Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 12, where we take a look at six cool comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away. If you’ve enjoying reading about my trip down comic book lane, consider signing up for my newsletter. There are perks to being a subscriber, and you’ll have the inside track to my writing projects. I welcome any comments you might have, and hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 12…
Cool comics in my collection #78: Action Comics #340, August 1966.
Sometimes it pays off to nose around in the back issue bins, because I’ve been able to get some great old comics at low prices. Of course, that was from 1993 through 2003, so maybe it’s harder to find these gems today. Action Comics #340 features the usual Superman crowd of Lois Lane and Perry White, but what makes this issue even better is that it features the first appearance and origin of the villain the Parasite. While I’m not a huge Superman fan, I do remember going to see the 1978 movie with my father, which was a great bonding time. The cover price is 12 cents, while the current value is $135.
Sometimes it pays off to nose around in the back issue bins, because I’ve been able to get some great old comics at low prices. Of course, that was from 1993 through 2003, so maybe it’s harder to find these gems today. Action Comics #340 features the usual Superman crowd of Lois Lane and Perry White, but what makes this issue even better is that it features the first appearance and origin of the villain the Parasite. While I’m not a huge Superman fan, I do remember going to see the 1978 movie with my father, which was a great bonding time. The cover price is 12 cents, while the current value is $135.Cool comics in my collection #79: The Amazing Spider-Man #114, November 1972.
I bought this comic as a back issue, sometime around the mid-1970’s, from The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, for just 10 cents. Paradox was the only place I knew of that sold back issues, as its specialty is used books. What a treasure trove. There were always lots of cool comic books on the racks, and at just a dime each, I would buy a stack when I went shopping with my mother. This issue features Doctor Octopus, Hammerhead, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, and Aunt May. These early Spider-Man issues are a lot of fun to read, thanks to the writing of Gerry Conway. The cover price is 20 cents and the current value is $100.
I bought this comic as a back issue, sometime around the mid-1970’s, from The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, for just 10 cents. Paradox was the only place I knew of that sold back issues, as its specialty is used books. What a treasure trove. There were always lots of cool comic books on the racks, and at just a dime each, I would buy a stack when I went shopping with my mother. This issue features Doctor Octopus, Hammerhead, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, and Aunt May. These early Spider-Man issues are a lot of fun to read, thanks to the writing of Gerry Conway. The cover price is 20 cents and the current value is $100.Cool comics in my collection #80: Superman: The Wedding Album #1, December 1996.
While some people may not think this is a cool comic, you can’t beat the sheer number of guests the DC writers and artists put into this special issue that features the nuptials of perhaps the most famous couple in all of comic book history, Lois and Clark. Also, today I attended the wedding of my daughter Renee’s friend, Hannah. They’ve been friends since Kindergarten, and this is a tribute to both their friendship and Hannah’s wedding. I bought this issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, when it came out. The cover price is $4.95 and the current value is $5.
While some people may not think this is a cool comic, you can’t beat the sheer number of guests the DC writers and artists put into this special issue that features the nuptials of perhaps the most famous couple in all of comic book history, Lois and Clark. Also, today I attended the wedding of my daughter Renee’s friend, Hannah. They’ve been friends since Kindergarten, and this is a tribute to both their friendship and Hannah’s wedding. I bought this issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, when it came out. The cover price is $4.95 and the current value is $5.Cool comics in my collection #81: Iron Fist #15, September 1977.
I bought this as a back issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, back in the mid-90’s. I started liking Power Man and Iron Fist a little late in the game, but grabbed up some back issues of both characters when I could find them at good prices. This one is awesome because Iron Fist goes up against the X-Men. Some of the Mutant guests include Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Storm, Banshee, and Colossus. I’m really looking forward to the Iron Fist show that is supposed to come out on Netflix, which might make his comics become even more valuable. The cover price on this issue is 30 cents, while the current value is $150.
