Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 399, 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 399…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple additional Cool Comics from last week include The Amazing Spider-Man #25 and Kong: The Great War #1, which happens to be the first King Kong comic book I’ve ever owned or read. The Spider-Man issue answers the question as to what was going on with Mary Jane while Peter was multiverses away from her, where the kids came from, and why she won’t kiss our hero when he finally finds her once again. Is this truly the end for the two of them? As for King Kong, while I enjoyed it, I’m not sure if I’ll be getting any further issues from the series. Not that it was bad, but I already read a lot of comics, and these days I sometimes have trouble finding the time to read all my current pulls.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Tarzan versus Machine Man! 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’s Cool Comics Creation by artist Sydney Walton features Spidey villains Venom and Morbius! The art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.
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
#2011 — Lord of the Jungle #5, Dynamite, May 2023.
Cool Factor: I’ve always been a fan of Tarzan, and especially so when I think about my childhood and watching Tarzan movies with my dad on weekend afternoons. But when it comes to the comics, I admit I haven’t read many. I started getting this series from the start, and appreciate the story of an older Tarzan, with plenty of flashbacks to show us the “why” and the “how” in this story. The creators have been doing a fantastic job, and I give many kudos to Benito Gallego, who I first noticed when I started reading Apama from the Hero Tomorrow Comics universe. Benito makes Tarzan come to life, and I’m so happy that I’ve been able to get the first five issues of this wonderful series.
Comic Book Credits: Dan Jurgens (writer), Benito Gallego (artist), Francesco Segala (colorist), Carlos M. Mangual (letterer), Agnes Pozza (coloring assist), Philip Tan (cover art), Sebastian Cheng (cover colors), and Matt Idelson (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Lord of the Jungle #5 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2012 — Action Comics #1, DC, November 2022 (Original Cover Date: June 1938).
Cool Factor: Action Comics #1 is THE comic that every collector wants to own. The only problem is the price tag, which is currently valued around $6,000,000. But once again, a Facsimile Edition has come to the rescue, and now this awesome “almost” issue can and should be a part of your collection. What may surprise some of you is the amazing number of different stories that fill the pages, which are named in the credits section below. Whether you’re a Superman fan or not, get this comic for your collection while you can still find a copy!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Joe Shuster (pencils/inks) and Jack Adler (colors); The Coming of Superman – Jerry Siegel (script) and Joe Shuster (pencils/inks); The A-G Gang – Homer Fleming (pencils/inks); The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies – Fred Guardineer (script/pencils/inks); South Sea Strategy (Part 1) – Vin Sullivan (script); Sticky-Mitt Stimson – Russell Cole (script/pencils/inks); The Adventures of Marco Polo – Sven Elven (pencils/inks); The Light Heavyweight Championship – Fred Guardineer (pencils/letters); The International Jewel Thief – Bill Ely (pencils/inks); Murder in England – Bernard Baily (pencils/inks); Fred Astaire, Constance Bennett, Charles Boyer, Wheeler and Woolsey; and Lou Gehrig, Lee Grissom, and Babe Ruth – Sheldon Moldoff (pencils/inks). There are many other details that go with this historic facsimile, which can be seen HERE.
Price and Values: The cover price of Action Comics #1 Facsimile Edition is $6.99, while the current value is $7. The Key Collector Comics value is $8.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 2 of 2023)
#2013 — Shadowman – Darque Legacy, Valiant Entertainment, May 2023.
Cool Factor: Longtime readers of Cool Comics may remember that I have a fascination with several different four-color universes besides the Big2, with Valiant certainly near the top. And while my favorites are from the original run that started in the early Nineties, I still have fun taking a peek at what’s being done today, and this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issue featuring Shadowman and X-O Manowar is no exception.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Bob Hall (pencils/inks); Darque Legacy – Darque Legacy (script/pencils/inks), Andrew Dalhouse (colors), and Dave Sharp (letters); X-O Manowar –
Michael W. Conrad (script), Liam Sharp (pencils/inks/colors), and Troy Peteri (letters); and Lysa Hawkins (senior editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Shadowman – Darque Legacy is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2014 — Little Lulu #225, Gold Key, May 1975.
