Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 343, 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 343…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple notable comics that came out last week are Elektra #100 and X-Men ’92: House of XCII. Elektra may not have a current series (aside from her Devil’s Reign tie-in limited series Daredevil: Woman Without Fear), but the issue focuses on the present storyline in Daredevil’s world, and I guess Marvel decided to feature another milestone edition. The X-Men ’92 issue is the first in a short series that brings the 1992 cartoon look to the present-day happenings in the world of X. There were a couple previous ’92 limited series a few years back, but I wasn’t buying new comics during those runs, so I can’t comment on how well this first issue compares. Nostalgia can be fun, but I’m not sure how I feel about mixing these great cartoon memories with the ongoing X-storylines.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Man-Wolf versus Blue Beetle! 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! This is the seventh set of Star Wars cards we’ve featured from Dan here at Cool Comics, and the quality of his work continues to amaze me! 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
#1731 — Image! 30th Anniversary Anthology #1, Image, April 2022.
If you’re a fan of anthologies (and especially of the non-capes and tights variety), this 12-issue limited series from Image, celebrating 30 years in the business, may be right up your reading alley. While it contains a nice mixture of stories (some traversing the entire 12 issues, while others are scheduled for just 1 or 3 or 4 issues), not all of them were for me. Also, please note that this comic is rated M for mature, so keep it away from the youngsters. If you’re interested, you better grab this first issue before it disappears. And keep in mind that when you have 10 stories in a single–albeit thick–comic book, you know that lots of creators had a hand in it. Some of the names may be familiar to you, and I’ve listed several of the creative types here, but for a look at all the people who took part in this first issue, you can find them, along with the names of each of the stories, HERE. Those you may know include Geoff Johns, Declan Shalvey, Skottie Young, and Kyle Higgins. The cover price of Image! 30th Anniversary Anthology #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1732 — Creatures on the Loose #35, Marvel, May 1975.
Quarter bin searches are one of my favorite things to do when it comes to comic books, but sometimes what comes home with me has missing pages, parts, and pieces. And this issue, of all things, is missing the last page! After discovering this horrible reality, what did I do? I searched the Internet like a creature on the loose and found a scan of the page I needed to read. Whew! I was then able to wipe the sweat off my brow. The Man-Wolf was in the first comic book I remember buying on my own, so even though my issue isn’t complete, I love having it as part of my collection. Creators on the loose for this issue include David Anthony Kraft (writer), George Pérez (pencils), Frank McLaughlin (inks), Dave Hunt (letters), Petra Goldberg (colors), and Len Wein (editor). Cover credits belong to Gil Kane (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), George Roussos (colors), and Danny Crespi (letters). The cover price of Creatures on the Loose #35 is 25¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 36 of 2021)
#1733 — Stray Dogs, Image, August 2021.
The art for Stray Dogs does a great job of pulling you in and making you care about this Free Comic Book Day issue (FCBD), which, while nice to look at, also has a disturbing plot. Pet owners (and probably just about everyone) may grow very uncomfortable when reading it. What’s it about? I don’t want to spoil this for you, but the cover gives us a hint that this isn’t a Disney production. The artistic team for this FCBD issue includes Tony Fleecs (writer), Trish Forstner (artist), Brad Simpson (colorist), Tone Rodriguez (layouts), Lauren Perry (flatter), Lauren Herda (logo/design), and Gabriela Downie (pre-press). The cover price of Stray Dogs is free, while the current values are $1 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1734 — Casper Strange Ghost Stories #10, Harvey Comics, May 1976.
Harvey Comics packed lots of stories into this 1976 issue that cost a mere 35¢. If I counted right, this comic contains 10 complete stories (although some are very short). What I didn’t realize while reading it is that these are all reprints (see the link below, which has information about the original publication of each tale). But I’m fine with that, especially since I wasn’t a regular collector of Casper, and I don’t recall ever reading any of these stories before. Which reminds me of reading several Marvel titles in the Seventies and eventually learning that the stories were all previously published. You know, the longer I write this blog, the sadder I get when I come across comic books that don’t have any creator credits. From pencils to inks to colorists to writers, people worked hard to entertain us, whether when we were kids or as adults. The best I can do for this issue is to provide you the Grand Comics Database (GCD) link, where you can at least see the titles for all the different stories for this fun anthology. The cover price of Casper Strange Ghost Stories #10 is 35¢, while the current value is $20.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1735 — Blue Beetle #24, DC, May 1988.
Are you a Blue Beetle fan? Whether your version is Dan Garret, Ted Kord, or Jaime Reyes, don’t you find it surprising that Blue Beetle’s series never last long? I like the concept and wouldn’t mind adding more issues (of any of the volumes) to my collection, although the original Blue Beetle is out of my price range. This issue is The Final Adventure from a mid-Eighties run, of which I own just two (both grabbed out of quarter bins). And there’s no need to feel blue when it comes to the artists behind the Blue Beetle, because we have them for you right here! The heavy hitters who brought you this piece of Eighties energy include Len Wein (writer), Don Heck (penciller), Danny Bulanadi (inks), John Costanza (letterer), Gene D’Angelo (colorist), and Denny O’Neil (editor). The cover creators are Chris Wozniak (pencils, inks) and Todd Klein (letters). The cover price of Blue Beetle #24 is $1, while the current 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/
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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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