Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 166, 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 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 scale 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. For any questions or to submit your completed blog, write to edgosney62@gmail.com.
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 166…
Cool Comics News!
As we head towards the last month of 2018, I thought I’d give you an update on my comic book reading goal for the year. If you recall, I decided to see if I could read an average of 100 comic books per month. And how am I doing? I’m glad to report that I’m over the 1,100 mark! Hitting 1,200 for the year now seems like a breeze. Yet I won’t be doing the same next in 2019, as my magazine and book piles grew a little out of control, but it really has been fun.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is SHAZAM! versus Daredevil! 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
#795 — Hardcore #1 Ashcan, Image, October 2019.
When my local comic shop hands me ashcan editions from Image Comics, I’m never sure if I’ll like the story or not. These limited series are typically very different from superhero comic books, sometimes whetting my appetite, sometimes not so much. Hardcore is rated M for Mature, but aside from some violence, that seemed to be the only reason…at least for this issue. The story is about a company that has the technical ability to implant a gizmo (that’s my technical term) into a host, then have a specialist, through use of some gadgets (more of my jargon speak), see through the hosts eyes, and control him or her for a limited period of time, thus enabling said company to assassinate others. The concept made me think of my own short story, “Mindhopper,” which is available in Collateral Damage: A Superhero Anthology, via Amazon and other online retailers (shameless plug! What’s wrong with me?). If you like this sort of sci-fi comic book experience, you may want to check out the ongoing series, which launches December 19. And on a last note, the concept for this story is by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. The cover price of Hardcore #1 Ashcan is free, while the current value is $1.
#796 — SHAZAM! Volume 1, DC, October 2013.
If you’re planning on buying SHAZAM! #1 next Wednesday, and you haven’t read Justice League #7-11, #0, #14-16 and #18-21 during the New 52 era of the DC Universe, there’s still time, because the SHAZAM! stories that were included in those issues are available in this collected edition. Whether you get it in hardcover (the edition I have), trade paperback, or digital format, this acts as a lead-in to the new ongoing series, and it’s fun, so I strongly advise reading it. Obviously the digital edition, via comiXology or Amazon, is easily obtainable if you can’t find paper editions fast enough to satisfy your reading habits. If you remember the character back in the days when he was named Captain Marvel, expect a few differences, but don’t let the differences keep you from reading it. The hardcover price of SHAZAM! Volume 1 is $24.99, while the current value is $25.
#797 — Cosa Nostra #1, Dirk Manning LLC and Dan Dougherty, February 2018.
When you buy indie comic books, it’s sort of like a box of chocolates, as Forrest Gump would say (and if you haven’t ever watched the movie, stop whatever you’re doing, watch it, then you can come back and finish reading…seriously, I love the movie that much). And when I decided to buy Cosa Nostra from Dirk Manning at Akron Comicon 2018, I reached in the proverbial box and pulled out a nice, tasty piece of candy. The art is black and white but highlighted by reds in a few places and also blue outlines of a particular character (which you can see on the cover). The art is very satisfying, and the story is more than intriguing, with great writing. Dirk Manning is very personable, so if you ever see him at a comic con, I suggest paying him a visit. According to his website there’s going to be a Kickstarter in March for the trade edition of Cosa Nostra, and I don’t want to miss out on this, so I signed up for his newsletter. The cover price of Cosa Nostra #1 is…well, there isn’t a cover price. I believe I paid $5 at Akron Comicon for this, which was well-worth it, as he signed it also.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 29)
#798 — Graphix Spotlight 2018, Graphix (an imprint of Scholastic), May 2018.
Free Comic Book Day continues to surprise me and enrich my comic book reading experience. If not for this week’s issue of Graphix Spotlight 2018 (featuring a story about Sparks!), I wouldn’t have found out that Scholastic has comic books through an imprint called Graphix. Click on the name and check out their website, because they have all kinds of kid-friendly titles. This is a great way to introduce young readers to the world of comic books. And while this particular comic is geared for a different generation of readers, I had a good time reading it. Some of their trades might make perfect gifts for the kids in your life. The cover price of Graphix Spotlight 2018 is free, while the current value is $0.