I bought this as a back issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, back in the mid-90’s. I started liking Power Man and Iron Fist a little late in the game, but grabbed up some back issues of both characters when I could find them at good prices. This one is awesome because Iron Fist goes up against the X-Men. Some of the Mutant guests include Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Storm, Banshee, and Colossus. I’m really looking forward to the Iron Fist show that is supposed to come out on Netflix, which might make his comics become even more valuable. The cover price on this issue is 30 cents, while the current value is $150.Cool comics in my collection #82: Marvels #1, January 1994.
The Marvels mini-series gave us an interesting look at the different ages of Marvel comics history through the eyes of Daily Bugle reporter Phil Sheldon. Kurt Busiek is the writer of the series, with pencils by Alex Ross. It’s really a visual feast, and a trip down Marvel memory lane. If you aren’t all that familiar with the early heroes, such as the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond, and even the early exploits of Captain America, you may want to try to find these or get a trade paperback. This series came out shortly after I started my third phase of comic book collecting, and I really appreciated it. I bought this issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, for the cover price of $5.95. The current value is $8.
The Marvels mini-series gave us an interesting look at the different ages of Marvel comics history through the eyes of Daily Bugle reporter Phil Sheldon. Kurt Busiek is the writer of the series, with pencils by Alex Ross. It’s really a visual feast, and a trip down Marvel memory lane. If you aren’t all that familiar with the early heroes, such as the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond, and even the early exploits of Captain America, you may want to try to find these or get a trade paperback. This series came out shortly after I started my third phase of comic book collecting, and I really appreciated it. I bought this issue at Titan Comics in Atlanta, Georgia, for the cover price of $5.95. The current value is $8.Cool comics in my collection #83: Captain Marvel #57, July 1978.
I didn’t buy this gem off the rack, but I wish I had. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy any Captain Marvels until I was in my third phase of comic book collecting. I bought this in 2001 at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. This issue is cool just for the cover, featuring the heavy hitters pictured. This issue has everything! Thor vs. Captain Marvel, Mjolnir vs. Nega-Bands, the Kree, the Negative Zone, and yes folks, Rick Jones! I’m close to having the entire run of Captain Marvel, but there are a few early issues I still need, and finding good deals on them is getting harder and harder, but maybe someday… The cover price is 35 cents and the current value is $16.
I didn’t buy this gem off the rack, but I wish I had. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy any Captain Marvels until I was in my third phase of comic book collecting. I bought this in 2001 at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. This issue is cool just for the cover, featuring the heavy hitters pictured. This issue has everything! Thor vs. Captain Marvel, Mjolnir vs. Nega-Bands, the Kree, the Negative Zone, and yes folks, Rick Jones! I’m close to having the entire run of Captain Marvel, but there are a few early issues I still need, and finding good deals on them is getting harder and harder, but maybe someday… The cover price is 35 cents and the current value is $16.Cool comics in my collection #84 (One That Got Away): The Phantom #38, June 1970.
The Phantom has been around longer than Superman, but certainly hasn’t gotten the attention or the had appeal. He started off as a comic strip and since then, several companies have produced Phantom comic books. He also had a movie and a mini-series, but they didn’t prove popular. My mother gave me this old Charlton edition when I was a kid (I believe it came in a sealed plastic bag with some other Charlton comics, such as Fightin’ Marines). I sold this issue, along with several other comics, to a comic shop when I was in college. The cover price is 15 cents, and the current value is $28.
The Phantom has been around longer than Superman, but certainly hasn’t gotten the attention or the had appeal. He started off as a comic strip and since then, several companies have produced Phantom comic books. He also had a movie and a mini-series, but they didn’t prove popular. My mother gave me this old Charlton edition when I was a kid (I believe it came in a sealed plastic bag with some other Charlton comics, such as Fightin’ Marines). I sold this issue, along with several other comics, to a comic shop when I was in college. The cover price is 15 cents, and the current value is $28.
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