Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 167, 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 167…
Cool Comics News!
It’s that time of year to make sure you are extra good, or else you won’t find a big pile of comic books under your tree (if you celebrate the season). Speaking of extra good, have you read anything you’d classify as extra good recently? If so, we’d love you share with us in the comments section below.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Havok versus Black Lightning! 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
#801 — X-Tinction Agenda #1, Marvel, August 2015.
While I wasn’t actively collecting new comic books during this time period, thanks to the $4 four packs of comics at Five Below, I was able to add this title to my collection, the first of a four-issue series that is a tie-in to the larger Secret Wars crossover event that was taking place a few years back. Now doesn’t that statement sound as if I understand what was going on at that time? Well, it’s just not so. I’ve read some digital collections and individual comics that were published between mid-2003 and mid-2017 from Marvel, but I truly don’t have a good handle as to what was happening in their universe. Yet, regardless of not having that knowledge, often we can pick up a comic book and experience enjoyment, even if we realize we’re completely lost after we finish reading it. Marvel has done a nice job giving us background on the first page of this cool comic, and with a decent background of the world of the X-Men, I was able to follow along…mostly. When you have a team concept, and there are dozens of potential members, and the ranks are constantly being added to, it’s not always easy. I’ll pick up the final three issues if I run across them while flipping through quarter boxes. The cover price of X-Tinction Agenda #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
#802 — The Incredible Hulk #378, Marvel, February 1991.
It’s December, right? And with December comes comic books splashed with green and red, and this older issue of The Incredible Hulk I dug out of a quarter box at Kenmore Komics & Games starts off the month with a bang! But wait a minute…the Hulk isn’t green here, you’re probably thinking…this is the gray version. Okay, you’re right. But still, the lettering on the cover and the battle against Santa Claus gives us the colors of the season. Wait a minute. Hulk is fighting Santa Claus? Won’t this upset the children? Spoiler Alert! I’m going to reveal a secret about this Santa (and can it really be a spoiler if this was published over 25 years ago?): it’s really the Rhino. If you appreciate comics with a holiday setting, this issue, written by Peter David, is just the kind of fun—with a touch of holiday sentiment—you’re probably searching for. I’m glad I saved it until now to read, and even if you have to pay more than a quarter, if you’re a Hulk fan or just enjoy good storytelling, search this one out; it’s worth it. The cover price of The Incredible Hulk #378 is $1, while the current value is $3.
#803 — Boomtown Scabs #4, Boomtown Press, May 2014.
When I was a kid, and into my high school years, I loved to watch wrestling on TV, and it was even more fun when I watched with my friend Bill. But it was something I moved away from and never really looked back. I mention this because I’m far from being the target audience for Boomtown Scabs, published by Brett R. Pinson via his Boomtown Press imprint. Brett wore many hats for this issue, as he did the writing, coloring, and lettering. So why did I buy it? Because I met and talked with Brett a little at Akron Comicon 2018. Face-to-face contact can make all the difference in the world, besides the fact that I purposely wanted to try new things, especially from independent creators. Fans of both wrestling and super-heroes would probably enjoy this comic, so why not give it a try? Go to his website at https://www.brettpinson.com/ to check out this and other comics he has for sale. While there is no cover price, I believe I paid about $5 for a signed copy, and I’m glad it’s now one of my Cool Comics!
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 30)
#804 — Transformers: Unicron #0, IDW, May 2018.
Transformers makes the claim to be “more than meets the eye,” but I’ve never really given them a second look. To be honest, I was past the age these toys were aiming for, and I also wasn’t reading comic books when Marvel started publishing Transformers comics back in 1984. But kids in the Eighties loved these robots in disguise, along with the comic books, and many of yesterday’s fans are still fans today. I can imagine some of them are in awe with the movie franchise, while others aren’t happy with the film versions (par for the course, right?). So back to this Free Comic Book Day issue. Not being a Transformer junkie, I really didn’t know what to expect, but imagine my surprise when the familiar face of Rom: Spaceknight, showed up, and suddenly my memories were transported back to 1982 when I bought a few monthly issues of Rom. So, there was something for me after all in this FCBD edition, memories of a time I think back to with great fondness. By the way, Transformers fans, if you are interested in exploring the comics but never have, IDW has published dozens of series featuring these brave autoboots. The cover price of Transformers: Unicron #0 is free, while the current value is $0.
