Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 19, where we take a nostalgic look at six comic books I currently own, and one that I let get away. If you 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.
For each of the comic books below, I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the listings at the website www.comicbookrealm.com. They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading price I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I welcome any comments you might have, and hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 19…
Cool comics in my collection #127: Monsters on the Prowl #23, June 1973.
This comic features the return of Grogg. You might be saying to yourself, I never met Grogg to begin with, and that’s an acceptable excuse, considering that following his return he was sent to Mars. Not to mention the fact that this all happened a long time ago. Monsters on the Prowl #23 came out way back in 1973, but the stories inside are even older. It’s a reprint of Strange Tales #87, which came out in August 1961. Since I’m trying to relive a childhood I never had with monster comics, buying back issues of titles like Monsters on the Prowl makes sense. At least I think it does. Confusion enters the fray when I think about the part in which this comic originally came out in the sixties. But then again, I like comics from that era also, and most of them are out of my price range. And guess what? The Strange Tales comic in which these stories had their debut is currently listed at $700. So yup, out of my price range. Instead, I bought this one for just $2 in fair condition, at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. The cover price of Monsters on the Prowl #23 is 20 cents, while the current value is $16.
This comic features the return of Grogg. You might be saying to yourself, I never met Grogg to begin with, and that’s an acceptable excuse, considering that following his return he was sent to Mars. Not to mention the fact that this all happened a long time ago. Monsters on the Prowl #23 came out way back in 1973, but the stories inside are even older. It’s a reprint of Strange Tales #87, which came out in August 1961. Since I’m trying to relive a childhood I never had with monster comics, buying back issues of titles like Monsters on the Prowl makes sense. At least I think it does. Confusion enters the fray when I think about the part in which this comic originally came out in the sixties. But then again, I like comics from that era also, and most of them are out of my price range. And guess what? The Strange Tales comic in which these stories had their debut is currently listed at $700. So yup, out of my price range. Instead, I bought this one for just $2 in fair condition, at Kenmore Komics in Akron, Ohio. The cover price of Monsters on the Prowl #23 is 20 cents, while the current value is $16.Cool comics in my collection #128: Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1, May 1978.
This very first issue of Firestorm climbed a little in value, most likely due to the character being a regular on Legends of Tomorrow. If you like your comics to have value, it often doesn’t hurt when they are portrayed in movies or on TV. Although the Firestorm on Legends isn’t much like the early Firestorm that DC put out in 1978. I didn’t start reading Firestorm until my second period of collecting comics, when I was going to The Ohio State University (they make you put the “The,” and if you don’t, they won’t stop bothering alumni to make donations). The first series started in 1978 and lasted just 5 issues, then they gave him another chance in 1982 and that series made it to 100, along with some additional series that came out in the 21st Century. I have all 5 of the original series, and the complete set of 100 from the second series, plus the five annuals that came out. I haven’t yet decided if I want to collect any of the newer series. I bought this particular issue in Atlanta, Georgia, in the mid-1990’s, during my third phase of comic collecting. The back issues of Firestorm were extremely inexpensive most places, and I like the character when I was in college and decided to pick up the entire run. Again, we collect things for different reasons, and Firestorm takes me back to campus. The cover price of Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 is 35 cents, while the current value is $35.
This very first issue of Firestorm climbed a little in value, most likely due to the character being a regular on Legends of Tomorrow. If you like your comics to have value, it often doesn’t hurt when they are portrayed in movies or on TV. Although the Firestorm on Legends isn’t much like the early Firestorm that DC put out in 1978. I didn’t start reading Firestorm until my second period of collecting comics, when I was going to The Ohio State University (they make you put the “The,” and if you don’t, they won’t stop bothering alumni to make donations). The first series started in 1978 and lasted just 5 issues, then they gave him another chance in 1982 and that series made it to 100, along with some additional series that came out in the 21st Century. I have all 5 of the original series, and the complete set of 100 from the second series, plus the five annuals that came out. I haven’t yet decided if I want to collect any of the newer series. I bought this particular issue in Atlanta, Georgia, in the mid-1990’s, during my third phase of comic collecting. The back issues of Firestorm were extremely inexpensive most places, and I like the character when I was in college and decided to pick up the entire run. Again, we collect things for different reasons, and Firestorm takes me back to campus. The cover price of Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 is 35 cents, while the current value is $35.Cool comics in my collection #129: Where Monsters Dwell #11, September 1971.
