October Opens with a Fright!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 315, 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). 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 315…

Cool Comics Stuff!

This episode, I’m going to show you some of my favorite things to watch and read on the Internet. Some have fun or frightening Halloween stuff, just perfect for dipping into October, while others have a variety of cool things to read and watch.

• Jim Fanning’s Tulgey Wood TV: While the video below showcases a fun Halloween episode, there are plenty of great other things to watch on Tulgey Wood TV. I suggest subscribing to this wonderful channel, as new videos appear every Tuesday! Jim is an internationally published writer, historian, and blogger specializing in Disney.

• Atom’s Longbox Junk blog: Atom gives us lots of reasons to read comic books in October, so be sure to check out this great edition, along with his archives. As a former professional comic book reviewer, you’ll get lots of great nuggets of cool information when you read Longbox Junk! Atom describes himself as a former Marine, long-time comic reader/collector, and Longbox Junker. “A wanderer of the electronic wasteland since the days of dial-up. I’ve written in many places on many things under many names over the years.”

• Josh Turnbull’s The Review Basement: Josh puts his own personal touch into each and every review, giving us a perspective that you won’t find at other blog sites. I’ve really come to appreciate Josh’s thoughts on whatever he’s reviewing, and while we don’t always see eye-to-eye when it comes to comic books and other geeky stuff, I completely respect his opinions and always look forward to his reviews.

• Grant Kellermeyer’s The Classic Horror Blog: A few weeks ago I somehow stumbled onto this website, and I’ve really enjoyed reading the blog entries. While I’m familiar with some of the writers and stories, I’m continually learning new things and coming to a great appreciation of the world of Gothic fiction. The link is for a recent post, but all are worthy of your time! Michael Grant Kellermeyer is an English professor, bibliographer, illustrator, editor, critic, and author based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Spooky, the Tuff Little Ghost versus Son of Dracula! 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 our Cool Comics Creation comes from Sydney Walton who helps us welcome in October with a Predator he’s painted on Horror Comics #1! 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

#1591 — Inferno #1, Marvel, November 2021.

When I see the word Inferno, it dredges up images I’ve seen used to illustrate Dante Alighieri’s 14^th-Century classic poem, not to mention all the charts you can find on the Internet that map out the nine circles of Hell in the Divine Comedy. But why am I injecting some literature into Cool Comics? Is there a connection between the two works? I don’t want to spoil any of this for you if you’re reading it, but I do want to emphasize the fact that “Inferno” conjures up some horrifying images, which is a perfect segue into October, this darkest of months, and longtime readers know that Cool Comics likes to have lots of frightfully delicious fun leading up to Halloween. Writer Jonathan Hickman has announced that the four issues of Inferno will end his X-Men run (at least for now), and it looks like he’s going out with a bang, so X-Fans won’t want to miss this limited series. Other creators include Valerio Schiti (artist), David Curiel (color artist), VC’s Joe Sabino (letterer), Tom Muller (design), Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia (cover artists), Lauren Amaro (assistant editor), Annalise Bissa (associate editor), and Jordan D. White (editor). The cover price of Inferno #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6. The Key Collector Comics value is also $6.

Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics  

#1592 — Secrets of Haunted House #29, DC, October 1980.

When it comes to fun October frights, I can always count on DC anthology titles from yesteryear! And if you keep a sharp eye out, you can often spot them in discount bins, which is how I grabbed this beauty. But perhaps the hardest part in collecting these is having the discipline to not read them until Halloween time rolls around. And the wait is so often worth it! Michael Wm. Kaluta did the cover art for this issue, which then starts off with an introduction from our host, Destiny, and straight to the first tale, Duel of Darkness, written by Mark Manhart, featuring art by Nestor Redondo, and edited by Jack C. Harris. This is followed by Hide and Seek by Joe Gill (story), Tenny Henson (art), Jerry Serpe (coloring), and B. Pablulos (lettering). Next up is Master of the Double-Cross, brought to us by Mark Lasky (script), George Ruppert (pencils), Dave Simons (inks), Shelly Leferman (lettering), and Jerry Serpe (coloring). The last tale of dread and woe is Skin Deep, featuring Belly Kelley (story), Tenny Henson (art), and Jerry Serpe (colors). The cover price of Secrets of Haunted House #29 is 50¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $14 on ZKC.

Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 8 of 2021)

 #1593 — Just Beyond: Monstrosity, KaBOOM!, August 2021.

To be honest, my expectations for this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue were fairly low. If I’d been born later in life, I’d probably be a big R.L. Stine fan and have all his Goosebumps books. Still, the few that I’ve read and the shows I’ve watched have been fun. But I wasn’t sure Stine could find an audience in today’s world, regardless of the fact that Just Beyond is scheduled as an original streaming series on Disney+, to begin next week. And I’m glad to say I should never have doubted him…at least from my perspective. The comic was a lot of fun, even for an older audience, and after watching the trailer for the show (see the video below), I’ll be sure to tune in and give the series a try. Also, while writing this, I noticed that there have been a few Just Beyond graphic novels published over the last couple years, proving that Stine still shines! Creator credits include R.L. Stine (writer), Irene Flores (illustrator), Joana Lafuente (colors), Mike Fiorentino (letters), Julian Totino Tedesco (cover), and Sophie Philips-Roberts and Bryce Carlson (editors). The cover price of Just Beyond: Monstrosity is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics for the Young at Heart

#1594 — Spooky #147, Harvey Comics, November 1975.

Do Tuff Little Ghosts get as much love as Friendly Ghosts? I would think not, considering how popular Casper has always been over the years, along with all the merchandising deals he’s gotten from beyond the grave. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room in our hearts for a different sort of comic book ghost. Perhaps Spooky just needs a better publicity manager…though this comic book series had a nice run of 161 issues from 1955 to 1980. My copy of this comic book looks pretty beaten up, which could translate into a comic book that went through multiple readings…or it could mean that it got tossed aside and banged around over the years. I’ll never know the story behind the previous owner or owners, but I was able to rescue it from a quarter box, and now it’s being treated much better. It’s a fun looking cover (especially if you enjoy the friendlier aspects of Halloween), which leads into the first story called The Witches’ Convention, where Spooky really has his hands full! We also get a story with Casper, and finish up the issue with Wendy, the Good Little Witch. Unfortunately, I was unable to find creator credits for this comic book. The cover price of Spooky #147 is 25¢, while the current values are $9 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.

Twentieth Century Cool Comics

#1595 — Fright #1, Atlas/Seaboard, August 1975.

Until I set out a couple years ago to collect all the Atlas/Seaboard comics, I didn’t know much about them, and I had no idea so many of them were horror titles. Which is a bonus, because as I grow older and more nostalgic towards scary stuff from the Seventies, this just adds to the fun and satisfaction. I’ve had this issue for a while but wanted to wait until October before reading it and dubbing it an official Cool Comic. Vampire stories—and especially those featuring Dracula and any of his relatives—make for great Halloween reading (or any night of the year, if we want to be truthful), so if you have this one or come upon it at your local comic shop and add it to your collection, gently open the cover and begin the adventure into darkness! The cover art for this issue comes to us from Frank Thorne, along with the interior pencils and inks, while Gary Fried wrote the script. The cover price of Fright #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $24 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $12.

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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