Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 63, where we take a nostalgic look at comic books I currently own, and in some sad cases, ones that I let get away.
For each of the comic books I include in this blog, I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the listings at the website www.comicbookrealm.com. They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading price I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.
If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 63…
Please don’t miss the details below on how you can win a prize from Cool Comics in My Collection!
Cool comics in my collection #372: Son of Origins of Marvel Comics, December 1974.
Back in Episode 53 I covered Origins of Marvel Comics (which was Cool Comic #344), and since I’ve been sick all week, I’m cutting things a little short, but packing quite a punch by presenting Son of Origins, another wonderful Seventies trade paperback that contains the origins of heroes you’re probably familiar with, especially considering all the movies and TV shows featuring Marvel characters. While this did come out in a hardcover edition, I’m happy enough to have it in paperback. Much like “Origin,” “Son of” gives you the origin comic of these mighty heroes, along with an essay about each by Stan Lee. With this one you get Iron Man, the X-Men, Daredevil, the Avengers, Nick Fury, the Silver Surfer, and the Watcher. For fans of the movies and TV Shows, this is a less expensive way to get the comic book version, right from the source. If you like superhero comics, this will provide you with hours of entertainment if you find yourself trapped indoors as the weather grows colder. And if you live where it’s warm, count yourself fortunate! The cover price of Son of Origins of Marvel Comics is $6.95, while the current value is $25.
Recently Read
Comic books with Christmas themes have been around for decades, and it should be no surprise that even superheroes celebrate the holiday. This DC Universe Holiday Special from 2009 gives you lots of short (some as short as one page) yuletide adventures with a wide range of DC characters. Chances are you can find a copy at your local comic shop in their back issues (the cover price is $5.99 and it’s currently valued at $6), but I read a digital copy of it this week. I have a number of different comic book apps on my smartphone, and occasionally browse the free comics and add some to my collection, such as this one, which I read using the comiXology app. If you haven’t given digital comics a try, you really should, and it won’t cost you a cent to take a test drive. Though they probably read better on a tablet, my phone (the LG V10) has a fairly large screen, and I enjoyed the experience. For those who don’t know, if you double tap the top left pane of the comic, it zooms in, and then you just finger swipe and it gives you the next section to read. Sometimes it’s better to flip your phone sideways so you can read the section on a bigger screen, which is easy enough to do. So what are you waiting for? Download the comiXology app (you can use your Amazon account with this one, which is handy) then go to the free comics and start reading the Christmas tales of your favorite DC heroes.
Maybe you love reading them, or maybe you can’t stand the format, but since it’s the season of giving, if you leave a comment below about digital comics (it can be as long or short as you desire), you will be in a drawing to win an eBook version of any of my novels or stories, or an Audible copy of my novel Prometheus Stumbles. Winner’s choice. Make sure to comment no later than December 14!
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I love the heck out of digital comics, it is, by far, my most preferred format. I buy primarily through Comixology and use the app on my phone or tablet (Nook Tab A) to read them. Occasionally, I read them using their online reader and my Windows 10 Lenovo Yogabook (provides a great widescreen, two-page reading mode).
I have, for the most part, phased out paper comics. There are a few specialty versions I will buy that way, but I am pretty much 99.9% digital at this point in my life. Though, I wish individual issues were back down to 99 cent pricing. I don’t think that digital pricing should be comparable to paper pricing, as there is no chance for re-sale with digital.
Both B&N tablet and Kindle Fire have the Comixology app, I’ll bet they’d be a much better read than a phone, no matter how big it may be. Both are around $50 now, worth the price. I’d go with a B&N tablet, since it has Google Play access and can have all readers (B&N, Kindle, Kobo, Comixology, etc).
Rob, you certainly make some great points for reading digital comics. For those who want to go this route, thanks for pointing out the less expensive tablets now on the market. I enjoyed the experience and will be reading more this way.