Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 329, 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 329…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I hope everyone is having a great 2022 so far, both in and out of the world of comic books. I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, but none of you are here for any of that, so let’s get to this new, exciting episode of Cool Comics In My Collection!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Ghost Rider versus Doctor Fate! 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, Cool Comics shows off the God of Thunder in “Mighty” ways, thanks to Ed Griffie! Want more Thor? We’ve got it for you below, but before you scroll away too quickly, please note that Ed is a lifelong comic book fan who started drawing Kawaii and Chibi style versions of pop culture icons and superheroes about five years ago. Through Facebook, his work came to the attention of Daniel Hare, the owner of vintage toy and comic bookstore The Toys Time Forgot, who offered him a guest spot at Free Comic Book Day. Since then, Ed has been a regular at local conventions and comic bookstores, where he offers bookmarks, coloring pages, trading cards, and color prints featuring his unique artwork. You can check out his full catalog of work at toonist27.deviantart.com or contact him at edgriffiejr@gmail.com to commission an original piece of your very own.
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
#1661 — Thor #20, Marvel, March 2022.
If you’re a fan of Asgardian tales, the current storyline in Thor—God of Hammers—has been great (in my opinion) so far, and especially so with the big reveal at the end of this issue, which is Part 2 of this multipart adventure. If you haven’t been reading Thor, you may be asking the question, “Who or what is the God of Hammers?” I’d love to tell you, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone! Odin is here, Sif shows up, Loki is on hand, and perhaps best of all, fan favorite Throg is part of the adventure! The Mighty Creators we must thank for this issue include Donny Cates (writer), Nic Klein (artist, cover artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Joe Sabino (letterer, designer), and Wil Moss (editor). The cover price of Thor #20 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is $15.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1662 — Ghost Rider #42, Marvel, March 1980.
This is another great example of the cool kind of comics I missed out on when I decided that I’d outgrown them. I was pretty much through reading this “kid’s stuff” by 1978, although I did purchase several issues in 1979. But by 1980, comic books were in my past; at least until 1982 (which, most unfortunately, also was a short-lived moment in my collecting history). Anyway, scouring quarter boxes usually pays off in many ways, and one of those ways is to take me back in time to memorable days. While I wasn’t really a Ghost Rider reader in my first go-round in the Seventies, I did start buying it in 1982, and this title was a pleasure to revisit. Cool cover credits go to Bob Budiansky (pencils) and Bob Wiacek (inks). Interior credits belong to Michael Fleisher (writer), Don Perlin (pencils, inks), Ben Sean (colors), Diana Albers (letterer), and Dennis O’Neil (editor). The cover price of Ghost Rider #42 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 22 of 2021)
#1663 — Assassin’s Creed Dynasty/Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Blood Brothers, Tokyopop, August 2021.
I’ve seen some commercials on TV for Assassin’s Creed video games, but I don’t really know anything about the franchise. This black and white Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue contains two stories, as listed above, and after discovering I’d read the first one the wrong way (right to left on the page, including the text boxes and bubbles) while I was reading the second story, I had to go back to the first story…which then made a little more sense to me. While I won’t be searching out any further comics in this world, I always enjoy trying new things, which is one of the reasons I appreciate FCBD. The Assassin’s Creed stories come to us from Xu Xianzhe (writer), Feng Si Zu (writer, artist), Zhang Xiao (artist), Karen Lam (translator), Tay Weilling (translator), and Lena Atanassova (editor). The cover price of Assassin’s Creed Dynasty/Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Blood Brothers is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1664 — Smurfs #1, Marvel, December 1982.
When the Smurfs first appeared on TV screens across the U.S. in 1981, I was a college freshman at Ohio State (it was just known as Ohio State, or OSU, when I was there…the THE came later, although the THE has been a part of the name since 1878), and had no idea for several years that such strange blue creatures had come into being. I don’t think I saw the cartoon until 1986, when I watched them with my girlfriend, who later became my wife (she introduced me to several cool cartoons, such as ThunderCats and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe). And while I’m not a big Smurf fan, reading the comic took me back in time to those early days with Melissa, and made me feel Young at Heart. Along with the cover, Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs, is credited for all pencils, inks, and writing chores for each of the many stories (several that are just one page) contained in this issue. The cover price of Smurfs #1 is 60¢, while the current values are $5 on CBR and $6 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1665 — Doctor Fate #1, DC, July 1987.
When you have a personal reason to read or buy a comic book, it often means so much more to you as a collector, and I have two such connections to this issue of Doctor Fate. First, the writer, J.M. DeMatteis, is someone I met in person at the Cincinnati Comic Expo 2018. I had him sign my Cool Comics In My Collection bag (I got some great signatures on it that weekend), which is pretty awesome. Second, my son recently gifted me a Doctor Fate Funko Pop 2021 Summer Convention Limited Edition figure, which is part of the Justice League series (#395 for those who like to know these things). And the Pop reminded me that I had this issue waiting for me in my file cabinet of unread adventures – and now no longer unread! Creative credits go to J.M. DeMatteis (writer), Keith Giffen (illustrator), Dave Hunt (inker), Agustin Mas (letterer), Anthony Tollin (colorist), and Denny O’Neil (editor). The cover price of Doctor Fate #1 is $1.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
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!
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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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