Would You Dare Journey Into Unknown Worlds?

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 176, 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.

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If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 176…

Cool Comics News!

We awarded some Cool Comics prizes over at our Facebook group recently, with more coming in the future, so you may want to get onboard if you like getting free stuff (just click the link a few lines above to join). Wonder what we gave away? You can find out right here!

Free Comic Book Day is just 86 days away! If you’ve never attended this celebration before, find out if any comic book shops near you are participating, mark it on your calendar (two holidays in one: Star Wars Day: May the 4th Be With You and FCBD!), and go get yourself some free comics. It’s a great opportunity to try something new. And while you’re in the shop, maybe buy a new issue or two of something else that looks good to help out your friendly neighborhood retailer.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Azrael versus Wild Boy of the Congo! 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

Contemporary Cool Comics

#850 — Journey Into Unknown Worlds #1, Marvel, March 2019.

In 1939 Timely Publications launched Marvel Comics #1 (then it became known as Atlas Comics in the Fifties, then Marvel Comics in the Sixties…history lesson accomplished), and in celebration of 80 years of putting out comic books, Marvel is releasing several one-shot specials. Atom, author of the fantastic blog Longbox Junk, recently talked about one of the releases from a couple weeks ago, Crypt of Shadows. I wasn’t going to get any of these specials, but after reading some of his thoughts on it, I decided to give Journey Into Unknown Worlds a try, and I’m glad I did, as it’s good old-fashioned sci-fi blended with horror, and packed with plenty of fun. Be aware that it’s rated T+, so make sure you don’t give any kids nightmares by picking this up for them. The one-shot contains two stories: Bones of the Earth, written by Cullen Bunn (if his name sounds familiar, that’s because last episode I told you that he’s the writer on Blossom 666), with art by Guillermo Sanna; and Chrysalis, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with art by Francesco Manna. If you like compete tales, these 80^th anniversary specials are something you should consider. The cover price of Journey Into Unknown Worlds #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap

#851 — Azrael #2, DC, March 1995.

If you thought Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap was gone for good, you’ll either be happy or sad to see that it’s back from its short hiatus while we showcased some Akron Comicon finds. Most of these have come from my legendary longbox (I bought a longbox of 419 comics, sight unseen, for $20 from my LCS, making each issue come out to just under a nickel each), although I’ve sprinkled in some quarter box finds on occasion. When I knew we’d be getting back to the longbox, I decided to shorten it up a bit and just talk about one of each title, since, for example, it contains a dozen issues of Sovereign Seven. Plus, I often have some great quarter box finds I’d like to include here in future episodes. This issue continues a story from issue 1 (which I owned at one time in my life, but it’s long gone) called Fallen Angel: 2, and is written by Dennis O’Neil, with pencils by Barry Kitson. My first encounter with the character came during the Knightfall storyline (and its follow-ups…Knightquest and KnightsEnd), when Jean-Paul Valley filled in for Batman while he was on the mend after suffering a broken back, courtesy of Bane. The character caught on for a while, but never seemed to have a big following. The cover price of Azrael #2 is $1.95, while the current value is $3.50.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 39)

#852 — The Metabaron, Humanoids, May 2018.

This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition of The Metabaron is Book 3: The Meta-Guardianess & The Techno-Baron. Yet never having read anything that came before, it presented a fascinating look at this world so different from our own. The series started in 1981, and according to Wikipedia concluded in 2003. Another source listed this FCBD edition as a spinoff, so maybe it’s new, and maybe it isn’t, but regardless, the publishing company, Humanoids, would be happy if it got you interested enough to want to read more. Just keep in mind that this comic book is Rated T, so it’s not meant for younger eyes. The issue is written by Alejandro Jodorowsky, and if that name sounds familiar, you just may be a Dune fan (if not, you can click his name and read all about him). The cover price of The Metabaron is free, while the current value is $0.

Cool Comics Kids

#853 — Uncle Scrooge #169, Gold Key/Whitman, October 1979.

While the organization ComicBooks For Kids! (see below) inspired me to start doing this Cool Comics Kids category, I enjoy writing it just as much as any other part of the weekly episodes. Reading kids comic books takes me back to a much simpler time. There were no bills to pay, no work to worry over, I had great friends, and my parents provided a good homelife. And most of all I remember reading comic books, loaning them to friends, and talking about them as if they mattered. And you know what? They do! Whether you’re a sports junkie, a fan of afternoon soap operas, hooked on music, or dedicated to a steady regimen of exercise, we typically find enjoyable ways to occupy our time when we aren’t working or doing other chores. And as a kid, we tend to have more free time; hence, the memories are special. And that’s why I enjoyed reading this issue of Uncle Scrooge that I got from my local comic shop for just a quarter. The memories it invoked were priceless. Plus, the three stories in this issue were fun (especially the first one, which involves time travel). What’s not to love? If you want to build a library of comics for younger readers, this is a good one to add. The cover price of Uncle Scrooge #169 is 40¢, while the current value is $28.

Cool Comics Classics

#854 — Wild Boy of the Congo #9, St. John Publishing Company, October 1953.

I’d never heard of Wild Boy of the Congo when I snagged this beauty that dates clear back to the Fifties for just one measly dollar, and if you think you’ve seen this kind of story before, you’re right, it reminds one of both Tarzan and Ka-Zar. Still, the stories were interesting, and it gives you a look at comics from a much earlier period. This issue contains the following: The Jaws of Death, Killer Leopard, The Big Hunt (this one features a character named Joe Barton), a strange little section called Jungle Tales: Monkey Business, a two page prose story titled “The Witch Doctor’s Secret,” a one page comic called Cobra: Terror of the Jungle; and Wild Boy and The Oracle of Ikwani. I got a lot for my dollar, plus some nifty Fifties ads. The stories, like so many from that era, are text heavy, and Jungle Boy, though young, is wise beyond his years, often surprising the adults around him with his problem-solving skills (I’m sure the young readers back then appreciated that). My copy was apparently displayed somewhere by a previous owner, as there are tiny holes at the top and bottom, with round indentions from what must have been tacks. I don’t mind, because it was cool adding this one to my collection for such a good price. The cover price of Wild Boy of the Congo #9 is 10¢, while the current value is $175.

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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