Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 350, 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 350…
Cool Comics Stuff!
As the air gets warmer and the spring rains start to slow down, you know that summer is right around the corner when the comic book annuals start to show up. Although, come to think of it, annuals don’t show up as often as they used to, but DC recently gave us both Batman and Action Comics, a couple of the older titles in existence. While the Batman story was fine, it’s the Action Comics tale that truly impressed me, hitting home in a personal way. This story took us back to the childhood days of Clark Kent, in which he learns a lesson that sticks with him throughout the years. Did you happen to read it? Maybe it wasn’t for you, but a certain illness in the issue also affected my family and had me a bit choked up. This was the best Superman story I’ve read in years.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Clea Strange versus Ragman! 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!
If you like your monsters big, then how can you help but dig these RAKified giants! Robert Kraus has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving, and this image from one of his limited-edition prints is proof positive. RAK is known around the globe as the creator of Chakan, the forever man, and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art! Be sure to check out all the other fantastic creations, games, illustrated novellas, and comics at RAK’s website.
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
#1766 — Strange #3, Marvel, July 2022.
If you haven’t been paying attention, you may not know that Doctor Strange is dead, and that Clea Strange has taken over the mantel of Sorcerer Supreme. To be honest, I didn’t have much interest in this title when I saw it solicited a few months ago. But I ended up grabbing the first issue on a whim…and the whim continued to issue two, and now issue three. It’s been a fun read, and you may want to see if you can find the back issues if you haven’t been getting it (or wait until a collected edition comes out). The supreme creative team consists of Jed MacKay (writer), Marcelo Ferreira (penciler), Roberto Poggi (inks), Don Ho (inks), Java Tartaglia (colorist), VC’s Cory Petit (lettering), Björn Barends (cover), Kat Gregorowicz (assistant editor), and Darren Shan (editor). The cover price of Strange #3 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Dynamically Discounted Cool Comics
#1767 — Brigade #0, Image, September 1993.
I’m pretty sure I had a copy of this back in the 90s, but it ended up leaving my collection in a big garage sale a few years ago. When I ran across it while flipping through comics in a quarter bin, the nostalgia bug bit me hard enough to grab it at such a great price. To be honest, I don’t remember what I thought of it when I read it nearly 30 years ago, but when I started reading it last week, I told myself that it was worth it for the memories that stirred in my brain. Some of these comics from that era don’t stand up well today, but I have some great collecting memories from that period, and this was worth every penny to me. The people bringing Brigade to us are Rob Liefeld (creator, story), Jeff Matsuda (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks), Eric Stephenson (script), Marat Mychaels (layouts), Byron Talman (colors), and Kurt Hathaway (lettering, editor). The cover price of Brigade #0 is $1.95, while the current values are $3 on CBR and $2.50 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 5 of 2022)
#1768 — The Three Stooges #1, American Mythology, May 2022.
Do kids today know who The Three Stooges are? I honestly don’t know, but it seemed like they showed up often on the TV at my house back when I was young. I certainly wasn’t the biggest fan, but kids in my neighborhood would watch, and I did too (sometimes just to be able to talk about them). And so, I started reading this with a bit of trepidation, and found, to my surprise, that I liked this Free Comic Book Day issue and the variety of stories inside it. The story Slapstick Special is brought to us by SA Check (writer), and Brendon & Brian Fraim (art, cover). The Robonic Stooges creators are Todd Livingston (writer), Diego Tapie (art), and Eric Shanower (cover). Finally, Stooges on Set comes courtesy of J. Gershowitz (writer) and J. Pacheco (art director). The cover art credit goes to Adrian Ropp. The cover price of The Three Stooges #1 is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $0.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1769 — Little Lulu #234, Gold Key/Whitman, August 1976.
This issue of Little Lulu gives us three stories featuring Little Lulu herself, and an entertaining tale with Witch Hazel. These Seventies kid comics really do the trick when you’re looking for something light and easy to read, and as a bonus, the stories are nearly always complete in each issue. I often grab a bunch of these comics when I find them in quarter boxes, because you never know when you might want to feel young at heart. Little Lulu has some partial credits listed at GCD, consisting of Arnold Drake (credited with writing three of the stories), Irving Tripp (credited with pencils and inks on two stories), Fred Fredericks (credited with writing on story), and Frank Carin (credited with pencils and inks on one story). The cover price of Little Lulu #234 is 25¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1770 — Ragman #4, DC, March 1977.
Though I’ve read a lot of comic books over the years, I’d never read any with Ragman (that I can remember) until after I saw the character on The CW show Arrow. And now I always keep my eye out for Ragman in the discount bins (spending a quarter is nearly always worth the risk when it comes to back issues!). I’ve found a few, here and there, but I’m no expert whatsoever. The best part of this issue is that it’s from the Seventies and has some outstanding ads. I started collecting comic books in 1973, so any issue from this era is like gold to me. I know there are detractors, but I enjoy reading them, so that’s good enough for this Gosney. Ragman credits go to Robert Kanigher (script), Joe Kubert (layouts, editor), The Redondo Studio (pencils), and Erik Santos (letters). The cover price of Ragman #4 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.
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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You know, though it would need considerable updating and development, Ragman is one of those series I could see myself writing. Much to the dismay to those readers who dislike my stands on social issues. He was even on my list of possible Black Lightning guest stars if DC Comics had been smart enough to keep me writing my creation.
Tony, I’m sure there are many of us out there who would have enjoyed reading your take on Ragman. But who knows what the future holds? Thank for reading and being an important part of Cool Comics!