Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 205, where we 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. I hope you have as much fun reading about them as I had writing about these cool comics!
For each of the comic books I include here, I list the current secondary market pricing (with the exception of digital issues, which don’t have collectible value). This is according to the websites ComicBookRealm.com (CBR) and Zap-Kapow Comics (ZKC), using the 
comic book grading scale of 9.4 (if both sites have the same price, you’ll find just one price for that issue). Not all my comics meet that grade. Some are probably better, and some are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Did you know that you can be a guest host for Cool Comics? It’s your chance to show off some of your favorite comics in your personal collection! 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. To submit your completed blog (or if you have any questions), 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 205…
Cool Comics News!
Powers of X #3 is a Cool Comic in this episode, and just yesterday House of X #3 came out! If you’ve been reading the series, you probably want to get your hands on each issue as fast as you can. Meanwhile, Shazam #7 seems to be months behind, and I heard a rumor that Doomsday Clock #11 is finally going to hit stores next Wednesday. On a closely related note, I’ve seen some online articles about comic books that aren’t being solicited for November (Previews came out yesterday), which is sure to disappoint some fans. Throughout your collecting years, what comic book cancellation hit you the hardest? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Apocalypse versus Popeye! 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
#1020 — Powers of X #3, Marvel, October 2019.
A few weeks back in Episode 201, I raved a bit about House of X #1, the start of writer Jonathan Hickman’s relaunch of the X franchise, and I’m here to tell you that the story is still going strong and really keeping my attention. Hickman is currently putting out two titles a month, each a week apart. Powers of X and House of X are like X-twins, and you really need to be reading both to get the full story. But the full story is also somewhat elusive, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself occasionally saying, “What The?” (which is a whole other Marvel thing, but fitting, I think). Or maybe it’s just me. Regardless, I’ve really enjoyed the handful of issues that have come out so far of these two series and starting in October (some won’t appear until November), six ongoing titles will replace the Powers of X and House of X limited series. If you haven’t heard or seen, the titles are: X-Men, Marauders, Excalibur, New Mutants, Fallen Angels, and X-Force, so start saving your pocket change, kids! The cover price of Powers of X #3 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap
#1021 — Number of the Beast #1, WildStorm, June 2008.
As the cover states, “First there was Armageddon, then came Revelations…Now the End Begins!” But when it comes to my legendary longbox (over a year ago, I bought a longbox that was stuffed with 419 comic books for just $20; hence, Cool Comics Done Dirt Cheap), I don’t always get to start at the beginning. Or even the middle. Yep, you got it, I know absolutely nothing about Armageddon or Revelations, as far as these WildStorm comics are concerned. But I didn’t let that lack of knowledge keep me from enjoying The Number of the Beast. Billed as #1 of an 8 issue limited series, I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of this series. I wonder if there is an omnibus that contains all three of these series? The cover price of Number of the Beast #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 17)
#1022 — Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You & Pokémon Adventures, Viz, May 2019.
Once again, Viz gave Pokémon fans what they wanted on Free Comic Book Day: more Pokémon! As everyone knows, FCBD is the first Saturday in May, and the movie Pokémon Detective Pikachu premiered just a few days later, launching Pokémon fans into a rabid frenzy as they stormed the gates of comic book shops all over creation, fighting tooth and nail to get more comics for their collections, constantly bumping into each other while trying to squeeze into the overcrowded stores as they busily worked their fingers to the bone in their attempt to collect them all on their favorite phone app. Okay, maybe that didn’t really happen, but please make sure to support your local comic shop. And truth be told, I’m not a Pokémon fan, but I don’t mind reading one of their comics once a year in support of FCBD. The cover price of Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You & Pokémon Adventures is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1023 — Popeye the Sailor #152, Gold Key, November 1979.
