Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 144, where we take a 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.
For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), 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 144…
Cool Comics News!
Next Wednesday is Independence Day, so in honor of the USA celebrating another birthday, I’m giving you a look at one of my all-time favorite non-comic Marvel items! Yes, I still own this awesome calendar from the Bicentennial and it’s in great condition, considering its age. Each month has a beautiful piece of Marvel art featuring patriots and Marvel heroes, along with events listed for most days of the month, such as Sal Buscema’s birthday on January 26. From January through December, the calendar features the following: January – the Invaders; February – Hulk; March – Black Panther; April – Conan; May – Thor; June – Spider-Man; July – Captain America, of course; August – the Fantastic Four; September – Daredevil, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, Daimon Hellstrom, Luke Cage, Ghost Rider, and Shang Chi; October – Dracula, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night; November – Adam Warlock, Silver Surfer, and Captain Marvel; and December – the Avengers.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Iron Man versus Hawkman! 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 in My Collection
#682 — Tony Stark: Iron Man #1, Marvel Comics, August 2018.
As many comic book fans know, the 2008 Iron Man movie starring Robert Downey Jr. is the film that jump-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which now makes money faster than Tony Stark does. And yet, as well as all the movies have done over the last decade, loyal comic book readers (the kind who get excited each Wednesday morning when the new issues magically appear at their local comic shop) still make up a slim percentage of our population. Granted, the average comic book sells for $3.99, but with all these movie fans, you’d think that if they wanted more, they’d turn to the source material. Tony Stark: Iron Man #1 is a great place for new readers to see if they like the comics, too. It’s a fun read, and I especially enjoyed the flashback of a young Tony showing his genius at work, allowing us to see the potential for what he eventually accomplishes. It’s a cool comic, and I recommend it. The cover price of Tony Stark: Iron Man #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
#683 — Berger Books Sampler Ashcan #2, Dark Horse Comics, May 2018.
My local comic shop owner has given me a number of comic book ashcans (you know, those mini comics that give you a sampling of a comic that’s going to be released a few weeks later), most from Image Comics, so I was pleasantly surprised when he gave me this sampler from Dark Horse Comics. Though four different comics are shown on the cover, this issue actually contains five different samples (the one not pictured is called “LaGuardia”). And with that many, it’s kind of hard to get a true feel for any of the issues. I love the play on words for “Olivia Twist,” and “She Could Fly” looks to have potential. But this ashcan is not for all ages, so if you happen to find one in your possession, you’ll probably want to keep it away from any little ones in your living space. Though none of the comics contained here jumped out at me and said, “Buy me!” I appreciate the opportunity to give them a look. The cover price of Berger Books Sampler Ashcan #2 is free, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap
#684 — Hawkworld #13, DC Comics, July 1991.
I love the eclectic mix of comics that live in my legendary longbox (for those of you who may not know, about a year-and-a-half ago my local comic shop owner offered me a longbox stuffed with 419 comic books for the bargain basement price of just $20). This week Hawkworld came soaring out after I opened the lid. I know there are a number of Hawkman fans out there who appreciate the character, and I had a great time reading this adventure from 1991. Often, comic books from the Nineties don’t get much love, but I feel a special fondness, as I came back to the hobby in 1993 after more than a decade away from it. The contrast in look and feel of comics from 1982 to 1993 is immediate, with the latter decade often featuring very little white space, if any, at the edges of the panel, very bright colors, and a decidedly higher price point. But that happens to everything, right? And at a cost to me of just mere pennies, this Cool Comic Done Dirt Cheap helps me feel like I really got my money’s worth! The cover price of Hawkworld #13 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 8)
#685 — The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network, Kodansha Comics, May 2018.
