Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 361, 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 361…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple additional noteworthy comics that came out last week include Chilling Adventures Presents: Jinx Grim Fairy Tales #1 and Hulk #8, which ends the mini epic Banner of War series. The Jinx issue was a fun warm-up as we inch a little closer to October.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Red Sonja versus The Warlord! 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 some tough customers, and Ed Griffie’s version of Rosie the Riveter leaves no doubt that she’s as tough as they come! 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
#1821 — Daredevil #2, Marvel, October 2022.
This episode of Cool Comics has a bit of a tough guy theme, and we start off with the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. Daredevil #2 is yet another Marvel Milestone, as the Legacy numbering reached the 650th issue of The Man Without Fear. As usual, Marvel upped the page count, and if you’re a fan, you don’t want to miss out on this one. Another neat touch is that they included thumbnail images of all 650 covers of Daredevil. This special issue of Daredevil is full of creators, including Chip Zdarsky (writer), Marco Checchetto (artiist, cover), Matthew Wilson (color artist, cover), Rafael DeLatorre (flashback artist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer), Tom Groneman (associate Editor), and Devin Lewis (editor). But that’s not all! There’s a short tale by Ann Nocenti (writer), Chip Zdarsky (artist), and VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer). And yet we’re still not done, as the first story has a number of guest artists, including: Alex Maleev, Paul Azaceta, Phil Noto, Chris Samnee, Klaus Janson, Mike Hawthorne, John Romita, Jr., and Scott Hanna. The cover price of Daredevil #2 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Novel)
#1822 — Elric of Melniboné #4, Pacific Comics, December 1983.
Our second tough guy, Elric of Melniboné, is physically weak but discovers the sword Stormbringer, which brings him abundant strength and health, yet it comes with a steep price. Elric is far and away more well-known for the novels he originated from than his limited comic book appearances, but I’m more than happy to have found this issue while digging through quarter boxes one fine day. Why, you ask? Because I’ve gotten to know one of the creators, Michael T. Gilbert, a bit, as he attends the monthly local comic book club I don’t get to often enough. That alone makes this issue a Cool Comic! Elric is a fascinating character, and while I’ve read the first novel in the series years ago, I probably should dig deeper and read a few more. By the way, this comic book is a little on the mature side, so keep that in mind. This issue of Elric comes by way of P. Craig Russell (cover layout, pencil layouts, inks, colors, and back cover art), Michael T. Gilbert (cover pencils & colors, pencils, colors, and everything for the Melnibonean Mailbox! page), Roy Thomas (script), and Mike Friedrich (editor). The cover price of Elric of Melniboné #4 is $1.50, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 16 of 2022)
#1823 — Red Sonja, Dynamite, May 2022.
Our third tough character is more properly a tough gal, Red Sonja, created by Roy Thomas and partly inspired by Conan creator Robert E. Howard’s Red Sonya of Rogatino. With a new Red Sonja movie in production, perhaps it’s time to grab this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue if you haven’t already, and if you’re fortunate enough to still find a copy. While I wouldn’t consider myself a big fan of the She-Devil with a Sword, I do grab the old Marvel issues when I come across them in quarter boxes at local comic shops. The first tale in this FCBD issue comes from Marvel Feature #4 and includes the following creators: Bruce Jones (writer), Frank Thorne (artist, cover artist), George Roussos (colorist), and Roy Thomas (editor). The second offering features the talents of Cullen Bunn (writer), Jonathan Lau (artist), Ivan Nunes (colorist), and A Larger World Studies did the lettering. The cover price of Red Sonja is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1824 — Adventures of Mighty Mouse #168, Gold Key, July 1979.
Our fourth tough guy hero is perhaps the strongest, most powerful critter in the entire cartoon universe, Mighty Mouse! I’ve seen my share of Mighty Mouse cartoons over the years, as this powerful rodent has starred in several different series. However, this is the only Mighty Mouse comic book I’ve ever owned. I found it (and yes, you guessed right) in a quarter box a few months back (never pass up the opportunity to dig for collector’s gold when these opportunities present themselves!), and now I’m hoping to spot a few more issues. This comic contains The Hole Truth, The Missing Link, Jungle Wary, and Meditating Mouse. Yet most unfortunate is the fact that the creators are unknown. But be sure to visit this issue’s page on the Grand Comics Database for other fun facts! The cover price of Adventures of Mighty Mouse #168 is 40¢, while the current value is $8.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1825 — The Warlord #3, DC, November 1976.
Our last tough guy this week in Cool Comics is Travis Morgan, better known as The Warlord! If you happen to fly your plane into a hole in the earth, you better be prepared to take on sorcerers, other warriors, and ugly creatures like the green guys on the cover (click on the cover for a closer view). I think the concept of The Warlord is fascinating, reminding me of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Pellucidar Chronicles that I read many years ago. I’ve been able to find a good number of these issues in discount boxes, which is always a nice way to build your collection without breaking your budget. This issue of The Warlord is written and illustrated by Mike Grell (along with the cover art), colored by Carl Gafford, and edited by Joe Orlando. The cover price of The Warlord #3 is 30¢, while the current values are $15 on CBR and $12 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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I still kick myself, all these decades later, for not being regular collector of The Warlord — Mike Grell is easily on of my top three creators. Hopefully, I made up for it a little bit grabbing Starslayer & Jon Sable, Freelance!
Thank you for posting the comicbooksforkids.org website…I’ll be sending them a donation next month!!
Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your frustration with us, as I’m sure so many of us collectors have similar stories. I recently signed up for a con later in the year, and if I remember correctly, Mike Grell is scheduled as one of the guests! I may have to dig out my Warlord #1 and take it to get signed!
And I truly appreciate your generous heart in wanting to contribute to comicbooksforkids.org. It’s a great way to help kids and build the comic book community.
Thank you for being an important part of Cool Comics!