Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 231, 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 231…
Cool Comics News!
Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus, by Damian Starr!
Cool Comics is excited to announce that Damian Star (aka Dr. Omnibus) is now part of the Cool Comics Crew and will be providing awesome reviews of collected editions each episode (or until he needs a vacation!). Damian is a talented writer and YouTuber, and you can find out more about him in his dedicated section below, so keep on reading!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Wolverine versus Wonder Woman! 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 episode we’re featuring another fantastic piece of art by the one and only Aaron Archer! This is a black and white version of a Chakan cover illustration he did featuring the forever man versus Rat…whose full name is Ratakilla. Aaron has done the artwork for several Chakan graphic novellas and really captures the essence of these exciting tales!
You can have a piece of your art featured right here in Cool Comics Creations! Just send an electronic file in an email featuring one of your drawings, whether you’re a professional or amateur, (it can be just pencils, or inks too…or full color if you prefer) or a picture of a craft or sculpture that you’ve done, and as long as it’s family friendly (and not controversial…let’s try to keep this fun), you’ll be a part of an upcoming Cool Comics episode. We also want your name and any other background information you want to provide, such as a website or a way you can be contacted about your art (who knows, maybe someone will make you an offer for the original!). And then email it to edgosney62@gmail.com.
Cool Comics In My Collection
Contemporary Cool Comics
#1172 — Wolverine #1, Marvel, April 2020.
Who is the most popular mutant at Marvel? If the first issue of this new Wolverine series is any indication, based on page count and price, I’d say we have a winner…although Deadpool may not agree. And while your favorite member of the X-Men is perhaps completely the opposite of Logan (or is it James Howlett?), there is no doubt that Wolverine is a huge fan favorite. When Jonathan Hickman’s Dawn of X launched, I’m sure many of you saw this solo series coming a mile away (by the way, it’s the 7th volume of Wolverine if anyone’s trying to keep count). Personally, I’m kind of hit and miss with Wolverine. Sometimes I like what’s going on with him, and other times he’s just too nasty and grouchy for me. But he’s always interesting. This first issue brings us two stories, “The Flower Cartel,” written by Benjamin Percy and penciled by Adam Kubert, and “Catacombs,” also written by Percy, with art by Viktor Bogdanovic. I enjoyed both stories, and I’m looking forward to their continuations…perhaps especially because of the reveal towards the end of “Catacombs.” The cover price of Wolverine #1 is $7.99, while the current value is $8. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
#1173 — Archie Meets the B-52s One-Shot, Archie, April 2020.
From Rock Lobster to Planet Caire to Love Shack, the B-52s generated fun hits that weren’t the typical stuff you’d hear on Top 40 radio, so maybe that’s why this pairing with Archie seems so offbeat…yet attractive at the same time. Archie Comics has a history of showing us America’s favorite teen in ways we’d never conceived of decades ago, and while now we are used to Riverdale being infested with zombies, vampires, and werewolves, it’s fun to look at the classic Archie Comics version with some fun thrown in. And the B-52s are fun, in my opinion, and maybe you think so, too. I’ve never been much of a concert goer, and as a matter of fact, I never went to one until my college years. My first concert was (drumroll please)…the B-52s at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio! Some college buddies and I went and had a great time (except they didn’t care to see the opening act, Marshall Crenshaw, and I did…that’s another story for another day). Anyway, The Archies have broken up their band, and the B-52s are looking for a local group to play with them. The story is a lot of fun, and I recommend it to all Archie fans. The cover price of Archie Meets the B-52s is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1174 — The Comet #1, Impact Comics, July 1991.
The most recent Back Issue magazine (#118) had an article about Impact Comics, so it’s no surprise that when I went searching through my boxes of comics I acquired from the quarter bin that I decided to revisit this short-lived DC Imprint. This line came out just a couple years before I re-entered the world of four-color entertainment, so the fun part is that they’re like new to me. I never owned any until last year, when I found some cool first issues and decided that I should add them to my collection. While it’s usually preferable to read longer story arcs, Cool Comics sees the value in giving single issues a try. And if we like them enough, they get added to the list of “must find” titles. This fabulous first issue of The Comet features art by Tom Lyle and is scripted by Mark Waid. Now that I’ve read this comic and The Black Hood #1, it sort of makes me sad that the Impact line didn’t make a big enough impact with the reading public. The cover price of The Comet #1 is $1, while the current value is $4.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 43)
#1175 — Kodansha Comics Free Comic Book Day 2019, Kodansha Comics, May 2019.