When I was a kid, Popeye cartoons were fairly easy to find on TV, and I always enjoyed watching the spinach-eating sailorman. And who can forget the supporting roles? Olive Oyl, Bluto, Whimpy, Pappy, Brutus, and Swee’Pea, just to name a few. By the way, did you know that in his earlier comic strip adventures, Popeye rubbed the hairs of a magical Whiffle hen to get his strength? Don’t believe me? Click this link and see #11 for the evidence! I was fortunate enough to find this Gold Key classic in a quarter bin, and since I’m always on the lookout for titles that make a good fit for Cool Comics Kids, I pulled it out of the box faster than you can…can…open a can of spinach! This issue contains just one story, which is a little unusual for most of the comics I put in this section, but it was entertaining. There are some great ads inside for Saturday morning cartoons, along with the obligatory Sea-Monkeys information and order form on the back cover. The cover price of Popeye the Sailor #152 is 40¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Classics
#1024 — The Flash #240, DC, March 1976.
Over the last couple years I’ve spent a lot of time quarter bin diving, and now I’m at a point in which I’ve had to slow down due to space constraints. But when you spot Pre-Crisis Barry Allen Flash issues for a paltry 25 cents, common sense dictates that you scoop them up…in a flash! I like the cover to this one, and Flash in his red and yellow really stands out behind the black shade of the building. Cary Bates wrote this story titled, “Collision Course with Disaster!” and like so many from this time period, you get a complete tale. As a matter of fact, we even get a backup Green Lantern short (“The Floods Will Come!”), courtesy of Denny O’Neil, Mike Grell, and Tex Blaisdell. Part of the fun in this comic is checking out the ads, and one of them advertises DC’s 1976 calendar that I wish I owned! The cover price of The Flash #240 is 30¢, while the current value is $18.
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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Views: 321
Thanks for another great entry!
Cancellation of a favorite series always hits me a bit hard, and it’s happened many times that I question why THIS series I enjoyed when THAT series is still on the stands. Just part of the business, I guess.
One of the more recent hits that I felt was the sudden and unannounced cancellation of Avatar Press’ “War Stories” after 26 issues. They were fictional tales (based on real stories) of the hidden little corners of war written by the great Garth Ennis. They covered everything from the tanks of the Israeli Yom Kippur War to German civilians fleeing Soviet troops as they drove toward Berlin to the British “wooden boat” Coast Guard of WWII and more.
It hit issue 25 and then. . .nothing. It’s bad enough when a series announces its last issue, but for it to just stop like that is worse.
BUT. . .the good thing is that there’s plenty more great comics out there! Thanks for pointing me toward a few and thanks for keeping it fun!
Atom, that Avatar Press “War Stories” series sounds interesting. I’ll have to see if I can find a few issues, or a digital or trade edition at some point. And yes, it really hurts when a series you’re enjoying disappears into the void. Seems like that happens with TV shows I watch more than comic books. I’ve also had a number of magazines disappear into The Twilight Zone on me…including The Twilight Zone magazine in the Eighties! I once saw a horror fiction magazine advertised, decided I wanted to give it a try, subscribed to 4 issues for $20, got the first issue, and that was it…the owner ran away with all the funds, is what I later heard. Thanks for sharing your story!
Glad to see you’re enjoying Powers of X still. I can’t wait for the Excalibur run! I’m not all too sure who would win in a battle with Apocalypse and Popeye, but given he has enough spinach I think Popeye can pull this one out!
Yes, I’m really enjoying Hickman’s work. I read House of X #3 last night and there is no letdown in the story.
Excalibur certainly has a dynamic lineup of heroes in it, and I, too, am looking forward to it.
Popeye is amazingly strong once he gets a can of spinach in his gut, but he’ll probably need a couple cases worth before he tangles with Apocalypse!
Thanks for reading and writing!
Popeye needs to one can of spinach to take out Apocalypse.
I missed out on that Flash issue as a kid, but I love the Cary Bate era of Flash (Pre-Trial).
What comics cancellation hurt the most? Why settle for one when you’re a DC kid in 1977? I got the DC Implosion in 1978. I didn’t buy as many comics as I did as a seven year old in 1977 until 1991.