Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 245, 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
If you have any comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a Reply.” And now, Episode 245…
Cool Comics News!
Memorial Day and D-Day are so close to each other that I’m saluting our military this week with two special comic books as a tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. As a U.S. Army veteran, I have so much respect for all who have served, and this is just one small way to let them know that at Cool Comics, we care!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Doop versus the House of Fear Snowman! 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’s creation comes to us from illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. This card, featuring Luke Skywalker, is one of the 50 plus sketch cards Dan created for the Topps Star Wars Masterworks 2019 Set. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com.
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
#1246 — Our Fighting Forces Giant #1, DC, July 2020.
Yes, this is one of those 100-page giants that have been coming first to a Walmart near you…and eventually to your local comic shop. The Walmart version (which has a different cover and is selling for more money on the secondary market) appeared a few weeks back when I was hesitant to go in a crowded store even while donning a mask. But one day when I had to go in a Walmart, I looked for it with no success. Lucky for me I was able to find a copy in my friendly neighborhood comic shop last week, and I’m so glad I did. While it’s not the greatest military comic I’ve ever read, I enjoyed it, especially considering the timing of Memorial Day and D-Day. This issue contains three all-new stories, the first with the Unknown Soldier, then Batwoman, and the last with Batman. Additionally, there are five reprint stories from the Men of War series in 2012. I realize that military themed comics aren’t for everyone, but as an Army veteran, I have a special appreciation for them. The cover price of Our Fighting Forces Giant #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1247 — All-New Doop #1, Marvel, June 2014.
Doop! It really says it all, doesn’t it? Or maybe not so much? Can you think of some rhyming words for Doop, besides the obvious? You’re probably asking, “What’s the scoop with Doop?” Well, I’m still trying to figure that out! I don’t have much experience with Doop, although I recall him with Cable in a comic I read not too long ago. When did Doop enter the world of Marvel? Back in 2001 in X-Force #116. Yes, I was buying comics at the time, but not X-Force, and if this green guy appeared in any of the other X-Books that I was reading before mid-2003 (after this date I took a long break…until 2017), well, he slipped through the cracks of my mind. So why Doop? I say, why not? Oh, you probably want to know if I’m a fan of Doop now. Can’t say I am, can’t say I’m not, because I don’t have enough experience with him yet. I found this in a quarter bin a few months ago, and decided it was strange and weird enough that I needed to put him front and center in Cool Comics. Because Doop happens. The cover price of All-New Doop #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Halloween ComicFest Cool Comics
#1248 — House of Fear, Dark Horse Comics, October 2019.
While I don’t buy any monthly comics from Dark Horse Comics, my youngest likes Stranger Things, and this special Halloween ComicFest issue may just appeal to that same crowd. No doubt the title alone will make you think of scary comics that came before it (House of Secrets, House of Mystery…and many other “House of” titles, too), but this one is geared towards a younger audience, although probably an audience that has outgrown Goosebumps. And you know what? I liked it. A lot! This is a fun little horror story that doesn’t have all the gore that so many scary comics use today. Another cool feature is a horror host, which will definitely make your wheels of nostalgia spin. The writing by James Powell is excellent and immediately pulls you in, while illustrator Jethro Morales sets the tone. Best of all, this is just one sample story from a collected edition of other fun, spooky stories! The cover price of House of Fear is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1249 — Tom and Jerry #299, Whitman/Gold Key, October 1977.
I’ve been known to grumble here at Cool Comics about some of the bird characters that tend to get under my skin from time to time (See Cool Comics Kids in Episode 239), and now I’m feeling the same way about Jerry the mouse. He, along with his rodent pal Tuffy, are often the instigators when it comes to the conflict that usually occurs in their adventures. And what I like about the comics is that Jerry doesn’t always come out the winner. And unless we have pet mice, we don’t want the uninvited ones to make shelter in our homes, garages, and storage sheds! This issue contains two Tom and Jerry stories, along with a dog adventure featuring Big Spike and Little Tyke. Honestly, I’m not sure how many kids today know who Tom and Jerry are, but when I was growing up you could easily find their cartoons and comic books. I think this is a terrific addition to a library of comic books for little ones. The cover price of Tom and Jerry #299 is 30¢, while the current value is $14.
Cool Comics Classics
#1250 — G.I. Combat #133, DC, January 1969.
As constant readers know, one of my great loves of collecting is finding treasures in quarter bins. I’m fortunate that a local comic shop happens to adhere to the philosophy that if you have a quarter bin, fans will come! And this store typically has not just one quarter box, but often anywhere from three to eight longboxes full of quarter comics. Hence, you really can’t complain about condition, and when you’re frantically searching through them during your lunch hour, you have to grab what you want and take your chances. This beautiful old issue of G.I. Combat, unfortunately, is slightly wounded, as something was cut out on page 1 (which of course also damaged page 2), and then an ad page also had something cut out of it. It also appears that an entire page was torn out, but it didn’t seem to interfere with any of the stories. While all of us like our comics complete, I’m still glad I was able to find this at such a great price and experience reading it between Memorial Day and D-Day. The cover price of G.I. Combat #133 is 12¢, while the current values are $160 on CBR and $150 on ZKC.
Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Dark Knight Returns By Frank Miller TPB 30th Anniversary Edition (DC)
Dr. Omnibus score: 8.0 out of 10
The Dark Knight Returns is commonly considered one of the best graphic novels of all time. That being the case, I bought this volume with very high expectations. Let’s see how it stacked up.
The Book Itself
This 30th Anniversary Edition TPB is, for the most part, a standard trade paperback. It is printed on premium glossy paper and has a fair amount of backmatter, including some pages of rough line art and Frank Miller’s original pitch and idea for the story, which is quite fun.
The Words
By Frank Miller
As I already mentioned, this graphic novel is considered one of the best, and my expectations were running high when I cracked this open. That being said, I made it about 20 pages in and couldn’t stand it. There is a frequent occurrence in which talking head news personalities take up a 12-panel page just sharing dialogue, which for the most part builds a world most readers already know. Granted, some world-building is needed, but I think its driven home a little too hard, which is a detriment to the pacing of the story. So, I put the story down, stepped away for a few months and tried again with the same result. But then, with the extra reading time brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself determined to muscle through this book. I am so glad I did, because once I got through that first issue, things really picked up the pace. The world is gritty, Batman is savage, and this story is just far enough off the beaten path that it holds intrigue while still being familiar. Also, after reading this, Carrie Kelley is my favorite Robin-for now.
The Pictures
By Frank Miller (pencils), Klaus Janson (inker), Lynn Varley (colors)
I’ve never been a huge fan of Frank Miller’s art, but for this super dark, twisted tale it works well, and I suspect the inks of Klaus Janson probably helped it along a bit. The colors are fantastic, they are simple, and highly washed out, and that really works well for this book; it really sets the bleak tone. I couldn’t imagine this story told with highly finished art like that of Lee Bermejo, but I sure would give it a shot.
The Gist
I don’t know that I am on board saying this is one of the best graphic novels of all time. But it might be fair to say, “one of the best Batman graphic novels of all-time,” and certainly one of the better ones I have read. It is kind of required reading for any comic fan, so who cares what I say about it…go read it!
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.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to see? Our Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is looking for fans just like you to submit reviews of 500 words or less (introductions about yourself don’t go against the word count), along with a cover image of the comic, to edgosney62@gmail.com. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decide what will and won’t go in the blog, so keep the language clean, pick out a comic that won’t cause controversy (we try to have fun here!), and start tapping away on your keyboard!
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/
Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
Join our Facebook Group!
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!
Create a Gravatar!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
Views: 139
Leave a Reply