Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 251, 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 251…
Cool Comics News!
Do you have a favorite hero? Are you loyal to just one comic book company, or do you buy from several? What about creators? Do you follow the ones you like the best from title to title, company to company? Why do you like comics in the first place? No, you don’t need to answer all these questions (but we do have a comments section at the end of the blog, so feel free to tell us)…I’m just trying to get you thinking about the hobby and what it means to you. If you love comics, you may want to share a review on the blog or perhaps some original art you’ve done (the piece here is something I did decades ago, and it was probably a free-hand copy of a drawing I did from How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way…with inks added…I loved experimenting with inks). We provide a creative outlet for you here at Cool Comics because we believe that fans are every bit as important as the comic books themselves. Without fans, there’d be no issues. Well, there’d be issues, just not comic book issues. Have fun reading!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Static Shock versus Shanna the She-Devil! 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 Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, along with cool games he’s developed. Here we see Chakan, the grey warrior, ready to destroy a beastly creature! Stay tuned to future episodes of Cool Comics for more news on the upcoming Chakan Kickstarter! To learn more about RAK, be sure to visit his website at http://www.rakgraphics.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
#1276 — Exciting Comics #7, Antarctic Press, April 2020.
I typically plan out the comics I’ll be covering for the blog a couple weeks in advance, although I allow myself the flexibility of making changes, and this comic is a perfect example of such a change. I had the 25th issue of Oblivion Song slotted here, but when I bought this newest issue of Exciting Comics and saw what a great job Adam Fields did with the art for one of the stories and let him know it on Facebook, well…to tell it truthfully, creator Bradley Golden basically asked me to write something up for Cool Comics, and I was in perfect agreement. You may remember Prowl from episode 238, which happens to be my first comic book exposure to Adam Fields. It’s a cool werewolf story, and I bought all the issues during a special “Pajama Con” he held over Facebook Live. And now Adam’s a part of the Antarctic Press family! Which is really cool! I’ve been a regular reader of the title since it started (again…sorta, as there was another Exciting Comics many decades ago), and it’s fun to dive into comics that don’t get as much exposure. The cover price of Exciting Comics #7 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1277 — Static Shock #1, DC, November 2011.
My son was a big fan of the Static Shock cartoon, and while I’ve just seen a few minutes of it, I’m familiar with the character, because back in the Nineties when the Dakotaverse/Milestone Media launched and crossed over with Superman, I bought a handful of new issues, then continued buying any of the titles I could find in discount bins. At the time DC launched The New 52, I wasn’t buying comic books, and had no idea that Static Shock ended up with his own comic once more, until I found this issue a couple years ago while digging around in a quarter bin at my local comic shop! As soon as I saw it, I new it was coming home with me. This was a short run of just eight issues, and I still need 4-8 to complete it. Additionally, I recently read that Milestone may once again be coming to a comic shop near you! Meanwhile, I’m still working on completing my original Milestone runs. The cover price of Static Shock #1 is $2.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 1)
#1278 — X-Men #1, Marvel, May 2020.
Wait a minute! FCBD?! You mean Free Comic Book Day is back? Yes, comic book fans, it’s back, but very different this year. As we all know, there’s a worldwide pandemic, and therefore it just wasn’t a good idea to hold it back in May. But now that most businesses are…back in business, FCBD decided to get those issues in our hands for 2020. And the way they are doing it is kind of innovative, because now you have to go back to your comic shop each week through September 9 in order to collect them all. Hopefully, store owners will see more sales this way, and what’s a Wednesday without a trip to the comic shop, right? Six were on the shelves this week, so I had to pick out one for this episode, and I led off with X-Men #1 (an X of Swords prelude), which also has a second story called “Dark Ages,” written by Tom Taylor, with art by Iban Coello. At the end of the story, we’re asked, “Where were you when the lights went out?” and are told that it’s “A saga of the Marvel Universe Fall 2020.” I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you’re an Iron Man fan, well…just read it. The cover price of X-Men #1 is free, while the current value is $0. The Key Collector Comics value is $0.
