Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection Episode 109, 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 109…

Cool Comics News!

This is a busy week for Legacy issues that I’ve added to my collection, along with a special DC horror comic I’ve been looking forward to ever since it was announced, featuring cool horror writers like Weston Ochse and Brian Keene. The first six comics are all Marvel Legacy titles I bought last week, and overall, I enjoyed them.

Yesterday, my mail wasn’t just the usual assortment of bills and useless junk. I won tickets to Akron Comicon! If you live within driving distance, or feel like taking a road trip (the dates are November 4 and 5), Akron Comicon won’t disappoint with the lineup of guests they have scheduled. Visit their website and see for yourself!

Cool Comics

Cool comics in my collection #523: The Incredible Hulk #709, December 2017.

The first Legacy issue of The Incredible Hulk sees the Hulk going back to the planet Sakaar, the location of the Planet Hulk storyline. Only it’s not the same Hulk, and I can’t truly claim to know what I’m even talking about! First, Amadeus Cho, the eighth smartest person in the Marvel Universe, is now the Hulk, and I’ve never read Planet Hulk. I own the Prelude title in digital format, and World War Hulk, so I probably need to get Planet Hulk at some point. Anyway, I kind of like this Amadeus version of the Hulk, but for a Legacy title, it doesn’t feel right without Banner. Hulk hasn’t been on my radar much, but I did buy The Totally Awesome Hulk issue 22, which has seen its secondary market value skyrocket lately. Unfortunately, I had to settle for a second printing. Don’t worry, it doesn’t bother me (too much). Can you believe that issue is already selling for around $50? It’s got a Hulk with claws. Like Wolverine. And yes, people are liking it. I read somewhere that Weapon H (I didn’t name him) might be heading for his own series. Anyway, I like this Amadeus kid, as I was saying, and now he has to fight on the planet Sakaar, and I’m looking forward to seeing how all this turns out. The Marvel Value Stamp in this issue is Venom, by the way. The cover price of The Incredible Hulk #709 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #524: Invincible Iron Man #593, December 2017.

I quit reading new comic books for 14 years, and there is no status quo! Mary Jane is a Watson, not a Parker, and she works for Tony Stark. Tony Stark was adopted, and his real mother is in this issue (I had to do a little research on that one, because I wasn’t at all sure who this Amanda woman is). Sort of like the Hulk comic from above, I’m dealing with characters other than the ones I grew up with. But unlike the lack of Bruce in Hulk, Tony…well…okay, no spoilers. If you’re an old school Iron Man reader, just be prepared for “different.” That seems to be the safest route to take when jumping back on board after a lengthy time away. And how does the term “Legacy” fit the story I read? I guess I’ll have to get back to you, once I figure it out. But to be fair, Marvel never said that Legacy was a turning back of the clock in the sense of giving us nothing but the familiar characters of old. It’s a nod to your favorite comics of yesteryear, heroes new and old, and great storylines in the tradition of Marvel Comics. And, of course, all of this can’t be accomplished in one issue per title. So if you’re giving Legacy a try, patience is a key word. But I’ve liked the stories to this point, so no complaints here. The Marvel Value Stamp for this issue is The Incredible Hulk. The cover price of Invincible Iron Man #593 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #525: Luke Cage #150, December 2017.

One of the things you notice when you’ve been away from new comic books for a number of years is the current style of art. And I’m not entirely sure how I feel yet about Guillermo Sanna’s work on Luke Cage. It’s pretty clean and sort of simple and kind of cartoony. Back in the Seventies, it seems like most pencillers tried to make you feel as if you were holding a movie in your hands, considering the amount of detail they’d drop in, rather than a comic book. I can remember how different Frank Miller’s style seemed in contrast to what I’d grown used to. Anyway, the art is a lot different from early Power Man comics, not to mention the Cage series from the Nineties. Nevertheless, I’m one who cares more about the story itself. If the art is stunning but the story doesn’t intrigue me, I’ll drop the title. And I liked what I read. David F. Walker did a nice job on the writing end, and I look forward to next month’s issue. The Marvel Value Stamp is the hero of the title himself, Luke Cage. The cover price of Luke Cage #166 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #526: Champions #13, December 2017.

