Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 331, 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 331…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I received a couple emails earlier this month from Chris Braly of Big Studios about a new Mike Baron Kickstarter, and while I’m a bit late to the game in getting word out, it ends February 4, so you still have time to be a part of this campaign! And since Chris took the time to send me a press release about this unique opportunity, I’m including it in its entirety below.
Marvel’s ‘The Punisher’ Writer Giving Proceeds from New Comic to Help Police & Their Families
Delighted By Outpouring of Police Support, Eisner Winner Mike Baron Launches Second Campaign on Kickstarter
After quickly raising more funding than needed to self-publish his police-focused graphic novel ‘Thin Blue Line,’ Eisner-winning writer Mike Baron and his creative team are moving the project to Kickstarter today to give others a chance to become a backer and get involved in supporting law enforcement in the US.
Among comic book readers, Mike Baron is best known for writing Star Wars, The Flash, Nexus, and The Punisher for Marvel Comics, but this graphic novel may turn out to be one of the only comics he’s ever written to not be available at comic book shops, primarily because every publisher Mike reached out to said that making street cops the hero didn’t align with their business model.
Thankfully Baron’s readers don’t share those concerns. In fact, the response was tremendous.
“I was shocked at how easily we beat our modest crowdfunding goal,” campaign manager Chris Braly says. “Mike’s fans and the law enforcement community really came out in force on Indiegogo. So today we’re expanding the campaign to Kickstarter for 30 days to give anyone just learning about ‘Thin Blue Line’ a chance to own a first printing of what’s destined to be a rare comic book.”
‘Thin Blue Line’ tells the story of two law enforcement officers assigned to guard the mayor amid riots that begin over a police shooting.
“It’s not polemic, and definitely isn’t a cop recruitment book,” Mike Baron says. “It’s just a thrilling action drama, similar in many ways to elements my fans may recall from the five years I wrote Punisher, which were grittier and more realistic than most mainstream superhero comics.”
The book’s penciller, Joseph Arnold, is a full-time police officer, which lends authenticity to the story. Arnold had always hoped to work with Baron but had very personal reasons for wanting to illustrate ‘Thin Blue Line’.
“I was eager to show another side of policing,” Arnold says. “The story emphasizes family, interpersonal dynamics, and shows police officers from many different backgrounds. I hope it has a positive impact on policing. I’ve put my heart into every page.”
The book is complete and is on schedule to go to print in February after the Kickstarter campaign ends. The team has a record of successful campaigns and are anxious to get this into readers’ hands.
“We’re just thankful for the support Thin Blue Line is getting,” Braly says. “Moving to Kickstarter means anyone who wants to get in on a limited print run and support police at the same time can do so.”
Launching on Kickstarter is intended to expand the project’s reach to another unique community of comic fans. As a bonus, the Kickstarter campaign offers a few Kickstarter exclusive perks, including a signed hardcover artists’ edition.
A portion of the profits from ‘Thin Blue Line’ is being donated to three police related programs important to the team and relevant to the story. Adopt a Cop, The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and the National Fallen Officer Foundation. The campaign also hopes to bring attention to National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day which takes place this Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Visit ThinBlueLineComics.com to learn more.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Bullwinkle & Rocky versus Archie & Jughead! 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 week our Cool Comics Creation features sketch cards from a Star Wars trading card series, courtesy of illustrator Dan Gorman, a member of the National Cartoonists Society and one of the top sketch card artists on the planet! And the force must be strong with all you readers because I can feel—all the way to my house—just how cool you think Dan’s cards look. For more about Dan and his art, please visit www.dangormanart.com. Additionally, Dan is the artist of the Cool Comics logo!
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
#1671 — Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1, Marvel, March 2022.
When I first saw this new retro title in Marvel Previews a few months ago, it didn’t strike me as something I’d add to my pull list. But during my second flip through of the catalog, I had a hard time moving past the cover image featuring the late Captain Mar-Vell. The House of Ideas must be doing well with these recent tales from an age gone by, because this issue of Marvel Previews features three new limited series of untold stories from the past with Ben Reilly: Spider-Man, Maestro: World War M, and this Silver Surfer: Rebirth title. And oh yeah, there’s also the monthly X-Men Legends. As a huge fan of the 1968 Captain Marvel series, I decided that this Cool Comic had to be added to my collection (unfortunately, due to so many supply chain issues, I couldn’t get the copy with Mar-Vell on the cover, but my variant edition is still very cool). Some of the creators of this new Silver Surfer adventure are also a blast from the past, with credits going to Ron Marz (writer) and Ron Lim (penciler). Additional creators include Don Ho (inker), Israel Silva (colorist), VC’s Joe Sabino (letterer), and Darren Shan (editor). My issue has a variant cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli. The cover price of Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1672 — Aquaman #59, DC, January 1978.