Cool Comics Kids
#1279 — Woody Woodpecker #109, Gold Key, January 1970.
When I find comics in quarter boxes that are 25¢, it’s a Cool Comics kinda day, but when I find comics in quarter boxes and I’m paying over cover price to get them, chalk it up as a win! I was obviously in the right place at the right time to find this Woody Woodpecker issue from 1970 (with a cover price of 15¢). Now I know that many of you might not give a hoot (wait…that’s what an owl says, not a woodpecker!) about juvenile comics, but for those of us who appreciate them as part of our childhood and something we want to pass on to younger readers, I consider it a great find! How many people flipped past these while desperately seeking Batman issues from the 21st Century? Who knows…but what I do know is that I take full advantage of grabbing these treasures from days gone by whenever the opportunity presents itself. The cover price of Woody Woodpecker #109 is 15¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Classics
#1280 — Shanna the She-Devil #1, Marvel, December 1972.
Longtime readers of Cool Comics know that the Seventies is my favorite period of comic books, since mid-1973 is when I first started buying. There was a little mom and pop store a couple blocks from where I lived that sold candy, snacks, drinks, and lots of comic books and magazines. Additionally, the Paradox Bookstore in Wheeling, West Virginia, which is still in existence but in a different location, sold “used” comics for 10 cents each, and on a few occasions my mom let me get a dollar’s worth of fun if my pockets were empty of coin. All of which has nothing to do with Shanna the She-Devil, but everything to do with my love of comics at that period in my life. Chances are that if I’d seen this issue on the racks at Paradox (and if I did, I don’t recall…that was a long time ago), I would have ignored it. My interests leaned more towards Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk in those days. But now, as time rushes ever onward and with no conceivable way to slow it down (let alone reverse it), my best chances to recover those feelings of yesteryear come in comic books published in the 1970s. The cover price of Shanna the She-Devil #1 is 20¢, while the current values are $80 on CBR and $20 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $50.
Cool Collected Editions with Dr. Omnibus
Curse Words – The Entire Series
Dr. Omnibus score: 7 out of 10
In mid-May, I saw that a Kickstarter campaign was being run for an omnibus containing the entire series of Curse Words. I am a sucker for collected editions on Kickstarter, but I wanted to see if Curse Words was a good fit for me, so I borrowed the first Trade Paperback digitally via Hoopla. If you are unfamiliar with Hoopla, it is a free app that is sponsored by your local library that allows you to borrow digital content; a great way to gain access to tons of digital comics for free and without being a pirate.
The Book Itself
Like I said, I read these digitally, so I can’t speak to the book construction, but since I promoted Hoopla above I may as well take this opportunity to say that I read my digital comics on an Amazon Fire 10 tablet. Its screen size is comparable to that of a comic book and the tablet is only $100 or so and has external SD storage beyond the internal hard drive. A Pretty handy device for comic reading.
The Words
By Charles Soule
This series is a bit unique. It is a hybrid of comedy and fantasy that takes place in the modern world. After reading the first TPB, I was convinced that I was not interested in owning the $75 physical copy being offered in the Kickstarter. But it was fun enough to keep me wanting to finish the series. After three TPB’s worth, I was growing a bit disappointed. I felt no emotional connection to the characters and really didn’t care what the rest of the series had in store. But at that point, I was in too deep to quit and it is a super quick read anyway, so I trudged along. That may be a bit harsh-it was a fun read up to this point, but I was squarely in “could take it or leave it” camp, but had my fingers crossed that something big would happen to alter my perception of everything I had read so far. The last two TPB’s did deliver, but not quite as much as I had hoped they would. One particular plot point is very fun and has me still contemplating it, but further discussion of that could result in serious spoilers, so I will leave you hanging….
The Pictures
By Ryan Browne
The art in Curse Words is fun and simple. It almost reminds me of Invader Zim a bit. The unfinished look lends itself to the comical nature of the story.
