Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 321, 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 321…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Are you working on completing any comic book runs, or do you just stick to new issues that come out each week? Or perhaps you buy back issues, but don’t worry about having complete collections of particular titles…which certainly makes the hobby easier. There are certain titles I’m trying to complete, such as the 1968 Captain Marvel series (2 more and I’m done!), John Carter, Warlord of Mars (4 more issues needed!), and the entire output of Atlas Comics. Sometimes months go by without me looking at back issue boxes, but the comics I’m after are often in my head when I walk in a comic book shop or go to a comic convention. What about you? What are you trying to complete? We’d love to find out in our comment section below.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Jughead versus Garfield! 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!
Space, the final frontier…how can you not love this RAKified version of Star Trek: The Original Crew? That’s right, 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
#1621 — Venom #1, Marvel, December 2021.
Did you decide to jump onboard Venom since the series is once again starting with a new #1 issue? While I bought several of the early Venom limited series, I wasn’t much of a fan, and when I started buying new comics again after a 14-year layoff, I had no interest in a character who wanted to eat my brains. Yet for some inexplicable reason, I bought issue 18 (cover dated February 2020), and haven’t stopped since. The storytelling and art really did a great job bringing the character to life in a way I hadn’t previously seen. And the introduction of Dylan (son of Venom) is what really sold me on this comic. And this first issue of the new volume gives me hope that the fun won’t be stopping anytime soon. The new creative team behind Venom includes writers Al Ewing and Ram V, penciler Bryan Hitch, inker Andrew Currie, color artist Alex Sinclair, letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles, cover artists Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair, and editor Devin Lewis. The cover price of Venom #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6. The Key Collector Comics value is also $6.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1622 — Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #252, Archie, December 1976.
The last few months have been good for finding Archie comics in quarter bins. I’ve probably been able to get close to a hundred different issues since mid-summer, which is remarkable, considering that comics featuring America’s favorite teen don’t seem to show up all that often in the cheap boxes (at least from my experience). One of the great things about this issue is that it’s a mid-Seventies comic, which brings back lots of memories of reading Archie during that period in my life. Between the covers we get four complete stories, and two half-page gag shorts. These Archie adventures featuring Betty and Veronica were put together by many people. For story-by-story credits, including creator roles, click HERE. If you don’t feel like clicking, here’s a list of several artists who had a hand in this fun comic: Dan DeCarlo, Frank Doyle, Rudy Lapick, Bill Yoshida, Joe Edwards, Bob Montana, and George Gladir. The cover price of Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #252 is 30¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 14 of 2021)
#1623 — The Legend of Korra/Avatar the Last Airbender, Dark Horse Comics, August 2021.
While I’m a fan of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, I still haven’t gotten around to watching The Legend of Korra, so it was fun getting a quick peek at this world that takes place in the future of Avatar. Both stories in this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue were quite enjoyable, which showed me that perhaps I’ll someday have to read more of the comic book adventures. The creative crew for The Legend of Korra include Kiku Hughes (script), Sam Beck (art), Killian Ng (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt (lettering), and Sam Beck with Killian Ng (cover art). For Avatar the Last Airbender, credits belong to Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh (story), Nadia Shammas (script), Sara Alfageeh (art), Savanna Ganucheau (colors), and Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt (lettering). Editors for this issue include Rachel Roberts and Freddye Miller. The cover price of The Legend of Korra/Avatar the Last Airbender is free, while the current values are $3 on CBR and $2 on ZKC.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1624 — Garfield #1, KaBOOM!, May 2012.
I grew up an hour and 22 minutes away from Kennywood Park (a national historic landmark), which lies in West Mifflin, PA, and is still my favorite amusement park. There is a certain charm about it, and when you come upon older rides, such as The Whip (1918), you might just understand why. The reason I bring this up is because when I was a kid, there was a ride there called The Old Mill (affectionately known as The Tunnel of Love way back then), which got a facelift in 2004, and thus was born Garfield’s Nightmare. It was a strange, unforgettable journey, and all three of my kids got to experience it. But alas, times have changed, and the big orange cat ride is no more. If you have an interest in Garfield or amusement parks in general and the changes they go through (or if you’re feeling wistful upon receiving this news), read the fascinatingly informative article at this link. Garfield really is for the young at heart. Garfield was created by Jim Davis, and this issue was written by Mark Evanier, with art from Gary Barker. Others include Braden Lamb (colors), Steve Wands (letters), Gary Barker (cover), and Matt Gagnon (editor). The cover price of Garfield #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1625 — Warlord #1, DC, February 1976.
Several times since the advent of Cool Comics, I’ve bemoaned the fact that I didn’t buy monthly DC titles in the Seventies. While I did get a number of the 100-Pages for 60¢ titles (and I’m still working on completing that collection), along with a few single issues (a Blitzkrieg here, a Welcome Back, Kotter there) and several Treasury Editions, I didn’t follow Batman, Superman, or any other titles sequentially the way I did Spider-Man and Captain America. And I guess that’s why I’m having fun collecting several different older series now, such as Warlord. I’ve bought a good number of them straight out of quarter boxes, but to get this first issue, I had to shell out a little more cash: $10…and it was worth it! Mike Grell did both the writing and illustrating for this classic issue, while Joe Orlando is credited as editor. The cover price of Warlord #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $50 on CBR and $40 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $35.
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/
Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!
Now you can get Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.
Join our Facebook Group!
The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including Kickstarter campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!
Create a Gravatar!
Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.
Views: 503
There’s a few complete runs I’ve been trying to finish for years: Jonah Hex, Weird War Tales, Star Wars (original run) and What If? mainly. I’m missing just a few issues from each (I’m closest to What If?, with just 4 missing issues).
Sure, I could find my missing issues online, but where’s the fun in that? There’s nothing like the little bit of joy I get when I come across an issue of one of my runs I’m trying to complete that I don’t have while digging through a back issue box!
Thanks for another great entry, and thanks for keeping comics fun!
I so agree with you Atom that the fun is in the hunt! Some of my runs have been completed just by keeping vigilant watch over the quarter boxes at my LCS.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!