Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 317, 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 317…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Cool Comics is taking this time to remind you that with just ten more days until the Great Pumpkin rises out of the sincerest pumpkin patch, you better start decorating soon if you expect to get oodles of candy and toys!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is DC’s Frankenstein versus Werewolf by Night! 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!
If you love the classic Universal horror movies, then you’re probably drooling over this awesome piece of art as much as I am! This episode’s creation comes to us from Robert A. Kraus (aka RAK), creator of Chakan and many other fantastic works of art, including cool games he’s developed. 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 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
#1601 — X-Men #4, Marvel, December 2021.
Being a big fan of Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, I knew this issue of X-Men HAD to be included as a Cool Comic because of this awesome Headless Horseman homage cover. My biggest hope was that the story would entertaining to boot, and without spoiling it (unless you read between the lines), this turned out to be a real nightmare for the mutants and great fun for me as a reader! If you’re not an X-Fan and haven’t been following the storyline, you may not like it half as much as I did, but to me, the Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia cover made it worth every penny. Other creators for X-Men #4 include Gerry Duggan (writer), Javier Pina (artist), Erick Arciniega (color artist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer), Tom Muller (design), and Jordan D. White (editor). The cover price of X-Men #4 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1602 — Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1, DC, January 2006.
When I find a Frankenstein comic in a quarter bin, odds are I’m buying it, regardless of which company published the issue. I found the first two issues of this four-issue mini-series the same day, so odds are I’ll be able to complete this one easily if I decide to. And that decision will depend heavily on my feelings after reading issue #2. While this was an interesting story, we don’t get a lot of the monster. We see him at the beginning and at the end, but the middle is setting up the tale, and it’s…well…pretty weird. The story is titled Uglyhead and is a bit of a warning to bullies. By the way, there were several Seven Soldiers limited series produced during this time (and I wasn’t buying comics when they were published), but I don’t own any of the others…yet. I do like the cover, which comes to us via Doug Mahnke. The issue is written by Grant Morrison, and Doug Mahnke is the artist. Other creators include John Kalisz (colorist), Phil Balsman (letterer), Michael Siglain (associate editor), and Peter Tomasi (editor). The cover price of Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1 is $2.99, while the current value is $3. The Key Collector Comics value is also $3.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 10 of 2021)
#1603 — Vampirella #1, Dynamite, August 2021.
I think the only time I ever read any Vampirella comics was because they were a part of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD). When I was younger, I do remember seeing various issues of the Warren Vampirella magazine on newsstands, and the skimpy attire she wore made these seem like forbidden fruit. Honestly, I don’t think I ever even picked one up and flipped through it, always worrying that someone I knew might catch me looking. But I have to admit, the story was pretty good, and this was the perfect time of the year to read it. Now if only she’d put on an overcoat or something…which I know isn’t the popular opinion, but could you imagine Count Dracula flapping around in a Speedo? The cover artist is Alex Ross. The other creators for this FCBD issue are Christopher Priest (writer), Ergün Gündüz (artist, colorist), Willie Schubert (letterer), and Matt Idelson (editor). The cover price of Vampirella #1 is free, while the current value is $0.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1604 — Marge’s Little Lulu #178, Gold Key, December 1965.
I’ve really come to love this section of the blog, especially when looking at seasonal comic book fun. In my opinion, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with adults reading comics aimed towards a younger crowd and being taken away from the worries and cares of the present for a few fleeting moments of fun childhood memories. This issue of Marge’s Little Lulu features a fantastic cover (and you’ll notice that mine isn’t in pristine condition, but I found it in a quarter box) showing our star hitching a ride on Halloween night, complete with a jack-o’-lantern headlamp. Inside, we get stories that will tickle your heart, such as Ol’ Witch Hazel and the Trip to the Moon, Little Itch’s Spell, Ol’ Witch Hazel and the Hungry Chimney Sweep, and A Rainy Day with Little Itch. Unfortunately, not much can be found concerning the creators, although John Stanley is credited with writing and penciling chores for several of the stories, along with Irving Tripp, who also gets credit on a few tales for pencils, inks, and letters. The cover price of Marge’s Little Lulu #178 is 12¢, while the current values are $35 on CBR and $30 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1605 — Werewolf By Night #27, Marvel, March 1975.
When I was growing up, I always loved werewolves (I even bought a book about werewolf folklore), but for some reason I didn’t much care to buy monster comics. But life is too short for regrets, so I bought the digital collections of Werewolf By Night and read the first volume in 2019, and also, on occasion, I buy individual issues like this one when I get them for good prices. I haven’t reached this issue yet in the digital collections, so I didn’t have any context as to what’s happening, but the comic gave some background, and it was easy enough to understand the angst happening with Jack Russell and his pals. And, as usual, it was a lot of fun reading this in the middle of October. The Seventies are my favorite period of comic books, and this one doesn’t disappoint in style and substance. The cover by Gil Kane really sets the tone for this creepy issue! Let’s give a big thanks to the rest of the creative crew, consisting of Doug Moench (writer), Don Perlin (artist), Karen Pocock (letterer), Phil Rachelson (colorist), and Len Wein (editor). The cover price of Werewolf By Night #27 is 25¢, while the current value is $26. 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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