Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 341, 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 341…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Once upon a time I owned Astro City #1, the ½ edition from Wizard Magazine, and a couple other issues. Which makes it obvious that I wasn’t a reader of the title, but I had familiarity with it. Now, with this new special edition entitled Astro City That Was Then…I decided to give it a try. And none of it was familiar. But Kurt Busiek tells great stories, so I enjoyed it as much as a newbie could. And if you’re a fan, more Astro City is supposed to be coming.
The current volume of The Amazing Spider-Man came to a close last week, and things got a little whacky concerning Ben Reilly. If you want to know his fate, make sure to get your hands on issue #93 before it disappears.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Sinbad versus Naza! 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!
In this episode, Cool Comics shows off the Rocketeer (who has a new comic book limited series, with the first issue out now!), thanks to Ed Griffie! 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
#1721 — Shadow War: Alpha #1, DC, May 2022.
The new DC crossover event Shadow War runs through the Batman, Robin, and Deathstroke titles, along with some Shadow War specials. And while I’m sure it will be much more satisfying to get the full picture, I’ll have to do my best to figure out what’s going on without Robin and Deathstroke, a couple comics I don’t have as part of my pull list. Sometimes I’ll make an exception and just do the full run for a crossover event, but my entertainment dollar doesn’t stretch as far these days. I did enjoy this introduction issue and look forward to reading more. Shadow War: Alpha #1 is brought to Batfans by Joshua Williamson (writer), Viktor Bogdanovic (pencils, inks), Daniel Henriques (inks), Mike Spicer (colors), Troy Peteri (letters), Jonboy Meyers (cover), Jessica Berbey (assistant editor), Paul Kaminski (editor), and Ben Abernathy (group editor). The cover price of Shadow War: Alpha #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6. The Key Collector Comics value is also $6.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1722 — Marvel Spotlight #25, Marvel, December 1975.
I had lots of fun reading this adaptation of The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad in Marvel Spotlight, mostly because it brings back childhood memories of watching both the movie and the Sinbad Jr. cartoon. I’m not sure if my previously owned back issue (which I was able to find in a quarter bin) is appreciated much today, but I was more than happy to give it a new home. And besides, my copy contains the coveted (and somewhat legendary) Marks Jewelers four-page insert. I’d heard about these a few years ago and thought I’d never own one, but now, thanks to digging through quarter boxes, I’ve added several to my collection. The cool creators of this issue of Marvel Spotlight are John Warner (writer), Sonny Trinidad (artist), Jim Novak (letterer), Petra Goldberg (colorist), Gil Kane (cover), Marv Wolfman (editor), and Kenneth Kole (screenplay from with this comic was adapted). The cover price of Marvel Spotlight #25 is 25¢, while the current value is $8.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 34 of 2021)
#1723 — The Smurfs Tales, Papercutz, August 2021.
I guess 2022 is the year of the Smurf for Cool Comics. Why? Because I’ve had a Smurf comic in each of the first two quarters of the year. But the inclusion of these little woodland creatures doesn’t make me feel blue, because their crazy adventures take me back to an earlier (and very important) time in my life (if you want to know why, you can find out by looking for The Smurfs in episode 329). If you picked this up during Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) and gave it to a younger reader in your life, you may need to provide a little background, because the Smurfs can lead to some Smurf conversations that don’t make any Smurf! This FCBD issue comes curtesy of Peyo (writer, artist, cover artist), Bryan Senka (letterer), Greg Hildebrandt (artist), and Jim Salicrup (editor-in-chief). The cover price of The Smurfs Tales is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1724 — Little Dot #157, Harvey, February 1975.
Back in the Seventies, I bought a total of maybe two Richie Rich comics, but that was the extent of my Harvey collection. Now, when I’m perusing discount boxes of comic books at local shops, I make sure to grab older Harvey comics when they cross my path. Though I don’t read them often, I enjoy the waves of nostalgia that waft from each page as I turn through these time capsules. Unfortunately, we’re unable to connect the dots of just who put this fun comic book together, which isn’t unusual for Harvey Comics of a certain age. The Grand Comics Database (GCD) lists the editor (Leon Harvey), but that’s the extent of it. Still, if you click the link, you can go to GCD and see the names and characters for all the short stories in this anthology issue. The cover price of Little Dot #157 is 25¢, while the current values are $20 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1725 — Naza #4, Dell, December 1964.
I don’t know what it is about comics featuring stone age warriors, but I like them. If I had to venture a guess as to why, I’d say it’s because I watched both Land of the Lost and Korg: 70,000 B.C. in the mid-Seventies. Childhood influences are strong, friends. And when I spotted several issues of Naza in a quarter bin, it was a foregone conclusion they’d soon be a part of my collection. And though I could be mistaken, this issue explained the story behind everyone’s famous mysterious spot in England, Stonehenge. And that’s the kind of fun we can all use more of! Thankfully, the creators of Naza didn’t have to draw on a cave wall, and include Vic Prezio (cover), Paul S. Newman (writer), Jack Sparling (pencils), Frank Springer (inks), and Don Arneson (editor). The cover price of Naza #4 is 12¢, while the current values are $50 on CBR and $15 on ZKC.
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! Periodically, 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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