even versions with tights!) that some of you may remember fondly, and even a short-lived Mel Brooks series in the Seventies, When Things Were Rotten, comes to mind. I’m pointing all this out to show just how vibrant Robin’s legend has been throughout the last few decades, not to mention centuries. This Free Comic Book Day issue takes place between issues 5 and 6 of the regular series, and the setting is Christmas. That makes it both a Christmas comic (which is why I’ve been waiting on this until December) and an important part of the story for fans who’ve been reading it from the beginning. I knew nothing about the ongoing story but found this issue to be an intriguing page-turner, and if you like the legend of Robyn Hood, you may want to check it out. Also, please note that it’s rated Mature, so it’s not a comic for the kids in your life.
Comic Book Credits: David Hazan (script), Andrea Mutti (pencils, inks, colors, cover), and Justin Birch (letters), Chris Fernandez (editor), and Brian Hawkins (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Nottingham is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart#1899 — Jonny Quest Classics #3, Comico, July 1987.
Cool Factor: Jonny Quest was a favorite cartoon of mine when I was young, but the great thing about it is that it also has appeal for adults. The show was full of action, thrills, and intrigue, and it really stood out from other cartoons of the time. This isn’t the typical kind of comic book I usually talk about in this space (Cool Comics for the Young at Heart), and though it’s a bit more complex than, say, a Richie Rich issue, I discovered Jonny Quest on TV as a kid, and when I read this comic, it took me back to being a kid. Are you a fan of the comic book version, the cartoon, or perhaps both? What were some of your favorite cartoons from your childhood? We’d love to get your thoughts in the comments section below.
Comic Book Credits: Doug Wildey (cover painting, script, interior painted art, letters) and Diana Schutz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Jonny Quest Classics #3 is $2, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century#1900 — The Uncanny X-Men #185, Marvel, September 1984.
Cool Factor: Finding old comics in quarter boxes allows me to catch up on some comic titles I used to read monthly during different times in my life, but for one reason or another, I ended up abandoning them. In early 1982 I started reading The Uncanny X-Men, but by the time fall rolled around, my priorities became misplaced, and I quit comics cold turkey. To this day I still don’t completely understand why (well, I had a girlfriend and needed money to take her to dinner, etc., but it didn’t last, and I’d already sold some of my precious collection…ugh!), but thanks to a local comic shop and their famous quarter bins, I was able to purchase this piece of mutant history for mere pennies. The X-Men have gone through many trials, tribulations, odd changes, and sometimes stories that I don’t find fun, but they are almost always thought-provoking and give me a heavy dose of nostalgia when I want to reflect on the past.
Comic Book Credits: Chris Claremont (script), Dan Green (finished pencils & inks, cover inks), John Romita Jr. (pencil breakdowns, cover pencils), Glynis Oliver (colors), Tom Orzechowski (letters), Peter Sanderson (assistant editor), and Ann Nocenti (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Uncanny X-Men #185 is 60¢, while the current values are $6 on CBR and $9 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $8.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!By Ed Gosney
Kolchak: The Nightstalker 50th Anniversary One-Shot
This comic book, which I initially didn’t order, is an add-on from a Kickstarter I supported for the Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel. Later, after the Kickstarter campaign finished, there was an opportunity to purchase this issue, and I’m glad I did, because this is one of my all-time favorite comic books. And yes, you read that correctly: This is one of my all-time favorite comic books!
I’ve read thousands of comic books throughout my life, and I like and enjoy different titles and storylines for various reasons, but Kolchak: The Nightstalker 50th Anniversary One-Shot hit my nostalgic sweet spot in a way that rarely happens. I have fond memories of watching the television show back in the Seventies and later watching reruns in syndication, and of course I own the DVD box set so that I can listen to that opening theme with the whistling and the strong, emotive chords, all of which bring back happy memories. Additionally, I love the movies and have read both the novels by Jeff Rice.
Yet for some reason, I’ve never read any of the other Moonstone comic books featuring Carl Kolchak. But when I saw the Kickstarter announced and that James Aquilone was the editor, I knew I had to support it, since I was excited about his Classic Monsters Unleashed anthology.
This issue contains three tales featuring our intrepid reporter at different periods of his life and career, and while reading them, I distinctly heard the voice of Carl Kolchak (actor Darren McGavin) during the entire experience (and yes, for some of us, reading this comic book is an experience). At the bottom of the inside cover, readers discover that it’s Dedicated to Jeff Rice, Richard Matheson, and Darren McGavin: the author, the screenplay writer, and the actor who gave life to the man in the seersucker suit.
The creative teams for this one-shot, along with a brief description for each of the three stories, are as follows:
The Funny Place
Writer – David Avallone
Artist – Julius Ohta
Colorist – Zac Atkinson
Letterer – Tom Napolitano
A young Kolchak gets his first taste of just how dangerous journalism can be.
The Package
Writer – Steve Niles
Artist – Szymon Kudranski
Letterer – Tom Napolitano
In 1974 (when the TV show was in full swing), Carl gets the surprise of his life, leaving me wishing that this had been one of the original episodes.
Satanic Panic ‘88
Writer – James Aquilone
Artist – Colton Worley
Letterer – Tom Napolitano
A somewhat more seasoned Kolchak, now working for a supermarket tabloid, explores the dark side of small-town America. This one has an ending that begs for a sequel.
Back CoverEach story has a different creative team, yet they all channel Carl Kolchak so perfectly, from the art to the use of color to the dialogue and interior thoughts of our favorite reporter. And now I can’t wait until I get the hardcover Kickstarter edition in my hands!
Even though the Kickstarter campaign has ended, you can still get your own copy of this fabulous one-shot, or purchase Kolchak: The Night Stalker 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel, which contains all three of these stories, plus much more! Look them over carefully at Monstrous Books (the deluxe editions also contain prose stories) and make your selection today!
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 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.
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! Periodically, I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
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