Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 374, 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 374…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Norman Osborn is back on a glider, but this time as the Gold Goblin, trying to right the wrongs of his past, the Winter Soldier has things going on that you need to check out in this one-shot if you are a Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty reader, and Stargirl is back with a mission for those who can’t get enough of Geoff John’s take on the New Golden Age. Happy Thanksgiving, Cool Comics Crowd!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Iron Man versus Aang! 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 Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story franchise of movies! 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 (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
#1886 — Iron Man #25, Marvel, January 2023.
Cool Factor: The 25th and final issue of this run of Iron Man coincides with the 650th legacy issue, which is a fitting tribute to just how much fun it’s been reading Christopher Cantwell’s take on Tony Stark and friends. I’ve really enjoyed the craziness of this series, along with getting to know more about a few characters I didn’t know that well. Additionally, Marvel made the issue a little thicker by tossing in a couple reprint stories (hey, it’s been 650 issues, so why not, right?), and hence, tacking on a couple more dollars. For me it wasn’t such a bad deal, since I hadn’t read the older stories. There will be more Iron Man from a new creative team (and of course starting the numbering all over again), but I’m going to miss this series.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Alex Ross; A Hero and a Friend – Christopher Cantwell (writer), Angel Unzueta (artist), Frank D’Armata (color artist), Joe Caramagna (letterer), Martin Biro (assistant editor), Annalise Bissa (associate editor), and Tom Brevoort (editor); Daddy’s Boys – Murewa Ayodele (writer) and Dotun Akande (artist); and Battle Behind the Bamboo Curtain – Kurt Busiek (writer) and Benjamin Dewey (artist).
Price and Values: The cover price of Iron Man #25 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics
#1887 — Lucifer’s Hammer #1, Innovation, November 1993 (Original Source: Novel).
Cool Factor: I’m a fan of science fiction novels, and since I’ve never had the pleasure of reading Lucifer’s Hammer, I was excited to have found this first issue in a quarter box. Even better, when I read the inside cover, I discovered that there were five more issues, which only makes sense, as it’s a long novel and the creative team obviously wanted to make fans happy. But something happened along the way (and I’m guessing it had to do with Innovation coming to the end of its existence), and it turns out that only two issues were published. I guess if I want the full story, I’ll need to go back to the original source and read the novel. Still, this issue stirred interest and was a fun read.
Comic Book Credits: Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle (original story), Terry Collins (adaptation), Roger Vilela (interior & cover paints), Vickie Williams (letterer), George Broderick, Jr., & David Campiti (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of Lucifer’s Hammer #1 is $2.50, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 29 of 2022)
#1888 — Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra, Dark Horse Comics, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Several years ago, I watched the complete Avatar animated series with my two oldest kids, as it was one of their favorite shows. I ended up becoming a fan, and although I haven’t bought any of the comic books for the continuing story, I always enjoy getting to go back to that world when Dark Horse Comics includes them as part of their Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) offering. If you watched the show, be sure to look for this fun story, along with one from the sequel, The Legend of Korra.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Kelly Matthews (pencils, inks) and Nichole Matthews (colors); Aang’s Unfreezing Day – Kelly Leigh Miller (script), William Niu (translations), Diana Sim (pencils), Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau (inks), Michael Atiyeh (colors), and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt (letters); Beach Wars – Meredith McClaren (script, art, colors, and lettering); Anastacia Ferry & Rose Weitz (assistant editors), Jenny Blenk & Judy Khuu (associate editors), and Rachel Roberts & Freddye Miller (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1889 — Donald Duck #143, Whitman/Gold Key, May 1972.
Cool Factor: Of all the ducks that exist in the world of comic books, my favorite has always been Donald (and I really enjoy his nephews, too!). He’s often irascible, but he’s always willing to try new things, no matter how unlikely he is to succeed. His tales (or tails!) work well in these shorter stories, and they always make me feel young at heart.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Kay Wright (pencils) and Larry Mayer (inks); Light-Fingered Genie – Kay Wright (pencils), Larry Mayer? (inks), and Bill Spicer (letters); Roped In – Tony Strobl (pencils) and Larry Mayer (inks); Chair of Cheer – Vic Lockman (script) and Phil de Lara (pencils, inks); The Secret Hideout – Kay Wright (pencils), Larry Mayer (inks), and Bill Spicer (letters); colors credited to Western Publishing Production Shop; and Chase Craig (managing editor), Del Connell (story editor), and Tom McKimson (art director). Please see the entry at GCD for additional details.
Price and Values: The cover price of Donald Duck #143 is 15¢, while the current value is $26.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1890 — Marvel Premiere #33, Marvel, December 1976.
Cool Factor: It’s been a bit of a crazy year in my life, and while I usually like to have a comic that fits well with any of the upcoming holidays, this issue of Marvel Premiere featuring Robert E. Howard’s creation Solomon Kane is as close as I can get to a pilgrim for Thanksgiving Day. I realize he doesn’t look exactly like a pilgrim in this issue, but he does in later comics. Fun Solomon Kane fact for your Thanksgiving pleasure: this is the first appearance of Solomon Kane in color; his official first appearance in comics came by way of Monsters Unleashed #1, one of Marvel’s black and white comic magazines that were popular back when I was a kid. And by the way, if you click the link, you can see an image of him looking as if he’s dressed for a voyage on the Mayflower.
Comic Book Credits: Roy Thomas (scripter, editor), Howard Chaykin (pencils, inks, cover pencils), Dan Jackson (colors), Jim Novak (letters), Klaus Janson (cover inks), and Danny Crespi (cover letters). Adapted from Robert E. Howard’s story Red Shadows.
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Premiere #33 is 30¢, while the current value is $8. The Key Collector Comics value is also $8.
Cool Comics Reader Reviews!
By Ed Gosney
The Neverland #1
One of my favorite things to do when I go to comic conventions is to support independent creators, and my recent visit to Akron Comicon allowed me to find some fun new titles. If you like to satisfy your inner child by way of Peter Pan, then you should get your hands on The Neverland #1 from Village Comics. This is not a retelling of the original, but more of an extension of the story. We meet Percy, a young boy who is worried about his sick mother. There is a pandemic going on (sound familiar?), and Percy’s parents don’t want him to get ill. During this scary time for the young boy, one night he finds himself in Neverland, right out of the world of bedtime stories he’d been told about!
This is a fun, well done comic book adventure—from the art to the writing to the coloring—and I look forward to what comes next! I was able to meet writer and creator Caleb Thusat while at Akron Comicon, and he autographed the cover of my copy.
The Neverland Creative Team consists of the following:
Writer/Creator/Letterer: Caleb Thusat
Art/Official Cover: Marcelo Biott
Colorist: Robert Nugent
Variant Cover #1: Stan Yak
Variant Cover #2: Shawn Langley
Be sure to click the link to Village Comics above for further information about The Neverland and click the store link while there to purchase your own copy!
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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