Yes, it’s another Marvel monster comic that came out in the seventies, but was a reprint from the early sixties. This issue of Where Monsters Dwell features Gruto, and it’s a fun little tale that reminds you of a Saturday night horror feature you might have seen as a kid (at least if you have a little age on you, like me), and also not unlike an Episode of The Twilight Zone. Gruto comes to Earth but is injured and can’t remember his mission, and a newspaper reporter who needs a good story or will lose his job is the first to find this horrible looking alien. Things get out of control and lies are told, but the question is, will mankind pay the ultimate price? There was also a backup story about digging the deepest mine ever, and what is found there. Ambitions like these usually don’t have fairy tale endings. If you are fortunate enough to own Journey Into Mystery #67 from April 1961, then you don’t need to buy this issue of Where Monsters Dwell. That issue is currently selling at $400, which is a nice increase from the original 10 cent cover price. But on my recent trip to Kenmore Komics I snagged this issue for just $3. Thinking about it, I’m currently in my 4th phase of comic collecting, but instead of getting monthly issues of new titles, I’m having a blast visiting the past and getting fun issues from my childhood. The cover price of Where Monsters Dwell is 15 cents, while the current value is $20.
Yes, it’s another Marvel monster comic that came out in the seventies, but was a reprint from the early sixties. This issue of Where Monsters Dwell features Gruto, and it’s a fun little tale that reminds you of a Saturday night horror feature you might have seen as a kid (at least if you have a little age on you, like me), and also not unlike an Episode of The Twilight Zone. Gruto comes to Earth but is injured and can’t remember his mission, and a newspaper reporter who needs a good story or will lose his job is the first to find this horrible looking alien. Things get out of control and lies are told, but the question is, will mankind pay the ultimate price? There was also a backup story about digging the deepest mine ever, and what is found there. Ambitions like these usually don’t have fairy tale endings. If you are fortunate enough to own Journey Into Mystery #67 from April 1961, then you don’t need to buy this issue of Where Monsters Dwell. That issue is currently selling at $400, which is a nice increase from the original 10 cent cover price. But on my recent trip to Kenmore Komics I snagged this issue for just $3. Thinking about it, I’m currently in my 4th phase of comic collecting, but instead of getting monthly issues of new titles, I’m having a blast visiting the past and getting fun issues from my childhood. The cover price of Where Monsters Dwell is 15 cents, while the current value is $20.Cool comics in my collection #130: The Amazing Spider-Man #116, January 1973.
I love the way the old comics from the seventies had titles splashed across the cover, like this one: “Suddenly … the Smasher!” Seems like Spider-Man is going to have his hands full, but Peter is more worried that something is going on between his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and his nemesis, Flash Thompson. But don’t worry Spider-Fans. As it turns out, they are just friends. I bought this issue at The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, in the mid-seventies for just 10 cents. The Paradox Bookstores is one of those great used bookstores that offers comics, magazines, and of course all kinds of books. I’ve bought many science fiction and fantasy classics there over the years, but when I was a kid, my main ambition, when I was fortunate enough to get to the store when shopping with my mother, was to go in there and buy great back issues for just a dime. Many of you probably also have a store like this in your past. The memories are precious (cue up Gollum, because you know you want to). And problem is that I never had enough dimes with me to buy all that I really wanted. Spider-Man played a pivotal role in my childhood, and his adventures became my adventures, as great stories often tend to do in our minds. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #116 is 20 cents, while the current value is $100.
