Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 225, 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
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.
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. And don’t forget the prizes. Yes, Cool Comics gives away cool prizes. Be sure and join today!
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 225…
Cool Comics News!
Don’t forget that you can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! This episode we’re featuring an awesome wreath that would look good in any comic book lover’s home. For details about submitting, see Cool Comics News! in episode 224.
There will also be other opportunities to have your fan art appear in a cool publication, because this March will see the first issue of an exciting new magazine, Collectorzine! A Pop Culture Collectibles Fanzine for Collectors. This will be a printed publication in Northeast Ohio, but also available for mail order for those who don’t want to spend all their comic book money on gasoline. I’ll provide more information about it in upcoming episodes, but for now I’m going to let you in on one little secret: Cool Comics In My Collection is going to be part of Collectorzine! You read that correctly, each issue will feature cool comics from my personal collection, exclusively for the magazine. I’m excited and honored that Collectorzine! invited Cool Comics to join in on the fun!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Archie versus Yosemite Sam! 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 Creations!
This “World’s Finest” wreath comes to us from Melissa’s Craft Corner (Melissa Gosney…yes, she’s both my wife and a very crafty lady!) and looks so super while hanging on your door! If you are interested in seeing more of her creations, they can be found for sale at Rubber City Comics in downtown Akron, Ohio. See the Cool Comics News section above if you would like to submit one of your creations!
Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics
#1142 — Batman #86, DC, March 2020.
In the last episode of Cool Comics, we featured Thor #1, which changed up the creative team. Now with Batman #86, we’re seeing the same thing, with James Tynion IV handling the writing chores and Tony S. Daniel on pencils. Tom King’s run was supposed to go longer, but things change quickly when it comes to the world of comics and publications in general. I’ve seen complaints (and you probably have, too) about some of the Batman stories as of late, and while I personally wasn’t complaining, I wasn’t all in with the plot, either. This new story written by Tynion was decent, and I liked the setup for future issues. Batman was my first superhero, way back in the dark ages of 1966, so I’m hoping that this new direction keeps me interested in Bruce Wayne and his crazy adventures. The cover price of Batman #86 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1143 — Archie #285, DC, December 1978.
Sometimes when I’m digging around in quarter bins, I’m strictly business, looking for specific issues to help complete runs I’m working on (which isn’t always easy to do in a quarter box…but I’ve done it before!), and sometimes I’m pretty much looking for stuff that I think will be fun to read and then write about for Cool Comics. And you guessed it, this issue of Archie fits the bill when it comes to fun. In the Seventies I found myself on an Archie kick, which limited the amount of cape and tights comics I could afford, but at the time, I didn’t care, because I’d become quite familiar with the gang from Riverdale, and reading those comics brought warm feelings to much younger me. And you know what? They can still be fun to read, if you bring the right attitude. The first story in this issue features a teen superhero who’s trying to live a normal life, so his parents moved to Riverdale. Of course, Archie discovers his secret, and it’s a great little tale in the lives of teenagers. Speaking of quarter bins, my local shop, Kenmore Komics & Games, recently came into possession of hundreds…nay, thousands…of comics to put in their quarter long boxes, advertising on Facebook last week that they had 12 quarter boxes full of comic book treasures. I was able to stop by on Saturday for a while and filled lots of gaps! There are still many issues available, so if you’re local to the Akron, Ohio, area, what are you waiting for? The cover price of Archie #285 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 37)
#1144 — Lucy & Andy Neanderthal, Crown Publishers, May 2019.
If you’re fans of the Lucy & Andy Neanderthal graphic novels, then you’ll probably want to make sure you add this Free Comic Book Day issue to your collection, because it’s the first single comic that they’ve printed from what I’ve been able to gather (if I’m wrong, please let me know in the comment section below). This is completely new territory for me, as I’m not at all familiar with Jeffrey Brown’s black and white adventures with these kids that live in a distant past. This is certainly a comic aimed towards a younger audience, and while I wasn’t as enraptured with it as some readers may have been, it wasn’t half bad, and I can imagine that some younger readers would really have fun with these stories. You never know what you’re going to get when it comes to FCBD! The cover price of Lucy & Andy Neanderthal is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1145 — Yosemite Sam #18, Gold Key, December 1973.
Besides the fact that Bugs Bunny is cool and he has funny altercations with kooky old Yosemite Sam, and beyond the point I tend to make that these comics are anthology style and have a variety of stories within that makes them great for younger readers, and aside from the fact that we want younger generations to know and appreciate these classics from our childhood, this issue is packed with “extra fun,” by way of a “16-PAGE FUN CATALOG.” That’s right, folks, a huge part of the charm for this back-issue bonanza is the Kenner Catalog featuring SSP Smash-Up Derby, Baby Alive, Snoopy Power Toothbrush, See-Action Football, Spirograph, and more! And as usual, Looney Tunes characters are always entertaining. I was fortunate enough to find this one in a quarter bin (as usual, right?). The cover price is 20¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Classics
#1146 — All-Star Comics #70, DC, February 1978.
When I found out about the wonderful world of comic books as a wee lad in the small river city of Martins Ferry, Ohio, I pretty much went by the motto, “Make Mine Marvel!” There was a small snack/party shop a few blocks away from where I grew up (Slicks), and lucky for me they had a big wooden shelf with several rows of magazines and comic books. On the day new comic books arrived, I frequently got there faster than the owner could put them on display. But the elderly lady didn’t get distressed by my presence, because she knew I meant business and would be leaving her store with an armful of comic books, perhaps a Planet of the Apes magazine, and maybe an issue of Cracked. But no DC comics. Yet I did buy some in the Seventies at Super-X Drugs, where my father was a pharmacist. Their magazine section often contained those “100 Pages for only 60¢” issues that contained some classic reprints. I’m slowly working on completing that collection, but I’m not in a rush, because part of the fun is still having more to find. What does any of this have to do with All-Star Comics #70? I guess that when I see DC issues from the Seventies, it takes me back in time to those days when my dad was still alive, and he’d get me his employee discount on the comic books I picked out. And sometimes memories like that are what matter the most. By the way, I really enjoyed reading the issue. The cover price of All-Star Comics #70 is 35¢, while the current values are $42 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 United 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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Consarn it! Yosemite Sam is going to win against that carrot topped, two timing, squeaky clean galloot!
One advantage of being a DC kid is when Ed and rest of the Merry Marvel Marching Society were done with their battle royal to get their comics, you could just calmly walk past the over turned trashcans and burning spinner racks to get your comics.
All-Star #70 was the third appearance of Helena Wayne and I was a fan forever. Most of the JSA is at the meeting at the beginning of the issue. It’s rare to see the Earth Two versions of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman together.
Action Ace, Archie might give a better battle then you think, considering he’s now got experience against zombies, werewolves, vampires, and predators. Regardless of who wins, it would be funny to watch!
I really liked this issue of All Star Comics and will certainly keep my eye out for them when digging through discount boxes.
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