Cool Factor: The first fun story with Little Lulu is titled Battling Butlers, and regardless of your age, these sorts of shenanigans are sure to help crack a smile on your face. Next up is Witch Hazel and the Little Scarecrow Boy in Fashion Plate, followed by another Little Lulu tale named Problem Children. And finally Gold Key wraps this issue up with Little Lulu in The Best Man. These stories certainly aren’t the same as Superman fighting Doomsday, but they are more than welcome in my comic collection.
Comic Book Credits: As per usual with these Gold Key issues, no creator credits are given for Little Lulu.
Price and Values: The cover price of Little Lulu #225 is 25¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2015 — Machine Man #1, Marvel, April 1978.
Cool Factor: Machine Man is a bit of an odd character and was born from a bit of an odd comic book series, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Jack Kirby created the character of Aaron Stack in issue #8, and eventually he spun off into his own series. And while the 2001 series died many decades ago, Machine Man is a fixture in the Marvel Universe. I’ve found a few from this original series in quarter bins over the years but bought this first issue straight out of the back issue boxes for a whopping $4.50. I like the concept and am glad I grabbed this copy when I did, because I think many of the Seventies era Marvels will continue to go up in value and being that this is my favorite period of comic books, I need to get them while they’re affordable.
Comic Book Credits: Jack Kirby (script/pencils/cover pencils/editor), Mike Royer (inks/letters), Petra Goldberg (colors), Frank Giacoia (cover inks), Gaspar Saladino (letters), and Archie Goodwin (consulting editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of Machine Man #1 is 35¢, while the current values are $40 on CBR and $20 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $25.
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: 306
Great issue as always! Machine Man is another of those fantastic Kirby creations that were far ahead of it’s time. As far as Tarzan vs Machine Man…well, guess it depends on who’s writing! My bet would be that the writer would choose to have Tarzan triumph, kinda like the “primal” man besting technology. But who knows?
I hear ya about not always following a book just because of the time to read them all. BTW- where do I find the reviews from people? Thanks!
Hi Spencer, and thanks for all the great comments! The Cool Comics Reader Reviews section is an opportunity for anyone to write a comic book review and have it published in an upcoming episode. There haven’t been any recently, but we’ve had some in the past. We also have the Cool Comics Creator section that contains art, and anyone can submit for that, also, regardless of skill. Both sections tell you how to submit reviews and/or art. I want people to feel like they are part of Cool Comics by having the ability to contribute.
This link takes you to an example of a review that was submitted and published, back in February: https://edgosney.com/2023/02/16/worlds-finest-provides-pulse-pounding-thrills-a-special-longbox-junk-review/
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
I recently started the Marvel Tarzan series that Roy Thomas and John Buscema did, and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. They put a lot of effort into not only adapting the original ERB stories as faithfully as possible, but also in making the book look and feel different than what they were doing at the time in Conan. It’s a shame they aren’t more well regarded, but as a reader/collector that makes them cheaper and easier to track down.
A short while back while I was reorganizing my collection, I found the Action Comics # 1 reprint that was given away on Superman Day to celebrate his 50th Anniversary. I never thought anything of it, considering how many times it’s been reprinted, but it turns out that’s a $50 book now. It’s crazy how much the speculator market has spiked the demand/value for key issue reprints.
I’d be interested to hear your opinion on the current Amazing Spider-Man run, as all the fanboys I see online seem to hate it with a passion. Then again, fans seem to ALWAYS hate whatever the current ASM storyline is when it’s happening, and the 10 years later they change their tune and call it a classic. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
As for Tarzan vs. X-51, it depends on the location. Tarzan wins in the jungle, Machine Man wins anywhere that doesn’t have animals for Tarzan to call as back up.
Hi Jim, thanks so much for your insightful comments!
As for the ongoing Amazing Spider-Man series, I can completely understand all the complaints, especially considering that people often don’t like it when stories take such radical turns as this run has been taking. Still, there have been moments to like, as well as frustrating situations that longtime fans are having a hard time reconciling. Still, I’ve always been a fan of Spider-Man and want to see where the story goes.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!