Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 71, 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 71…

Cool comics in my collection #391: Superman #1 (Walmart Variant), September 2016.

So far I’ve mostly enjoyed the Rebirth stories I found in the Walmart 3-Packs a few weeks ago, but Superman #1 is probably my favorite so far. This story goes beyond the normal superhero life of saving people, saving the planet, and trying to maintain a normal civilian life. Because what if you have a child with powers (yes, we’ve seen if before with Franklin Richards, David Haller, also known as Legion, and others, but this is Superman, the granddaddy of them all) they can’t yet control. In situations like this, things usually go wrong. And sometimes others want to put a stop to it before it gets out of control. I’m not exactly sure where DC is going with this story, but it looks like it will be an interesting ride. The cover price of Superman #1 $2.99, while the current value of this variant is $5.

Cool comics in my collection #392: Wonder Woman #1 (Walmart Variant), August 2016.

If Superman is the granddaddy of superheroes, Wonder Woman is the granny, and this rebirth issue pulls in some familiar characters with Steve Trevor and Etta Candy. Considering that Wonder Woman has made her big screen appearance and will be a future feature film (don’t you just love alliteration?), I would think this Wonder Woman Rebirth series will do pretty well. The additions of Steve and Etta aren’t old school corny, but modern day gritty, which fits the mold well in this age of The Hunger Games fans. If you haven’t read the Amazon Princess in a while, why not start with this series? The cover price of Wonder Woman #1 is $2.99, while the current value of this variant is $5.

Recently Read Digital Comics

If money were no object, and, like the late Jim Croce, I had time in a bottle, well, I’d probably want to read further issues of several of my digital comic reads this past week.

By using Amazon Prime Reading, I was able to read the digital version of Archie #6, but most unfortunately, that’s the last issue they are currently offering to Prime members. It looks like if I want to continue, I’ll have to shell out some dollars. And it just might be worth it, because this series, written by Mark Waid, is a pretty cool look at Archie and the gang in the 21st century. No zombies here, but it’s not the typical Archie I grew up with, either. I think the show Riverdale borrowed a little from this, a little from Afterlife with Archie, and a little Archie’s Weird Mysteries.

The digital comics I currently have on my Marvel comic app were all freebies, which is a great way to hook new readers and lasso us in to being regular customers. So I decided to give Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 a try (it’s listed in the store as Lexus Presents…then the title). A couple weeks back I reported here that I’d read Agents of Shield #1: The Coulson Protocols, and I really enjoyed that 6 issue collection. Not the same story with this one, though. I didn’t like the story or art that much. Which makes me happy it was free.

Being that I’ve been out of touch with new comics for over a decade, I had no idea what the Dark Avengers was all about. Issue 1 from 2009 was another Marvel app freebie, and I’m glad I read this one, as it kept my interest and showed a darker side to things in a fun way, with Norman Osborne putting together a powerful team of “heroes.” This one was interesting enough that I wouldn’t someday mind reading more, but it’s not at the top of my list, so it will have to wait a while. But if it’s still being offered for free, grab it now.

Incredible Hulk #1 from December 2011 had a story that sort of personifies the character, seeking solace amongst a hidden race, but yet staying separate from them. I enjoyed the story and art, and it took me back to 1974, reading a Hulk comic in my bedroom in the evening by the lamp on my nightstand. I love it when a comic book takes your mind on a trip back in time. It also made me think a little of the old Hulk TV show, where David Banner (instead of Bruce Banner), tried to set up a life, but the Hulk, and others, always got in the way of happiness, and he’d have to leave town with sad music playing in the background. This is another series I may have to explore further.

Probably the most fun title I read this week via digital comics was Avenging Spider-Man #1, from January 2012. I’ve liked Spider-Man in team-ups ever since, well, being a big reader of Marvel Team-Up back in the Seventies (had to get another reference to Seventies comics in there!). This comic introduced me to the Red Hulk (Thaddeus Ross) and it was a lot of fun. And the ending to this one really leaves the reader wanting more! I can see Avenging Spider-Man being a digital title I continue to read down the line.

Everybody Loves Free Stuff!

Last October I met this ultra-cool writer named Ted Fauster, and I bought some of his books. So far, I’ve had time to read just one, but wow, what a fantastic story! Now, instead of paying out your cold, hard cash like I did, you can get the same novel I read for free. Seriously. Just click here , fill out the simple little form that’s pictured below, and it’s all yours!

If you want to know a little more, here’s what I said in my review of it on Amazon:

Ted Fauster’s Deomans of Faerel is a smart piece of fantasy that succeeds in immersing the reader into an original story that pleases on many levels. From the world-building to the characters to the plot to the quality of writing, Fauster’s book keeps us constantly entertained and turning pages. I love the unique take on each of the characters. Fauster does a great job of pulling us into his world and making us care. This is the first of a series, and there is no doubt I will be returning to find out what happens to our four heroes on their quest to find the Destiny Scrolls.

This is one adventure that you, as a comic book lover, don’t want to miss out on.

A little more about Ted:

Ted Fauster is an award-winning science and fantasy fiction author. He is the creator of the popular World of Faerel series and the author of numerous other books and short stories. Ted loves meeting people, is an avid tabletop gamer, and a lover of retro arcade games, especially pinball. Ted lives in Portland, Oregon but takes to the road each year in his vintage Winnebago aptly named, The Aluminum Faulcon.