Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 111, where we take a look at 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.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog (except for digital issues), I list the current secondary market value. This is according to the listings at the website www.comicbookrealm.com. They list out the near mint prices, which are on the comic book grading scale of 9.4. If you go to the website to look up any in your collection, you can click on the price and see the value at different grades. Not all of my comics are 9.4. Some are probably better, and some are worse. But to simplify it, that’s the grading price I use here. And remember, a comic book is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Have you considered being a guest host for Cool Comics? You can do a theme or just pick any of your comics for inclusion (this blog is for all ages, so please keep that in mind), with a maximum of seven issues. Repeat guest hosts are permitted and encouraged. Send your completed blog to edgosney62@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says, “Leave a reply.” I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I do writing about them. And now, Episode 111…

Cool Comics News!

Last weekend I was invited to conduct my panel on comic book nostalgia at Akron Comicon, and I had a blast! I appreciate all who came out, and want to give a special thanks to David Ehase, Bryan Pixler, and Ted Sikora for participating on the panel. I absolutely loved the con, and hope some of you will consider attending next year. Be sure to see some of my pictures (just click on them to see a larger image) from Akron Comicon below!

Though I’m not covering the issue today, and I’ve seen others give away the big reveal in Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #6 (it came out last week), I won’t say what happened, in case it’s still sitting in your “To Be Read” pile. But will it stick? We’ve seen reveals like this in comics for decades, and more often than not the creators change their minds and find a way to erase what seems like a big deal. I’m curious to see how it all turns out. And no, Uncle Ben is still dead.

Cool Comics

Cool comics in my collection #534: Captain America #695, January 2018.

I’ve seen a number of people state on social media that Marvel Legacy provides a “jumping off” point for them, yet many are curious to see what Marvel is going to do with Captain America after the events of Secret Empire. Without having read that limited series, but knowing a little of what it was about, I’ll tell you that I really enjoyed this first Marvel Legacy issue of Captain America, and I like the direction they appear to be taking with it. Steve Rogers needs to gain the trust of the people and shine a light on what Captain America really stands for, so he decides to travel the country, visiting small town America, but also keeping tabs on Hydra and ways he can take them down. Will he ride into your hometown? Keep reading and find out! The cover price of Captain America #695 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #535: Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands, January 2018.

I’ve always held a special place in my comic-book-loving heart for lesser known heroes, and Black Lightning is fast becoming a favorite. Tony Isabella, the writer and creator (who happens to live just a few cities west of me), has been given an opportunity to take hold of the writing reigns once more, and I’m hoping that DC sees it has such a hit on its hands (and with the upcoming CW TV series featuring Black Lightning, it just may!) that Tony gets to transition from this six issue limited series to an ongoing title. I had a brief conversation with Tony about this new Black Lightning comic at Akron Comicon (and if you click on the cover, you’ll easily be able to see where he signed my book!), and while he wondered what fans may think about certain changes to the character, I told him I thought he did a great job and produced a very entertaining read. If you want to help support comic creators, give the new Black Lighting title a try. The cover price of Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool Comics Classics

Cool comics in my collection #536: Black Lightning #5, November 1977.

Picking out Black Lightning #5 from the original series run was a no-brainer for this week, as I took it to Akron Comicon with me and had it signed by the original writer, Tony Isabella, and the original penciller, Trevor Von Eeden (who was hired by DC Comics at just 16 years of age…let that sink in a minute while you consider your first job at 16). You’re probably asking yourself why issue #5, and not #1. Well, for starters, I don’t own the first issue. I have issue 4, but it’s buried in a box somewhere, and this issue was easy to find, as I have it filed away with other future Cool Comics Classics. Plus, it has Superman in trouble on the cover, while Jimmy Olsen and Black Lightning look on. Two historically significant characters with a (at the time) new hero, trying to find his way in the pantheon of DC legends. Pretty cool stuff. And yes, you can click on this cover to get a close-up view of Tony’s and Trevor’s signatures on my comic. They were both such nice gentlemen and it’s an honor to have their signatures on my comic. The cover price of Black Lightning #5 is 35¢, while the current value is $12.

Recently Read Digital Comics

Popular DC villain Harley Quinn made her first appearance on Batman: The Animated Series in September 1992, voiced by actress Arleen Sorkin. Which means the character is now 25 years old. Yes, you read that correctly, she’s now been around for a quarter of a century. But breaking into print took another year, and in September 1993 Harley Quinn showed up in The Batman Adventures #12, which sold for $1.25. If you happened to buy it in 1993, good for you. Because if you want a copy of it now, the current value is about $595, depending on condition. Harley Quinn quickly became popular, and is now a mainstay of the DC Universe. Did you see the Suicide Squad movie? Yup. She’s in it. Do I have a copy of The Batman Adventures #12? No, but what I do have is a digital edition I downloaded free from comiXology. And while there is no resale value, and it’s not the same as having the original comic book, I enjoyed getting the opportunity to read this issue without having to pay a big chunk of money.

Akron Comicon Highlights!

Writer Ted Sikora and Apama, the Undiscovered Animal, could be seen the moment you walked in the door at Akron Comicon. I met Ted at another con a few months ago, and Apama became one of my favorite comic books, and now I have a signed edition of Volume 2!

Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden sign books and answer questions at Akron Comicon.

Marc Sumerak signs a copy of his book The Complete Marvel Cosmos. Happy to add this one to my library!

Though I haven’t seen Thor: Ragnarok yet, it was fun to see the members of #asgardohio roaming the halls of the John S. Knight Center during Akron Comicon. Kids and adults alike got a kick out of these awesome Asgardians!

What a thrill to have artist P. Craig Russell sign a copy of The Sandman: The Dream Hunters for me!

Akron Comicon wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider-Ham!

Comic book legends Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz having a good time at Akron Comicon.

Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden loved answering questions about Black Lightning over the weekend.

A panel of heavy hitters at Akron Comicon: Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz (Thor), Jack C. Harris, John Totleben, Mike Sangiacomo, P. Craig Russell, and Mike Gustovich.

The Penguin was ready for lots of fan photo opportunities!

What do you get when you cross Doctor Strange and Eleven from Stranger Things? Doctor Strangerthings, these two told me!

David Ehase hosts Brave and the Bold: The Trevor Von Eeden and Mike W. Barr panel discussion. I picked up the complete collection of Camelot 3000 from Mike and had him sign it for me!

I couldn’t resist buying and getting this Star Trek book signed by both Mike Ingersoll and Tony Isabella at Akron Comicon as a gift for my wife!