As far as comic books go, I’m guessing that I’ve read less manga than any other type of comic…and that includes romance comics (which can actually be pretty entertaining). I’ve never bought any manga for myself, and all that I own came from Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) over the last couple years (I get every FCBD issue and put each in the blog). But that’s not to say they aren’t popular and have large readerships. They just aren’t my style. But some stories have proven more intriguing to me than others, and I don’t dislike the experience…as long as I keep track of what panel I’m supposed to go to next while I’m reading the book (from my perspective) back to front. This issue has three stories: Cardcaptor Sakura Collector’s Edition; Witch Hat Atelier; and Magus of the Library, and for the most part, these were fun reads. One of the positives about this comic is it’s safe for All Ages, so you can give it a look and then pass it on to the little ones. The cover price of Kodansha Comics Free Comic Book Day 2019 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1176 — Donald Duck #115, Gold Key, September 1967.
Cool Comics Kids keeps me young at heart. While many serious students of heroes and foes battling in capes and tights may turn up their noses at the thought of actually purchasing and reading “kiddie comics,” I say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Many comic book readers today got their start because someone gave them a comic book when they were young. And if they started out with Donald Duck, there’s a good chance they moved on to Superman and Spider-Man, and perhaps from there to Lobo and the Punisher. But sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy the entertainment these more innocent comics give us. Okay, maybe I didn’t convince you to start reading the kinds of stuff you’d rather not bother with, but I’m certainly having fun with them. This decades old Donald Duck that I fished out of a quarter bin (you read that correctly, I found this for just 25 cents…okay, so the eyes have been altered by pens, and a former owner’s name is written at the top…but it was a great price!) contains three complete stories and a handful of fun activity pages for kids. The cover price of Donald Duck #115 is 12¢, while the current value is $48.
Cool Comics Classics
#1177 — Adventure Comics #460, DC, December 1978.
I don’t have many of the DC “Dollar Comics,” since I was mostly a Marvel buyer back in the Seventies, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them today. And I especially appreciate this one since I found it in a quarter box. It always makes you feel good when you get a comic for less than cover price, right? This cool anthology features stories showcasing Wonder Woman, The Flash, Deadman, Green Arrow, Aquaman, and The New Gods, which is great if you like a little variety and want to learn more of the history of any of these characters. And you know what else makes this a winner? In the top left corner, we are told that there are “68 PAGES/NO ADS.” Yes indeed, this issue gives us lots of story (although I always enjoy gazing at the ads when I’m reading older comic books…I bet you do, too). The cover price of Adventure Comics #460 is $1, while the current values are $26 on CBR and $24 on ZKC.
Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Year One Deluxe Edition Hardcover
Go go expanded universe
Dr. Omnibus score: 7.5 out of 10
For the past couple years, I have heard a lot of hype about the Power Rangers comic series. I was never a fan of the shows myself. But I did watch some of the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers when it came out in the early-mid 90’s. More recently my son has taken an interest, so I saw bits and pieces of various other Power Rangers series. Those assorted bits managed to show me that the story of the Power Rangers has been taken considerably deeper than the original series took it. So, when it was announced that the wildly expensive hardcover collections were getting a limited reprint for Local Comic Shop Day 2019, I immediately contacted my not exactly local LCS to see about getting a copy. They came through as they always do. So I dove in.
The Book Itself
The deluxe edition hardcover from BOOM! Studios seems to be a bit larger than a normal omnibus from Marvel or DC, but still a hair smaller than an absolute edition. So it’s a good trim size. It has a beautiful graphic cover and no dust jacket. The spine design is phenomenal. It matches year 2 and Shattered grid perfectly (more on those in a future post). The book contains issues 1-12 of the titular series, as well as a few short stories, which enhance that story. In the back of the book there is a cover gallery that is extensive; its honestly about 25-33% of the book.
The Words
by Kyle Higgins
The story picks up approximately after episode 21 of season 1 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Green with Evil part IV). Had I known this beforehand I might have watched the last few episodes of the show. But fortunately, I caught some of those episodes when my son watched them a year ago or so, so I felt I had enough knowledge to continue. I really don’t have a ton to say about the story. Kyle did a great job of making the insanely annoying characters from the show far more palatable and interesting. He deepened the relationships between the characters and even managed to make Bulk and Skull interesting. Every single character was improved upon versus the show. Rita, Goldar, Billy, and Trini benefited the most from these improvements, in my opinion.
The Art
Hendry Prasetya on pencils and Matt Herms on colors (primarily)
The art in this series is pretty awesome; this is helped by interesting character designs that translate better to drawing, opposed to big clunky costumes. I imagine it was also a very difficult series to pencil, given the very geometric nature of Zords. There is very little room for error in the symmetry department when drawing machines/vehicles. Obviously, the costumes of the rangers themselves bring an interesting balance for the colorist. Aside from that, the use of color has so much potential in a series like this, lots of energy blasts and teleportation, which need rendering.
Cover Gallery
At first, I was put off by how much of the book was just cover images, but there is a ton of great art back there and is worth checking out. There are no cover images throughout the main story part of the book, just some pages that state what issue you are starting and who is credited for that issue.