Cool Comics Kids
#799 — Mickey Mouse #151, Gold Key, September 1974.
Last week we had some Donald Duck goodness (at least on the cover) for our Cool Comics Kids selection, and this week we are staying with Disney and giving you the “King” himself, Mickey Mouse, the veritable spokesperson of The Magic Kingdom. I remember when I was a kid and I had a toy that was something like a puzzle set that had Mickey and friends in it. I can’t remember too many details about it, although I think the board was a light blue. But I do remember the excited feeling I got when I opened it the first time, and every time thereafter. I have no idea what it was called, or even what happened to it, but I loved it for a short time in my life. So when I saw this Mickey Mouse comic in a discount bin, it brought back those childhood feelings, and seriously, for just 25 cents (my store has the best discount boxes), I had to have it. The stories are entertaining if you pretend you are a kid again, and it isn’t that hard to pretend when you see the ads and your mind travels decades into the past. Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, Mickey Mouse comics never disappoint. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #151 is 25¢, while the current value is $18.
Cool Comics Classics
#800 — Daredevil #34, Marvel, November 1967.
As much as I like to keep my comic collection in nice condition, I love buying affordable low-grade books. If you have the cash for mint condition prices, great for you, and great for the comic shops where you spend your money. But I read a lot of comic books and adding classics like this one to my collection for just $4 (the current price of most new comic books) makes me feel like a winner! As long-time readers of Cool Comics know, the Seventies is my favorite era of comics, because that’s when I started buying them. But Sixties Marvel books is like owning a piece of history, since that’s when most of their iconic characters were created. This beauty features the pencils of Gene Colan and was written by Stan Lee. After Stan’s passing, I flipped through my filing cabinet of unread future Cool Comics Classics and decided this would be a fitting tribute to his memory. Stan wrote with a certain style, and it really shows in this issue (you definitely won’t think you were reading an issue written by, for example, Frank Miller). The cover price of Daredevil #34 is 12¢, while the current value is $95.
Recently Read Digital Comics
This week I ventured into the world of Miles Morales, that other guy also called Spider-Man. I didn’t know much about this character who originated from the Ultimate Marvel line, and I can’t say that I know much more after reading Spider-Men #1 and Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #1. But they made me curious to know more. I read a few issues of the new Champions comics when it crossed over with Avengers a while back, and if memory serves, he was in those comics. But team-ups usually don’t lend themselves to telling you much about any particular characters, so I came into these two digital titles without much 
knowledge. By the way, I always enjoy telling you when I get free comics from comiXology, and that’s just what happened. So why my sudden interest in Miles Morales? One, have you seen the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? Click the title and watch it, then come on back to Cool Comics. Well, doesn’t it look like a lot of fun? Oh, and the second reason is that on December 12, Miles Morales Spider-Man #1 hits comic shops near you. I don’t have it on my pull list, but I’ll probably grab a copy off the shelf and give it a try. Also, I’m considering reading more Miles Morales stories from the past via comiXology, if the price is right.
ComicBooks For Kids!
ComicBooks For Kids! (CB4K) is a charity that Cool Comics In My Collection is honored to be working with. CB4K provides comic books to kids in hospitals and cancer centers all across the Unites States. You can check their website and see if your local hospital is included and if not, you can work with them to get them included! If you like what you see, please help them out and follow/like their Facebook page. Their link is https://www.facebook.com/comicbooksforkids/
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I have that issue of Daredevil, and I second your opinion that it’s a great read! The Gene Colan art is SO good. He’s one of my favorite artists from that era (check out some of his Dracula or Doctor Strange work to see why). Stan The Man’s writing on that issue is also great. . .he certainly had a unique voice. A nice pick and another great post!
Atom, I agree with you on Gene Colan. I have some of those Tomb of Dracula issues and love the art. Thanks for reading and commenting!