Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 302, 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 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 many are certainly worse. But to simplify it, that’s the scale I use. 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 302…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I hope everyone had a safe, fun, holiday weekend. Independence Day has a special meaning to me (I’m an Army veteran), and in the evening on July 4, my wife and I sat near our firepit in our backyard and witnessed the most amazing neighborhood fireworks display I’ve ever seen. To the left of us, directly center, and to our right, three simultaneous shows made it an evening to remember. But if I know you as well as I think I do, you’re here for comic books. Each week some pretty cool stuff comes out (that’s right, there are still some fun, worthy reads today!), and the one I’m showcasing here (since it didn’t make the Cool Comics cut) is The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1, by Archie Comics. Creator Rob Liefeld helped with the story and art, while David Gallaher did the writing. It’s a nice image for those still reflecting about the 4th.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Green Arrow versus Man from Atlantis! 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!
Yes, I saw the original Star Wars in a movie theater back when it was released. In the old days, it wasn’t called A New Hope, just Star Wars. My age aside, this week our feature is sketch cards from a Star Wars trading card series, courtesy of illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com. Additionally, Dan is the artist of the Cool Comics logo!
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
#1526 — Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, DC, August 2021.
Although I’m not necessarily a fan of every story in these DC 100-Page anniversary editions, I still enjoy adding them to my collection as a way of recognizing and celebrating these heroes. This special issue focuses on Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, and his 80 years on the printed page at DC. Many readers are familiar with him not only through comic books, but via his small screen success on The CW show, Arrow, which ran for 170 episodes from 2012 to 2020. This anthology issue contains 12 stories, including lots of DC guest characters, and some cool creators such as Mike Grell, Jeff Lemire, and Ram V. To see a full list of characters and creators, along with all the variant covers (these specials always have plenty of variety when it comes to covers), click the magic word, GREEN! The cover price of Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 is $9.99, while the current value is $10. The Key Collector Comics value is also $10.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1527 — Man from Atlantis #3, Marvel, April 1978.
I didn’t watch Man from Atlantis back in the Seventies when it ran for a couple seasons on NBC. My dad enjoyed it, but I was busy with friends, sports, and school, and really didn’t see a lot of TV in those days. Yet now, if I could travel back in time and sit through just one episode with my dad…well, that would be a real treat. Sometimes we reflect on our past and see opportunities lost; and while, like everyone else, I have regrets, I’d rather think about good times when I’m waxing nostalgic and keep the melancholy memories at a distance. Seeing this issue in a quarter box made me think of my dad in a good way, and aren’t good memories worth at least 25 cents? This series from Marvel lasted just seven issues, and while I’m not familiar with the show, I’ll buy more if I find them at a discount, if for no other reason than to reflect on my father (plus, I enjoyed the story). The cover of this issue was penciled and inked by Alan Weiss, Bill Mantlo wrote the script, Frank Robbins did the interior pencils, and Frank Springer handed the inks. The cover price of Man from Atlantis #3 is 35¢, while the current values are $6 on CBR and $4 on ZKC. The OPG value is $6.
#1528 — Black Terror #1, Dynamite, November 2008.
Following my third phase of comic book collecting (which ran from 1993 to 2003), I went several years without reading or touching my collection, with the exception of pulling out a bunch of issues and selling them at ridiculously low prices for a family garage sale. Finally, in 2011, I started reading unread issues that I’d kept, and eventually, in 2017, I started phase IV of my collecting life. During this time, I started looking into issues and series I missed out on, and one was Project Superpowers from Dynamite. Not wanting to spend a fortune, I explored the world of digital comics, which is a great alternative, and I enjoyed the series and have found a few of the spinoff comics, such as this issue of Black Terror, in quarter boxes. Alex Ross is credited with the plot, cover, and art direction; Jim Krueger is also credited with the plot and script, and Mike Lilly did the interior art. The cover price of Black Terror #1 is $3.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3.50 on ZKC. The OPG value is $4.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1529 — The Pink Panther #25, Gold Key, March 1975.
The Pink Panther cartoon ran from 1969 to 1978, airing 127 episodes (according to IMDB) and was part of my Saturday morning routine for many years. And yet, I wasn’t really enamored with him. So why did I watch it? This was a long time ago, so I don’t remember if it was because my sisters wanted to see it, or I was more of a fan than I remember. I’m not saying it was a bad cartoon, but it was certainly different. Plus, the star didn’t even talk. So, it took a little work as a viewer to make sure you paid attention to what was happening. And the more I think about it, I did like the music. I guess it was good enough for this Gosney. As for the comic books, they’re a completely different breed, because yes indeed, the panther speaks! This issue contains three complete Pink Panther adventures and one story featuring The Inspector. Unfortunately, my sources didn’t contain any creator credits. The cover price of The Pink Panther #25 is 25¢, while the current values are $16 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The OPG value is $16.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1530 — Wulf the Barbarian #1, Atlas/Seaboard, February 1975.
Guess what? Just nine more Atlas/Seaboard comics and I’ll own the entire run! Well, to be honest, I don’t have any of the four issues of Vicki, but they weren’t included in my original goal. Still, if I ever find them and the price is right, I won’t let the opportunity pass me by. If you’re a regular reader of Cool Comics, you’ve probably noticed that all the issues I’ve included here from my Atlas comics have been first issues. But don’t worry, it won’t be long before I start including second issues since the company had such a short lifespan. And regardless of how some may feel about these titles, the nostalgic factor makes the search for them, along with the time spent reading each issue, a lot of fun for me. I’ve seen Larry Hama’s name quite a bit over the last couple weeks, from Back Issue magazine to some other comics I’m reading, and he’s credited here as both writer and artist. Klaus Janson, another familiar name to some of you, is the inker, while Jeff Rovin is listed as editor. The cover price of Wulf the Barbarian #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The OPG value is $24. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.
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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Views: 402
I saw a few episodes of Man From Atlantis, but never saw the comic on the shelf at the grocery store.
Then he got out of the water and became Bobby Ewing.
I confess that I didn’t watch either show…nor did I see the comic when it came out. You know that if Dallas had been on TV in the Sixties or Seventies, Dell or Gold Key would have published a comic of it.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!