Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 412, 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 412…
Cool Comics Stuff!
If you enjoy picking up comic book annuals, the season is in full swing. Pictured here are a couple fun recent acquisitions featuring Spider-Man and Superman!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Insomnia versus Adam Warlock! 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 Optimus Prime! 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
#2076 — Knight Terrors #3, DC, October 2023.
Cool Factor: When I saw the solicitations for Knight Terrors running through July and August for just about every DC title, I looked at it as a month off, saving myself some cash. Because sometimes while in the midst of reading these big company crossovers, I end up having some regrets about committing my time and money to stories that just don’t mean that much to me. Yet I ended up deciding to at least pick up the titles I was already collecting, such as Batman, Shazam!, Superman, etc. But before reading them, I realized I truly did need the ongoing Knight Terrors limited series so that the stories would make sense to me. And here we are now at issue 3, and I’ve enjoyed it more than I anticipated. I know this isn’t for everyone, but I’m pleasantly surprised with these interrelated tales.
Comic Book Credits: Joshua Williamson (writer); Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, and Caspar Wijngaard (art); Frank Martin and Caspar Wijngaard (colors); Troy Peteri (letters); Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, and Brad Anderson (cover); and Ben Abernathy (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Knight Terrors #3 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2077 — Strange Tales #178, Marvel, June 2023 (Original Cover Date: February 1975).
Cool Factor: When I was reading comics in the early to mid-Seventies, I had no idea who Adam Warlock was, nor do I remember reading any comics in which he made an appearance. And sometimes these older Cool Comics just cost too much to collect, which makes me appreciate Facsimile Editions even more! If you’re a fan of Warlock but haven’t read much of his earlier comic book appearances, you may want to grab a copy of this one before it gets too hard to find. Unless, of course, you don’t mind paying a little more for an original, which is valued at $150 on CBR and $315 on Key Collector Comics.
Comic Book Credits: Jim Starlin (writer/artist/colorist/cover pencils/cover inks), Annette Kawecki (letterer), Danny Crespi (cover letters), and Len Wein (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Strange Tales #178 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 15 of 2023)
#2078 — Red Sonja, Dynamite, May 2023.
Cool Factor: Sometimes when I’m reading Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) issues, they can be a bit of a struggle to get through if they aren’t much in my wheelhouse. But this one contained two fun Red Sonja stories, one of which is a reprint from her first appearance way back in her Marvel days. If you noticed a recent spate of barbarian heroes at Cool Comics, then you’ve been paying attention, as I sometimes enjoy traversing through such stories, and when flipping through my remaining FCBD issues, this one seemed a natural fit.
Comic Book Credits: Cover Artist: Nick Bradshaw; His Master’s Voice: Torunn Grønbekk (writer), Walter Geovani (artist), Omi Remalante Jr. (colorist), Simon Bowland (letterer), and Joseph Rybandt (editor); The Temple of Abomination (originally published in Marvel Feature #1): Roy Thomas (writer/editor), Dick Giordano (artist), Michele Wolfman (colorist), and Cathi Ann Thomas (letterer).
Price and Values: The cover price of Red Sonja is free while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2079 — Mickey Mouse #98, Gold Key, December 1964.
Cool Factor: From my reading experience, Mickey Mouse comics typically are a bit different from other Disney characters when it comes to the kind of adventure stories published. They’re rarely light-hearted or full of comedy (although his buddy Goofy is usually good for a few laughs), instead presenting us with outlandish robberies of some type, and Mickey and Goofy often save the day. When I think about it, they remind me a bit of Indiana Jones…if he were a talking mouse. These are fun comics for younger readers, and if you can find them in sale bins, I recommend adding them to your collection.
Comic Book Credits: There are a number of short tales in this issue that have credits, including the following creators: Paul Murry, Tony Strobl, Steve Steere, Tom McKimson, and Alice Nielsen Cobb. Please click and see the listing at GCD for the story names and credits.
Price and Values: The cover price of Mickey Mouse #98 is 12¢, while the current value is $55.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2080 — Marvel Tales #43, Marvel, June 1973.
Cool Factor: When I was a younger comic book reader, I had no clue that Marvel Tales were reprints of The Amazing Spider-Man (and as I’ve mentioned here before, it took me a while to discover why Gwen Stacy was still alive in these stories). And when I found that out, I really wasn’t keen on them anymore. But nowadays, I love the reprint titles that Marvel used to publish, giving newer readers an opportunity to enjoy older stories…especially in the days before comic shops with lots of back issue bins. This issue reprints The Amazing Spider-Man #60, a much older comic that costs around $320 today (I appreciate not having to spend that much money!), and it contains a nice battle against the Kingpin!
Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (script/original edits), John Romita (layouts/cover pencils/cover inks), Don Heck (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Sam Rosen (letterer), and Roy Thomas (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Marvel Tales #43 is 20¢, while the current values are $10 on CBR and $5 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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