I love the way the old comics from the seventies had titles splashed across the cover, like this one: “Suddenly … the Smasher!” Seems like Spider-Man is going to have his hands full, but Peter is more worried that something is going on between his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and his nemesis, Flash Thompson. But don’t worry Spider-Fans. As it turns out, they are just friends. I bought this issue at The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, in the mid-seventies for just 10 cents. The Paradox Bookstores is one of those great used bookstores that offers comics, magazines, and of course all kinds of books. I’ve bought many science fiction and fantasy classics there over the years, but when I was a kid, my main ambition, when I was fortunate enough to get to the store when shopping with my mother, was to go in there and buy great back issues for just a dime. Many of you probably also have a store like this in your past. The memories are precious (cue up Gollum, because you know you want to). And problem is that I never had enough dimes with me to buy all that I really wanted. Spider-Man played a pivotal role in my childhood, and his adventures became my adventures, as great stories often tend to do in our minds. The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #116 is 20 cents, while the current value is $100.Cool comics in my collection #131: Marvel Premiere #28, February 1976.
Folks, this is the comic you’ve all been waiting for, the debut of The Legion of Monsters! Imagine it: Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Morbius, and Werewolf By Night all contained within the same story. Now with the title The Legion of Monsters, you’d think these guys formed some sort of supernatural team to combat the forces of…well, I guess they are considered the evil ones. And they do end up fighting Starseed, a guy who is sort of good. And some of them fight each other. Morbius wants to drink blood, so he goes after Werewolf By Night, then Starseed, and Ghost Rider tries to help Starseed, and…and they really don’t put up a united front, for a bunch of monsters. I was really excited to pick up this back issue at Kenmore Komics on my recent trip. I dished out $15 for this beauty, and don’t regret it. I believe it’s the most I’ve ever paid for a back issue (I used to buy so many comics, I couldn’t afford to spend much on back issues, but now that’s where my focus is), and it was a lot of fun to read. The monsters of the seventies bring back wistful memories, when some of my neighborhood friends and I would buy monster magazines and talk about the great old movies. The cover price of Marvel Premiere #28 is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.
Folks, this is the comic you’ve all been waiting for, the debut of The Legion of Monsters! Imagine it: Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Morbius, and Werewolf By Night all contained within the same story. Now with the title The Legion of Monsters, you’d think these guys formed some sort of supernatural team to combat the forces of…well, I guess they are considered the evil ones. And they do end up fighting Starseed, a guy who is sort of good. And some of them fight each other. Morbius wants to drink blood, so he goes after Werewolf By Night, then Starseed, and Ghost Rider tries to help Starseed, and…and they really don’t put up a united front, for a bunch of monsters. I was really excited to pick up this back issue at Kenmore Komics on my recent trip. I dished out $15 for this beauty, and don’t regret it. I believe it’s the most I’ve ever paid for a back issue (I used to buy so many comics, I couldn’t afford to spend much on back issues, but now that’s where my focus is), and it was a lot of fun to read. The monsters of the seventies bring back wistful memories, when some of my neighborhood friends and I would buy monster magazines and talk about the great old movies. The cover price of Marvel Premiere #28 is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.Cool comics in my collection #132: Omega the Unknown #1, March 1976.
I was 13 years old and walked into Slicks, a little corner store in Martins Ferry, Ohio, that catered to the young and old alike, with candy, Yoo-hoo, Hostess Fruit Pies, monster magazines, comic books, and beer. My eyes immediately gravitated to the comic books. Upon sighting the cover of this first issue of Omega the Unknown, though I didn’t know who he was (no one did…he was Unknown), I knew I had to buy this issue and see if I could know him. In some ways, it was kind of upsetting to see a young kid, like myself, in a hospital bed while a strange purple guy and a fraternity fashion reject (I don’t have to explain this, do I? But if you don’t get it, ask me in the Leave A Reply section at the very bottom of the page) go at it, shooting rays and such. It’s funny thinking back to moments like this, where something seems so important to our lives, and how just nine months later, we don’t seem to care anymore. Because that’s what happened. After buying issue #9 (July 1977 cover date), I pretty much quite buying comic books until 1982 when I was in college. The new friend at Ohio State who talked me into collecting again found out about my love for Omega, and broke the news to me that I could have had the entire run if only I’d stuck it out for one more month. And later, during a break at school, that friend found issue #10 and gave it to me as a gift. So why do I love a hero who seemed to fall short, not even reaching a year’s worth of issues? There’s not an easy explanation. Those of us who collect and read comics do so for different reasons, and some titles resonate with us, while others don’t. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes. There are some comic titles that I will eventually put into my cool comic blog that most probably won’t like, but you know what? I do like them. And that’s what it’s really about. Enjoying the moment. The cover price of Omega the Unknown is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.
