Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 373, 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 373…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Christmas came a bit early for Betty and Veronica with their Friends Forever Christmas Party issue that’s priced at just $2.99. I guess if Hallmark can start airing their seasonal movies in October, then there’s no reason Archie Comics can’t get a head start. Fans of Fantastic Four take note that you can still grab a copy of a number one issue for a reasonable price…especially since they started a new volume last week. And our last issue of note here in Cool Comics Stuff is a late nod to Veteran’s Day (I’m a U.S. Army vet) by way of Image’s Soldier Stories One-Shot that features writers who have served.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Speed Racer versus Bamm Bamm! 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!
This episode’s Cool Comics Creation, by artist Sydney Walton, is everyone’s favorite cryptid, Bigfoot! The awesome image seen on The X-Files comic cover is based on the Sideshow statue. The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
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
#1881 — The New Golden Age #1, DC, January 2023.
Cool Factor: Geoff Johns consistently writes comic books that make me come back for more. A dozen or so years ago, when I decided my family needed extra living space and I sold thousands of comic books and other sundry items at a garage sale, I made sure to retain my JSA series that Johns wrote. And now this new one-shot really delivers the goods, although I’ll be the first to admit I still don’t have a great grasp on DC’s Golden Age. The writing is fun, the story is a page-turner, and the art works well. If you can find a copy, don’t pass this one up.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Todd Nauck (pencils, inks) and Matt Herms (colors); Script – Geoff Johns; Pencils & Inks – Diego Olortegui, JP Meyer, Scott Hanna, Jerry Ordway, Steve Lieber, Todd Nauck, Scott Kolins, Viktor Bogdanović, Brandon Peterson, and Gary Frank; Colors – Nick Filardi, John Kalisz, Matt Herms, Jordan Boyd, and Brad Anderson; Letters – Rob Leigh; and Editing – Marquis Draper, Andrew Marino, and Katie Kubert.
Price and Values: The regular cover price of The New Golden Age #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5 (my variant cover is $5.99, with a value of $6). The Key Collector Comics value for the regular cover is $5.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics
#1882 — Speed Racer #14, NOW Comics, October 1988 (Original Source: Animated Series).
Cool Factor: When I was young and a friend of mine guided me to the Speed Racer cartoon that aired after school, I became addicted to Speed and his universe. The thrilling adventure cartoon had brushes with death, a mysterious personage in Racer X, and a fun cast of characters, including a chimpanzee! Actor Peter Fernandez had the perfect voice for Speed (not to mention that he’s the voice of the English version of Alakazam the Great, another childhood favorite animated movie), and I could hear him in my head as I read this comic. If you’re a fan from long ago and want to relive those years, you may want to search for some back issues of Speed Racer!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Ken Holewczynski; Let Sleeping Dragons… – Lamar Waldren (script), Joe Phillips (pencils), John Dell III (inks), John Vogel (colors), and Jim Massara (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Speed Racer #14 is $1.75, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 28 of 2022)
#1883 — Neverlanders, Razorbill Books (an imprint of Penguin), May 2022.
Cool Factor: I’ve always loved the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost Boys, so I was pleased to find this title in my Free Comic Book Day issues. From the Mary Martin musical version to the Disney cartoon to Hook to many other Pan movies, the boy who won’t grow up lives in our hearts and minds…or at least until we come back to reality and feel the aches and pains of old age. Ironically enough, I also got to see a stage version of Peter Pan this past weekend, so the timing of reading this one was spot on.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jon Sommariva (pencils, inks) and MSassyK (colors); Story – Tom Taylor (writer), Jon Sommariva (pencils, inks), MSassyK (colors), Wolfgang Bylsma (letters), and Christopher Hernandez (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Neverlanders is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1884 — Pebbles and Bamm Bamm #19, Charlton Comics, February 1974.
Cool Factor: I wonder how many hours I spent watching Flintstone cartoons during my formative years? Probably too many, but once Pebbles and Bamm Bamm (which is the way it’s spelled in the indicia, rather than Bamm-Bamm, like on the cover of the comic) became teenagers, I lost interest. Yet a nostalgic longing found me pulling this out of a quarter box and taking it home with me. Sometimes it’s good to feel young at heart.
Comic Book Credits: The only known credit is George Wildman as managing editor. Please see the entry at Grand Comics Database for information on story titles and characters.
Price and Values: The cover price of Pebbles and Bamm Bamm #19 is 20¢, while the current values are $22 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1885 — Green Lantern #199, DC, April 1986.
Cool Factor: Apparently, this issue of Green Lantern is the first one post-Crisis on Infinite Earths (remember when that was the only crisis in the DCU?), and the ramifications of what happened are revealed: 912 Green Lanterns have died, and 14 of the 36 Guardians also are no more. The issue is packed with plenty of characters, excitement, and intrigue. If you’re a fan of those who put on the ring, then add this one to your collection if you haven’t already.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Joe Staton (pencils), Bruce Patterson (inks), and Anthony Tollin (colors); Ignition – Steve Englehart (script), Joe Staton (pencils), Mark Farmer & Bob Smith (inks), Anthony Tollin (colors), Lois Buhalis (letters), Andy Helfer (editor), and Tom Condon (managing editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Green Lantern #199 is 75¢, while the current values are $5 on CBR and $4 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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Nothing against Geoff Johns, but in my small opinion, the definitive writer of Golden Age characters would be Roy Thomas & ALL-STAR SQUADRON, as my all time favorite comic heroes! (I do intend on picking up Geoff’s new JSA series.)
I was very lucky in meeting Roy Thomas, at the Planet Comicon in Kansas City — little over a year ago. He took a lot of time explaining the background on the issues I brought for him to sign …then he saw ALL-STAR SQUADON #1 & told me that was far & away his absolute top favorite cover & he thanked me for bring it!
Matt, I won’t argue with you when it comes to Roy Thomas! Just over the last couple years I put together an entire run of All-Star Squadron, but I haven’t gotten far in reading them yet (just the first three issues). And that’s a great story about getting to meet Roy!
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!