The One Where ThunderMace Showed Up in a Quarter Box

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 298, 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 298…

Cool Comics Stuff!

A number of years ago, I had a mammoth garage sale that saw me clearing out many items from my overstuffed house. I sold off my Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and boxing cards—most of which I started collecting in the late Sixties—for relatively cheap prices (I’m sure lots of buyers felt their greatest dreams had come true). I had them in the typical white collectors’ boxes, along with many of those albums that held nine cards to a page. That weekend I also sold thousands upon thousands of comic books. Of course, some of them today are much more valuable than they were at the time, and it sort of hurts to see those prices. But I did what I needed to do at the time. Additionally, I had a large collection of non-sport cards that I sold. Some I don’t miss at all, but others I have fond memories of, especially the comic book cards. Earlier this week I remembered I’d kept a box of some of the special insert cards I’d gotten in those foil packages, and the twang of nostalgia had me flipping through the box. Pictured are a few of the many of these I still own. The collection is extremely small compared to what it once was, but it’s good enough for Gosneys (now I’ve used my family motto two episodes in a row!). What are some of your collecting regrets?

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Iron Man versus Darkhawk! 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 our Cool Comics Creation comes to you from Sydney Walton in this fantastically fun wraparound cover featuring Red Sonja facing off against the aliens from Mars Attacks! The art is 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 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

#1506 — Iron Man Annual #1, Marvel, August 2021.

Annuals can be a mixed bag. From standalone stories to massive crossover events, both Marvel and DC have tried various ways to please their comic book loving public over the decades. Annual season is typically during the summer months, and some titles never seem to get them, which means you save some money if your favorite titles don’t participate. This year, Marvel is attempting to capture our attention by tossing in those most famous of rocks, the Infinity Stones, in a storyline that can only be called, Infinite Destinies! Okay, so maybe you aren’t all that excited about the annuals, but I channeled my inner Stan Lee with that last phrase and feel pretty good about it. Running across eight titles, we also get a backup in each issue called Infinite Fury. And for good measure, you’ll also want to grab issues 8 and 9 of Black Cat. I thought the two stories in this issue were good reads and look forward to seeing what follows…speaking of which, the other annuals involved are Captain America, Black Cat, Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers. Jed MacKay is the writer of this annual, while Ibraim Roberson is the artist. The cover price of Iron Man Annual #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics  

#1507 — ThunderMace #2, RAK Graphics, December 1986.

When I’m digging around in discount comic book bins, sometimes I feel like shouting “Eureka!” More often than not, the long boxes I riffle through contain treasures at just 25 cents each, and the pile of issues I decide I can’t live without tend to expand perilously close to the ceiling of the comic shop. While the majority of the quarter books are typically published by the Big2, sometimes I stumble upon a comic book that is completely unexpected, like this thrilling ThunderMace #2! I’ve had some conversations with creator Robert A. Kraus (RAK!), along with reading several interviews, about his early publishing days when Chakan functioned as a backup story, yet I had none in my possession. Until now! Back issues of our beloved comic books each have a story to tell as to why they are no longer in the collection of the original owner, and though, like in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” some of us get to reap the rewards when others thin out their collection. I had a blast reading this issue (which also happens to be signed by “Bob Kraus”), finally getting a taste of ThunderMace and revisiting Chakan once again (the upcoming Chakan Kickstarter is going to be epic!). Credits for ThunderMace include Robert Kraus on finished inks, some pencils, and coming up with the major text and plot lines; Rick Sellers on much of the penciling, cover work, and story ideas; and Steve Simshauser as writer and editor. For the Chakan story, Robert Kraus is credited with the story concept and art, while the finished words are by Tom Moldvay. The cover price of ThunderMace #2 is $1.75, while the current value is $2.50.

Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 47 of 2020)

#1508 — Untold Tales of Chex Quest Anthology, General Mills, August 2020.

Chex: you can eat them, play them, and now read them! This 52-page Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) special will take you back to 1996 and the thrills of finding a CD-ROM in a box of your breakfast cereal! Well, at least for some of you. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t recall this whatsoever. This was a busy season for my family, as child number two came in October of that year while I was serving in the Army in Atlanta. And we even got to go to the Olympics that summer. Also, I didn’t have a home computer, so even if I’d have gotten this game, it probably would have been tossed out or stuck in a drawer. But for those who remember, this comic pays tribute to some of your fondest childhood memories. If you happen to find a copy of this comic book, be sure to read the forward by James Rolfe, as he helps set the tone for the adventures in front of you. Lots of creators helped put this nine story anthology together, so click Chex Quest to see who took part! The cover price of Untold Tales of Chex Quest Anthology is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $8.

Cool Comics for the Young at Heart

#1509 — Looney Tunes #31, DC, August 1997.

I know that we featured Yosemite Sam in this category last episode, but once you start reading comic books that feature Looney Tunes, it’s really quite hard to stop. And in my defense, the issues are 23 years apart, along with the fact that this title was published by DC, while the former came from Gold Key/Whitman. And the key thing about Cool Comics for the Young at Heart is to have fun and reflect on positive memories from the past. Besides, over the last few years I’ve grown a deeper appreciation for comic book ducks, and Daffy is up there with the best of them. This issue contains several stories featuring some favorite Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote, the Roadrunner, Sylvester, and Marvin the Martian. Creators include Allison Heartinger (writer), Nelson Luty (penciller), Horacio Ottolini (inker), and Oscar Gonzalez Loya (artist). The cover price of Looney Tunes #31 is $1.75, while the current value is $3. The OPG value is also $3.

Twentieth Century Cool Comics

#1510 — Darkhawk #1, Marvel, March 1991.

It seems like one of the popular things to do when it comes to comic books from the Twentieth Century is to disparage titles from the Nineties. But at Cool Comics, I try to have fun and focus on the positive aspects of our hobby (and I realize that a comic book review is a different animal than what I do here). Sure, not every issue is for everyone. I understand that. So, if I don’t like something, I won’t select it as a Cool Comic (and we’ve selected a lot over the years…notice that this is our 1,510^th issue to be proudly called a Cool Comic!), with the exception of a few FCBD issues that weren’t my cup of tea (I typically show each free issue throughout the year, whether I like them or not). Yet I may just be singing to the choir when it comes to Darkhawk with this near apology for liking the Nineties hero, because I don’t recall ever seeing anyone say anything negative about Chris Powell. Darkhawk was created by Tom DeFalco (a fun guy to talk to if you ever get the chance) and Mike Manley. Danny Fingeroth wrote this origin issue, while Mike Manley did the art, with edits by Howard Mackie. If you find this one at a good price, I recommend grabbing it, as Darkhawk is a fun ride. The cover price of Darkhawk #1 is $1, while the current values are $25 on CBR and $20 on ZKC. The OPG value is $20. The Key Collector Comics value is $20 for the Direct Market edition and $65 for the Newsstand edition.

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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