I was 13 years old and walked into Slicks, a little corner store in Martins Ferry, Ohio, that catered to the young and old alike, with candy, Yoo-hoo, Hostess Fruit Pies, monster magazines, comic books, and beer. My eyes immediately gravitated to the comic books. Upon sighting the cover of this first issue of Omega the Unknown, though I didn’t know who he was (no one did…he was Unknown), I knew I had to buy this issue and see if I could know him. In some ways, it was kind of upsetting to see a young kid, like myself, in a hospital bed while a strange purple guy and a fraternity fashion reject (I don’t have to explain this, do I? But if you don’t get it, ask me in the Leave A Reply section at the very bottom of the page) go at it, shooting rays and such. It’s funny thinking back to moments like this, where something seems so important to our lives, and how just nine months later, we don’t seem to care anymore. Because that’s what happened. After buying issue #9 (July 1977 cover date), I pretty much quite buying comic books until 1982 when I was in college. The new friend at Ohio State who talked me into collecting again found out about my love for Omega, and broke the news to me that I could have had the entire run if only I’d stuck it out for one more month. And later, during a break at school, that friend found issue #10 and gave it to me as a gift. So why do I love a hero who seemed to fall short, not even reaching a year’s worth of issues? There’s not an easy explanation. Those of us who collect and read comics do so for different reasons, and some titles resonate with us, while others don’t. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes. There are some comic titles that I will eventually put into my cool comic blog that most probably won’t like, but you know what? I do like them. And that’s what it’s really about. Enjoying the moment. The cover price of Omega the Unknown is 25 cents, while the current value is $20.Cool comics in my collection #133 (One That Got Away): 2001: A Space Odyssey Treasury #1, November 1976.
Once upon a time, I owned 18 treasury sized comics. It was a mix of both Marvel and DC (I know DC didn’t call them Treasury), and most of them came from the SupeRx drug store in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where my dad was a pharmacist and could get me a discount. It was quite an eclectic mix of comics, but they were just too big to store nicely with my collection, so I sold them a few years back. This past week I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music, and a particular piece, Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, tugged my memories back to this comic book. There are a lot of young science fiction fans today, with the renewed popularity of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, but I wonder how many of them have seen this 1968 cinema classic, directed by Stanley Kubrick? It may move too slowly for today’s audiences, but I remember being mesmerized by it. Eight years after the movie came out, Arthur C. Clarke’s vision of the future showed up in this oversized comic, and I owned a copy. At least for a while. The cover price of 2001: A Space Odyssey Treasury #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $40.
Once upon a time, I owned 18 treasury sized comics. It was a mix of both Marvel and DC (I know DC didn’t call them Treasury), and most of them came from the SupeRx drug store in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where my dad was a pharmacist and could get me a discount. It was quite an eclectic mix of comics, but they were just too big to store nicely with my collection, so I sold them a few years back. This past week I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music, and a particular piece, Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, tugged my memories back to this comic book. There are a lot of young science fiction fans today, with the renewed popularity of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, but I wonder how many of them have seen this 1968 cinema classic, directed by Stanley Kubrick? It may move too slowly for today’s audiences, but I remember being mesmerized by it. Eight years after the movie came out, Arthur C. Clarke’s vision of the future showed up in this oversized comic, and I owned a copy. At least for a while. The cover price of 2001: A Space Odyssey Treasury #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $40.
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