While I’m not the biggest fan of Aquaman, I still enjoy the character, so grabbing this swinging Seventies issue out of a quarter bin is a win! We get two stories in this issue, the first focusing on the finned one himself, while the second gives us better insight into Mera. The newer Rebirth era Aquaman issues I’ve read were all well done, but as so many of you know, I got my comic book start in 1973, so that’s the decade that feels like home to me, even when the hero lives in the sea. The first tale taking place in the great, blue ocean, Prey Perilous, comes to us courtesy of David Michelinie (writer), Jim Aparo (artist), Liz Berube (colorist), and Paul Levitz (editor). Mera’s adventure, Kingdom of Doom!, credits the following: Paul Kupperberg (writer), Juan Ortiz (penciler), Vince Colletta (inker), Milton Snapinn (letterer), Liz Berube (colorist), and Paul Levitz (editor). The cover price of Aquaman #59 is 35¢, while the current value is $12.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 24 of 2021)
#1673 — The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, Graphix, August 2021.
I came into this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue knowing absolutely nothing about the Bailey School Kids, yet the name wasn’t unfamiliar. I think some of my kids may have even had a few of the books. With a minimal amount of poking around the Internet, I found out that this comic preview of the graphic novel (which is the same title) is based on the very first Baily School Kids book, which came out in 1990. Additionally, I was unaware that the stories are supernatural-based tales, perhaps planting seeds for future fans of some exciting genre fiction, such as the coolest of cool journalists, Carl Kolchak, of Night Stalker fame. This FCBD preview of the graphic novel Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots is by Pearl Low, based on the novel by Marcia Thornton Jones & Debbie Dadey. The cover price of The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1674 — Bullwinkle and Rocky #1, Star Comics, November 1987.
I’m not sure how most people feel (or felt) about Marvel’s venture into “kiddie comics” with their Star Comics line, but I sure enjoy grabbing them out of quarter bins. Obviously, like all comic book companies, some titles are better than others (although, subjectively speaking, I often like quirky stuff that many readers don’t care for), and I feel that this debut issue of Bullwinkle and Rocky is one of the better Star Comics I’ve read. Of course, it’s helpful that I grew up watching Moose and Squirrel (and yes, I know that’s not the actual name, but if you’re a fan, you know exactly what I’m saying here) on Saturday mornings as far back as my memories take me, and reading this issue made me feel like a kid again. Why, it even has Fractured Fairy Tales inside! And while the series lasted just a brief nine issues, I’ve been able to find three of them in quarter boxes. We have the following to thank for this fantastic first issue of Bullwinkle and Rocky: David Manak (writer), Ernie Colón (penciler, cover), Jacqueline Roettcher (inker), Grace Kremer (letterer), John Wellington (colorist), and Sid Jacobson (editor). The cover price of Bullwinkle and Rocky is $1, while the current values are $5 on CBR and $4 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1675 — Archie Annual #26, Archie, 1974.
I always say you can’t go wrong with Archie Comics when digging around in quarter bins, and that’s exactly how I was able to get my hands on this awesome issue! But my biggest question about this fun, thick, mid-Seventies annual centers around the publishing date. Some websites give 1974, while others call it 1975. The indicia states “1974-1975 edition,” and has the copyright as 1974. But I guess it doesn’t really matter, as long as we enjoy reading it! Full of Riverdale fun, this annual has over a half-dozen shorts containing many of our favorite eternal teens. Some of the creators include Frank Doyle, Harry Lucey, Chic Stone, Barry Grossman, Bill Yoshida, and Joe Edwards. For a more comprehensive look at credits and the stories included, please see the entry at the Grand Comics Database. The cover price of Archie Annual #26 is 35¢, while the current value is $50.
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 crowdfunding 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.
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!
Views: 134
Leave a Reply