Cool Comics Kids
#805 — Little Lulu #230, Gold Key/Whitman, January 1976.
Kids today probably have no idea who Little Lulu is, yet she’s been around longer than Superman, starting off in a panel in the Saturday Evening Post in 1935. And much like the Man of Steel, she’s appeared in daily strips, cartoons, comic books, and animated films. This particular issue is from 1976, and I’m sure many people who grew up in the Seventies remember Little Lulu and some of her exploits. Like many comic books aimed for a younger audience, there are several complete stories within this issue, and as you’ve probably surmised with the snowman on the cover, Christmas is part of this comic book. If you want to introduce some of the young people in your life to this classic character, you’ll probably be able to find some Little Lulu comics at your local shop for decent prices. I got this issue from a quarter box and couldn’t be happier to find old treasures like this that take me back to my childhood days. The cover price of Little Lulu #230 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.
Cool Comics Classics
#806 — Black Lightning #9, DC, May 1978.
I started reading super-hero comic books in 1973, and Marvel was the company for me. Spider-Man and Captain America were at the top of my list, but I tried a number of different characters from the House of Ideas, even including the Master of Quack Foo, Howard the Duck. The only time I bought DC comics were when the 100-pages for 60 cent issues and some of the Limited Collectors’ Edition comics (also known as Treasury) showed up on the magazine rack at the pharmacy where my dad worked, along with a handful I picked up used for 10 cents each at The Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia. In other words, most of my experience with DC was reprints. There is nothing wrong with these issues, and today I have a special affinity for them, but I was missing out on some cool comics from and didn’t even realize it. I’ve been slowly finding different Seventies DC issues, and one of my favorites to look for is the original run of Black Lightning, written by Tony Isabella and penciled by Trevor Von Eeden (some of you readers may remember that I met both at Akron Comicon 2017 and got them to sign one of my issues). This story features a hostage situation, and the authorities are fortunate that Black Lightning happens to show up. It’s a fun comic to read, and it reminds me that I still need a few more issues to finish my collection. The cover price of Black Lightning #9 is 35¢, while the current value is $8.
Cool Comics Letters
It’s been a while since we’ve had a Cool Comics Letter, and this one comes to us from the letter page of the Cool Comics Classic above, Black Lightning #9. The letter writer? None other than Mike W. Barr, a fantastic comic book scribe who is local to Akron, while the comic book writer, Tony Isabella, is also local to the area. Now this is really cool! NOTE: If you are reading Cool Comics on a PC, click directly on the letter to get a close up view to avoid eye strain.
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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Another great post!
As for your question of what’s extra good. . .
In keeping with my “Merry Marvel Madness” kick in Longbox Junk, where I’m trying to connect with modern Marvel comics a bit more, I’ve ALSO been buying a few new Marvels off the rack. The two best I’ve come across so far have been:
IMMORTAL HULK: FINALLY, a Hulk story that leans hard into the horror aspects of Stan Lee’s Jekyll & Hyde tale for the nuclear age! I don’t think any other Hulk series I’ve read has gotten into the horror of a man and monster living in the same body as this one. It’s REALLY good. It’s up to issue 10 and there hasn’t been a stinker yet.
WINTER SOLDIER: This one is brand-spankin’ new with only 1 issue out, but that first issue is a real winner! It’s Winter Soldier hiding out in the Midwest doing sort of an “Equalizer” thing where people contact him through an ad for help and if he thinks they deserve it, he’s on the job. Great idea. . .great art. . .awesome cover! I’m really interested to see where this one is going.
Atom, I’m right there with you on Immortal Hulk. Each time it comes out, it goes to the top of my “to be read” pile. We see just how powerful the Hulk is, and also how scary he can be. I can’t say enough good about the series. As for Winter Soldier, I didn’t pick that one up, but after it’s complete, I’d consider getting a digital edition of the collection to give it a try. Thanks for reading!