Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 400, 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 400…
Cool Comics Stuff!
We’ve reached 400 episodes of Cool Comics In My Collection, and it wouldn’t be possible without the awesome readership and friendship so many of you have consistently provided me with for over seven years. Each of you is important to the continuation of Cool Comics, and I purposely make sure to mention that when I respond to your comments. I try my best to keep things fun, positive, and entertaining, and always want to include any of you who have a desire to either show off your art (Cool Comics Creations!) or your writing (Cool Comics Reader Reviews!). Additionally, some of you have your own blogs and YouTube channels, and I have included some of them on my website so that others can discover just how talented you are (Sonic Theory, Longbox Junk, Josh’s Geek Cave, Super Hero 101, Bookpilled, and Benjamin McEvoy – if you want to be part of this, please let me know by sending an email with your website link and a cover image to edgosney62@gmail.com). I want to give a BIG THANKS to all of you for taking time out of your busy lives and choosing to spend a couple minutes each week reading Cool Comics In My Collection.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Black Panther versus She-Hulk! 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 The Six Million Dollar Man, Season Six, Issue 1! 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
#2016 — Avengers #1, Marvel, July 2023.
Cool Factor: The Avengers are entering a new era with an all-new creative team…and yes, this has been done many, many times before. And perhaps just a bit ironic is the fact that a Facsimile Edition of the very first Avengers comic book from 1963 came out the same day that this issue did. When I saw some advanced ads for this new series, I wasn’t all that thrilled about it. Perhaps this would have been a good excuse to remove it from my pull list…but as it turns out, it was a pretty good story. Jed MacKay rarely writes something I don’t like, so I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Still, if he’d left Thor off the team, I may just have skipped this series.
Comic Book Credits: Jed MacKay (writer), C.F. Villa (artist), Federico Blee (color artist), Cory Petit (letterer), Stuart Immonen (cover artist), Carlos Lao (designer), Martin Biro (assistant editor), Annalise Bissa (associate editor), and Tom Brevoort (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Avengers #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2017 — Savage She-Hulk #1, Marvel, February 2023 (Original Cover Date: February 1980).
Cool Factor: First off, I’m a bit surprised that I’ve been enjoying the current She-Hulk series as much as I have. In my opinion, it’s one of the most interesting comics that Marvel is publishing, and it doesn’t hurt a bit that Jack of Hearts has been heavily involved. And I’m figuring that a lot of newer She-Hulk fans, whether of the current comic or the Disney + show (no, I haven’t seen it), would want to get their hands on this fun Facsimile Edition, rather than paying $125 for an original. If you’re a fan of comic books and origin stories, this is a comic that should be in your collection.
Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (creator/writer), John Buscema (layouts/cover pencils/cover inks), Chic Stone (finished art/inks), Joe Rosen (letters), Irv Watanabe (cover letters), and Jim Shooter (editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of Savage She-Hulk #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 3 of 2023)
#2018 — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, IDW Publishing, May 2023.
Cool Factor: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) came out too late for me to revere them as sacred toys and cartoons, but I know people who do. And although I wasn’t a TMNT comic book reader, cartoon, or movie fan, my wife and I started collecting the toys when they first appeared, getting the earliest versions, and later selling most of them for a very nice profit. I’m sure if I’d been a bit younger, the TMNTs would hold greater meaning to me, but I still had fun reading this Free Comic Book Day edition.
Comic Book Credits: TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures #1 – Erik Burnham (story), Tim Lattie (art), Sarah Myer (colors), Shawn Lee (letters), Nicolas Niño (editorial assistant), and Charles Beacham (editor); Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Matthew K. Manning (writer), Chad Thomas (art), Heather Breckel (colors), Shawn Lee (letters), Megan Brown (assistant edits), and Bobby Curnow (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2019 — Donald Duck Adventures #24, Disney Comics, May 1992.
Cool Factor: Stories involving time have always interested me, and the first story in this Donald Duck anthology comic features a fun adventure with On Stolen Time. That story alone is enough to recommend this issue, which can be found at reasonable prices (I found mine in a quarter bin). But having control over time doesn’t always give you the results you want, as the Beagle Boys find out!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jim Mitchell (pencils), Larry Mayer (inks), and Cris Palomino (colors); On Stolen Time – Don Rosa (script/art), Teresa Davidson (letters), and Tom Luth (colors); Dawn Chorus – Daniel Branca (art), Gary Gabner (dialogue), Bucky O’Neill (letters), and Sue Daigle-Leach (colors); The Perfect Place – Daniel Branca (art), Gary Gabner (dialogue), Bucky O’Neill (letters), and Mike McCormick (colors); and Bob Foster (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Donald Duck Adventures #24 is $1.50, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2020 — Our Fighting Forces #156, Marvel, June 1975.
Cool Factor: With Memorial Day just around the corner, it’s fitting that Cool Comics features an issue of Our Fighting Forces. And while it’s a day to remember and reflect on those who gave their lives while serving, I think it goes without saying that it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with those you love. And perhaps to even read a few military focused comics, appreciating the freedoms we have, thanks to the sacrifice of others.
Comic Book Credits: Jack Kirby (script/pencils/cover pencils/editor), Mike Royer (inks/letters/cover inks), Jerry Serpe (colors), and Steve Sherman (assistant editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Our Fighting Forces #156 is 25¢, while the current values are $38 on CBR and $20 on ZKC.
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/
Never Miss an Episode of Cool Comics!
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Views: 319
spencer dolloff says
Some great choices here! Anything done by Kirby always ranks in my book. I haven’t read the newest She-Hulk, but I sure enjoyed the one previous (before the show, which it was heavily based on.)
Great job!
Ed Gosney says
Thanks so much, Spencer, I really appreciate your comments! The fun part for me is in getting to read all these comics before putting them in here.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
Tony Isabella says
Congratulations on hitting #400.
Ed Gosney says
Thank you so much, Tony, and thanks for all the support and advice over the years, it’s deeply appreciated!
You have always been an important part of the success of Cool Comics!
Ed