Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 406, 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 406…
Cool Comics Stuff!
The two comics pictured above are a couple weeks old now (they appeared at your local comic shop June 21), but they are worth a mention…even though I have yet to read them (you see, I’m a bit behind on my reading because after my recent surgery, I have lots and lots of rehab going on!). Ultimate Invasion #1 makes me think back to the original run of the Ultimate line, and The Incredible Hulk #1 is supposed to take the character on a more terrifying path. If you’ve read either and have an opinion on which is best, please let us know in the comments section below!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Starfire versus Storm! 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 Uncle Sam (we hope you had an awesome Independence Day)! 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
#2046 — Titans #2, DC, August 2023.
Cool Factor: I originally had no intention of adding this new Titans series to my monthly reading list (I’m rather far behind in my comic book reading as it is), but after having picked up the first two issues off the rack, now it seems I’m contemplating adding it. And I guess that with no current Justice League series, it makes sense to collect this team book, as long as I keep finding it enjoyable. Besides, after the way this one ended with Tempest, I just have to know what happens next!
Comic Book Credits: Tom Taylor (writer), Nicola Scott (artist/cover artist), Annette Kwok (colorist/cover colorist), Wes Abbott (letterer), Christopher Rosa (associate editor), Brittany Holzherr (editor), and Paul Kaminski (group editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Titans #2 is $3.99, while the current value is $4. The Key Collector Comics value is also $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2047 — X-Men #137, Marvel, September 2019 (Original Cover Date: September 1980).
Cool Factor: When the original edition of this episode’s Facsimile Edition was originally published, I still hadn’t bought an X-Men comic, even though I entered the world of capes and tights in 1973. Sure, I ran across mutants here and there in things like Marvel Team-up, but at that time in my life, I didn’t have any interest in Xavier’s children. And if I decided I wanted to add the original 1980 edition to my collection, it would set me back about $95. Which makes the $4.99 price I paid for this Facsimile Edition feel like a real bargain!
Comic Book Credits: John Byrne (plot/pencils/cover pencils), Chris Claremont (plot/script), Terry Austin (inks/cover inks), Glynis Oliver (colors), Tom Orzechowski (letters), Louise Simonson (editor), Jim Salicrup (editor), and Jim Shooter (editor-in-chief).
Price and Values: The cover price of X-Men #137 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 9 of 2023)
#2048 — The Sacrificers #1, Image, May 2023.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) story reminded me a bit of the two species on the planet Rakhat in the novel The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. The Sacrificers is both interesting and disturbing, and if you’re a fan of The Sparrow, you may want to try to find this FCBD issue or just grab the ongoing series (set to launch August 2) at your local comic shop.
Comic Book Credits: Rick Remender (writer), Max Fiumara (artist), Dave McCaig (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer), Julian Totino Tedesco (cover art), Erika Schnatz (designer), and Gabe Dinger (production assistant).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Sacrificers #1 is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2049 — Casper the Friendly Ghost #259, Harvey Comics, December 1990.
Cool Factor: If you collected Casper in the 70s and 80s, you may recognize some of the stories in this 90s Casper comic. I’ve been fortunate over the last few years because I’ve found many of these fun Harvey Comics when searching through discount boxes. And when I say discount boxes, I really mean it, because one shop local to me always has several long boxes loaded with four-color fun, priced at just a quarter each. So, whether you want them for yourself when you’re feeling nostalgic or to pass them on to some younger readers, it might be worth your time and effort to do a little finger flipping through sale boxes.
Comic Book Credits: As per usual with these comics for the Young At Heart, credits, if any, are rare. With this issue we get only Warren Kremer for cover pencils and cover inks. This issue contains reprint stories from the 70s and 80s, and details, along with story titles, can be found here at Grand Comics Database.
Price and Values: The cover price of Casper the Friendly Ghost #259 is $1, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2050 — Beyond the Grave #2, Charlton Comics, October 1975.
Cool Factor: Charlton Comics hold a special place in my heart. When I was a wee bit younger, my mother brought some home to me from a local store. The titles I best remember are The Phantom and Fightin’ Marines, and while Charlton Comics are typically not as nicely produced as Marvel, DC, and other brands from the Seventies, my memories of those good times allow me to forgive the cheap production quality. This is my first and only issue of Beyond the Grave, a frightful anthology comic, and I enjoyed reading these spinetingling stories. Hopefully, I can find a few more the next time I go quarter bin diving.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Steve Ditko (pencils/inks); Die Laughing – Gary Petras (script) and Sanho Kim (pencils/inks/letters); Mr. Moody’s Amazing Hats – Jack Sparling (pencil/inks) and Charlotte Jetter (letters); A Grave Mistake – Joe Gill (script), Steve Ditko (pencils/inks) and Charlotte Jetter (letters); Bats! – Michael Pellowski (script) and Steve Stiles (pencils/inks); and George Wildman (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Beyond the Grave #2 is 25¢, while the current values are $35 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/
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Views: 298
Awesome pick there, X-MEN #137 — you probably wouldn’t be surprised to know, Ed, I picked it off the rack (or store) when it originally came out! That storyline & “Days Of Future Past” arguably the best from the Byrne / Claremont era…many good issues along the way!
Friends of mine, at the time, during high school got me hooked on The Uncanny X-Men when I was perfectly happy with The Defenders — two of the few Marvel series I collected & still have. Class Reunion in week or so & fantastic memories from back in the day!!
Matt, I”m glad to learn that you have an original! And I’m sure it will be a fun class reunion, especially when you get a chance to talk with some old pals about those early days of collecting and reading comics when you could have them at reasonable prices, lol. I hope you have an excellent time!
And thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
I have about three copies of that Xmen issue! I was a diehard DC reader but I kept track of the major Marvel storylines and knew I had to pick this up. How I ended up with 3 copies is a mystery. lol But I’m more than happy to sell any of them for far less than $95. 🙂
Hi Andrew! Wow, three copies of that issue…I wondered why I couldn’t find a copy at my local comic shop, haha!
Cool Comics Crowd, if you’re interested in a copy of X-Men #137, it sounds like Andrew is the person you want to work with.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!
Charlton! I have a ton of Charlton comics in my collection. They (along with Dell/ Gold Key) are the best way to get some Golden/ Silver Age goodness into a collection without getting Marvel/ DC sticker shock! My favorite series from them is Fightin’ Marines (as a former Marine, of course it would be), but there’s a lot of great Charlton comics out there to be found!
Now you’ve got me thinking about doing some Longbox Junk Charlton reviews. . .
Thanks for another great episode, and for keeping comics FUN!
I’d love to read a Charlton focused Longbox Junk! By the way, I took a quick count and believe I have 44 Charlton Comics…along with a 4 published under their Modern banner. Looks like I need to add more to my collection!
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!