Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 364, 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 364…
Cool Comics Stuff!
My buddy Robert A. Kraus (RAK) graciously gifted me this awesome camo version of a Chakan action figure produced by Toy Pizza and RAK Graphics! Be sure to check out all the credits on the card pictured above. And just to keep in the spirit of this awesome action figure, you’ll find a G.I. Joe in the Cool Comics section below!
If you’re interested in getting one of these for yourself, there are a few remaining for $30 each. Just email me at edgosney62@gmail.com and I’ll let RAK know.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Mr. Spock versus Snake-Eyes! 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 Ed Griffie’s version of Juggernaut! 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
#1836 — The New Champion of SHAZAM! #2, DC, November 2022.
A few months ago, when I saw that Mary Bromfield was going to be taking on the role of SHAZAM (Billy Batson has some stuff going on, so he sent Hoppy the bunny to give Mary the news), I didn’t have much interest, and therefore didn’t place a hold on the title. But my local comic shop owner pulled the first issue, and now, after reading two issues, I’m glad he did. I’ve been a longtime fan of Billy Batson, and with this limited series, it’s been fun seeing what life is like for the rest of his family. My advice is, if you’re a fan of SHAZAM (especially the modern version, which you may have seen in the movie a few years ago, if you haven’t been reading any of the comics), give this one a try. It’s just four issues, and it’s been more entertaining than some of the titles I currently read. The fine folks who put together this issue include Josie Campbell (writer), Evan “Doc” Shaner (art and cover), Becca Carey (lettering), Jillian Grant (assistant editor), Brittany Holzherr (editor), and Paul Kaminski (group editor). The cover price of The New Champion of SHAZAM! #2 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics (Original Source: TV Series)
#1837 — Star Trek #400, IDW Publishing, September 2022.
I like Star Trek, but I’m far from being a Trekkie (or Trekker, if that’s your preference). Still, I grew up watching the syndicated Original Series, had a Mr. Spock Mego action figure, read some of my sister’s Star Trek books many moons ago, married into a family that loves the show, and have collected dozens of books and comics since then (my favorite novel is Federation, by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens). And even though I recently bought and read The Mirror War series, I didn’t plan to buy this special 400th issue published by IDW, but I’m glad I did. My favorite story features the Traveler and was written by Wil Wheaton. If you like Star Trek, grab this issue before it goes where no one has gone before! Starfleet loaned out several Away Teams to build this Enterprise-sized issue, including: Chris Eliopoulos (writer), Luke Sparrow (art), DC Alonso (colors), and Jake Wood (letters) for Captain’s Log; Declan Shalvey (writer), Seth Damoose (art), DC Alonso (colors), and Neil Uyetake (letters) for Soldier On; Mike Johnson (writer), Angel Hernandez (art), Steve Dellasala (colors), and Neil Uyetake (letters) for Meanwhile…; Wil Wheaton (writer), Joe Eisma (art), DC Alonso (colors), and Nathan Widick (letters) for A Matter of Choice; Mike Johnson (writer), Megan Levens (art), Ronda Pattison (colors), and Neil Uyetake (letters) for The Starfleeter!; and Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (writers), Ramon Rosanas (art), Lee Loughridge (colors), and Nathan Widick (letters) for A Perfect System. Additional crew members include Rich Handley (essay), Heather Antos (edits), Vanessa Real (editorial assist), and Louie De Martinis (cover artist). The cover price of Star Trek #400 is $7.99, while the current value is $8.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 19 of 2022)
#1838 — The Winchester Mystery House: The Hundred Year Curse, Source Point Press, May 2022.
Until I saw it on an episode of the William Shatner hosted TV series The UnXplained, I was ignorant when it came to The Winchester House. I found the idea and concept fascinating, and who would have thought that there would be a Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue featuring this strange abode? And, as it turns out, Source Point Press put out a four issue limited series in 2021, but I’m not sure if I even noticed it in Previews, since I may not have seen the aforementioned episode at the time. At any rate, if you have an interest in the house, you may want to see if you can still find this FCBD issue. The Winchester House architects are Joshua Werner (writer, colors, cover design & colors, editor-in-chief), Damien Torres (pencils & inks, cover art), Justin Birch (lettering), Lyx Lyon & Josh Sobek (color flatting assistance), and Martha Webby (art director). The cover price of The Winchester Mystery House: The Hundred Year Curse is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1839 — Mickey Mouse #20, IDW Publishing, May 2017.
I always enjoy reading adventures with the Mouse, but what I like best about this issue is the alternate Funko cover. However, this wasn’t an intentional purchase. One day when I was visiting a local Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, I bought a few multipacks of comics, and this one happened to be inside. Since my wife is a fan of most things Funko, this cover made her smile, and that made my purchase worth it. Mickey’s creators for each of the stories consist of the following: The Magnificent Doublejoke (part 2 of 2) – Andrea Castellan (writer), Massimo De Vita (art), Disney Italia with Nicole and Travis Seitler (colors), Nicole and Travis Seitler (letters), and Thad Komorowski (translation and dialogue); A Goofy Look at Cooking – Pascal Oost (writer), Michel Nadorp (artist), Digikore Studios (colors), and Nicole and Travis Seitler (letters); Fancy – Wilfred Haughton (writer, artist, and letterer) and Digikore Studios (colors); The Mouse Collector – Noel Van Horn (writer and artist), Digikore Studios (colors), and Nicole and Travis Seitler (letters); and Mynah Mistake – Bill Walsh (writer), Manuel Gonzales (art), and Digikore Studios (colors). This alternate cover is by Marco Gervasio and Ronda Pattison. Sarah Gaydos (assistant editor) and Chris Cerasi (editor) also contributed. The cover price of Mickey Mouse #20 is $3.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $5 on ZKC.
Twentieth Century Cool Comics
#1840 — G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #4, Marvel, October 1982.
I was a little too young when G.I. Joe hit the toy shelves with the 12-inch action figures, and a little too old when the newly redesigned 3.75-inch Joes became all the rage (and being that they were the same size as Star Wars figures, I’m sure there were plenty of alternate universe battles taking place in the wonderful imaginations of kids across the globe!). Therefore, I’ve never been a G.I. Joe comic book reader. However, when I started going fishing in quarter bins, I started reeling some in, and this fourth issue is my earliest of the lot. Sure, the condition won’t bring me the value listed below, but quarter boxes are all about filling in your collection with fun reading copies, and I have a few dozen more Joe issues left to keep me company when the mood strikes! The artistic squad members for G.I. Joe include Larry Hama (script), Herb Trimpe (plot and art), Jon D’Agostino & Jack Abel (inks), Diana Albers (letters), George Roussos (colors), and Tom DeFalco (edits). The cover price of G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #4 is 60¢, while the current value is $25.
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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Matt VanAuken says
I’ll admit not collecting GI Joe on a regular basis — however, I must’ve gotten an insight & picked up #1…which I still have bagged & boarded. Larry Hama’s writing was very enjoyable in that 1st issue & other comics!
Ed Gosney says
Hi Matt! That was a wise financial move, getting G.I. Joe #1, in case you ever decide to sell it. And I agree with you on Larry Hama. He was supposed to appear at Akron Comicon a couple years ago, but then COVID struck. I’m still hoping to get a chance to see him, someday.
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