Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 395, 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 395…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple cool comics that didn’t make the list this week include the start of a new Guardians of the Galaxy ongoing series, and Captain America: Cold War Alpha, which crosses into both ongoing Cap series, and a closing Omega special.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Looney Tunes versus Micronauts! 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 of Cool Comics features an original Batman piece of art by Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art! Be sure to check out all the other fantastic creations, games, illustrated novellas, and comics at RAK’s website.
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
#1991 — American Dreams #1, Band of Bards, March 2023.
Cool Factor: An experiment performed by Thomas Edison gives Jake Gold superpowers, and this series—full of historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Thomas Edison, JP Morgan, Emma Goldman, Nellie Bly, and Aleister Crowley—is one that I’ll be looking forward to each month. It’s fun to see capes and tights in a bygone era, and as far as I’m concerned, Houdini’s name alone convinced me to give it a try. This came out a few weeks ago, so you may need to try to find a copy online somewhere if your local comic shop is sold out.
Comic Book Credits: Daniel Kalban (writer), Dody Eda (pencils), Tebe Andry (inks), Warnia K. Sahadewa (colors), Matt Bowers (letters), Kyler Clodfelter & Marcus Jimenez (cover), and Lashawn Colvin & Andrea Smith (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of American Dreams #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#1992 — Batman #357, DC, May 2023 (Original Cover Date: March 1983).
Cool Factor: This Facsimile Edition of Batman #357 allows current collectors to look back on the first appearance of Jason Todd and a second look (if you can call it a look) at Killer Croc. Or maybe you’d rather spend about $170 on an original, and if you have the budget to do that, more power to you! As for me, I absolutely love the look and feel of these Facsimile Editions, and make sure to pick them up whenever I can.
Comic Book Credits: Gerry Conway (writer), Don Newton (pencils), Alfred Alcala (inks), Ben Oda (letters), Adrienne Roy (colors), Ed Hannigan (cover pencils), Dick Giordano (cover inks), Anthony Tollin (cover colors), and Len Wein (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman #357 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Leftover from 2021)
#1993 — Kyle’s Little Sister, JY/imprint of Yen Press, August 2021.
Cool Factor: There’s no doubt that this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue isn’t geared toward my demographic, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t end up enjoying the story…which continues in a graphic novel. Many of the FCBD issues I read each year are marketed toward the future of funny book readers, and that’s a good thing if we want comic books to continue coming out each week. Plus, we were all young once, so there’s quite possibly stories, like this one, that will strike a chord with your past and perhaps bring a nice memory back.
Comic Book Credits: For this FCBD issue, BonHyung Jeong is credited for the story and art, including the cover art.
Price and Values: The cover price of Kyle’s Little Sister is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#1994 — Looney Tunes #40, Whitman, December 1981.
Cool Factor: One of the best ways for seasoned readers like me to feel young at heart is to read Looney Tunes comic books. Many of us have great memories of waking early on Saturday mornings, dragging ourselves out of bed, and eventually making our way to the living room to watch our favorite cartoons. Maybe we ate super sugared-up cereal, with or without milk, while watching, and either sitting on the floor or the couch. And when Bugs Bunny and his pals came on, you just knew it was going to be good. These anthology style comics may not give us the same kind of action and music the animated classics did, but they are probably the next best thing.
Comic Book Credits: Vic Lockman (script), Lee Holley (pencils), and Larry Mayer (letters) for the stories The Circus Runaround, Chief for a Day, The Cuckoo Clock Caper, The Midnight Stalker, and Hypno-Trick; Michael Maltese (script), Phil De Lara (pencils), and Rome Siemon (letters) for the story Hair-Raising Experiment; Pete Alvarado (cover art); and Del Connell (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Looney Tunes #40 is 50¢, while the current value is $8.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#1995 — Micronauts #13, Marvel, January 1980.
Cool Factor: Micronauts toys came out in 1976, but I don’t remember having owned any of them or even remember anything about them. I don’t recall commercials or seeing other kids with them. Maybe by then I considered myself a little too mature for those toys. I can’t really be sure, but when I went off to college in 1981, a roommate re-introduced me to comic books, and I started reading Micronauts and felt like I discovered something completely new. I have great memories of those brief college comic book days and often think fondly about them.
Comic Book Credits: Bill Mantlo (writer), Howard Chaykin (breakdowns), Al Milgrom (finished art/inks/editor), Bob Sharen (colors), Joe Rosen (letters), Michael Golden (cover art), and Jo Duffy (assistant editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Micronauts #13 is 40¢, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
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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Views: 213
I enjoyed The Micronauts (& ROM Spaceknight for that matter), grabbed all issues of both … the worlds created by Bill Mantlo & his writing simply one of the best then. It was great to see the review & thanks again for bringing up an issue from one of my favorite series!
Hi Matt, thanks for your cool comments about both the Micronauts AND ROM Spaceknight. I’ve accumulated a bunch of ROM issues since I started raiding quarter bins in 2017, and appreciate both series (although it seems to be harder for me to find Micronaut discount issues where I live).
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!