The Gist
If you enjoyed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (TV series), you will likely enjoy this series. The story is by no means mind-blowing, but it is a great expansion of the universe. It is deeper than the show and devoid of horrid acting.
The art is terrific and worth checking out.
I would not pay over cover price for this book, though. In the recent past it has sold for several hundred dollars on eBay. The LCSD edition helped regulate that a bit, but it is still commonplace for people to pay out of the nose for this thing. The series is collected in trade paperback and will likely cost less than half what you would pay for the over-priced hardcovers.
Damian Starr is a long-time collector of comics who, in recent years, has converted his focus to reading—almost exclusively—trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and Omnibus editions. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to the MCBCFA Play Network YouTube channel (check out his Dr. Omnibus playlists). To add one more layer to his geekery, he is an amateur comic author and co-founder of Illuminatus Comics.
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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Views: 302
Some real hits you’ve listed here this week, Mr. Gosney! ANYTIME i see a late 70’s DC Dollar Comic, I get excited. And, thanks for covering an issue of DC’s Impact! Comic line. These stories, featuring the old Archie Comics heroes, were a neat, updated example of old heroes that could be re-interpreted for a modern era. Some of the talent on this universe of heroes became a real force to reckon with in 90’s mainstream comics. They include (but are not limited to): Mark (Flash/Kingdom Come) Waid, and Rich (Batman Adventures/Blackhawk) Burchett. They are often affordable in the back issue market, and absolutely appropriate for any kids that can read. grown or not yet. One of the times I got to speak with Mr. Waid, he was pleasantly surprised when I asked him to sign some of my Impact books. He shared with me a story about why the line might not have caught on, that was then confirmed by (series editor) Mike Gold.
David, thank you so much for your positive comments on this hobby so many of us love! Part of the fun I get in writing the blog is reading stories that have never crossed my path. It doesn’t matter if they are fresh off the rack or decades old. And when readers react enthusiastically to some of the issues I decide to talk about, that makes it so much more meaningful (comic book readers love alliteration, right?) to me.
“One of times I got to speak to Mr. Waid…” Wow! Most of us are happy when we have the opportunity to meet comic book legends once. I think it’s great you asked him about the Impact line.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
As I mentioned back when Ed reviewed Black hood #1, I was a big reader of !mpact Comics when they came out. The Comet is my favorite series of the line. Little did I know at the time that Mark Waid would become my favorite comic book writer of all time. I hope you get to read The Fly someday so you can see the art of the amazing (and gone far too soon) Mike Parobeck.
I was a pretty constant buyer of Dollar Comics back in the day as well. I missed out on Adventure #460, but picked up #461 and #462 for the JSA feature. The one I bought most often was World’s Finest.
I don’t like Wolverine’s chances against someone who is stronger, faster, a better fighter and has an unbreakable magic rope.
Action Ace,
I have The Fly #1, and someday it will be in the blog…perhaps in a few weeks, since you’ve requested it!
Those Dollar Comics certainly were pretty great! I really enjoy taking trips back to the Seventies.
Any chance Wolverine can break Wonder Woman’s magic lasso with those claws? Regardless of the outcome, it would be a good fight for as long as it lasts.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
I’m also a pretty big fan of !mpact comics! Too bad they didn’t last long because they’re some really fun stories. The good news for a Longbox Junker such as myself is that they aren’t hard to find lurking in the bargain bins, and it’s fairly easy to collect the various runs.
Archie and The B-52’s? Now THAT’S sort of an odd bird. I’m not really a fan of the B-52’s, but I have to admit a couple of their songs are guilty pleasures if I’m in the car alone and catch one on the radio. It just seems strange that there would be a comic featuring them in 2020 when their “Heyday” was way back in the 80’s. Go figure.
Finally, a round of applause due for the guest appearance of Damian Starr! I’m not a fan of the Power Rangers, but he broke things down very nicely! It was a great addition and makes me ponder writing a bit of shorter Longbox Junk (Maybe a Retro Review or two? Those tend to be a bit shorter than my usual long-winded stuff) for a Cool Comics exclusive.
Thanks for another great post, and thanks for keeping comics fun!
Atom, seems like !mpact Comics get a lot of love today, which makes me glad I have more for future episodes!
The B-52s comic was certainly fun, and it brought back some 80’s memories for me. Although I rarely hear any of their music today, and my musical preferences have certainly changed over the years.
As Cool Comics continues to grow, from opportunities to host an episode of your own to reader art to our new Dr. Omnibus section as penned by Damian Starr, next week we unveil yet another creative outlet as we begin Cool Comics Reader Reviews! Make sure to see Cool Comics News next week for all the details! Atom, Longbox Junk is so awesome and we’d LOVE for you to write some Cool Comics Reader Reviews.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to producing one of these each week on whatever i happen to be reading at the time. Marvel mutants will be frequently visited in my reviews.