Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 394, 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 394…
Cool Comics Stuff!
I didn’t realize this was going to happen, but I ran out of 2022 Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issues. Typically, I get my hands on the entire bundle, but I think there were a few I somehow missed out on. But as it turns out, FCBD 2021 (and you may remember this) took place in September instead of May, and when FCBD 2022 went back to the original schedule of the first Saturday in May, I ended up having some leftovers from 2021 (although I believe 2021 didn’t see as many issues offered as in previous years). So, until FCBD 2023 comes around, I’m going to fit in a few of these missed issues.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Planet of the Apes versus The World of Warlord! 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 Mystique! 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
#1986 — Planet of the Apes #1, Marvel, June 2023.
Cool Factor: In so many ways I wish I could go back in time and experience the 1968 classic movie Planet of the Apes all over again. I saw the television debut (an online source said it was 1973, which sounds about right) and I was hooked. Come to think of it, I was probably hooked just seeing the ads before it aired. And then there were sequels, a cartoon, a short-lived TV series, an ongoing magazine, Mego toys, novelizations, etc. You get the picture. But this comic book series is focused on the modern version (although I was hoping it would be THE POTA version from when I was young when I saw the first artwork announcing it), and I haven’t even seen all the new movies. I know I saw the first one, and I think part of the second…but it wasn’t the same. If you’re younger or prefer a more scientific explanation, I can completely understand that this is your brand of POTA. But it’s not mine. Still, I think this first issue does a really nice job of setting up whatever is coming next, although if you haven’t seen any of the new movies, you’re missing out on a lot as far as this comic book goes. I’m going to stick with it for a while, and if it gets me interested enough, maybe I’ll watch all three of the newer films and even see the new one that’s supposed to be out in 2024.
Comic Book Credits: David F. Walker (writer), Dave Wachter (artist), Bryan Valenza (colorist), Joe Caramagna (letterer), Joshua Cassara & Dean White (cover artists), Jay Bowen (designer), Anita Okoye (assistant editor), and Sarah Brunstad (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Planet of the Apes #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#1987 — X-23 #1, Marvel, May 2023 (Original Cover Date: March 2005).
Cool Factor: When I started buying comic books again after a long layoff (mid-2003 to mid-2017), I had no clue about X-23, so both the comic books and the movie Logan took me by surprise. And when I saw this Facsimile Edition solicited, I thought it would be cool to get some backstory. But the weird part is, a copy of the original comic is valued at around $10, so maybe it would have made more sense to try to find an original instead of grabbing this version. Still, Cool Comics is dedicated to Facsimile Editions now, so the decision ended up saving me a few dollars. I didn’t have great expectations when I started reading it, but ended up enjoying the story and would gladly read the rest if I ever find them at the right price.
Comic Book Credits: Craig Kyle (story/writer), Christopher Yost (writer), Billy Tan (pencils/cover pencils), Jon Sibal (inks/cover inks), Brian Haberlin (colors/cover colors), Chris Eliopoulos (letters), Cory Sedlmeier (assistant editor), and Axel Alonso (editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of X-23 #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Leftover from 2021)
#1988 — White Ash #0, Scout Comics, August 2021.
Cool Factor: First off, if you skipped reading Cool Comics Stuff above, you may want to give it a quick look if you’re wondering why this is listed as a “Leftover from 2021.” Wow, that was quick, you’re back here already! Before I read this comic, I knew absolutely nothing about White Ash and The Game, and while the stories were okay, I’ll probably never read anything in their worlds again…unless we get more FCBD issues with them. White Ash blends real world and fantasy trappings (elves, for example), reminding me of some fantasy stories and novels I’ve read in the past. The back of the issue says the rating is Teen+, and having read this, you certainly don’t want to pass it off to the youngsters in your life.
Comic Book Credits: White Ash – Charlie Stickney (writer), Conor Hughes (illustrator/letterer/cover art), and Fin Cramb (colorist); The Game – Charlie Stickney (writer), Conor Hughes (illustrator/letterer), and Triona Farrell (colorist); and Joel Rodriguez (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of White Ash #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1989 — Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #1, IDW, March 2023.
Cool Factor: Do you remember Dungeons & Dragons airing as a Saturday morning cartoon? It ran from 1983-1985, and I didn’t see a single episode. Why not? Probably because I was in college and had no clue about it. I’ve never even played the game. But when I saw this recent issue on the shelf, I knew the nostalgia bug would be biting some of you, so I thought it would be fun to read it and experience a little slice of D&D. If you watched the animated series, I’m sure this comic made much more sense to you and your enjoyment factor would be much higher than mine…but still, I had fun reading it, and can imagine the excitement some of you may have gotten when purchasing this issue. And by all means, share some of your memories in the comments section below.
Comic Book Credits: David M. Booher & Sam Maggs (writers), George Kambadais (art/cover art), Ed Dukeshire (letters), Johanna Nattalie (production/design), and Zac Boone & Jonathan Manning (edits).
Price and Values: The cover price of Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1990 — Warlord #7, DC, July 1977.
Cool Factor: I never bought an issue of Warlord when it was originally published, but I’ve garnered a nice collection from back issue and discount boxes over the last few years. The premise reminds me of the Pellucidar novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and I remember enjoying these books when I was a bit younger. The Warlord series gives us a nice blend of modern sensibilities clashing with the savageness of a world not unlike the one you’d find in a Conan the Barbarian story. And what a fantastic job Mike Grell does with the art! If you’ve never given more than a glance at this series, I suggest you try it if you like sword and sorcery stories. If your local comic shop has discount boxes, there’s probably a good chance you can grab some of these back issues at a sweet price.
Comic Book Credits: Mike Grell (writer/illustrator/cover) and Jack C. Harris (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Warlord #7 is 35¢ while the current values are $10 on CBR and $8 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $7.
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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