Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 215, 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 (except for 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. And for those who enjoy the additional fun of knowing some of the more important issues in your collection, I recognize each Cool Comic that is listed in Key Collector Comics
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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 215…
Cool Comics News!
This past weekend my wife and I had a fantastic time at Akron Comicon, which is now under new ownership, and the new guys did a fantastic job of continuing this great tradition. Over on our Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group we gave away two 1-day passes to the con, courtesy of the owners (you really should consider joining the group, because we have lots of giveaways and you can get some cool free stuff!), and Cool Comics gives a huge shout-out to Dan and Jason! Starting in Episode 217 and continuing each week until I run out, I’ll include one comic each week that I got at Akron Comicon. But like all cons, comics aren’t the only offerings to consumers, and I’ll be giving you looks at a few other items I picked up, like these awesome RAK Graphics (Robert A. Kraus, creator of Chakan) monster cards!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Batman versus Gambit! 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
#1080 — Batman Annual #4, DC, December 2019.
When a character is 80 years old, what do you do with him that hasn’t already been done? I suppose that’s a loaded question, because I’m sure many of you have your own ideas of the sort of adventures or lifestyle changes that you’d like to see Bruce Wayne and his alter ego go through (that’s what the comment section below is for, in case you want to show your creative side…or just suggestions as a fan). Some of you have probably read hundreds, if not thousands, of comics featuring the Caped Crusader, and have a respect and admiration of this crime-fighting character who has to do it all with his human will and his wits. Okay, enough build up. The Batman Annual this year gives us a fascinating view of the everyday life of Batman. It’s a little different kind of story, but if you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy this one. The cover price of Batman Annual #4 is $4.99. while the current value is $5.
#1081 — Excalibur #1, Marvel, December 2019.
Here we are, another week and another Dawn of X first issue (yes, this is a trend that will continue as each first issue makes its debut…I was a huge X-Fan back in the Nineties and early turn of the century, so that’s my excuse). I’m sure most of you out there are familiar with Excalibur teams from the past, and though this one doesn’t have the exact lineup, this first issue proved intriguing. And who is in the new lineup? Betsy Braddock, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Apocalypse (if you haven’t been keeping up with this new X-Run, which started with House of X and Powers of X, then you may be a bit surprised with this inclusion), Trinary, and Brian Braddock are all down for fun and games in the new X-Universe, written by Trini Howard, with art by Marcus To. If you love those Merry Mutants, don’t miss the start of this new series. The cover price of Excalibur #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1082 — Weird Worlds #8, DC, December 1973.
This is it, comic book aficionados, the newest category of the internet’s favorite weekly comic book blog! Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin will bring you some of the very best, very worst, and very strangest comics that I’ve found in quarter bins, regardless of decade, collectability, and value. Some episodes might contain one of your favorites, and other episodes may feature a comic book that you’ve never heard of or seen before. And just to prove how weird this category can potentially be, our first selection is Weird Worlds #8, from a series that lasted just ten measly issues. Creators never know for sure what will appeal to the purchasing public, and this swashbuckling adventure tale certainly isn’t lacking in pedigree, as the script is by Denny O’Neil, and was created, plotted, and drawn by Howard Chaykin. Do you have any issues of Weird Worlds in your collection? The cover price of Weird Worlds #8 is 20¢, while the current values are $14 on CBR and $9 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 27)
#1083 — H1 Ignition, Humanoids, May 2019.
This year, Humanoids put out a Free Comic Book Day issue that proves to be a very nicely packaged introduction to their new creator-infused imprint, H1. Not only do we get some cool preview pages of these new titles (three ongoing series and several graphic novels), but we also get some background on both the titles and the creators. You may be familiar with several of the writers and artists who are a part of this new comic world, but the one most familiar to me is Mark Waid, who also holds the role of Director of Creative Development. Mark’s been a major player in comics for a few decades now, and chances are that if you’ve read any comics from the mid-eighties to the present, you’ve read something he’s written. If you enjoy exploring comics that don’t have Marvel or DC on the cover, give this one a try. The cover price of H1 Ignition is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1084 — Daffy Duck #126, Gold Key, December 1979.
