Detective Comics Achieves Momentous Mark!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 261, 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), along with the 50^th Edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (OPG) using their 9.2 NM scale. 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 261…

Cool Comics News!

There’s no doubt that Detective Comics #1027 deserves our slot for Contemporary Cool Comics this week, but there was some notable competition, including Iron Man #1, Immortal Hulk #0, X-Men #12, Batman #99, Justice League #53, Amazing Spider-Man: The sins of Norman Osborn #1, and Thor #7. You can probably think of other worthy additions that deserve to be recognized here at Cool Comics, but, alas, our time is limited. Alternatively, if you think a comic deserves further attention, you can always submit a Cool Comics Reader Review, so please keep that in mind!

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Batman versus Venom! 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 show off the awesomely cool art of John R. Smith, who is quite active on our Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook page. This fantastic piece features Bucky, MODOK, and Captain America. If you want to see more of John’s awesome creations, be sure to visit his Facebook page at Smittys Art Stuff…especially if you want to acquire some of his wonderful art! Additionally, his eBay page contains some cool collectibles you may want to add to your personal collection, along with some of his original creations.

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, an optional picture of yourself to go here, 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

#1321 — Detective Comics #1027, DC, November 2020.

Throughout my on-again, off-again relationship with comics books, I’ve been just as inconsistent when it comes to Detective Comics. During Knightfall in the Nineties, I made sure to buy it so that I could follow along with the storyline, and I’ve gotten some issues here and there, including the special #1000, but for some reason it’s never been much on my radar. I suppose the Batman title just sounds more appealing, because I’ve got lots more issues of it. However, when I saw that Detective Comics #1027 would soon be out, I know I had to get it. Just think of it, Detective Comics #27 features the first appearance of Batman, and here we are, one thousand issues later! Something that important and exciting deserves to get the royal treatment, so DC gives us 144 pages for our money with this special issue that features creators such as Peter J. Tomasi, Brian Michael Bendis, Marv Wolfman, Scott Snyder, Dan Jurgens, Walter Simonson, and many more! Overall, you get a dozen stories for your money. If you like big celebrations, then don’t miss out on this one! The cover price of Detective Comics #1027 is $9.99, while the current value is $10. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1322 — Doctor Tomorrow #1, Valiant Entertainment, February 2020.

I saw this rather new Valiant comic in the quarter bin a few weeks ago and couldn’t pass it up for the price. And even though I’ve been buying Valiant comics from the Nineties…mostly the original volumes…Doctor Tomorrow is a character I’m unfamiliar with. This first issue is from a mini-series that ran for five issues, and if I spot any of the others for the same price, I’ll certainly grab them. This comic also contains four preview pages from a newer X-O Manowar series, and I enjoyed it, too. Anyone out there an old school or new school fan of Valiant? I’ve read a few of the newer ones over the last couple years, and they produce a good product. If I had unlimited funds (along with unlimited time), I’d probably collect most of what they are currently putting out. But since I can’t, it’s fun to stumble across them in the discount boxes. The cover price of Doctor Tomorrow #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The OPG value is also $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 10)

#1323 — Spider-Man/Venom #1, Marvel, May 2020.

Free Comic Book Day 2020 turned into Free Comic Book Week(s) through part of the summer, due to the ongoing pandemic, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some great free comics to grab! This year you had to be diligent if you wanted to get them all, and what’s wrong with weekly trips to the comic shop? I’m sure most stores took precautions to keep their customers safe, and if you weren’t a regular collector, perhaps going each week to gather the freebies allowed certain titles to catch your eye, hence gaining more support for your local comic store! If you’re a fan of Marvel, this was the title to get, as it contains stories featuring Spider-Man (along with the Black Cat) and Venom and connects to their ongoing adventures. The value for this FCBD issue has gone up faster than most this year, so if you haven’t gotten this yet, it may be a little difficult to find. The cover price of Spider-Man/Venom #1 is free, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $5 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.

