Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 88, where we take a nostalgic look at comic books I currently own, and in some sad cases, ones that I let get away.

For each of the comic books I include in this blog, 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 88…

Cool Comics News!

A really nice guy named David (and besides being nice, he possesses an incredible knowledge of comic books and their creators) invited me, via a Facebook group on comic books, to attend Akron Pop! Comic Book Club at a local Akron Library branch (Shatto Avenue). The club meets on the last Tuesday of the month for an hour and 45 minutes, and I have to tell you it was worth every minute of it. As a matter-of-fact, the time seemed to fly by. If you’re a comic book collector, reader, or fan, you’d probably enjoy spending some time with this knowledgeable, fun group of collectors. And one of the members is a long-time comic book writer and editor! If you live in the greater Akron, Ohio, area, you may want to check it out and come to the June 27 meeting.

Cool comics in my collection #436: The Flash: Kid Flash of Two Worlds #1, April 2017.

The most consistent aspect of the Walmart DC 3-pack variants is that there is no consistency. This issue was originally published as Flash 9, as part of the Rebirth series. But if you’ve noticed, the variants sometimes have subtitles, such as this one using “Kid Flash of Two Worlds.” There is nothing wrong with this, and current comic collectors can easily enough find out which issues these really are. The marketing is probably more for non-collectors to grab up #1 issues. And unless you want to have the variants be a part of your collection, you may want to avoid making an additional purchase. But for those of us who don’t buy new comics, and instead spend our days grazing back issue boxes in search of that last issue needed to complete a run (The Champions #2, January 1976…where are you?), it’s kind of fun to get these and see what’s going on in today’s DC world. The Flash is popular right now with a TV show and appearances in DC movies, so why not get this one if you’re a fan? DC is really doing things right with Rebirth, so grab this 3-pack while it’s still available. The cover price of Flash #9 is $2.99, while the current value of this variant is $5.

Cool comics in my collection #437: Batman Eternal #30, December 2014.

This is the third issue I’ve found of Batman Eternal in a Walmart DC 3-pack, and I’ve enjoyed each one. Batman Eternal was part of The New 52 and consists of 52 issues. If you’re a Bat Fan, I’d say it’s a must, as the stories are entertaining in that typical Batman fashion. So many people I’ve talked to over the years have a story about how Batman was their first comic book hero, whether via cartoon, TV show, movie, or comic book. And for the last few decades, I’m sure many people had their first introduction to superheroes through toys or party favors or paper plates and napkins or bedspreads or comics in breakfast cereals. Superheroes are all around us in so many ways, and with just a smidgen of parental influence, these characters can so easily become a part of our daily routines. So what’s your origin story when it comes to comic books? Who was the first hero you remember, and how was the character introduced to you? I’d love to read about it in the comments below, so please join in and participate! The cover price of Batman Eternal #30 is $2.99, while the current value is $3.

Cool comics in my collection #438: Justice League United #4, October 2014.

I’ve read Justice League of America, Justice League America, JLA, Justice League Europe, Justice League International, and Justice League Task Force comics. And during The New 52, there was Justice League United, so now I can add that one to my “Read It” list. This is issue 4, and there were just 16 issues, so read into that however you please. For the most part, I tend to enjoy all sorts of comics, especially if they contain characters I like. But for me, something felt flat with this comic. Maybe it’s because I missed the first 3 issues, and maybe it also has something to do with not keeping up with new stuff. Yet I’ve enjoyed almost everything I’ve read in these Walmart DC 3-packs. So maybe this title just wasn’t all that cool after all. So, while today it lives as cool comic #438 in my collection, it just may end up in a garage sale box, where it will find better love than I can give it. The cover price of Justice League United is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Recently Read Digital Comics

I tend to like my heroes to be heroes, and my villains to be villains, and when my son gave me a free code to get Volume 1 of “Injustice: Gods Among Us,” from comiXology, I was somewhat apprehensive to read it. If you are a constant reader of this blog, you may recall that back in Episode 83, Cool Comic #422 was a variant issue of Injustice: Gods Among Us #1. It was a tough read because of what Superman was tricked into doing by that foul fiend, the Joker. Yet it became the catalyst for everything that comes after, and it’s a fascinating look at what could happen if powerful beings decided to enforce the law from their perspective. This is nothing new in fiction or reality. Yet DC does a masterful job in convincing you to keep turning digital pages (remember, this section of the blog is about comics I read on my tablet) and to shell out your cash for Volume 2 (yes, I had to buy Volume 2!). Heroes die. Heroes become villains, but not in their own minds. Villains become heroes. Some of your favorites meet an early death. Part of the power of this series is that it’s based on a video game; therefore, it’s not canon and the creators can kill characters off without upsetting the applecart (this has to be the first time I’ve ever used that phrase…and it may just be the last). When the newest version of the video game launched recently, these collections were on sale, so I may wait before I continue on in the series, but I have every intention to continue reading it, because it’s that good.