Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 388, 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 388…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Some other cool comics that came out last week include Strange Academy: Finals #4 (it seems that one student has turned downright evil…or is there more to this story than we are being told?), Superman #1 (this was a pretty good start to the renumbered Superman for Dawn of DC), and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #12 (if you enjoy awkward first date stories, the one between Robin and Supergirl is can’t miss comic reading!).
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Wonder Woman versus She-Hulk! 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 Wonder Woman! 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
#1956 — Blue Book #1, Dark Horse Comics, February 2023.
Cool Factor: I’ve always enjoyed the lore of UFOs and aliens, so when I saw Blue Book solicited in Previews, I knew I had to give this limited series a try. The lead story gives us part 1 of the Betty and Barney Hill incident, and I vividly remember having watched the 1975 made for TV movie, which starred James Earl Jones. Growing up in those times, people were really fascinated with the possibility of alien visitors, and TV gave us a nice dose of shows, movies, and specials, and Blue Book made me feel like someone…or something…had turned back the clock.
Comic Book Credits: James Tynion IV (script), Michael Avon Oeming (art/cover), and Aditya Bidikar (letters); True Weird “Coney Island” – James Tynion IV (script), Klaus Janson (art), and Aditya Bidikar (letters); Josie Weaver (digital art technician), Kathleen Barnett (designer), Chuck Howitt-Lease (assistant editor), Misha Gehr (assistant editor), and Daniel Chabon (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Blue Book #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#1957 — Wonder Woman #204, DC, January 2023 (Original Cover Date: February 1973).
Cool Factor: A long time ago, when the original version of this issue of Wonder Woman first appeared in spinner racks and on newsstand shelves, I certainly wouldn’t have given it a second glance. To be honest, it came out about a half year before I discovered comics, and when I did find out about four-color fun, I spent my hard-earned dimes on Marvel Comics. But after having read this Facsimile Edition, it makes me wish I had this historic issue (which is valued at $350 on CBR). It turned out to be a lot of fun, and I sure hope Facsimile Editions keep on coming!
Comic Book Credits: Robert Kanigher (script/editor), Don Heck (pencils/cover pencils), Dick Giordano (cover inks), Gaspar Saladino (cover letters), and Deborah Anderson (assistant editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Wonder Woman #204 Facsimile Edition is #3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 43 of 2022)
#1958 — Bloodborne, Titan Comics, May 2022.
Cool Factor: Coming into this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue, I had no knowledge of Bloodborne as a comic book or as a game. Between the covers, we get art and summations of all the previous volumes that were being published without my notice. That’s followed up by a five-page story, an interview with Cullen Bunn, and various sketches. The brief story didn’t give me enough to get a real feel for the world, but if you like the game and haven’t read the comics, this is probably a good introductory issue.
Comic Book Credits: Cullen Bunn (writer), Piotr Kowalski (art), Brad Simpson (colors), Jim Campbell (letters), Donna Askem (designer), and Phoebe Hedges (editor); original game published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by FromSoftware, Inc.
Price and Values: The cover price of Bloodborne is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1959 — Smurfs #2, Marvel, January 1983.
Cool Factor: When I think of the Smurfs, I think of the 80s. But these small blue creatures first appeared in 1958. And if you think that makes them ancient, Papa Smurf is over 500 years old! The phenomenon came a bit late for me, so I don’t have much of a connection with them, but I do enjoy finding these older comics in quarter bins and reading stories that take me back to a simpler time and place.
Comic Book Credits: All credits for script and art go to Pierre Culliford (Peyo). This issue contains far to many stories to list here, but if you want to know the titles, you can find them here.
Price and Values: The cover price of Smurfs #2 is 60¢, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $6 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1960 — The Savage She-Hulk #3, Marvel, April 1980.
Cool Factor: The ongoing She-Hulk comic book series has helped me appreciate the character of Jennifer Walters (it’s one of my favorite monthly reads), and now when I run across any issues from older She-Hulk series in discount bins, I make sure to add them to my collection. This issue takes place early in her history, when it wasn’t common knowledge that She-Hulk and Jennifer are one and the same, and I really enjoyed seeing how everything played out.
Comic Book Credits: David Anthony Kraft (script), Mike Vosburg (breakdowns), Chic Stone (finished art/inks), Carl Gafford (colors), Michael Higgins (letters), Rich Buckler (cover pencils), Al Milgrom (cover inks/editor), and Jo Duffy (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Savage She-Hulk #3 is 40¢, while the current values are $12 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/
Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!
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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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