Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 418, 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 418…
Cool Comics Stuff!
Cool Comics Crowd, take note that in December, we’re getting the return of The Maze Agency, via Scout Comics, which can be found in the newest edition of Previews. When you have a personal connection with the comics you’re reading, it adds so much to the experience, and the creator of The Maze Agency (which first appeared in 1988), Mike W. Barr (a comic book legend), is someone I’ve gotten to know over the last five or six years. If you’re looking for something different from the usual capes and tights four-color entertainment, be sure to put The Maze Agency on your pull list!
Cool Comics Battle of the Week!
The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Invincible versus Popeye! 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 Sleestaks from Land of the Lost! 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
#2106 — Captain America #1, Marvel, November 2023.
Cool Factor: While Marvel’s been doing a lot of different things with Captain America lately, bringing in J. Michael Straczynski may be the best decision they’ve made over the last few years. When I was a kid and started buying my own comic books, I was heavily influenced by the reruns of the Marvel cartoons from the Sixties, and Captain America was one of my favorites, so naturally it was one of the first titles I started collecting. At times, Steve Rogers seems to be an inconsistent character, as writers try to put their own mark on the patriotic hero, and with this first issue, I’m fascinated to follow wherever Straczynski is taking him.
Comic Book Credits: J. Michael Straczynski (writer), Jesús Saiz (artist/cover artist), Matt Hollingsworth (color artist), Joe Caramagna (letterer), Jay Bowen (logo designer), Kat Gregorowicz (production designer), Kaitlyn Lindtvedt (assistant editor), Alanna Smith (editor), Tom Brevoort (executive editor), and C.B. Cebulski (editor in chief).
Price and Values: The cover price of Captain America #1 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.
Facsimile Edition Cool Comics
#2107 — Invincible #1, Image, January 2023 (Original Cover Date: January 2003).
Cool Factor: This Facsimile Edition is my second time reading Invincible #1, the first being when it came out during Free Comic Book Day 2020. So, it’s interesting that this issue is the only experience I have with this character, as I’ve never watched the show either, yet I’m intrigued by it. So why haven’t I picked up a collected edition or read it in digital format, or at least watched the animated series? I think my main excuse is time, which tends to grow more valuable the older I get. But if you’re a fan and have read the series or have anything good to say about it, please share with us in the comments section below. By the way, if you want an original copy of issue #1, be prepared to spend a lot of money. The current value ranges from $440 to as high as $3,000.
Comic Book Credits: Robert Kirkman (writer/letterer), Cory Walker (artist/cover artist), and Bill Crabtree (colorist/cover colorist).
Price and Values: The cover price of Invincible #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.
Cool Comics Celebrates FCBD (Week 21 of 2023)
#2108 — Avengers/X-Men #1, Marvel, June 2023.
Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition from Marvel caught my interest, as I haven’t read any new X-Men comics in several months, and it almost has me wanting to, now. As it happened, after reading all the X-Titles for over a year, I decided they really weren’t for me, so it’s been a while. I still enjoy reading older issues (including Facsimile Editions), but the current storyline just failed to hold my attention. But if you are an X-Fan, don’t miss out on this FCBD issue.
Comic Book Credits: Cover – Javier Garrón & Morry Hollowell; X-Men: Prescribed Burn – Gerry Duggan (writer), Joshua Cassara (artist), Marte Gracia (color artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer), Lauren Amaro (associate editor), Jordan D. White (editor), and C.B. Cebulski (editor in chief); Uncanny Avengers: Controlled Demolition – Gerry Duggan (writer), Javier Garrón (artist), Morry Hollowell (color artist), Travis Lanham (letterer), Martin Biro (assistant editor), Annalise Bissa (associate editor)), Tom Brevoort (editor), and C.B. Cebulski (editor in chief).
Price and Values: The cover price of Avengers/X-Men #1 is free, while the current values are $2 on CBR and $1 on ZKC.
Cool Comics for the Young at Heart
#2109 — Popeye the Sailor #139, Whitman, May 1978.
Cool Factor: Popeye the Sailor was a huge part of my childhood, as his cartoons seemed to be on TV every weekend and he had me convinced that eating spinach was one of the keys to a great life. I have some fond memories of sitting in my grandmother’s living room and watching Popeye on her TV, and those childhood moments mean a lot to me now when I think back on them. From the great cast of characters to the exciting plots to the catchy theme song, Popeye seemed to have it all, and reading these old comic books make me feel young at heart.
Comic Book Credits: Bill Pearson (script/letterer), and George Wildman (pencils/inks/cover pencils/cover inks).
Price and Values: The cover price of Popeye the Sailor #139 is 35¢, while the current values are $12 on CBR and $10 on ZKC.
Cool Comics from the 20th Century
#2110 — The Jungle Twins #11, Gold Key, October 1974.
Cool Factor: In October 1974, when this comic book appeared on store shelves and spinner racks, I doubt I even noticed it, if I even saw a copy at all. During this point in my comic book collecting life, nearly all my money (which came from sources like grass cutting, snow shoveling, delivering newspapers, and later selling Grit) went towards my Marvel obsession. But over the decades, I’ve had a great time discovering other fun comic book series that came out in the Seventies, and The Jungle Twins—though I’ve only read this one so far—didn’t disappoint me. I’m fortunate that a local comic shop often has hundreds of old comics selling for just a quarter each, allowing me to look back at what I’ve missed.
Comic Book Credits: Gaylord Du Bois (script), Paul Norris (pencils/inks), and George Wilson (cover painting).
Price and Values: The cover price of The Jungle Twins #11 is 25¢, while the current value is $10.
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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