Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 404, 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 404…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Hi Cool Comics Crowd! I hope all is well with each of you readers of the wonderful world of four-color entertainment. My activities are a bit limited these days, as I’m still recovering from surgery (I’m a recent recipient of a bionic knee), but in case you didn’t see it, I wanted you to get a look at the outstanding video that our friend who runs the Sonic Theory YouTube page put together for me (and that’s his voice doing the narration). Along with this, he also made a short video about the Cool Comics Battle of the Week, so be sure to check it out while you’re on my channel, as it gained over a thousand views just a few hours after it launched. I’m not sure how often he’ll be able to make more Cool Comics videos, but be sure to subscribe if you want to see what comes next!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Captain Marvel Jr. versus Aquaman! 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 the Man of Steel, Superman, along with some of his dastardly foes, by world renowned artist 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
#2036 — Captain America: Cold War Omega #1, Marvel, August 2023.
Cool Factor: I appreciate smaller crossover events, such as this one, aptly titled Cold War, that just finished up a six-issue run across two specials and four issues of both Captain America titles. Steve, Sam, Misty, and Sharon battle crazy forces in Dimension Z in pursuit of their goal, which includes taking down Bucky, if necessary.
Comic Book Credits: Writers – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, & Tochi Onyebuchi; Artist – Carlos Magno; Color Artist – GURU-eFX; Letterer – Joe Caramagna; Cover Artists – Patrick Gleason & Alejandro Sánchez; Graphic Designer – Carlos Lao; Assistant Editor – Kaitlyn Lindtvedt; and Editor – Alanna Smith.
Price and Values: The cover price of Captain America: Cold War Omega #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2037 — Marvel Family #1, DC, December 2022 (Original Cover Date: December 1945).
Cool Factor: If you appreciate the history of comic books and enjoy stories that probably came out before your time, then I hope you grabbed an issue of Marvel Family #1 when the Facsimile Edition came out last year. My late father sometimes mentioned to me how much he liked Captain Marvel, and my dad wasn’t far from my thoughts as I read through this issue, which featured the one and only appearance of Black Adam during Shazam’s original run. Besides the fun of seeing the ads from 1945, the price differential is sweet, since an original copy could set you back about $7,000.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – C. C. Beck (pencils); The Mighty Marvels Join Forces! – Otto Binder (script), C. C. Beck (pencils), and Pete Costanza (inks); The Show Case – Dick McCay (script/pencils/inks); The Marvel Family and Baby Marvel – Otto Binder (script); and Sidonie M. Gruenberg (consulting editor), Wendell Crowley (editor), and Will Lieberson (executive editor). There are also some speculative credits and other story titles listed HERE.
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Family #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 7 of 2023)
#2038 — Frazettaverse #0, Opus, May 2023.
Cool Factor: I love the idea that this Frazettaverse Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition gives us samples of stories based on Frank Frazetta’s art, but I want to caution readers that this isn’t a comic to pass on to the kiddos in your life (and if you’re familiar with Frazetta’s art, you may have already figured that out). There are a few mature scenes and some language tossed in, even in the Mothman story (which makes me wish that someone would put together a comic universe populated with Cryptids!), so proceed with caution.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Frank Frazetta (painting); Death Dealer – Enter: The Norseman – Mitch Iverson (script), Richard Pace (pencils/inks/colors), and Jacob Bascle (letters); Mothman – Tim Hedrick (script), Andrea Mum (pencils), Gigi Baldassini (inks), Valerio Alloro (colors), and Jacob Bascle (letters); Dawn Attack – Jody Houser & Eric Campbell (script), Diego Yapur (pencils/inks), Carlos Cabrera (colors), Jacob Bascle (letters), and Holly Interlandi & R. G. Llarena (edits); and Denton J. Tipton (editor). Additionally, there are several interior Frank Frazetta paintings.
Price and Values: The cover price of Frazettaverse #0 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2039 — Beep Beep the Road Runner #78, Gold Key, April 1979.
Cool Factor: In the same vein that a demented part of me wants to see Sylvester make a meal of Tweety, those same sentiments apply to Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. Perhaps an Elseworlds special for a dark October evening? But I doubt it will ever happen, and besides, in this universe, the Road Runner, along with his sons, is the good guy, and no amount of ACME products will ever take him down. If you long for those golden days of watching Saturday morning cartoons while decked out in footie pajamas and munching on a bowl of super sweetened cereal, Road Runner comics are a nice gateway.
Comic Book Credits: As is typical with most of the Gold Key Comics aimed at younger readers from this era, no credits are available. Stories contained in this issue include Surprise Party, Flying High, The Mutt Mistake, and Dust Bust.
Price and Values: The cover price of Beep Beep the Road Runner #78 is 40¢, while the current value is $10.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2040 — Adventure Comics #449, DC, February 1977.
Cool Factor: I’m pretty sure my first exposure to Aquaman came by watching Super Friends when I was a kid. And while most of my comics are Marvel made, I say there’s plenty of room in the sea for both Namor and Aquaman! I was fortunate to find a small stack of Adventure Comics from the Seventies in a quarter bin at a local comic shop, and it’s been a blast periodically reading these stories and learning more about DC’s golden haired swimming star. Additionally, this issue features the first of a multipart adventure with Martian Manhunter!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jim Aparo (pencils/inks), Tatjana Wood (colors), and Gaspar Saladino (letters); The Menace of the Marine Marauder – Steve Skeates (script), Jim Aparo (pencils/inks/letters), and Elizabeth Safian (colors); Mission Catch a Killer – Denny O’Neil (script), Michael Netzer (pencils), Terry Austin (inks), Carl Gafford (colors), and Ben Oda (letters); and Paul Levitz (story editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Adventure Comics #449 is 30¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 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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