Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 387, 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 387…
Cool Comics Stuff!
While most of us grew up reading comics from the Big2, I find if refreshing to explore other titles out there, especially when they are by local creators with local characters. The Knightglaive series by Damion Kendrick (story/art/color) is set in Akron, Ohio, and I live in a suburb. I’ve spoken with Damion a few times at Akron Comicon, along with communicating via Facebook, and was happy to find out from him that this third issue, which tells the Origin of Knights, was available. I didn’t hesitate in purchasing it from him, and I also got an awesome bonus poster. In the back of this action-packed issue, we learn about the future expansion of titles for the Damageverse, and I’m looking forward to what’s next! If you want a copy, you can try contacting Damion on Facebook or contact Rubber City Comics in Akron, Ohio.
Have you ever wondered what Peter Parker’s life would be like if he never gained his powers? In Spider-Man #5, Dan Slott has written one of my favorite comic books of all time…and I’ve read thousands and thousands of comics. I don’t want to reveal too much here, but this issue will touch you in surprising ways. Does Pete get continually tortured until he graduates from high school? What about all the supervillains Spider-Man usually takes care of? And most of all, what happens during the confrontation in the Parker house when the infamous burglar (yup, the one who murders Uncle Ben) breaks in? This fascinating look at a powerless Peter Parker continues into the next issue, and I for one can’t wait to read it.
This past weekend my wife, youngest daughter, and some friends and I spent part of Saturday at the Akron Home & Garden Show, and my favorite thing had nothing to do with homes or gardens (well, I guess you grow cucumbers in gardens, so it does actually make a lot of sense!). As soon as I saw the setup for the Mr. Crisp Pickle Co., I knew I had to taste a sample…and indeed they were delicious! We took two jars home, as my daughter picked (or pickled!) out Bread & Butter, and I went with the Spicy & Garlic Dill. Is there a tie-in here to comic books? Of course there is, as these are a great snack to accompany a fun afternoon of reading the adventures of your favorite capes and tights heroes! Be sure to visit Mr. Crisp Pickle Co. on the web!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is The Scooby Gang versus Casper & Nightmare! 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, features a blast of a battle with Green Lantern and Mr. Spock vs. an Alien! 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
#1951 — Frank Miller’s Pandora #2, Frank Miller Presents, February 2023.
Cool Factor: If you like tales of magic and mystery featuring teenage protagonists, then Frank Miller’s Pandora may just be what you’ve been searching for! See, there’s this girl, and her mother has boarders at their house, which she doesn’t much care for, but life isn’t all bad, especially when she meets a strange boy named Knox and finds an odd flower, which freaks out her grandfather, and…that’s my attempt at sounding young. The real point is, I like this story and look forward to what comes next.
Comic Book Credits: Writers: Frank Miller, Anthony Maranville, & Chris Silvestri; Art and Colors: Emma Kubert; and Lettered and Edited by Pete Carlsson.
Price and Values: The cover price of Frank Miller’s Pandora #2 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Media Tie-In Cool Comics
#1952 — Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #120, DC, April 2023 (Original Source: Animated Series).
Cool Factor: There I was, sitting on the living room floor right in front of my parent’s TV, when Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! first aired. And it most certainly made Saturday mornings better than they already were. With a catchy theme song and a plenty of mysteries to solve, I didn’t know any kids who didn’t look forward to the cartoon. This isn’t a title that I regularly buy off the shelf, but when I glanced at the cover, nostalgia beckoned once more.
Comic Book Credits: Djinn-Kies! – Derek Fridolfs (writer/cover pencils & inks), Valerio Chiola (art/cover colors), Saida Temofonte (letters/cover letters); and Courtney Jordan (editing); Give Me a Ring – Sholly Fisch (writer), Scott Neely (art), Jason Lewis (colors), Saida Temofonte (letters), and Alex Antone (editing); additionally, there is a preview from the new graphic novel for kids, Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons, written by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, with art by Victoria Ying.
Price and Values: The cover price of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #120 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 42 of 2022)
#1953 — Enemies, JY (an imprint of Yen Press, LLC), May 2022.
Cool Factor: This is the second Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) story I’ve read by Svetlana Chmakova (the first being Crush), and the story in this one is just as good. Chmakova seems to have her finger on the pulse of middle-school students. And while I won’t go out of my way to find the graphic novel this FCBD issue springs from (plus, I’m certainly not the target audience), I will say that I’m glad to have read it.
Comic Book Credits: Svetlana Chmakova (script/pencils/inks/colors & cover pencils/inks/colors), Effie Lealand (inking assistant/coloring assistant/cover coloring assistant), Melissa McCommon (coloring assistant/cover coloring assistant), and JY Editorial (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Enemies is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1954 — Casper & Nightmare #42, Harvey Comics, June 1973.
Cool Factor: Unless I’ve just forgotten (which is a very real possibility), this comic marks the first time I’ve seen Nightmare, the Galloping Ghost. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, Harvey Comics always does a nice job in helping readers feel Young at Heart. I have many good memories of watching Caspar cartoons when I was young, and the trip back in time with his comic books are always a welcome pleasure.
Comic Book Credits: Sadly, the only credit I can find is Leon Harvey, who handled the edits for this issue. To see the titles of the individual adventures, please see the entry at Grand Comics Database.
Price and Values: The cover price of Casper & Nightmare #42 is 20¢, while the current values are $18 on CBR and $8 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1955 — Marvel Double Feature #11, Marvel, August 1975.
Cool Factor: Like I so often mention here at Cool Comics, I was fortunate to find this issue in a quarter bin at a local comic shop. It seems like I’d always see issues of Marvel Double Feature at the stores where I bought my comics back in the Seventies, and much like Marvel Tales, I didn’t realize the stories were reprints. It wasn’t a secret, but being a kid, I didn’t read the fine print. Sometimes confusion reigned supreme in my head because Captain America had other things going on in his own title that just didn’t mesh with what was happening in Marvel Double Feature. When I found out the truth, I wasn’t happy about it. But now that I’m a more seasoned collector, I really appreciate these reprint comics…especially when I can find them for a quarter.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Gil Kane (pencils) and Mike Esposito (inks); Wanted: Captain America! – Roy Thomas (script), Jack Sparling (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), Sam Rosen (letters), and Stan Lee (original editor); The Tragedy and the Triumph! – Stan Lee (script), Gene Colan (pencils), Dan Adkins (inks), Sam Rosen (letters), and Stan Lee (original editor); and Len Wein (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Double Feature #11 is 25¢, while the current values are $9 on CBR and $10 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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Another fun episode! I remember buying marvel tales and marvel double feature, marvel’s greatest comics. Heck, I probably read more reprints than new. Like you, never paid attention to the “reprint” thing!great post!
Spencer, glad you enjoyed the walk down memory lane! I really appreciate those 70s reprint titles now.
And thank you for being an important part of Cool Comics!