Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 417, 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 417…
Cool Comics Stuff!
A couple cool comics of note from last week are Werewolf By Night (if you liked the Disney+ special, give this one a try) and Incredible Hulk #4, featuring the Man-Thing! These two issues are perfect to put you in the mood for the coming Halloween season.
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Lobo versus Dr. Doom! 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 get double covers from Image featuring The Savage Dragon and Spawn, by Sydney Walton. 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
#2101 — Batman and Robin #1, DC, November 2023.
Cool Factor: If you like Batman and Robin (the Damian Wayne version), then you owe it to yourself to give this new series a try. OK, maybe you don’t owe it to yourself or anyone else, but if you want 15 minutes of fun entertainment superhero style, then maybe you’ll decide it’s worth it to spend five dollars for the magic of words and art. Like all new series that I try, I’m never too sure how long I’ll keep reading it, but it’s a positive sign that I’m excited to read issue #2.
Comic Book Credits: Joshua Williamson (writer), Simone Di Meo (art/color/cover), Steve Wands (letterer), and Ben Abernathy (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Batman and Robin #1 is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2102 — The Omega Men #3, DC, September 2023 (Original Cover Date: June 1983).
Cool Factor: I bought and read this issue without really knowing anything about The Omega Men, but this Facsimile Edition gave me an opportunity to explore the first appearance of Lobo, and I’m strongly committed to adding these fun reprints to my collection (for this one, the original is worth around $85). And I could be wrong here, but I don’t believe Lobo was mentioned by name. I flipped back through the comic after I finished it and still didn’t see his name, so if you know it’s in there, let us know where to find it in the comments section below!
Comic Book Credits: Roger Slifer (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils/cover pencils), Mike DeCarlo (inks/cover inks), John Costanza (letterer), Anthony Tollin (colors), and Marv Wolfman (editor)
Price and Values: The cover price of The Omega Men #3 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 20 of 2023)
#2103 — Crimebuster, Comic House, May 2023.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition ended up better than I’d anticipated, and if I wasn’t already spending too much money on my four-color fun, I’d consider finding more issues of Crimebuster (wait a minute, after a quick look on CBR, this new iteration is just getting started). Especially considering the way the first story in this FCBD issue ends. Eventually I’ll forget all about it (which isn’t too hard considering the hundreds of issues I read each year), but while it’s on my mind, I’ll continue to wonder where the story is going for a little while longer.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Guy Perez; Crimebuster – Keith WTS Morris & Adrien Benson (story), Sam MacDonald (script), Giulia Gualazzi (art), Marianno Lucus Morales (colors); Boy Comics Issue 3 – Charles Biro (script/art), Michael Kelleher & Kellustration (restoration); Andrew Thomas (letters), and Keith WTS Morris (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Crimebuster is free, while the current value is $1.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2104 — Donald Duck #183, Whitman, May 1977.
Cool Factor: In the first story, A Day In A Duck’s Life, Donald’s greed causes not only problems for himself, but also for his three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. But should we expect anything less? Donald has plenty of flaws, including his temper, yet I always enjoy reading these older Disney stories. This issue also contains another tale with Donald and his nephews, and an adventure featuring Goofy. These older Whitman/Gold Key comics are just perfect for the young at heart!
Comic Book Credits: Creators include Larry Mayer, Carl Barks, Kay Wright, Dick Hall, and Del Connell. To see details on story titles, creators for each story, characters for the stories, and other cool stats, please see the entry at GCD.
Price and Values: The cover price of Donald Duck #183 is 30¢, while the current value is $22.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2105 — Astonishing Tales #1, Marvel, August 1970.
Cool Factor: Wait a minute…Ka-Zar and Dr. Doom in the same Seventies comic book? I love the double image on the cover of the two storylines, and while the two title characters don’t cross paths, this is a fun anthology style issue that gives readers some entertaining variety. By the way, if you don’t look closely enough, you may miss the fact that Ka-Zar is IN THE CLUTCHES OF KRAVEN THE HUNTER! These were two great stories that continue into issue #2, so I guess I’ll be looking for yet another back issue to add to my collection!
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Marie Severin (pencils), Bill Everett (inks), Sam Rosen (letters), and Morrie Kuramoto (top caption); The Power of Ka-Zar! – Stan Lee (script), Jack Kirby (pencils), Sam Grainger (inks), and Sam Rosen (letters); Unto You Is Born… The Doomsman! – Roy Thomas (script), Wally Wood (pencils/inks), and Artie Simek (letters); and Stan Lee (editor).
Price and Values: The cover price of Astonishing Tales #1 is 15¢, while the current values are $125 on CBR and $100 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $85.
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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Loved the art by Sydney Walton
John, thanks for showing some love to Sydney!
And thanks for being an important part of Cool Comics!