Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 336, 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 336…
Cool Comics Stuff!
What Free Comic Book Day issues are you looking forward to in May?
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Ghost Rider versus Wonder Woman! 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 by artist Sydney Walton features actor Gerald Okamura as a Wing Kong Hatchet Man from fan favorite film Big Trouble in Little China! 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
#1696 — Ghost Rider #1, Marvel, April 2022.
This is an interesting start to the new Ghost Rider series (and there have been a lot of Ghost Rider series over the years). I really think there is a lot of potential here, but it takes a little patience while the opening mystery plays out over 52 pages packed with penance staring story! I realize that Ghost Rider isn’t a character whatsoever like Captain America or Iron Man, but if you dig the crazy supernatural side of Marvel, give this one a try. This awesome beginning to a new era of Ghost Rider comes to us from Benjamin Percy (writer), Cory Smith (artist), Bryan Valenza (colorist), VC’s Travis Lanham (letters), Kael Ngu (cover artist), Anthony Gambino (designer), and Darren Shan (editor). The cover price of Ghost Rider #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1697 — Bloodstrike #1, Image, April 1993.
Between Youngblood and Bloodstrike, lots of blood was spilled between the covers of Rob Liefeld comics back in the Nineties. I remember those days of buying as many Image titles as I could from discount boxes when I’d started actively collecting again (only to stop again…and then start once more). But eventually I found myself with none left after a massive garage sale several years ago. And sometimes, when I’m flipping through quarter boxes, the nostalgia bug bites me where I live, and I grab a few of these early Image issues. The creators of Bloodstrike include Rob Liefeld (creator, plot, layouts), Dan Fraga (pencils), Eric Stephenson (script, editor), Danny Miki (inks), Byron Talman (colors), Brian Murray (colors), Kurt Hathaway (lettering), and Chameleon Prime (color separations). The cover price of Bloodstrike #1 is $2.95, while the current is $3. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 29 of 2021)
#1698 — Lady Mechanika, Image, August 2021.
Lady Mechanika is always one of the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issues I look forward to reading because the stories are always entertaining and well done…and sometimes repeated. But free is good, so I’m not complaining about repeats. I really need to pick up a trade edition of Lady Mechanika stories at some point. Artistic talent for the first story in this FCBD issue comes from Joe Benitez (creator, writer, pencils), Peter Steigerwald (colors), and Michael Heiser (letters); second story credits go to Joe Benitez (story, pencils), M.M. Chien (story), Peter Steigerwald (colors), and Michael Heiser (letters); and the last story is from Joe Benitez (story, pencils), M.M. Chien (story), Martin Montiel ((pencils), Peter Steigerwald (colors), Beth Sotelo (colors), and Michael Heiser (letters). The issue is edited by Marcia Chen. The cover price of Lady Mechanika is free, while the current values are $0 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1699 — Uncle Scrooge #165, Gold Key, June 1979.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since I began reading Cool Comics for the Young at Heart, it’s that Disney never disappoints. Especially when it comes to Disney ducks. And when you toss in a trip to Scotland with Scrooge McDuck, all the better! This four-color treat follows the typical pattern of Uncle Scrooge comics during their time at Gold Key, with a fun variety of complete shorts in each issue, which is perfect for the wee ones in your life. For a listing of the different stories in this issue, be sure to click the link in the next sentence. Tony Strobl, Carl Barks, Garé Barks, and Del Connell are some of the talents listed for at the Grand Comics Database for this issue. For further details, click the link and enjoy. The cover price of Uncle Scrooge #165 is 40¢, while the current value is $30.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1700 — Justice League of America #183, DC, October 1980.
What?! It looks as if both the Justice Society and the Justice League of America are facing defeat at the hands of Orion (if this cover is to be believed)! Even my favorite, Firestorm, looks to be in trouble! This is a fantastically fun issue for fandom, one you probably don’t want to miss out on…and fortunately I was able to find my fabulous issue floundering in a quarter bin. And if you manage to get your hands on this comic book, be sure not to miss out on how Batgirl distracts Jessie Jewel with Twinkies! The heroic team that gave us this fun comic are Gerry Conway (writer), Dick Dillin (penciler), Frank McLaughlin (inker), Gene D’Angelo (colorist), Ben Oda (letterer), Jim Starlin (cover artist), and Len Wein (editor). The cover price of Justice League of America #183 is 50¢, while the current value is $15. The Key Collector Comics value is $10.
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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Action Ace says
JLA #183 was Dick Dillin’s last issue after drawing the title for 12 years. He died of a heart attack while working on issue #184. George Perez came in to do the issue.
When I came across a Duck book in the quarter bins, I always looked at the credits box. If I saw Carl Barks or Don Rosa, I bought the comic.
Ed Gosney says
Action Ace, thanks for the history on the JLA issue. It’s very appreciated. And that’s a good philosophy on Disney Duck comics!
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!