Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 328, 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 328…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I find it interesting that both of the DC titles that have achieved over a thousand issues have such similar covers, and that they both came out on the same day. I guess there is no front cover, because no matter which side you’re looking at, it’s the “back” of the cover…okay, you can stop groaning now. Another comic book of note from last week is Timeless, from Marvel. If you’re a fan of time-travel and all it entails, take a trip with Kang the Conqueror and keep an eye out for clues to what you may see in 2022.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is the Defenders versus the Ewoks! 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 cosmic entity Galactus (who first appeared in Fantastic Four #48 in 1966) comes from Sydney Walton! 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
#1656 — Dune: A Whisper of Caladan Seas #1, BOOM! Studios, December 2021.
While Dunephiles (is there a better term? I found this one on the Web, and it’s what I was going to use here anyway, before I decided to do about 30 seconds of research and saw that someone else found it to be a good enough descriptive term) may be familiar with the short story A Whisper of Caladan Seas, casual readers and viewers probably know nothing about this tale, written by the same pair who’ve taken over the reins of the Duniverse (and they wrote this comic book version, also). This isn’t necessarily a good place to first dip your toes into the sands of Arrakis, but if you’re immersed up to your eyeballs in spice, you, too, may enjoy this comic book. Creative credits go to Brian Herbert (writer), Kevin J. Anderson (writer), Jakub Rebelka (artist, colorist), Ed Dukeshire (letterer), Jeff Dekal (cover artist), and Jonathan Manning (editor). There are a few others who took part in the creative process, and you can find them at this LINK. The cover price of Dune: A Whisper of Caladan Seas #1 is $7.99, while the current value is $8.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1657 — Nightwing #16, DC, January 1998.
The Nineties may not be popular with collectors today, but from my perspective I had a fun time collecting and reading comic books in the era. How did one keep up with the hot titles and creators? Many of us bought Wizard Magazine, often flipping to the back to see if any of our comic books went up in value. While both are a bit frowned upon today, sometimes I like to relive that period, and this issue of Nightwing takes me back to last century, thanks to finding this in a discount bin. The people behind this issue of Nightwing include Chuck Dixon (writer), Scott McDaniel (penciller, cover artist), Karl Story (inker), Roberta Tewes (colorist), Jamison (separator), John Costanza (letterer), and Darren Vincenzo & Scott Peterson (editors). The cover price of Nightwing #16 is $1.95, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 21 of 2021)
#1658 — We Live: The Last Days, AfterShock, August 2021.
When the first issue of We Live appeared at comic shops in 2020, the world was entrenched in a pandemic—and it still is. I’ve always had an affinity for “end of the world” stories, so I gave it a try. Not bad, was my initial thought, but I was already reading so many monthly comics that I didn’t let myself add another to my pull list. Now, AfterShock presents this next chapter in the story called The Last Days and using Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is a great way to get the word out that We Live is worth it, although considering the times we live in, some may be working to avoid these kinds of storylines. This FCBD edition is a great way to see if this is the comic you’ve been waiting for. We Live: The Last Days comes to us from Inaki Miranda (writer, artist, cover), Roy Miranda (writer), Eva De La Cruz (colorist), Dave Sharpe (letterer), and Mike Marts (editor). Rainbow Bridge Special Preview features the talents of Steve Orlando (writer), Steve Foxe (writer), Valentina Brancati (artist), Manuel Poppo (colorist), and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letterer). The cover price of We Live: The Last Days is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1659 — Ewoks #3, Star Comics, September 1985.
Do I feel so Young at Heart that I’m resorting to the Ewoks for entertainment? When the cartoon started airing on Saturday mornings, I had no interest. I mean, I was older, college age, and cartoons were no longer my thing. Additionally, the Ewoks were one of my least favorite things when it came to the Return of the Jedi film. This really makes me sound old and crusty, but I wasn’t old and crusty when I sat in the theater and watched Wicket and his furry friends help take down the Empire. Yet I’m a different person now (yup, we all change a bit over time), and I have no problem with Ewoks today. This is the first issue I’ve been able to find in a quarter box, and despite a chunk of the back cover missing, it’s found a home in my collection. The diminutive Ewoks come to life on the page thanks to Dave Manak (writer), Warren Kremer (penciller, cover artist), Jon D’Agostino (inker), George Roussos (colorist), Grace Kremer (letterer), and Sid Jacobson (editor). The cover price of Ewoks #3 is 65¢, while the current values are $14 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1660 — Giant-Size Defenders #2, Marvel, October 1974.
While some collectors want their comics to be in pristine condition (and most of us probably do, but the reality is, the high prices take a lot of older issues off the table for the average person), I enjoy just being able to afford adding so many cool comics to my collection. This issue of Giant-Size Defenders barely dented my wallet at $2, and it’s in what I refer to as “good enough for Gosneys” condition. This affordable gem from the Bronze Age is a treasure to me and comes with a new story guest-starring the Son of Satan titled H… as in Hulk… Hell… and Holocaust, along with three older reprints featuring Sub-Mariner, Black Knight, and Doctor Strange. The cool creators for the Defenders story are Len Wein (writer), Gil Kane & Kaus Janson (artists, cover artists), Glynis Wein (colorist), Dave Hunt (letterer), and Roy Thomas (editor); the Sub-Mariner story reprinted from Young Men #25 comes from the writing and art of Bill Everett; Fred Kida is credited as artist for the Black Knight reprint from Black Knight #4; and the Doctor Strange reprint from Strange Tales #119 features Stan Lee (writer), Steve Ditko (artist), and Artie Simek (letterer). The cover price of Giant-Size Defenders #2 is 50¢, while the current values are $48 on CBR and $30 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $30.
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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I Read That Book!
Please check out my newest blog, I Read That Book! About once a week I discuss a book I’ve read in an entertaining, positive manner. It’s not a book review site, but instead a fun way to look at many of the books that have been a part of my life (and perhaps yours, too!), through anecdotes, quotes, weblinks, fond memories, pictures, and other surprises!
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