December Brings Spider-Man, New Teen Titans & Even Little Audrey!

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 375, 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 375…

Cool Comics Stuff!

Several months ago, I cut back my Star Wars collecting to just The Mandalorian series, but I couldn’t resist picking up Yoda once I really looked at the cover. I’ll probably continue with it for a while. Star Wars: Revelations #1, a one-shot, sets things up for the future runs of the ongoing Star Wars titles, so make sure to grab a copy if you are a heavy-duty fan.

Cool Comics Battle of the Week!

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Spider-Man versus Kid Flash! 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 week we have another contribution of an original sketch from reader Josh Thomas, who included the story behind the drawing.

Here’s another favorite of mine. Funny story…Herb Trimpe was taking commissions for sketched covers. I dropped off this blank Wolverine cover for him to do. 

Next day I arrived, and he says, “I screwed up…but I think you’ll be okay with it.” He explained he grabbed it and started sketching the Hulk until he realized he was doing the wrong character. So, he added in Wolverine to the sketch.

His wife pointed out to me how he charges double if you want two characters in the sketch…so I essentially got two for the price of one.

Obviously, he’s well known for co-creating Wolverine, but his G.I. Joe work was my favorite of his.

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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 21^st Century

#1891 — The Amazing Spider-Man #14, Marvel, January 2023.

Cool Factor: If you’re familiar with Spider-Man and the clone saga (which started way back in the Seventies, seemed to conclude, and was then resurrected again in 1994 and made Peter Parker’s clone, Ben Reilly, a popular character) and have an interest in Ben Reilly, then this is a must have issue for you! Ben is going down a dark path (or Dark Web…notice it on the top right corner of the cover) as he seeks revenge for perceived wrongs, starts a crazy clone team-up with Madelyne Pryor (Jean Grey’s clone), and we get the first appearance of a new villain, Hallow’s Eve.

Comic Book Credits: Cover – John Romita Jr. (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks), & Marcio Menyz (colors); Zeb Wells (writer); Spring – Michael Dowling (artist) and Richard Isanove (color artist); Summer – Kyle Hotz (artist) and Dan Brown (color artist); Fall – Terry Dodson (pencils, color artist) and Rachel Dodson (inker); Winter – Ryan Stegman (pencils), Tim Townsend with JP Mayer (inkers), and Matt Hollingsworth (color artist); Joe Caramagna (letterer), Kaeden McGahey (assistant editor), and Nick Lowe (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of The Amazing Spider-Man #14 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

Media Tie-In Cool Comics

#1892 — Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – The Hunger of Princess Nampi, Dark Horse Comics, June 1995 (Original Source: Movie).

Cool Factor: Does Jabba the Hutt have a fanbase? I know Star Wars in general has a huge following, going back to the original movie in 1977. But do people love Jabba? I’m not much of a Team Jabba person, but I did enjoy reading this issue. One fine day while fishing around in quarter boxes at my local comic shop, I found about a dozen Dark Horse Star Wars comic books, and I can’t resist a good sale.

Comic Book Credits: Jim Woodring (script), Art Wetherell (pencils), Monty Sheldon (inks), Steve Dutro (lettering), Matt Webb (colors), Steve Bissette (cover pencils), Cam Kennedy (cover inks), Scott Tice (logo & book design), and Ryder Windham (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – The Hunger of Princess Nampi is $2.50, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $3 on ZKC.

Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 30 of 2022)

#1893 — It Won’t Always Be Like This, Ten Speed Press, May 2022.

Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue took me by surprise, because I didn’t think I was going to like it as much as I did. It’s a sample from a graphic memoir about a girl who is visiting her dad in Egypt (she lives with her mom and stepdad in Los Angeles) and finds out shortly after arriving that she has a new stepmom, who is younger than her father and seems more like a sister – a sister she doesn’t know. I thought the story was compelling and wouldn’t hesitate to read the longer version if I ever run across a copy of it.

Comic Book Credits: Malaka Gharib (text, illustrations), Toby Leigh (colors), Lisa Bieser (designer), Chloe Rawlins (art director), Patrick Barb (copyeditor), Kate Bolen (proofreader), and Sara Neville (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of It Won’t Always Be Like This is free, while the current value is $1.

Cool Comics for the Young at Heart

#1894 — Playful Little Audrey #76, Harvey Comics, June 1968.

Cool Factor: It’s December at last, and before you know it, Christmas will be upon us. And so, to inaugurate the season, I started it off by feeling young at heart with this fun Little Audrey comic, complete with candy cane cover! These kinds of kiddie comics typically consist of several short stories (sometimes with some that continue after little interludes), perfect for younger readers with short attention spans. And while this is not a Christmas issue, the cover is a great start to December.

Comic Book Credits: Leon Harvey (editor) and Alfred Harvey (managing editor). No other credits are known for the individual stories. See the entry at GCD for further information.

Price and Values: The cover price of Playful Little Audrey #76 is 12¢, while the current values are $28 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.

Cool Comics from the 20^th Century

#1895 — The New Teen Titans #10, DC, August 1981.

Cool Factor: If you’re a fan of The New Teen Titans, you should have this issue in your collection, as it contains the third appearance of Deathstroke the Terminator, an enemy of the team! Additionally, we get the origin of Beast Boy, although this is not the first time it’s been told. The New Teen Titans always take me back to my freshman year at Ohio State, since that was when I started reading it. I started buying it based on a strong recommendation from a roommate. Unfortunately, I no longer own any of the issues I bought back then, but I’ve been able to repopulate my collection via quarter boxes at my local comic shop. I’ve stated it before here and will do so again: old comic books and time travel have a lot in common.

Comic Book Credits: George Pérez (plot, breakdowns, cover pencils & inks), Marv Wolfman (plot, script), Romeo Tanghal (finished art, inks), Adrienne Roy (colors), Ben Oda (letters), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), Mike W. Barr (associate editor), and Len Wein (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of The New Teen Titans #10 is 50¢, while the current value is $20. The Key Collector Comics value is $15.

Cool Comics Reader Reviews!

By Ed Gosney

Heroineburgh Comics #1

Heroineburgh Comics #1 is another independent title that I picked up during my recent visit to Akron Comicon. I previously knew nothing about this title but found out that there are live-action episodes featuring a big cast of heroes and villains (see below for a link).

If you are a Pittsburgh fan, whether it be the city itself or any of their sports teams, you may want to now be a supporter of their cape and spandex heroes! Currently, the website offers the first three issues, and I purchased #1 while there and enjoyed learning about these characters. I’ll probably pick up the additional issues at some point in the future.

This first issue consists of two adventures: Cathedral of Shadows and Pick On Someone Your Own Size! I appreciated the two different adventures, as it allowed me to get to know more of the heroes and villains residing in this universe.

The Heroineburgh Comics creative team consists of:

• Manny Theiner (creator, writer, and editor)
• Benjamin Zeus Barnett (artist and letterer)
• Jason Wright (front cover and character art)
• Marcel Walker (back cover pinup)

Heroineburgh Comics also has a social media presence on several platforms, with links provided at the website below.

Click Heroineburgh Comics to see the descriptions and trailers, then select Videos if you want to purchase any view an entire 30-to-40-minute episode!

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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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