Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 296, 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 296…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Did you realize that Archie is 80 years old? The eternal teen is really getting up there in years, yet he still maintains the vigor of youth! You may notice that Archie Comics has included this anniversary numbering on their covers, and it’s really something to be proud of. Last week they released Archie & Friends: Superheroes, and since I like my heroes to be super, I couldn’t resist grabbing this issue. It contains several shorter tales, as per usual with an Archie comic book. Another title of note this week that I picked up is Legends of the Dark Knight #1, which has been releasing weekly as digital chapters. I’m not a fan of digital first comics, so I
waited until I could literally get my hands on this first issue. I don’t have it on my pull list, and don’t plan on adding it, but for Batfans, this was pretty good stuff.
Yesterday was our hobby’s monthly holiday. No, it wasn’t Free Comic Book Day…it was Previews day! For many comic book fans, half the fun of the hobby is looking through the monthly catalogs (Digital for DC Connect – although I’ve read that they will soon be bringing back their print version!) and deciding what they can’t live without. Did you pick out any new titles for August?
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Shang-Chi versus Tigerman! 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!
“There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” Fans of a certain age will certainly appreciate Ed Griffie’s rendition of this cartoon hero from our childhood. Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
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 if 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
Modern-Day Cool Comics
#1496 — Shang-Chi #1, Marvel, July 2021.
Whenever a new comic book-inspired movie comes out, there’s a good chance you’ll find a new series at your local comic book shop. And with an expected opening date of September 3, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is preceded by Shang-Chi, in all its four-color glory. The cover tells us that this is a “BOLD NEW ERA,” but also reveals that Marvel’s famous martial artist will be going up against the Marvel Universe! And if the image is any indication, the new headliner is winning. But hold on, Shang-Chi won’t be taking them all on at once (because who in their right mind would?). In this debut issue, Spider-Man is the foe of the month. Wait, aren’t they friends? Yes, they are, but sometimes (well, most of the time) in comic book world, things get a little crazy, and good guys end up fighting each other. I really enjoyed this issue written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Dike Ruan. Other creators include colorist Triona Farrell, letterer VC’s Travis Lanham, and cover artists Leinil Francis Yu and Sunny Gho. Next up for the Master of Kung Fu is Captain America! The cover price of Shang-Chi #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1497 — G.I. Combat #254, DC, June 1983.
Memorial Day 2021 will soon be upon us, and though it’s a solemn occasion, I often like to recognize it by reading a comic book that reminds us of what our fighting men and women went through while serving in the military. I’m a proud veteran, and I know there are other veterans and active-duty personnel out there who have an affinity for comic books, who perhaps also read an issue or two of a series like this one to help remind them of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ve never been disappointed when reading G.I. Combat, so I make sure to purchase issues when I discover them in discount boxes (this one having been found in a quarter box). As the cover by Joe Kubert reveals, this issue provides four tales (all written by Robert Kanigher and edited by Murray Boltinoff), which include World War II (art: Sam Glanzman), Korea (art: Angel Trinidad Jr.), Vietnam (art: Angel Trinidad Jr.), and World War I (art: Sam Glanzman). The cover price of G.I. Combat #254 is $1, while the current value is $16. The OPG value is also $16.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 45 of 2020)
#1498 — Sue & Tai-chan, Kodansha Comics, May 2020.
While I’m not impressed with how flimsy this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue happens to be (although it was free, right?), I found myself surprised that I enjoyed the experience of reading it. This is an All-Ages comic that is fairly easy for the younger crowd to read and enjoy and is constructed so that kids don’t have to worry about reading it backwards like most manga titles. Writer and Artist Kanata Konami (translated by Melissa Tanaka) gives us the story of an older housecat that suddenly has to share his life with a visiting kitten, who, of course is a little furball of energy and plenty curious. I guess I could associate with the older feline, since I’m not getting any younger, and that’s probably why it was fun for me to read. If you happen to run across it, get it for the cat lovers in your life. The cover price of Sue & Tai-chan is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1499 — Richie Rich Money World #16, Harvey Comics, March 1975.
With dozens of comic books series featuring his name, I think it’s safe to say that Richie Rich is not really “The Poor Little Rich Boy.” Sure, the kid is often the target of scams, kidnappings, and other crimes, due to the excess wealth of his family, but I don’t think they have to worry about car and cell phone bills or putting food on the table. Yet if you’ve read some of his comics, you’ll see that Richie is often willing to expose himself to danger and take crazy risks if that’s what it takes to help his family and others. As a matter of fact, if you’ve ever read Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace (and I highly recommend it), you might even compare Richie Rich to Pierre Bezukhov. This issue has several stories that are perfect for younger readers with shorter attention spans. Unfortunately, it’s hard to track the creators for many of these older Harvey Comics, but the Grand Comics Database (GCD) lists artists Warren Kremer and Ernie Colon as two possibilities. The cover price of Richie Rich Money World #16 is 25¢, while the current value is $12. The OPG value is also $12.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1500 — Tigerman #1, Atlas/Seaboard, April 1975.
You noticed, didn’t you? The cover has “Tiger-Man” with a hyphen, and I have “Tigerman” as one word. The indicia (the tiny print that tells you certain information about the issue…curious types can click the link for more information) has it as one word, and the character is referred to as Tigerman in the story. So why did the cover get it wrong? I don’t have a definitive answer, but, as many from my generation will simply tell you, it was the Seventies. Atlas Comics are a great way for those nostalgic fans who yearn for a return to yesteryear to compile a complete collection. Most issues can be found for reasonable prices (the Vicki issues tend to be the exception), and since it was so short-lived, storage space isn’t an issue. I enjoyed my trip back to 1975 with my used copy of Tigerman #1, because when it originally came out, I didn’t have enough quarters available to add it to my regular comic book fix. The script is by Gabriel Levy, while Ernie Colón did the pencils and inks, along with the cover art. The cover price of Tigerman #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The OPG value is $20. The Key Collector Comics value is $20.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
Would you like to write a review of a comic book or graphic novel for all the Internet to read? 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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First I’ve seen this Ed. thanks!
Sharon, we hope you enjoy our weekly little blog and become a repeat reader!