Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 410, 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 410…
Cool Comics Stuff!
All three of these comics saw their limited series runs come to an end last week, and while I really like the Avengers in general, the title I’m going to miss the most is Hallows’ Eve.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Conan the Barbarian versus Ka-Zar! 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 a remarkable rendition of the Incredible Hulk 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
#2066 — Fire Power #25, Image, July 2023.
Cool Factor: One of my favorite comic book series is back after a break, and yes fans, the wait was worth it! Fire Power #25 reveals a secret that has, perhaps, long-lasting ramifications…that is, if the world can survive long enough for anything to be long-lasting! You see, there’s a dragon, and while Owen has the Fire Power ability, it’s not enough to save the world on his own, so he’s training others. But his world’s been shaken by the secret I mentioned, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next issue of this exciting series!
Comic Book Credits: Robert Kirkman (creator/writer), Chris Samne (creator/artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer), Andres Juarez (logo design), Richard Mercado (production), and Amanda LaFranco (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Fire Power #25 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2067 — Conan the Barbarian #1, Marvel, February 2022 (Original Cover Date: October 1970).
Cool Factor: Back in the Seventies, I paid absolutely no attention to Conan and his fellow barbarians. As a matter of fact, I didn’t much care about the exploits of Robert E. Howard’s creation until around six years ago. But as they say, better late then never, and now that I’ve been enjoying the exploits of the battling Cimmerian for a few years, I was more than happy to get my hands on his first foray into four-color entertainment by way of this Facsimile Edition, the price of which was much more reasonable than the current value of $1,000 for an original comic of his first issue.
Comic Book Credits: Roy Thomas (writer), Barry Smith (artist/cover pencils), Dan Adkins (embellisher), Sam Rosen (letterer/cover letters), Mimi Gold (colors), John Verpoorten (cover inks), Stan Lee (editor), and Robert E. Howard (character creator).
Price and Values: The cover price of Conan the Barbarian #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 13 of 2023)
#2068 — Seismic Stories, Seismic Press (Imprint of AfterShock Comics), May 2023.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition features two different stories, the first of which, Animosity, I’m vaguely familiar with from a previous FCBD offering. But it’s the second story, The Darkness We Brought Back, that kept me more entertained and offered thrills not unlike the Netflix show Stranger Things. The Darkness We Brought Back presents an intro to the original graphic novel, which is currently in the newest Previews catalogue of offerings coming out in October, so if you like to see teens struggling to survive when their world spins backwards, make sure to place your order!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Joe Eisma with Manuel Puppo; Animosity: Mae – Marguerite Bennett (writer), Joe Phillips (artist), and Juancho! (colorist); The Darkness We Brought Back: Beginnings – Alex Segura & Rex Ogle (writers), Joe Eisma (artist), and Manuel Puppo (colorist); and also Charles Pritchett (lettering, logo & book design), Brian Cunningham (editor) & Teodoro Leo (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Seismic Stories is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2069 — Tiny Titans #1, DC, April 2008.
Cool Factor: If you like to search out titles for the younger readers in your life, and you want to go beyond Disney and Harvey comics and introduce them to superheroes, perhaps this older series of Tiny Titans would be a nice introduction. I was fortunate to find this first issue in a quarter box at a local comic shop, and though I’m just slightly older than the intended audience, I still enjoyed reading it. By the way, there are several separate little stories (which are good for shorter attention spans), and the titles for each can be found at the Grand Comics Database.
Comic Book Credits: Art Bartazar (script/art/cover), Franco Aureliani (script), Nick J. Napolitano (letterer), Stephanie Buscema (assistant editor), Jann Jones (editor), and Dan DiDio (executive editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Tiny Titans #1 is $2.25, while the current value is $3.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2070 — Ka-Zar #1, Marvel, January 1974.
Cool Factor: As a reader of Back Issue magazine, I appreciate how it embeds different comics and heroes in my head from the cool articles, and Ka-Zar just happened to be featured in a recent issue. So, on a comic shop trip a couple weeks ago, I decided to see what they had in stock, and I was excited to find this first issue of the 1974 series for just $4. Granted, it’s not going to get a high grade, but as I like to say, it’s good enough for Gosneys, so I grabbed it up and added this fun comic to my collection. And the story ends on such a cliff hanger that the next time I was in that store, I made sure to buy issue 2, which I’m pretty sure will make an appearance here someday.
Comic Book Credits: Mike Friedrich (writer), Paul Reinman (art breakdowns), Mike Royer (finished art/lettering), Stan Goldberg (colorist), John Buscema (cover art), and Roy Thomas (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Ka-Zar #1 is 20¢, while the current value is $24. The Key Collector Comics value is also $20.
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: 260
Great issue! Right up my alley. I hope that you get the chance to read more of Barry Windsor smiths Conan. That 2st issue, while great, is him still kinda trying to be Kirby. A few issues in, his artwork really blossoms. And yeah, he would kick ka-zars butt, unless Zabu has something to say about it.
Thanks, Spencer! I’ve got a bunch of Conan issues from this first run, and sometimes include them here, but going back to the beginning was a real treat! Regardless of the outcome, I think a Conan Ka-Zar fight may prove interesting, but one we may never see.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!