Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 81, 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 81…
Cool Comics News!
This week the focus is back on the DC Walmart 3-packs, leading off with a variant and then a couple other issues that came in the 3 packs. And don’t forget, if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, you may want to do it now. Soon, I’ll be giving away a dozen or so copies of my newest audiobook via a random drawing, and you have to be a subscriber to find out how to enter.
Cool comics in my collection #416: Detective Comics: Rise of the Batmen #1 (Walmart Variant), April 2017.
Originally published as Detective Comics #935 (published in August 2016), I’m happy to report that the high quality of art and writing I’ve seen in other Rebirth comics carried over to this title. And I don’t know about you, but I appreciate that even though most of DC’s Rebirth issues started renumbering their titles with #1, Detective Comics has gone back to the original volume’s numbering scheme. There is history behind this comic, and it deserves to be recognized. If you aren’t reading current titles and are thinking about doing so again, DC is the place to start. You get great superhero adventures at a more affordable price than most of the competition. During my most prolific comic buying years, I’ve been a “Make Mine Marvel” kind of reader, but that certainly isn’t the case when it comes to current comics. While I still love my older Marvel titles, you can’t beat what DC is putting on the racks. But why trust me? Buy an issue and see for yourself. The cover price of Detective Comics #935 is $2.99, while the current value of this variant is $5.
Cool comics in my collection #417: Swamp Thing: Future’s End #1, November 2014.
Back in 2014, during “The New 52” era, DC used the month of November (although they came out in September) to take a five-year look ahead in their universe of titles, which they called “Future’s End.” This is another reason I’m glad I purchased and opened my Walmart 3-packs, because otherwise I would have missed out on some good stories. While I was never a regular reader of Swamp Thing, I have an appreciation for the character, and ironically enough, just a few weeks ago I read issue #1 via comiXology. That issue originally came out on October 31, 1972, so it will be 45 years old in about six months. Was it really that long ago? I remember seeing Swamp Thing on the comic racks as a kid, but I didn’t care much for monster comics back then. And to be honest, I can’t remember if anyone in my neighborhood ever read it. The only issue I ever owned before this one was a 1982 annual that was the official adaptation of the movie. Yes, if you didn’t know it, there was a Swamp Thing movie way back then. This Future’s End Swamp Thing came with the standard cover, and I just mention that because DC also released one with a 3D motion cover. The cover price of Swamp Thing: Future’s End is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
Cool comics in my collection #418: Batman Eternal #22, November 2014.
I’ve bought 16 different Walmart 3-packs with Variants on top, and of the 32 regular comics tucked underneath, three of them were different issues of Batman Eternal. Before any of this, I wasn’t at all familiar with the story, the history behind it, and if Batman Eternal happened to be worth reading. And while I’m not going to go into all of that here, I will tell you that of the two issues I’ve read so far, I really liked them. This was a limited series that came out on a weekly basis for a year, and I would think the main complaint would be the expense to those who happened to be on a budget. And if you are a Batman fan, how can you say no? We love to have variety and plenty of choices for where and how we spend our entertainment dollar(s), but sometimes what is being offered just isn’t affordable. And whereas I have great memories of taking my pocketful of change to the local mom and pop shop that had candy, snacks, chips, and comic books, and walking out with 3 or 4 titles for a dollar or less, kids can’t say the same in today’s market. Those were the days, my friend. The cover price of Batman Eternal #22 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
Recently Read Digital Comics
Some of my earliest memories of science fiction include the original Star Trek television series, followed by The Animated Series. My older sister bought the paperback books that turned episodes into short stories, and I can remember reading them while camped out on the family couch. The Star Trek movie from 2009, while controversial to some, paved the way for new adventures, along with revamping original characters. Star Trek Vol. 1 from IDW Publishing collects the first 4 issues of a 60-issue run that follows on the heels of this movie, and includes the character Gary Mitchell from the episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” The writers did a good job with characterization, making the actions and dialogue fit, based on the movie. If you are a Star Trek fan, you may want to give this series a try. And by the way, I read it for free via Amazon Prime Reading. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can now read selected magazines and comic books each month at no additional charge. The retail value of this digital collection is $7.99.
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