Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 323, 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 323…
Cool Comics Stuff!
December is now upon us, and that means (at least for holiday freaks like me!) that it’s time to start reading some Christmas comics. When I was much younger, I spent part of December reading through Dennis the Menace Christmas comics, both regular sized issues and digests. A few years later I discovered the fun of
Archie Winter and Christmas themed issues (again, both regular sized comics and digests), and, despite my huge comic book purge about a dozen years ago, I kept all of those issues. They may not be as valuable as some that I parted with at my garage sale, but the memories of reading them in my youth wouldn’t let me part with them. Soon I’ll be starting to read this new cool Archie digest featuring 80 Years of Christmas, with stories from every decade of Archie’s existence. But it isn’t just Archie and Dennis the Menace Christmas comics that I enjoy. As I got older, I started reading Marvel Christmas specials, followed later by DC Christmas themed issues. Are there any special comics you enjoy reading at this time of year?
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Tarzan versus Batman! 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’s Cool Comics Creation of The Indestructible Hulk comes from Sydney Walton, which is perfect timing for our Modern-Day Cool Comics entry below! 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
#1631 — Hulk #1, Marvel, January 2022.
It’s a new era for your favorite green goliath, and while Hulk is no longer “Immortal,” if this first issue is any indication, his title is still going to be a wild ride of a fan-pleaser! Did you grab this one from your local comic shop? If not, you better not wait much longer to add it to your collection. If you’re still on the fence about it because you feel you’ve read all that the Hulk has to offer, perhaps you should take a closer look at the words at the bottom of the cover. “What if the Hulk exists…to protect us from Banner?” The new creative team on Hulk features Donny Cates (writer), Ryan Ottley (artist/cover artist), Frank Martin (colorist/cover artist), Cory Petit (letterer), and Will Moss (editor). For a complete look at all the variant covers (and there are many), additional creators, and list of characters appearing in this issue, check out the page on League of Comic Geeks. The cover price of Hulk #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1632 — Tarzan of the Apes #184, Gold Key, June 1969.
Most of my experience with Tarzan comes from watching Saturday afternoon movies featuring Lord Greystoke on a channel out of Pittsburgh, PA, back in my younger days. And I wasn’t watching alone. My father was a fan, and I have great memories of the times we shared, watching Tarzan swinging through the jungle and saving the day. But I haven’t read many of the comics, and my collection is rather sparse, so I was more than happy to adopt this one that I recently found in a quarter bin. The gorgeous cover credit belongs to George Wilson, while Tarzan Triumphant Part 1 comes to us from the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, which was adapted by Gaylord Du Bois, with pencils and inks by Doug Wildey. Creators for the story Fiery Secret, starring the Leopard Girl, are Gaylord Du Bois (writer) and Nat Edson (pencils/inks). The cover price of Tarzan of the Apes #184 is 15¢, while the current value is $38.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 16 of 2021)
#1633 — Batman and Robin and Howard/Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld, DC, October 2021.
Since there are two stories in this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue, each with their own cover, it seems only fair that both get equal billing. And while I’m just a bit older than the target market for these graphic novel previews, that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy them. If you like your comic fun grounded in the “real” world, the Batman and Robin and Howard story is probably more to your liking…but if you also like a dash of fantasy and 
other worlds, then don’t skip Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld. This issue is all ages, so pass it down to some kids in your life, and if they like it, perhaps considering getting them the graphic novels…which helps us continue to grow this great hobby! Creators for Batman and Robin and Howard include Jeffrey Brown (writer/artist/cover artist), Silvana Brys (colorist), and Becca Carey (letterer). Credits for Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld include Shannon Hale (writer), Dean Hale (writer), and Asiah Fulmore (artist/cover artist). The cover price of Batman and Robin and Howard/Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld is free, while the current values are $0 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1634 — Tom and Jerry #286, Gold Key, September 1974.
Whether you’re 8 or 88, Tom and Jerry provide plenty of fun and laughs. There probably aren’t many readers who are 88, but reading these comics is a great way to feel young at heart! When you get tired of today’s ongoing multiple issue storylines, dig through some discount boxes, and search out treasures like this one. You get entertaining, short-but-complete stories that will transport you back to your youth. This issue contains four adventures that are just plain fun. Tom and Jerry #286 features several creators, including John Costanza (pencils/inks), Massimo Fecchi (pencils/inks), Hy Eisman (pencils/inks), and Marty Taras (pencils/inks). Unfortunately, complete credit per story is lost to time, but you can go to the Grand Comics Database to see the name of each story in this issue, along with known creators. The cover price of Tom and Jerry #286 is 25¢, while the current value is $14.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1635 — Western Action #1, Atlas/Seaboard, February 1975.
If you’re a fan of Westerns, from Shane to True Grit to Lonesome Dove, you should consider adding this comic to your collection, if you haven’t already. To be honest, I wasn’t much of a fan of “cowboy” movies and shows until I watched the Lonesome Dove mini-series. I’d seen older Westerns at different times during my many decades on this earth, but the magic of Larry McMurtry’s characters, both onscreen and between the printed pages, gave me a new appreciation of the genre. Hence, I’ve slowly been growing my Western comic collection, but it’s still rather sparse. I really enjoyed Western Action, and it’s a shame the creative team didn’t get to put out further issues. The cover comes to us courtesy of Larry Lieber (pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), and Gaspar Saladino (letters/logo). Birth of a Badman! featuring Kid Cody, Gunfighter, includes the creative talents of Larry Lieber (script) and Doug Wildey (pencils/inks/letters). The team who brought us Vengeance Trail, starring the Comanche Kid, are Steve Skeates (script), Jack Abel (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), and Alan Kupperberg (letters). The cover price of Western Action #1 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
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: 379
Lots of great stuff this time out!
I’m not a huge Hulk fan, but I really enjoyed Immortal Hulk, so I’m definitely going to give the new series a chance! Hopefully, since it’s got the same writer, it will keep that “superhero horror” edge Immortal Hulk had.
I’m a big fan of non-superhero comics, especially those featuring characters from the pulp era, so Tarzan is right in that good spot! I grab Tarzan comics any time I spot one, and I actually have that same issue. George Wilson is the paintbrush behind SO many of those great Gold Key/ Dell comic covers, and that one is a real eye catcher!
And in a bit of Cool Comics synergy. . .I was actually in the process of writing a “short but sweet” Longbox Junk reader review on Western Action #1 for Cool Comics because I know that you’re a fan of the Atlas comics and Western Action was one of their more obscure offerings. I agree that it’s a shame that only one issue was put out because it’s a pretty fun read!
As far as Tarzan vs. Batman goes. . .I have to say that it depends on the battleground. In the Jungle, Tarzan wins. In the city, Batman wins. Either way, it’s not an easy fight, and they would eventually end up teaming up anyway, so I declare a DRAW!
Thanks for another great post, and thanks for keeping comics FUN!
Atom, I have to agree with your assessment of the Batman versus Tarzan battle!
And I hope you still decide to write your Western Action review, whether you place it here at Cool Comics or at Longbox Junk. Your reviews and my “musings” are so different that covering the same comic works just fine.
Thanks for all your great insight, as always, and thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!