Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 372, 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 372…
Cool Comics Stuff!
AKRON COMICON 10th Anniversary Celebration!
On Saturday, November 5, my wife and I (along with a few other members of our super team) joined in the fun as Akron Comicon celebrated 10 years! Below you can see a few of the special guests, comic book creators, legends, and some cool cosplayers.
Gianni DeCenzo of the hit Netflix show Cobra Kai teams up with the Cool Comics Crew to take on the forces of evil!
American Knight creators Rick Lozano (artist) and Jason Fitch (writer).
Damion Kendrick, creator of Chang Fury!
Legendary comic book creator Tony Isabella!
Legendary comic book creator Mike W. Barr!
Robert A. Kraus, creator of Chakan!
Marvin Wynn, creator of The Edge!
Cosplay fun!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Batman versus Spider-Man! 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’re a Batfan, Cool Comics has been scratching your itch the last couple weeks! This image of Batman Jokers Wild from a limited-edition print by Robert A. Kraus (RAK) should satisfy all you fans of the Dark Knight! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. 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 (or an original piece of art that you own) 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
Cool Comics from the 21st Century
#1876 — Batman #129, DC, January 2023.
Cool Factor: I suppose I could have waited until this storyline ends, since this is part five of a six-part epic (I don’t really know if it qualifies as epic, but it’s Batman, and Zdarsky has pulled this reader in), but I liked the issue well enough to include it as a cool comic. And if you like Chip’s brand of writing, note that he’s also scripting the multipart backup story as well. Batman is often hit or miss with me, and since we live in a period that seems like Batman-centric comics make up half of DC’s monthly offerings, it’s good when the title delivers great stories.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jorge Jiménez; Failsafe: Part Five – Chip Zdarsky (writer), Jorge Jiménez (pencils, inks), Tomeu Morey (colors), Clayton Cowles (letters), Dave Wielgosz (associate editor), and Ben Abernathy (editor); I Am a Gun Part Two – Chip Zdarsky (writer), Leonardo Romero (pencils, inks), Jordie Bellaire (colors), Clayton Cowles (letters), and Dave Wielgosz (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman #129 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics
#1877 — Forgotten Realms #1, DC, August 1989 (Original Source: Game).
Cool Factor: I’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons or any of the various campaign settings, which Forgotten Realms is, but I appreciate that so many people have been passionate about this fantasy world. This issue joined my collection straight from a quarter box at my local comic shop, and if memory serves, they had a few more issues. Had I known it was going to be so fascinating, I probably would have grabbed a few more issues of it. Fans of the games and subsequent novels should give this older series a try if they appreciate the world of Forgotten Realms.
Comic Book Credits: Jeff Grubb (writer), Rags Morales (pencils, cover pencils), Dave Simons (inks, cover inks), Tim Harkins (letterer), Gene D’Angelo (colors), Tatjana Wood (cover colors), Barbara Kesel (editor), and Elliot Maggin (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Forgotten Realms #1 is $1.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 27 of 2022)
#1878 — 10 Ton Tales #2, 10 Ton Press, May 2022.
Cool Factor: As a fan of anthology style comic books and any issue of four-color fun (although this has a black and white story inside!) that just happens to be free (yup, I strongly encourage you to try new stuff on Free Comic Book Day), this is most definitely a cool comic! And as a bonus, if you like the band Foo Fighters, this is one you should have in your collection, since this contains part of their story in Rock & Roll Biographies. And as a personal bonus, there is a story by Mike Gustovich, whom I’ve met before. Fun stuff!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Manuel Martinez (pencils, inks) and John Hageman (pencils, inks); Clown Service – Justin Sane (script) and John Hageman (pencils, inks); Silver Chime Part One Visiting Hours – Mike Gustovich (script, pencils, inks, colors, letters); Rock & Roll Biographies: This is a Call… – Mel Smith (script), Puis Calzada (pencils), and Luis Rivera (inks); The Bottle – Stefan Jackson (script), German Adriazola (pencils), and Ross Hughes (inks); editing credits go to Mark Justice.
Price and Values: The cover price of 10 Ton Tales #2 is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $3.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1879 — Gold Key Spotlight #2, Whitman/Gold Key, July 1976.
Cool Factor: The title of the first story, Submarooned (and it’s on the bottom of the cover, you’ll notice), just tells you it’s gonna be fun and make you feel a bit young at heart. This isn’t a comic book I would have bought back in 1976, but now that I’m a more seasoned collector, I appreciate the shear entertainment aspect of comics, especially when it comes to the ones aimed at a younger audience. If you click the cover image and get a better look at it, you’ll see lots of imperfections in my copy, but when it comes to these kinds of issues, I’m thinking mostly about the experience of reading them and sharing them with you (that’s right, YOU!), rather than how much money I could sell it for after I read it. And while I wouldn’t care to read about the wacky adventures of Cracky on a daily basis (or any of the other Gold Key Spotlight issues), I like grabbing one comic aimed towards a younger audience each week and feeling like a kid all over again.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – unknown; Submarooned! – Al Moniz (script) and John Costanza (pencils, inks); Out of Their Minds – unknown; editor unknown. Again, it’s unfortunate that there isn’t more information on so many of the creators of these older kiddie comics.
Price and Values: The cover price of Gold Key Spotlight #2 is 25¢, while the current value is $12.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1880 — The Spectacular Spider-Man #35, Marvel, October 1979.
Cool Factor: When I was younger (and we’re talking about my first phase of comic book collecting, which dates way back to 1973), Spider-Man quickly became my favorite hero. I made sure to purchase The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Tales (which, at the time, I didn’t realize were reprints), and Marvel Team-Up. Then came The Spectacular Spider-Man, and it felt like too much to me, because a kid only has so many quarters to spend on comics. I ended up buying issues here and there, but this issue (you guessed it) came out of a quarter box in more recent times. But it’s from the Seventies, so that makes it extra special in my mind. Besides all that, there’s a fun fact to go with this issue: it was written by Tony Isabella, and I was able to see him this past weekend at Akron Comicon. By the way, if you didn’t notice him in the picture above, you can scroll up and look again (I promise I’ll wait right here for you). When there is a personal connection to a comic book, the experience of reading it becomes much more meaningful. Tony, thanks for always taking the time to talk to me when I see you, and thanks for all the wonderful stories you’ve written over the years.
Comic Book Credits: Tony Isabella (script), Lee Elias (breakdowns), Mike Esposito (finished art, inks), Bob Sharen (colors), Gaspar Saladino (letters page one), Clem Robins (letters), Carmine Infantino (cover pencils), and Jim Shooter (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Spectacular Spider-Man #35 is 40¢, while the current value is $7.
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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It was great seeing you at Akron Comicon. Not to mention having my photo and a tip to one of my old stories from when Marvel was occasionally asking me to write one-off stories. I miss doing those, but, these days, it seems almost all ongoing titles are “written for the trade” as it were. Quite a change from when I started reading comics.
Tony, thank you for being an important part of Cool Comics!