The Gist
It’s a fun read, but I am so glad I didn’t buy into the Kickstarter without first sampling the series. The series is rated for mature readers, but I do not believe that rating is justified, and I think someone was being overly cautious in using it. Many readers are particularly fond of a certain character throughout the series, and I suspect much of its success was based on the love of that one character. If you are looking for something light and fun, this could be for you, but don’t expect anything revolutionary about 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!
Captain America #371 (Marvel 1990)
By Steve “Atom” Baum
I’m Steve “Atom” Baum and I write comic reviews that nobody ever asked for! I find the “value” of comics in the enjoyment of them, rather than how much they are “worth” to collectors.
If you like what you see here, then join me on a journey through the forgotten depths of those longboxes of dollar back issues in your local comic shop and visit my blog LONGBOX JUNK where you’ll discover HUNDREDS of reviews you never even knew you wanted to read!
And now an exclusive “Short But Sweet” Longbox Junk Comic Review for the Cool Comics Crowd!
CAP’S NIGHT OUT
SCRIPT: Mark Gruenwald
PENCILS: Ron Lim
COVER: Ron Lim
THE COVER:
Meh. . .not much to see here. Probably one of the least interesting Captain America covers out there. It’s not badly done, but it looks more like an interior panel than a cover. Let’s get inside!
THE STORY:
Captain America leaves his shield and Star Spangled Avenger identity behind at Avengers Headquarters to go out on a date as Steve Rogers with occasional partner and Serpent Society member, Diamondback. . .who also agrees to leave behind the costume and just have a fun night as Rachel Leighton.
As the two eat at a Mexican restaurant, catch a magic show, and then wander through the streets of Cap’s old neighborhood, they narrowly avoid conflict with C-List villains Gamecock, The Trump, Jackhammer, and Poundcakes, thanks to the clandestine intervention of Diamondback’s Serpent Society BFF’s Black Mamba, Anaconda, and Asp. . .who are secretly following her, determined that Rachel has a good night out without any problems.
At the end of the evening, Steve and Rachel share a “friendly” good night kiss that later leaves Cap wondering if he has room in his life for anything other than being Captain America. Meanwhile, at Diamondback’s apartment, she has a heart-to-heart post-date talk with her best friend, Black Mamba, about seriously considering leaving the Serpent Society behind for Steve.
The End.
THE REVIEW:
This is a pretty offbeat Captain America story that is actually more of a Steve Rogers story. I liked it a lot! It’s just a fun read from start to finish. I don’t have the issues before or after, but the story stands alone just fine. Who would have thought that “Captain America goes on a date” would be such a great read? Not me!
There’s humor and nice character moments on every page of this story, all deftly illustrated by Ron Lim, who makes the definitely dated fashions look 90’s-Tastic! Cap looks good in his baggy slacks and skinny tie!
Overall, this is a surprisingly good read that steps outside the superhero box a little bit. It’s just a nice little story about Captain America on a date. Not every superhero story has to be an earth-shattering battle. Grab this one from the bargain bin if you’re looking for something a little different.
Until next time, remember that comics are worth more than money!
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!
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Milestone put out some really good comics in their day, so when I spotted New 52 Static Shock, I also immediately grabbed it. . .and what a great cover! I was actually going to do a Longbox Junk entry on it for my bit of “First Issue Fun”, but never got around to it.
Based on your glowing recommendation a while back, I gave Exciting Comics a try and have really been enjoying the series! And at just $1.99 per issue it’s a great bargain these days! Pointing me in directions I wouldn’t normally go is just one of the reasons I like Cool Comics In My Collection!
And also thanks for letting me be part of Cool Comics again! I like shining the spotlight on stuff hidden in the bargain bin and I appreciate you letting the light shine a little farther from time to time.
Atom, Cool Comics truly appreciates your willingness to provide some of your fantastic Longbox Junk reviews directly in some of our episodes! Your talent and knowledge of comics, along with your entertaining writing style, help make Cool Comics that much better with each of your contributions!