Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 397, 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 397…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple additional cool comics this week included the finale (for now) of the Strange Academy saga (which continued from Strange Academy to Strange Academy: Finals) and Guardians of the Galaxy: Bane of Blastaar!
Free Comic Book Day reminder! That’s right, this Saturday, May 6, is the day you can go to your local (participating) comic shop and get some free comic books. Please remember to help support the store by making some purchases, too!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Goliath versus Casper! 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 Asoka from the Star Wars franchise! 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
#2001 — Green Arrow #1, DC, June 2023.
Cool Factor: If you’re not a regular Green Arrow comic book reader but you watched the TV series Arrow, this comic (the first of a five issue limited series) seems like something you’d be familiar enough with to enjoy. As for me, I’ve read Green Arrow comics here and there, but I’m far from being an expert. And I did watch the TV series – and with that in mind, I really liked the start of this short arc and I’m super glad I bought it.
Comic Book Credits: Joshua Williamson (writer), Sean Izaakse (artist/cover artist), Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colorist/cover colorist), Troy Peteri (letterer), and Ben Abernathy (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Green Arrow #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2002 — Gargoyles #1, Dynamite, February 2023 (Original Cover Date: February 1995).
Cool Factor: The Gargoyles animated series released just a few days before my first child was born, so that’s my excuse for not watching it. And while I do remember seeing advertising for it, I wasn’t really interested at the time. To be honest, I’m not all that interested in the franchise now, either, but I did enjoy this Facsimile Edition from the first comic book, which at the time was published by Marvel. I think what really makes me appreciate this comic is that it gave me an opportunity to revisit a very cool time in my life. Currently, the value of an original will run you about $20 according to CBR, and even up to $125 if you go by ZKC pricing. Meanwhile, Key Collector Comics has it listed at $115.
Comic Book Credits: Martin Pasko (writer), Amanda Conner (pencils), Alberto Saichann (inks), Gregory Wright (colors), John Costanza (letters), Joe Madureira (cover pencils), Jimmy Palmiotti (cover inks), Lisa Zampella (assistant editor), and Hildy Mesnik (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Gargoyles #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Leftover from 2021)
#2003 — The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics, Gemstone Publishing, August 2021.
Cool Factor: This is the last week for traveling back to Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2021, and since I enjoyed reading The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics 2022, I decided to go with the same title for 2021. Makes sense, right? But wouldn’t you know it, the same stories were in it. That’s right, it’s basically the same thing! But if you liked it well enough, you may not mind the reruns.
Comic Book Credits: This FCBD issue contains a number of fun little stories about the world of collecting comics, and listed are the main contributors, along with this link in which you can see contributions by story: J.C. Vaughn (writer), Brendon & Brian Fraim (illustrators), Chris Summers (colorist), Mindy Lopkin (letterer), Marshall Dillon (letterer), and Amanda Sheriff & Mark Huesman (editors).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics 2021 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2004 — Richie Rich & Casper #36, Harvey Comics, November 1980.
Cool Factor: If you’re a fan of The Brave and the Bold, or perhaps Marvel Team-Up, then don’t miss out on the Harvey Comics duo to beat them all, Richie Rich & Casper! Okay, so it’s not quite the same…and some may say it’s not even as entertaining as their solo adventures, but I think (especially when you want to feel young at heart) it’s a blast seeing what creators can do when putting these fun characters in the same stories!
Comic Book Credits: I was unable to find any creator credits for this issue. The stories included are: The Sooper Book of Records; The Friendly Ghost Casper; Into the Act; It’s a Record; and Act Your Machine Age.
Price and Values: The cover price of Richie Rich & Casper #36 is 50¢, while the current value is $6.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2005 — Star Wars #3, Marvel/Whitman, September 1977.
Cool Factor: This issue of Star Wars from “a long time ago” is a Whitman reprint that came in a prepack (and you might even notice the word “Reprint” next to Luke in the little cover box below the price – click the cover image to get a closer view), which I was fortunate enough to find in a quarter box a few years ago. Every so often, I’ll run across old Star Wars issues in discount bins from the original run and it’s a blast adding them to my collection.
Comic Book Credits: George Lucas (original story), Roy Thomas (writer/editor), Howard Chaykin (pencils), Steve Leialoha (inks), Carl Gafford (colors), and Tom Orzechowski (letters).
Price and Values: The cover price of Star Wars #3 (Whitman reprint edition) is 35¢, while the current value is $10. The Key Collector Comics value is $30.
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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