A couple weeks back in Cool Comics (Episode 107, for those who keeping track) I covered Avengers #672, the first Legacy comic for the title. As I’d found out, the Avengers will be crossing back and forth with Champions for a few months, sort of forcing me to buy a title I wouldn’t have chosen if not for this situation. Okay, maybe “forcing” is too strong a term, but if I want to keep from getting lost, I have to shell out an additional $3.99 a month (plus tax). Nova’s in it…only it’s not Rich Rider. Okay, well, strangely enough, Cyclops from the X-Men is part of the team…only he’s a younger version who came through the timeline, or something comic-booky like that. Ms. Marvel? Not Carol Danvers. Spider-Man? Um…no, it’s not Peter Parker. No problem, that big green guy is the Hulk. I’d recognize him anywhere. What? Amadeus Cho again? And Viv? The girl with the green hair and dark pink face? That’s the Vision’s daughter. So, am I mad about this? Regardless of Marvel’s marketing manipulation (Stan Lee himself might appreciate that piece of alliteration!), I’m enjoying getting to know these newer heroes. It turns out that having them involved with the Avengers is a smart way of making readers (well, at least this reader) care. Oh, and one more reason to appreciate this issue is that the Marvel Value Stamp is the Thing. The cover price of Champions #13 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #527: The Mighty Thor #700, December 2017.

I own close to 250 Thor comic books. I like the character, the mythology behind it, and the fact that he comes from such a different background than the other mainstays in the Marvel Universe. But what I don’t like is when they start calling any character who is able to wield his mystical uru hammer, Mjolnir, “Thor.” Okay, I know it states on Mjolnir, right underneath the manufacturer’s warranty, that, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” But that doesn’t mean they should be called Thor. Am I right? I guess that’s my main complaint with the Jane Foster version. And any previous manifestation of someone “filling in” for Thor. Because isn’t that the character’s actual name? Why not just call her The Mighty Jane? For Thor’s issue #700, Marvel Legacy went deep with a bevy of artists, some of which I liked, and some made me think of what I said about Luke Cage above. No doubt Marvel saw this opportunity to produce a Thor comic epic in scope (and length…and price), setting up further, exciting issues. If you’re a Thor fan, don’t miss it. The Marvel Value Stamp in this issue is The Amazing Spider-Man. The cover price of The Mighty Thor #700 is $5.99, while the current value is $6.

Cool comics in my collection #528: Cable #150, December 2017.

Cable’s first Legacy issue gives us a new direction (writer James Robinson and artists Carlos Pacheco and Yildiray Cinar are replaced by Ed Brisson and Jon Malin), bringing in some other heroes, which harkens back to his New Mutant beginnings and X-Force run. This 150th issue starts a new storyline called The Newer Mutants, and in it we see the death of an External. I enjoyed this issue and always find Cable an interesting character. This story is very different from the previous five-issue run, but I think the comic is headed in a good direction. Shatterstar, Longshot, and Doop are involved in this initial issue, teaming up with Cable to pay a visit to the only remaining External, Selene. As far as I can tell, this is the first comic I’ve read with Doop, the green thing on the cover. His first appearance was in an X-Force comic in 2001, but I was no longer reading the title by that time, and stopped getting new comics in 2003. Who is on my Marvel Value Stamp in this issue, you ask? Iceman. Thanks for asking. The cover price of Cable #150 is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

Cool comics in my collection #529: DC House of Horror #1, December 2017.

I was sort of hoping DC House of Horror would have a better tie-in with Halloween, and/or also include some of the darker characters in the DCU. Instead, the comic gives us generic horror tales that work at any time of the year. Nothing wrong with that, but the timing had me hoping. This 84-page special issue features eight different tales, featuring some of the top horror writers today. There were stories with Superman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, Shazam, Harley Quinn, Green Arrow, and, of course, Batman. I’m a fan of anthologies, because usually there are several stories each reader likes, providing something for everyone. Will DC House of Horror get promoted to a second issue? I guess sales will determine that, but if they do, and they keep it in this same format, I’d rather it come out quarterly rather than monthly, because it is not a cheap title. The cover price of DC House of Horror #1 is $9.99, while the current value is $10.

Recently Read Digital Comics

When it comes to October, it’s time to read some scary stuff. I’m not big on gross-out, slasher type things. I like suspense, and I like classic monsters. So when I saw a Monster of Frankenstein digital collection on sale via Amazon (regularly $29.99, but just $6 during the sale!), I couldn’t click “Buy Now” fast enough! Not only does this collection have the entire 18-issue run of the 1973 through 1975 Marvel series of Frankenstein, it also contains Giant-Size Werewolf By Night #2 (yup, the Monster and the Werewolf!), Marvel Team-Up #36-37 (Spider-Man, the Monster, and the Man-Wolf…I have the original comics of these gems from the Seventies, but haven’t read them since they came out), and material from the black and white magazine style comics Monsters Unleashed #2 and #4-10, and Legion of Monsters #1. The Frankenstein Monster is one of my favorite literary characters, no matter if he’s portrayed as a growling creature or a thoughtful, sensitive monster (if you love the monster, be sure to check out the 5 books author Dean Koontz wrote about him). Monster of Frankenstein made this a fun October for reading Seventies comics on my tablet, with 30 stories total, all featuring the Monster.