Cool Comics Kids

#1324 — Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics #156, Dell, October 1954.

A couple episodes ago (159, to be exact), our Cool Comics Kids selection dated back to August 1955 (which I purchased for just a quarter!), and this time we have an even older selection, from October 1954. It’s not often and not easy to find these in quarter bins, but I’m always hopeful whenever I have the chance to dig around. The other thing that helps is that the majority of back issue searchers are looking for capes, cowls, and tights titles, and while I also go for those, I’m always more than happy to add to my growing library for the younger crowd. But to be perfectly honest, I’m buying these for myself, because sometimes it’s fun to feed the kid inside. Maybe someday this part of my collection will be passed onto younger eyes, but for now, I enjoy reading them and hope that some of you do, too. Besides, Looney Tunes were a huge part of my childhood. I’ve viewed hours and hours of the classic cartoons, so why not enjoy them via comic books? This issue features the characters Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd, Mary Jane and Sniffles (first time I’ve ever seen them that I can recall), and Tweety and Sylvester. The ads are great in this old issue, and there is a full page about joining Dell’s Comic Club, in which you get a special ball point pen! Some of the pages are a bit loose and there is some tape inside that’s turned brown, but man was this ever worth my 25 cents! The cover price of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics #156 is 10¢, while the current values are $80 on CBR and $75 on ZKC. The OPG value is $80.

Cool Comics Classics

#1325 — Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14, Marvel, October 1980.

I guess it’s the season for annuals at Cool Comics because last week we delivered Defenders Annual #1 in this slot. Obviously, annuals take a little longer to read, especially the older they are, as the word count was much lengthier in days past, so it’s always a bit of a commitment, considering my daily reading load (which is kind of ridiculous, but reading is my thing). But I’ve been ignoring my backlog of back issue annuals for far too long, and admittedly, I really enjoyed taking this trip back to October 1980. When this comic hit spinner racks, I was a senior at Martins Ferry High School, a small river town in Ohio. I’d quit buying comics a couple years earlier, which I now regret, but at the time, it was the right choice for me (at least that’s how we think when we’re younger, right?). Anyway, it’s always fun to see some of the stuff I missed out on, and this Amazing Spider-Man Annual, featuring creators Denny O’Neil and Frank Miller, gives us a bit of a terrifying tale with Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom, and the Dread Dormammu! The cover price of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14 is 75¢, while the current value is $25. The OPG value is also $25.

Cool Moments in Graphic Lit with Dr. Omnibus

James Gordon – Injustice Year 2 (MAJOR SPOILERS)

This one got me in the feels. During the events of Injustice Year 2, Superman set his eyes on Gotham. Well, Jim Gordan was having none of that. But Batman was nowhere to be found, so Jim went looking for Batman, and if anyone knows where to find him, it is the infamous Oracle. But how does one find a person who only exists in whispers and by an alias? Turns out Jim is a pretty solid detective and has known all along who and where Oracle was. Fortunately, he can keep a secret with the best of ’em.

I love the revelation that he has known about Barbara’s nighttime shenanigans all along. Too bad he can only exist with this secret no longer being a secret for a short time.

So much for working together while the cat is out of the bag.

With Batman out of commission, Jim will need to figure something else out. He, along with some other members of the police force and some otherwise unpowered folk, get their hands on a drug that works much likes Bane’s Venom, except the use of this drug will accelerate the advancement of his cancer.

Jim knows what he has to do, so he uses the drug and saves the day, but ultimately it costs him what would be left of his life. This leads to an emotional exchange between Bruce, Barbara, and Jim.

Jim letting Barbara have her secret for all these years, and his self-sacrifice, just fill these issues with hard-hitting emotional moments that take this story the extra step.

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 your review, along with a cover image of the comic. Additionally, you may provide a picture of yourself and any other biographical information you want published in Cool Comics. Send all this 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/

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