While Cool Comics Kids tends to see a lot of duck comics, what’s not to love about them? They’re often funny, sometimes irascible, and occasionally downright miserly. In the Disney universe, we see ducks intermingling with other animals, but when it comes to Looney Tunes, we also get a variety of humans thrown into the mix, such as Daffy’s pal Elmer Fudd, who co-stars in a couple of adventures in this kid-friendly anthology. Like so many of these comics aimed towards a younger audience, there are several complete stories, which is perfect for young ones with shorter attention spans. But this issue is just as much fun for adults who want to travel back to simpler times, when Sea-Monkeys dominated the ads (“Enter the Wonderful World of Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys…only $1.25 plus postage”) and Hostess Fruit Pies, with their comic style ads (this one features Richie Rich), gave them a run for their money! The cover price of Daffy Duck #126 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics Classics
#1085 — Sergeant Preston of the Yukon #14, Dell, April 1955.
Doesn’t it feel great when someone gifts you a Golden Age comic? I don’t have many issues from that opening era of four-color fun, so when I get one, I truly appreciate it. Such was the case with this adventure comic, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, which my brother-in-law, Dan, bought for me while vacationing in Colorado. A gift comic always has special meaning, and when it’s over 64 years old and in great reading condition, that really makes it a cool comic! This issue comes with three complete stories over the 32 pages, and perhaps the most interesting part for me is that the last two pages of story are on the inside back cover, which is in black and white (the other pages are all in color), and the back cover, which is in color. The tales are cleaver and I would gladly read more in this series. The cover price of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon #14 is 10¢, while the current values are $80 on CBR and $20 on ZKC.
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: 259
Spector says
Those RAK graphic cards look so nice.
I dropped Batman from my reading stash, like most others, awaiting the new writer to take the helm from King. Not sure who is involved in the writing efforts here, but your take on it is pleasing, and also nice that the cover price isn’t over inflated for being a bigger annual issue.
Soooo many new X titles. I do like the looks of this one, but know that I cannot have them all. The Artgerm New Mutants #1 is in my sites, but may very well pick this one up too.
Very cool bronze age Weird Worlds/Iron Wolf book. I was always confused when I was younger with this book and Marvel Weirdworld in one of their books (marvel premiere/spotlight or one of those titles. This sounds like a great combo by Denny and Chaykin.
The H1 Ignition was such a great read! The LCS worker put one aside for me, knowing my tastes and likes, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Oh….Battle time. Batman all the way! Gambit got skills, but he does not have the skills and decades more experience than Batman does.
Ed Gosney says
Spector, I love the RAK cards! He has so many different kinds, but I wanted to start off with those classic horror tropes.
And yes, there are now six ongoing X-Men titles, with Wolverine and others on the way. They probably should rein it in a bit, because over saturation can have fans doing an about face!
Glad you enjoyed the H1 Ignition book also. That was a nice FCBD issue, with thick paper. Great quality.
Thanks for reading and being an important part of Cool Comics!
Action Ace says
Batman has a good and very long track record against people with a playing card theme. He’s winning. And why is someone with a playing card theme called Gambit? Shouldn’t he have a chess theme?
@Spector, Tom King did write the Batman Annual.
Yes, I know I’m home when the comic has Hostess and Sea Monkeys ads.
Mark Waid is my all time favorite comic book writer, but I haven’t checked out the Humanoids comics. I think Strange Fruit was the last title I bought from him.
No worries about X-Men over saturation for me. I wonder if I have the largest comic book collection out there that doesn’t contain a single X-Men comic.
Ed Gosney says
Action Ace, it’s great how those old ads touch us right in the heart!
No love for the Merry Mutants? There are many out there who feel just as you do. I’ve gone through seasons in which I’ve loved them and seasons in which I could care less. That’s the great thing about comics, that there is such a wide variety.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!