Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 263, 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 50th 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 263…
Cool Comics News!
And now a word from Dr. Omnibus!
The date is set! November 4th, The Smallest Stone will make big waves with the help of talented artists like Goz Mosis, Jon Running, and Criss Madd.
But we can’t do it without you! Please follow us on Kickstarter and you will receive notification as soon as the project launches.
In this graphic novel, we tell three stories, each derived through the type of thinking I attempt to employ in all my decisions. They paint a picture of the worst possible scenario, which is the result of a seemingly small choice; or how one may be rewarded and enrich the lives of others just by doing the right thing, despite their true motivation, and how sometimes what you feel is right can be viewed differently from another perspective.
- While on his deathbed, a lonely man explores where his life went wrong.
- An angry man faces the consequences of his actions.
- The unexpected consequences of doing what is right.
Please click on Kickstarter and follow today so you don’t miss out!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
Your Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Captain America versus Hillbilly! 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. Chakan, the forever man, stares out at us from a mouth of horror, a perfect piece of frightening art for October! 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, 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
#1331 — Knightglaive #1, DamageARTS XD, 2020.
In November 2019, I met Damion Kendrick at The Akron Comicon and had him sign a poster that contained a bunch of heroes from local creators, including Knightglaive, who hadn’t yet made his official comic book appearance. I gave Damion my business card and asked him to let me know when his comic was published, and he didn’t forget, contacting and then sending me this first issue, which he signed on the cover! Knightglaive is a fun, exciting concept that should interest fans of both fantasy and superheroes…with a touch of horror, because just look at the picture of the villain (Bersooz) I included here. He’s a nasty guy who makes 
children his victims, so as readers, we really want to see him get taken down by Knightglaive. Because this is independently published, this comic doesn’t come with a rating, but it’s more on the mature side when it comes to theme and content, so you’ll probably want to keep it out of the hands of little readers, once you get it in your hands. And how do you do that? While Damion doesn’t have a direct site just yet, you can email him at damagearts@gmail.com, find him on Facebook, or connect with him via Instagram @damagearts. Knightglaive #1 is especially enjoyable to read in October (at least it was for a monster-kid-at-heart person like me!), so if you are interested, be sure to contact Damion Kendrick soon.
Cool Comics from the Quarter Bin
#1332 — Captain America #402, Marvel, July 1992.
Because the Man-Wolf first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #124 and he’s the son of J. Jonah Jameson, I always associate him with the Spider-Man family of heroes and villains. So when I found this issue of Captain America in a quarter bin, it really got me curious. Of course, John Jameson (Man-Wolf) has a military background, and I should have realized that Steve Rogers (Captain America) knew him. Additionally, Man-Wolf appeared in several issues of the series Creatures on the Loose (and now I wish I had bought those issues as a kid), having adventures without Spider-Man. This is just part one of a six-issue storyline, and I’m hopeful that I can find more of them because it was great comic book fun and actually has more werewolves then you normally see in a non-Twilight setting (not that I’ve ever seen a Twilight movie, but I’ve heard a thing or two). The cover price of Captain America #402 is $1.25, while the current value is $3. The OPG value is also $3.
FCBD the Cool Comics Way (Week 12)
#1333 — Hillbilly, Albatross Funny Books, May 2020.
The lizard from the story The Lizard of Rusty Creek Cave in this Free Comic Book Day edition of Hillbilly more than qualifies the issue as an October kind of scary Cool Comic. It’s creepy and freaky and would probably give me nightmares in my younger days. And even the titular hero, the Hillbilly himself, probably gives some readers goosebumps. I’m familiar with this comic by way of Previews (the monthly catalog of upcoming comics), but this was my first time reading one of Hillbilly’s stories. Having been born in West Virginia and raised just across the river in Ohio, I’ve seen my share of people who you might consider to be hillbillies. Probably the most famous story about hillbillies is the Hatfield–McCoy feud, and my maternal grandfather, as the family legend goes, was nearly a victim. When he knocked on a door many decades ago to sell something or other (or maybe take a survey) that I no longer remember, someone inside asked who was there, and when my grandfather said Mr. McKee, well, it was at first construed as McCoy by the Hatfield living there. Which is far scarier than any of these horror themed comic books! The cover price of Hillbilly is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics Kids
#1334 — Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Adventures #14, Gladstone, August 1989.
