Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 398, 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 398…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Some additional Cool Comics from last week’s releases include Batman #135 and Avengers: War Across Time #5. The Batman issue is Legacy #900, and part of the fun is seeing various versions of Batman, a real treat for any Batfan. Paul Levitz, who spent decades with DC, crossed party lines and gave us a cool retro Avengers tale.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Shazam versus Ultimate Thor! 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 Flash and his Rogues gallery 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!
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
#2006 — Shazam #1, DC, July 2023.
Cool Factor: I’m a longtime fan of Shazam, and while I really loved what Geoff Johns did for Billy Batson and his extended family, it looks like Mark Waid is going to have a Cool Comics kind of run himself. Also, I understand that some people may not particularly like Tawky Tawny, the talking Tiger, but for my money, the scene with him in this opening issue is one of my favorite parts of the story. Hopefully the series will stick around for a while.
Comic Book Credits: Mark Waid (script), Dan Mora (pencils/inks/cover art), Alejandro Sánchez (colors), Troy Peteri (letters), Rebecca Bohanan (assistant editor), and Paul Kaminski (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Shazam #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2007 — Ultimate Fallout #4, Marvel, November 2021 (Original Cover Date: October 2011).
Cool Factor: If you’re a newcomer to Miles Morales, there’s a good chance you don’t want to dish out the dollars for his first appearance (the current value is around $550). And I know that reprints, whether in the Facsimile tradition or not, aren’t as coveted as sacred first editions may be, but they sure are friendly to us budget-minded collectors. It took me a while to care about Facsimile comics, but ever since I started buying them a couple years ago, I’m now addicted to getting an opportunity to enjoy what I missed the first time around, in a very cool way.
Comic Book Credits: Script – Brian Michael Bendis (pages 1-7), Jonathan Hickman (pages 8-15), and Nick Spencer (pages 16-20); Pencils – Sara Pichelli (pages 1-7), Salvador Larroca (pages 8-15), and Clayton Crain (pages 16-20); Inks – Sara Pichelli (pages 1-7); Salvador Larroca (pages 8-15); Clayton Crain (pages 16-20); Colors – Justin Ponsor (pages 1-7), Frank D’Armata (pages 8-15), and Clayton Crain (pages 16-20); Letters – Cory Petit and Clayton Cowles; Cover – Mark Bagley (pencils), Andy Lanning (inks), and Justin Ponsor (colors); Sana Amanat (assistant editor); and Mark Paniccia (senior editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Ultimate Fallout #4 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $4 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $5.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 1 of 2023)
#2008 — Conan the Barbarian, Titan Comics, May 2023.
Cool Factor: While I’m a bit disappointed about Conan leaving The Savage Avengers (one of the most fun “guilty pleasure” comics I’ve read in my lifetime), this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue from Titan Comics gives me a good feeling that the franchise is going to continue churning out plenty of Cimmerian adventures for the most discerning barbarians among us. I hope you were able to get out for FCBD and grabbed a copy of this before they vanished!
Comic Book Credits: Jim Zub (writer), Rob De La Torre (artist/cover artist), José Villarrubia (color artist), Richard Starkings (letterer), and Matt. Murray (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Conan the Barbarian is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2009 — Beetle Bailey #106, Charlton Comics, July 1974.
Cool Factor: If you never served in the military and you figure that the antics of Beetle Bailey and the goofiness of Gomer Pyle are nothing but fiction, well, as an Army veteran, I’m here to tell you that…sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. During my time in service, I really did know a few guys who had several aspects of our good pal Beetle, which always kept things interesting. Aside from that, reading this comic took me back to a younger version of myself, sitting on the floor on Sunday afternoon and reading the Sunday Funnies, and that was certainly worth the quarter I paid for this comic.
Comic Book Credits: Mort Walker (cover pencils/cover inks) is the only person credited on the Grand Comics Database for this issue.
Price and Values: The cover price of Beetle Bailey #106 is 25¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2010 — Flash #53, DC, August 1991.
ool Factor: I know the 90s don’t get much love when it comes to comic books, but I have lots of great memories from those years, including sensationalistic word bubbles like on this cover that says, “IT’S A RACE AGAINST TIME—WITH JIMMY OLSEN’S LIFE AT STAKE!” I really loved this Flash series with Wally West, but I know that for many fans, Barry Allen is their favorite Flash. Do you have a preference? We’d love to know what DC speedster, whether named Flash or not, is closest to your heart, in the comments section below.
Comic Book Credits: William Messner-Loebs (script), Greg LaRocque (pencils), José Marzán Jr. (inks/cover inks), Glenn Whitmore (colors), Tim Harkins (letters), Dan Jurgens (cover pencils), Todd Klein (cover letters), and Brian Augustyn (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Flash #53 is $1, while the current is $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: 200
Great episode! I passed on Shazam, but I think you talked me into trying it. I do like Mark Waid’s writing, so…
and yes, I am excited about the new Conan series, and I’m a big fan also of facsimiles, heck , I wish they would reprint some whole series, but I’m not holding my breath. It’s nice to fill a run with a facsimile. Keep up the good work!
Hi Spencer! I’m sure not everyone will enjoy Shazam the way I did, but sometimes we have to take risks to find something we like…and it’s usually cheaper than playing the stock market.
And it’s pretty obvious that facsimile issues are here to stay, since you can usually find 2 to 4 coming out each month.
And thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!