The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network is our special guest during week 8 of our look at every comic book that came out during Free Comic Book Day 2018. I remember when the first American comic series of Ghost in the Shell hit the shelves back in 1995, but I didn’t add it to my pull list, and to be honest, this is the first issue I’ve ever owned or read from the franchise. This manga series debuted in Japan in 1989, and since that time has appeared in animated and live action films, along with video games. I can safely say I won’t be rushing off to the store to purchase issues or trades of Ghost in the Shell. It’s not that it was bad, but it just didn’t do much for me. Though I realize that it’s a big hit with many fans, and some were probably very happy to get this one free back in May. The cover price of The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network is free, while the current value is $0.
Cool Comics Classics
#686 — Dreadstar #1, Epic/Marvel Comics, November 1982.
If you are familiar with Jim Starlin’s Dreadstar, then you may already know the origin of the comic, how Vance first appeared in Epic Illustrated nearly 40 years ago, then under the title of Dreadstar, Marvel’s first comic under it’s Epic Comics imprint. Later, the title was published by First Comics and eventually Malibu, also. In other words, Dreadstar is a creator owned character and story, and when that happens, if you like what you read, you may end up having a variety of different companies in your character-owned collection. This is the only Epic issue I have of Dreadstar, but I own a handful of First Comics Dreadstar issues. Jim Starlin is a legend and is responsible for helping to bring some of the coolest Marvel characters to life (Gamora, Drax, Thanos, and Shang-Chi), along with writing iconic stories like The Infinity Gauntlet, The Infinity Wars, and The Infinity Crusade. So yes, I am more than happy to own this Cool Comics Classic. So how did I get my hands on this issue? A few months ago, while digging around in a quarter box, I found this hidden gem (yup, just 25 cents!) that’s in very nice condition. The cover price of Dreadstar #1 is $1.50, while the current value is $12.
Recently Read Digital Comics
It’s always fun to go with a theme in Cool Comics when it makes sense, and next Wednesday happens to be the Fourth of July, so I had to fit a Captain America comic in here somewhere. Captain America: A Little Help #1 is a short digital exclusive I picked up on comiXology a while back for free, but it appears that it’s no longer available. Seriously, you should sign up for an account and check out the free comics section every couple of weeks so that you don’t miss out! The character of Captain America has been an inspiration for thousands, perhaps even millions, of kids and grown-ups since his debut in 1941 (don’t worry, he’s NOT an agent of Hydra, no matter what some people say), and we see this firsthand in these few digital pages when someone decides life is no longer worth living. Though it didn’t choke me up as much as The Amazing Spider-Man #801 did when it recently came out (if you haven’t read it yet, make sure to get a copy as this issue is a great tribute to the spirit of Spider-Man), it still packs an emotional wallop worthy of your time…if you can find it.
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I was 8 in 1976 for the Bicentennial, and even though I don’t have my calendar any more, I DO have the one single picture from July of Captain America in front of the Declaration of Independence from that calendar that has traveled with me over the years. It’s been folded and it’s pretty battered, got a bunch of tack holes in the corners from hanging on various walls through the years. These days it just sort of sits there in a bag and board in the “Misc.” section of my comic collection.
But I’ve kept that picture all these years because my birthday is in July and that beat up old calendar page reminds me of the BEST 4th of July Fireworks I’ve ever seen in my life at the St. Louis Arch sitting on top of a semi truck trailer in a lawn chair above the rest of the huge crowd that was there. Thanks for making me think back to that great day!!
Have a great Independence Day!
And speaking of Marvel Calendars. . .did you pick up the Marvel Legacy freebie 2018 calendar? It’s a tad small, but there are some great pages with some awesome classic art. . .including this month’s Falcon and Captain America in front of the American flag!
Atom, I’m glad the Bicentennial calendar gives you such great memories! I have a couple other Marvel calendars from around that period, but I somehow missed out on the Legacy freebie calendar that came out in the fall. When I pulled the 1976 calendar off the shelf to look through it in preparing this episode, it was as if I’d been jettisoned back in time to that year. I try to fill my mind with memories of the fun stuff, and shove anything bad into a back corner, because that junk isn’t worth worrying over, whereas Captain America standing in front of the Declaration of Independence is inspirational.