Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 411, 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 411…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Some additional Cool Comics from last week include an offbeat Fantastic Four #10, The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 with more Hallows’ Eve shenanigans, and Knight Terrors: Batman #2. If you’re reading this new DC summer event, be sure to tune in for our next episode!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Lois Lane versus Daffy Duck! 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 of Cool Comics, we see a Sydney Walton Ghost Rider commission piece. His 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
#2071 — Conan: The Barbarian #1, Titan Comics, August 2023.
Cool Factor: Last week I showed off my Facsimile Edition of Conan the Barbarian #1 from Marvel (the original came out in 1970), and for this episode, Cool Comics is proud to present the next iteration of Conan, courtesy of Titan Comics. This new run looks to be a bit more on the barbaric side and comes with a warning on the cover that it’s “SUGGESTED FOR MATURE READERS.” Times sure have changed. And while I prefer comics that can be read by all ages, I don’t think many little ones care much about Conan. This series is off to an exciting start and I hope it continues to deliver the way this first issue did.
Comic Book Credits: Jim Zub (writer), Rob De La Torre (artist), José Villarrubia (color artist), Richard Starkings (letterer), Dan Panosian (cover artist), and Matt Murray (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Conan: The Barbarian #1 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2072 — Captain America #354, Marvel, March 2021 (Original Cover Date: June 1989).
Cool Factor: My first awareness of U.S. Agent came through the Toy Biz action figure. In 1989 I wasn’t reading comic books, but my wife and I started getting action figures and eventually purchased some guy who was sort of like Captain America. Then I started up with comics again in 1993, but I didn’t really learn much about John Walker until I watched The Falcon And The Winter Soldier on Disney+. And while it’s fun to watch some of the superhero shows and movies, I prefer the original source material, so I made sure to get a Facsimile Edition of Captain America #354. The original is valued around $90, and while I might be able to find a lower priced copy, I really enjoy building up my Facsimile library and had a blast stepping back to 1989 while getting the inside scoop.
Comic Book Credits: Mark Gruenwald (script), Kieron Dwyer (pencils/cover pencils), Al Milgrom (inks/cover inks), Bob Sharen (colors), Jack Morelli (letters), and Ralph Macchio (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Captain America #354 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $5 on CBR and $4 on ZKC.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 14 of 2023)
#2073 — Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story, DC, July 2023.
Cool Factor: I don’t know how well the graphic novels for young readers are selling for DC, but it seems they’ve been giving it a go for the last few years, often including previews via Free Comic Book Day (FCBD). This wasn’t a bad story, and perhaps I’d have liked it better if I read the entire tale, but if it’s getting younger people to give comic books a try, then I’m all for it. If you have a hankering to learn more about the early days of Superman’s spouse, then hunt down a copy of this one.
Comic Book Credits: Sarah Kuhn (writer), Arielle Jovellanos (artist/cover artist), Olivia Pecini (colors/cover colors), Melanie Ujimori (lettering), and Sara Miller (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story is free, while the current values are $0 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2074 — Daffy Duck #144, Whitman, 1984.
Cool Factor: Although I’m a fan of Donald Duck and his various fowl relatives, I grew up watching Daffy Duck on the small screen on many a Saturday morning. He was certainly one of my favorite Looney Tunes characters, and whenever I spot one of his comics in a quarter box of comic books, I make sure to add them to my collection. This issue has several different, complete stories that are perfect for short attention spans. Also, if you have little readers in your life who don’t know the joys of Daffy Duck, why not look for a few to set them on the right (flight) path?
Comic Book Credits: This anthology edition of Daffy Duck is packed with plenty of fun stories, but only one tale has any credits listed at Grand Comics Database, and that’s Phil De Lara for pencils and inks.
Price and Values: The cover price of Daffy Duck #144 is 60¢, while the current value is $35.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2075 — Fightin’ Army #100, Charlton Comics, November 1971.
Cool Factor: A few weeks ago, the celebrated writer of Longbox Junk, Atom Baum, mentioned (it could have been in one of his wonderful reviews, or perhaps a Facebook post – I no longer remember) that Fightin’ Marines was a comic he read and enjoyed, since he’s a Marine vet. It was then that I decided I needed more issues of Fightin’ Army, since I’m an Army vet. And lucky me, I was able to snag this one hundredth issue for just $1.50 at one of my local comic shops. Today, it’s rare to find military comic books, unless you’re searching back issues, but not that long ago (okay, maybe it was a long time ago…), you had your choice of several different titles and publishers that showcased the bravery of these men and women who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Jack Keller (pencils/inks) and Charlotte Jetter (letters); The Superman’s Last Battle – Pete Morisi (pencils/inks/letters); No Social Club – Charles Nicholas (pencils) and Vince Alascia (inks); Death at Dawn in St. Valery – Charles Nicholas (pencils) and Vince Alascia (inks); Those Other Heroes – Charles Nicholas (pencils) and Vince Alascia (inks); The Medic! – Jack Keller (pencils/inks); The Enemy – none found.
Price and Values: The cover price of Fightin’ Army #100 is 20¢, while the current value is $22.
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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My disappointment with this blog grows every week. You call it COOL COMICS IN MY COLLECTION, but you have yet to do an entire blog focusing on cold and ice-based characters. Iceman, Captain Cold, Frozone, etc. You slacker!
Ha! Someone’s finally called me out!
Maybe I could lie and say that I store my comics in a special protective vault that keeps them at absolute zero…making them the coolest comics of all time!
Thanks for keeping us laughing, Tony, and thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!