Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 416, 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 416…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Here are my thoughts on a couple comics I appreciated from last week. While I’m enjoying the Justice Society of America series from DC, the scheduling has me disappointed. I’d love to see some consistency with this great title. The current run of Fantastic Four isn’t what I’m used to, but I’m enjoying the ride. If you’re a fan of the Thing, you may want to grab this issue.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Sabrina the Teenage Witch versus The Hulk! 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 Batman and some of his 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
#2096 — Sabrina Annual Spectacular, Archie, October 2023.
Cool Factor: These days, from what I’m seeing, new Archie comics contain one original story and reprints from the past. And I’m fine with the reprints, because I have yet to run across a story from the past that I’ve read before. September, as we all know, ushers in Fall (along with lots of pumpkin spice treats), so a Sabrina the Teenage Witch issue is a nice start towards Halloween season. And this issue is a bit spectacular (just like the title says) because it gives us a look at the first ever Sabrina story, which dates back to October 1962.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña; Power of Three – Jamie L. Rotante (writer), Holly G! (pencils), Jim Amash (inks), Glen Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters); Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch – George Gladir (script), Dan DeCarlo (Pencils), Rudy Lapick (inks), and Vincent DeCarlo (letters); Spook Out – Al Hartley (script/pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), and Bill Yoshida (letters); The Court Jester – Dick Malmgren (script), Harry Lucey (pencils), Marty Epp (inks), and Bill Yoshida (letters); Scary Cat – Ian Flynn (writer), Chad Thomas (art), Glenn Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters); and Jamie Lee Rotante, Vincent Lovallo, and Stephen Oswald as editorial team.
Price and Values: The cover price of Sabrina Annual Spectacular is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2097 — Hulk #1, Marvel, December 2019 (Original Cover Date: May 1962).
Cool Factor: If I had an extra $180,000 in my bank account, who knows, maybe I’d purchase a nicely graded copy of Incredible Hulk #1. But instead, I’m satisfied with my beautiful Facsimile Edition, which comes with the same story, art, and ads…so why go broke? If you’re a Hulk fan and don’t have the original – or even a reprint in a trade – you may want to add this historic issue to your collection. And you can probably find yourself a copy since Marvel recently published a second print run.
Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (script/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils/cover pencils), Paul Reinman (inks), Stan Goldberg (colors/cover colors), Ray Holloway (letters), and Artie Simek (cover letters/logo/title on splash page).
Price and Values: The cover price of Incredible Hulk #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $15 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $15.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 19 of 2023)
#2098 — Ranger Academy, BOOM! Studios, May 2023.
Cool Factor: If I were a wee bit younger, there’s a chance I would be a huge fan of Power Rangers. And while I’m sure there are a number of older guys who are fans, it’s never really interested me. So, I was surprised when this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition ended up entertaining me beyond my expectations. Not enough to get me to become a fanatic, but I’m always pleased when the time I spend reading these feels worth it.
Comic Book Credits: Maria Ingrande Mora (writer), Jo Mi-Gyeong (illustrator), Fabiana Mascolo (colors), Cardinal Rae (letters), Miguel Mercado (cover), Madison Goyette (designer), and Dafna Pleban (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Ranger Academy is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2099 — Hot Stuff #147, Harvey Comics, February 1979.
Cool Factor: Since Sabrina put me in the mood to start thinking about the fun of October, I decided to go with another scary theme (well, Harvey characters really aren’t scary, just fun!) and had a devil of a time when I read this issue of Hot Stuff! Sadly, I’m sure there are many kids today who will never know the joys of Harvey comics. They were such staples in the Sixties and Seventies that I always read these with a bit of misty-eyed nostalgia, even though I rarely read any of them when I was young. Besides, I probably appreciate them more today than I ever did as a kid.
Comic Book Credits: As per usual with so many comic books for the Young at Heart, I was unable to find creator information for this issue of Hot Stuff. Stories in this issue include Jokeland, The Winged One, The Second Mr. Gulliver, Stumbo the Giant, and Acting Big.
Price and Values: The cover price of Hot Stuff #147 is 35¢, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2100 — The Brave & the Bold #138, DC, November 1977.
Cool Factor: There were so many great team-up titles in the Seventies that it’s unfortunate I didn’t have enough pocket change to buy them all. And while that sounds a bit greedy, most of you know exactly what I mean. As I’ve stated here several times over the years, I was mainly a Marvel kid, so buying discounted back issues of DC four-color adventures adds to the fun of the hobby for me, taking me on a trip to those early days of collecting and sharing titles with kids in my neighborhood. And besides those reasons for this being a cool comic, The Brave & the Bold never seems to disappoint.
Comic Book Credits: Bob Haney (script), Jim Aparo (pencils/inks/letters/cover pencils/cover inks), Jerry Serpe (colors), Tatjana Wood (cover colors), Vince Colletta (art director), Denny O’Neil (story editor), and Joe Orlando (managing editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Brave & the Bold #138 is 35¢, while the current value is $12.
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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For this week’s battle, I’m going to say that Sabrina would use her magic to shrink the Hulk and trap him in a jar!
I like it, Renee! But Hulk will eventually break the jar, so Sabrina may want to send it to a different dimension before that happens.
Thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!