Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 362, 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 362…
Cool Comics Stuff!
If you’re a fan of Marvel’s first family and enjoyed Dan Slott’s take on the Fantastic Four, you’re probably feeling a little blue about the end of his run (click here to read about the new creative team). And while I didn’t necessarily love everything that happened during the last 46 issues, there were some great moments that I’ll remember for a long time (or at least until next week…my memory isn’t what it used to be). But my favorite aspect of what Slott accomplished was the addition of Alicia and Ben’s adopted kids. They provided a lot of fun to the title and made it feel even more like a story about a family. This little snippet from last week’s issue 46 sums up exactly why I feel that way.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Swamp Thing versus Venom! 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!
I’m in a Chakan kind of mood these days, and especially so after receiving a new batch of Chakan graphic novella stories to edit for the distinguished creator, Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving, and this image of Chakan makes me glad that I don’t have to fight him. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe 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
#1826 — The Swamp Thing #16, DC, October 2022.
Ram V gave us ten issues of a different Swamp Thing, and the fans liked it enough that DC gave him six additional issues. Will we get more? While that would make me happy (and probably many other readers, too), I don’t think it’s going to happen. Ram V suddenly seems to be one of the hot writers in the comics biz, scripting titles such as Detective Comics and Carnage, among others, and while I don’t necessarily follow creators, Carnage is part of my pull list just because of him. I realize that his brand of storytelling isn’t for everyone, but I like it. The swamp crew consists of Ram V (writer), Mike Perkins (artist, cover), Mike Spicer (colorist, cover), Aditya Bidikar (letter), and Ben Meares (editor). The cover price of The Swamp Thing #16 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: Novel & Game)
#1827 — DragonLance #1, DC, December 1988.
I don’t know much about DragonLance, or Dungeons & Dragons, or TSR, or role-playing games in general. But I do know these were hot commodities once upon a time, and I just happened to buy the first DragonLance trilogy in paperback many moons ago. And they sit on my bookshelves, unread to this day. But after reading this first comic book issue of DragonLance, perhaps the chronicles have crept just a little closer to my TBR (to be read) pile. If memory serves, there were quite a few more issues in the quarter bin where I found this issue. I probably should have bought them all; instead, some other lucky person was able to get their hands on them at such a great price. The creative teammates who put together DragonLance include Dan Mishkin (writer), Ron Randall (artist), Randy Elliott (background inker), Steve Haynie (letterer), Daniel Vozzo (colorist), and Barbara Kesel (editor). The cover price of DragonLance #1 is $1.25, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $15 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $8.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 17 of 2022)
#1828 — Spider-Man/Venom, Marvel, June 2022.
If you participate in Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), there’s a good chance you grabbed this issue back in May. Most stores limit the number of titles you can take for free, and when you can just get a few, who wouldn’t take one with Spider-Man on the cover? Aside from everyone’s favorite webspinner and his buddy Venom, this issue also contains a brief look at the upcoming new title, All-Out Avengers. Lost In the Mail is delivered by Zeb Wells (writer), John Romita, Jr. (penciler, cover), Scott Hanna (inker, cover), Marcio Menyz (colorist, cover), VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer), Lindsey Cohick & Kaeden McGahey (assistant editors), and Nick Lowe (editor); Seven Seals creators include Ram V & Al Ewing (writers), Stefano Raffaele (artist), Alex Sinclair (colorist), VC’s Clayton Cowles (letterer & production), Tom Groneman (associate editor), and Devin Lewis (editor); and All Out Avengers is by Derek Landy, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Frank D’Armata, VC’s Cory Petit, Annalise Bissa (associate editor), Martin Biro (assistant editor), and Tom Brevoort (editor). The cover price of Spider-Man/Venom is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1829 — Bugs Bunny #114, Gold Key, November 1967.
This Cool Comic for the Young at Heart was an easy pick as we have now flipped the calendar and find ourselves in September, a time when pumpkin spice is everywhere, candy corn once again tempts me, school is back in session, and college and pro football start dominating conversations. As I read tale after tale in this old issue of Bugs Bunny, I continued to anticipate how much fun the football story would be, only to discover that I was hoodwinked. There were no pigskins in this issue at all, not even Porky! But it was still a lot of fun. Who were the esteemed creators of this spectacular issue of Bugs Bunny? Unfortunately, the only name given at the Grand Comics Database is Phil DeLara. But please don’t let that stop you from clicking the link and checking out the titles and stars of the stories in this Gold Key beauty. The cover price of Bugs Bunny #114 is 12¢, while the current value is $22.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1830 — Frankenstein #13, Marvel, November 1974.
A few years ago, I purchased the digital version of the complete Frankenstein run during a sale on Amazon and enjoyed getting to read the entire series. Yet I still want to own all 18 issues of the original comics. Why, you ask? Why not, I say! It’s a short run, it came out in the Seventies (my sweet spot when it comes to comics since that’s when I started buying them), and it’s Frankenstein! And let’s face it, I’ve read a few thousand comic books since I read this in my digital collection, so I didn’t really remember much from the issue. And the result was that I liked it just as much the second time around. And while it’s still a month away, this issue is a great warmup for October. The swinging Seventies people who brought this Frankenstein to life are Doug Moench (script), Val Mayerik (pencils), Jack Abel (inks), John Costanza (letterer), George Roussos (colorist), and Roy Thomas (editor). The cover price of Frankenstein #13 is 25¢, while the current values are $28 on CBR and $14 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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