With October Cool Comics, Expect The Unexpected!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 262, 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 262…

Cool Comics News!

Okay comic lovers, it’s October, and you know what that means: the comics get a little darker, a little creepier, a little scarier…especially here at Cool Comics! We hope to entertain and thrill you over the next five weeks with a number of issues that would fit right in with any reputable library that’s housed in…The Twilight Zone.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is She-Hulk versus The Tick! 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 week we welcome back Sydney Walton and his awesome art! This cover of Antarctic Press’s Horror Comics #1 is a great way to start off October! It’s all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd said he’s been painting covers for a few years now and likes to think that he was one of the first to do so. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.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, 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

#1326 — Immortal She-Hulk #1, Marvel, November 2020.

These days She-Hulk is often referred to as simply the Hulk, but for this one-shot, I think the idea is to make sure we realize it’s Jennifer Walter’s story, since Bruce Banner’s current ongoing title is Immortal Hulk. If you know nothing about Jennifer’s history and how she became the She-Hulk, this comic gives you a nice summation. And with a She-Hulk live-action series on the horizon for Disney+, you may not want to miss out on this issue, which also includes Wolverine (Logan and Jennifer have some interesting conversations about dying and coming back to life…over and over) and Thor (who now, for certain reasons, has a bit of a different take on immortality). Jennifer’s current story and condition is darker than the old days of She-Hulk, which makes this comic a nice segue into October. The cover price of Immortal She-Hulk #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.

Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin

#1327 — Ghosts #104, DC, September 1981.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Ghosts DO exist in comic book form, as evidenced from the cover picture here (unless you think I’m using trick photography, but for a comic I fished out of a quarter bin, that’s really going to too much trouble!). But in all seriousness, ghost stories have long been part of traditional storytelling, and, with apologies to those who love a good Christmas ghost story, the darker evenings of October probably provide the best atmosphere. The subtitle for this comic tells us we can expect “New Tales of the Weird and Supernatural,” and isn’t that exactly what we want with this comic? It starts off with a host, Squire Shade, dressed in a top hat, tails, and a cape…but no head that can be seen. He introduces each of the three chillers, each written by Robert Kanigher, and if you’re like me, you get a kick out of all the different horror hosts from yesteryear’s comics. And while none of the stories really stood out for me, I enjoyed the experience of immersing myself in this early Eighties anthology. Before we go on to the next issue, if you have a particular ghost story, be it comic or prose, that you enjoy and want to recommend to the Cool Comics crowd, please tell us below in the comments section. One of my favorites, while neither a thriller nor a comic book, is the psychological story “The Jolly Corner” by Henry James. The cover price of Ghosts #104 is 50¢, while the current value is $8. The OPG value is also $8.

FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 11)

#1328 — The Tick, New England Comics, June 2020.

When October rolls around, there are usually some interesting choices in my Free Comic Book Day stack to help set the mood, and this Tick freebie does the job. The Tick has had Halloween themed comic specials in the past, and while this isn’t one of them, it is a bit of a spooky alien possession story, which is all we need for those cool October evenings of comic book reading. But that’s not all! This FCBD issue also gives us another complete story that’s quite entertaining called “Moon Marathon.” If you’re at all familiar with the Tick, then you know just how much fun you’re going to have while reading his comics. The guest stars are great, the art is entertaining, and the writing is crafty. I loved the animated Tick series back in the Nineties, but I admit I’ve never seen any of the live-action Tick shows. Are they worth watching? The cover price of The Tick is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics Kids

#1329 — Wacky Witch #13, Whitman/Gold Key, January 1974.

Most kids I’ve known (many of whom are now adults) love the pageantry of October, not only for the opportunity of getting delicious goodies to snack on, but also for the bright fall colors, the crisp, cool air that’s so different from summer, and a chance to pretend they’re someone else, be it hero or villain…or someone downright spooky! And though it’s early in the month, I’ve known some who use all thirty-one days to celebrate and enjoy the fun of the season. And maybe the best way to start off is with a cool comic! Wacky Witch isn’t exactly scary, but it is four-color anthology fun for little ones and adults alike. There are lots of October people out there who like the cute aspects of smiling jack-o’-lanterns, friendly black cats, and candy corn, rather than nightmares on whatever avenue. So, if you’re an orange and black kind of person who enjoys pumpkin-spiced everything this month, then this is the kind of witch comic for you. The cover price of Wacky Witch #13 is 20¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The OPG value is $12.

Cool Comics Classics

#1330 — The Unexpected #166, DC, July 1975.

I must confess that the stories in this comic were quite…unexpected. Okay, you can stop groaning now (and hopefully you didn’t stop reading!). DC had some awesome titles back when I was a kid, but unfortunately, I wasn’t buying them at the time. So, in my quest to grab great stuff that I missed out on decades ago, anthology horror comics like this (and the Ghost title above) often get my attention when I’m scouting out back issue boxes. The cover story, “The Evil Eyes of Night,” starts us off with a creepy tale about a kid camping out in his yard and is full of surprises. Next up is “The Point of Death,” a cautionary tale that might have you reconsider your hobbies. The last story, which may keep you guessing until the end, is a nifty little look at receiving help in surprising ways and named “Spirit, Why Do You Haunt Me?” You won’t lose any sleep reading this comic…unless, of course, you have a guilty conscience. If you like spooky stuff, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for this one …the creepy cover alone makes it worth it! The cover price of The Unexpected #166 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $14 on ZKC. The OPG value is $20.

Cool Moments in Graphic Lit with Dr. Omnibus

Bernie Wrightson

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of art in my eyes…acceptable and unacceptable. It’s very much a pass/fail situation for me. But every now and then, I come across some art that far exceeds acceptable. This was the case in the fall of 2018 when I found a collected edition that featured the work of Bernie Wrightson. I had never heard of Wrightson when I bought this book; I just knew I wanted to read some horror comics. So, I cracked this open and the first story just blew me away. I still geek out when I see this stuff. I won’t be too wordy this week…the pictures speak for themselves.

In these earlier works, I see the use of shadows and am just astounded by the beauty.

In his later works, I see the insane attention to detail and get goosebumps.

Unfortunately, Mr. Wrightson passed away a few years ago. I would have loved to discover his work while I still had a chance to tell him how amazing I think it is. In my opinion, he is the pinnacle for which all other comic artists should be aiming. Hopefully, I find something someday that is even better. I love being wrong like that.

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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