This classic Disney Duck story originated in 1943 from the great Carl Barks and was aptly named, “The Mummy’s Ring,” and it’s so much fun that it was reprinted in 1965, then again in this Gladstone edition in 1989. When it comes to October, mummies usually aren’t as popular as vampires, werewolves, or lab-created monsters. And zombies. Zombies have been quite popular over the last couple decades or so. But when it comes to Disney, we don’t want the mummies to be too scary or even supernatural, and Barks did a great job with this little adventure that takes Donald and his nephews across the globe to the land of pharaohs…both living and dead! This edition of the story is perfect for a kids Cool Comic library, and while you may have to dig around a bit to find it (I was most fortunate to find mine in a quarter box!), it’s worth the search. The cover price of Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Adventures #14 is 95¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC. The OPG value is $4.
Cool Comics Classics
#1335 — Secrets of Haunted House #44, DC, January 1982.
The best thing about this issue of the horror anthology Secrets of Haunted House is the devilishly delightful cover by Bernie Wrightson. Doesn’t it make you want to find out what’s happening to the man carrying the jack-o’-lantern and seemingly fighting off a demonic horde? Well, it worked for me, and I set out to buy it when I saw this image online over a year ago. Lucky for me I found it at a local comic shop for just a couple bucks…then, several months later, forgetting I actually had it stuffed away in my file cabinet of yet-to-be-explored adventures, I saw this same issue in a quarter bin and was over the moon that I’d acquired it at such a good deal…only to discover when I got it home that I already had it. So now my oldest child is in possession of my quarter bin find. The comic itself has three stories, and we don’t have to wait long to find out the mystery of the cover, because that one comes first…after, of course, a few pages of intro from our friendly horror host. Titled “The Halloween God,” there are really no surprises to it, but it’s good October fun, nonetheless. The second offering, “One Small Difference!” seems so alien compared to the first story (maybe because the story takes place on a different planet!) but shows us that greed sometimes gets you in the end. Finally, “Keeper of the Orb” is an okay story, but my least favorite of the bunch. The cover price of Secrets of Haunted House #44 is 60¢, while the current values are $16 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The OPG value is $16.
Cool Moments in Graphic Lit with Dr. Omnibus
DCeased (spoilers)
So, an infectious disease is introduced to the world using Cyborg as patient zero and social media as a world-wide delivery system for the virus. Pretty much if you look at a screen you become a zombie. Most of the world is infected within hours. This really would be devastating to the human race if that were to happen.
This leads to superheroes fighting zombies and turning into zombies in some cases. Combining horror and superheroes is something I can get behind.
Overall, the comic was great, good art, interesting concept. I always felt they should have explored the human aspect of this story, though. They could have filled two more issues easily just by showing a few things from the perspective of your average Joe, and thus created a deeper and richer world. But hey, at least we got the members of the Justice League squaring off with one another and playing for keeps.
The more Elseworlds stories I read, the more I love them. Tom Taylor sure can write a great story when there is no continuity to worry about.
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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Views: 531
This week’s piece of art by RAK is GREAT! It reminds me of the old 70’s velvet paintings, in a good way! Thanks for sharing, RAK!
I have that issue of Captain America , as well as the rest of that storyline, and it’s definitely a lot of fun and worth keeping your eye out for. Plus that cover! It’s great for Halloween!
I don’t have THAT particular issue of Secrets of Haunted House, but I feel a spooky bit of Cool Comics synergy going on because I’ll be taking a look at an issue from the same series during the Longbox Junk Halloween party going on this month. The one you spotlighted definitely has a great cover by the legendary Bernie Wrightson. In my book, he was the KING of horror illustration!
A round of applause for Doctor Omnibus keeping the Halloween chills coming! I’ve only read the first issue of DCeased, but a zombie Superman is about as scary an idea as I can think of!
All sorts of good stuff this time out! Thanks for another great post and thanks for keeping comics fun!
Atom, thanks for all the great comments this week! I know that the artists and contributors always enjoy getting some feedback, as do I. Thanks for taking the time to read our blog, and we always look forward to more fun stuff from Longbox Junk!
Continuity IS a fickle friend: it gives you comfort in knowing whats going on, but really can minimize & influence creators going forward….
Wise words from a comic guru!