Ed Gosney's Blog

Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 421, 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 421…

While Cool Comics isn’t back on a regular schedule yet, I wanted to be sure to pay homage to Akron Comicon, since it’s local and I always see so many friends there, along with legends in the field of comic books such as Mike W. Barr and Tony Isabella. And while I don’t have many photos, I hope you enjoy this brief look at the fun my family had last weekend.

It’s always nice to have a place set up for photos when you first arrive! We had a big gang with my wife, two daughters, son-in-law, and a couple special guests all the way from California! Little Donnie got to experience his first comicon (Jason, thanks for taking the picture!).

I was excited to find out that Jon Provost, who starred as Timmy in the hit TV show Lassie, would be there! Melissa and I got a photo with him, as we so often like to do.

And yes, I bought the book by Jon and his wife and it’s signed inside!

Melissa always wanted to be a guest on Batman!

A visit to Akron Comicon is never complete without getting to speak with Ted Sikora, and Melissa and I posed with Tap Dance Killer, one of Ted’s most famous creations!

My daughters also got in on the action with the perfect look-a-like of Tap Dance Killer!

Creator extraordinaire of Chakan and founding member of , Robert “RAK” Kraus!

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Local indy comic creator Damion Kendrick holding a copy of Knightglaive #4!

And here’s my signed copy! Damion does all the writing, art, and color, and he told me that issue 5 will soon be available – what a busy guy. I really enjoyed this current issue and look forward to what comes next! If you like supporting indie creators and want a copy, you can try contacting Damion on Facebook or ask the good folks at Rubber City Comics in Akron, Ohio.

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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

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Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 420, 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 420…

Every Thursday for 419 consecutive weeks (yup, basically 8 years), Cool Comics In My Collection (CCIMC) has been available in fun and friendly full color, hopefully brightening up your day just a bit. Over the last few years, I’ve tried different themes and types of comic books, finally settling for five categories that cover something from the 21st Century (usually a new issue), a Facsimile Edition comic book, a Free Comic Book Day issue, a Cool Comic for the Young at Heart (fun for all ages!), and each episode finished up with a Cool Comic from the 20th Century. When I flip through boxes of quarter comics at a local comic shop I frequent, I often do so with future issues of CCIMC in mind.

But last week, when I normally would have published episode 420, I decided it was time for a break. I had to travel out of state to attend a business meeting from Tuesday through Friday, and while in the past I would just get the blog done early, this time I didn’t. I figured that after 419 consecutive episodes, a week off would be nice. And now after experiencing a break from the blog, I think it’s time that I recharge my batteries a bit before continuing Cool Comics In My Collection.

What?! Is the blog dead?

No, it’s not the end, because CCIMC will return! As for when and how often, I haven’t decided yet. For example, I may wait until 2024 and then publish quarterly or monthly for a while, but nothing is set in stone. And longtime Cool Comics readers know that I enjoy my Archie Christmas comics, so perhaps I’ll have a special episode sometime in December.

However, if you visit my website, you will notice that I’ll be periodically publishing my other blog, I Read That Book! Much like CCIMC, I try to keep this one fun and easy to read, sometimes inserting images of items I own that are related to the book I happen to be talking about. If you enjoy comic books, some of the books I’ve featured and will write about in the future may be of interest to you.

By the way, the image above of the four Mantech Robot Warriors comic books from Archie have a direct tie to my recent work trip. Another comic book fan and co-worker gifted me with this short, complete run, because…we work for ManTech! And while there’s no correlation between the comic book title and my employer, it’s a pretty cool coincidence, one that I wasn’t aware of until he handed me the issues.

And one more thing…

For those of you who are subscribers to my newsletter, I’ll still be sending it out each time I publish a new page of I Read That Book!, along with future episodes of CCIMC, whenever that may be. Thanks for all your support and readership through the years!

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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

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Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 419, 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 419…

Because it’s October, I thought I’d toss these two issues from last week in here, since they show a witch and a daywalker (part human/part vampire), who happens to be a vampire hunter! Happy reading.

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Darkwing Duck versus Count Duckula! 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.

This episode of Cool Comics features a remarkable rendition of the Joker and Harley Quinn by world renowned artist Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art!

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 .

#2111 — Detective Comics #1074, DC, November 2023.

Cool Factor: This issue of Detective Comics seems to be a good fit for our current season of October (some wouldn’t consider October as an actual season, but others know exactly what I mean), as there are several nightmare scenarios throughout this Batman adventure. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed Ram V’s storytelling here and in several other comics. For me, Batman tales are always a good fit for Halloween.

Comic Book Credits: Ram V (writer), Dustin Nguyen (penciller), John Kalisz (colorist), Ariana Maher (letterer), Evan Cagle (cover), Jessica Berbey (associate editor), Ben Meares & Jessica Chen (editors), and Ben Abernathy (group editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Detective Comics #1074 is $4.99, while the current value is $5.

#2112 — Darkwing Duck #1, Dynamite, March 2023 (Original Cover Date: November 1991).

Cool Factor: Though this cool Facsimile Edition of the first Darkwing Duck series (originally published by Disney Comics) may not have been created for the month of October, no one would necessarily think that when looking at the cover. Now I didn’t watch the cartoon or buy the early comics, but these fancy reprints do a nice job of giving us a taste of the past, which more often than not deserve another look…unless you’d prefer to shell out the $75 it could cost you to purchase an original.

Comic Book Credits: John Blair Moore (script/pencils/cover pencils), George Wildman (inks), Gary Martin (cover inks), Marc Gaffen (colors), Gail Bailey (cover colors), and Gaspar Saladino (letters).

Price and Values: The cover price of Darkwing Duck #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#2113 — West of Sundown #1, Vault, May 2023.

Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition of West of Sundown (I didn’t get the series, so this is my only look at it) is an entertaining vampire story that takes us back to 1861, during the Civil War, then moves a decade forward to show what happens after the initial introduction of a soldier and female vampire. This opening act may have you searching out the other issues, as the storytellers do a good job at making the reader feel a bit empathetic towards the undead. And since it’s October, this may prove to be the series you’re just chomping at the bit (or neck?) to read right now.

Comic Book Credits: Tim Seeley & Aaron Campbell (writers), Jim Terry (artist/cover artist), Triona Farrell (colors/cover colors), CRANK! (letters), and Adrian F. Wassel (editor-in-chief).

Price and Values: The cover price of West of Sundown #1 is free, while the current value is $1.

#2114 — Count Duckula #5, Marvel, July 1989.

Cool Factor: Ever since I found a cache of Count Duckula titles in a comic book bin discounted to just a quarter each, I’ve enjoyed pulling one out per year to read once fall nips the air. Now for those who may not know it, though the fowl Count is a vampire, he’s also a vegetarian. Which complicates things a bit for his caretaker, Igor. Each issue (at least so far) also includes a story with Danger Mouse, and these not so scary tales seem like just the thing for those who are young at heart.

Comic Book Credits: Michael Gallagher (script), Warren Kremer (pencils/inks/colors/cover pencils/cover inks), Grace Kremer (letters), Sid Jacobson (editor), and Tom DeFalco (editor in chief), for both the Count Duckula and the Danger Mouse stories.

Price and Values: The cover price of Count Duckula #5 is $1, while the current value is $4.

#2115 — Frankenstein #2, Marvel, March 1973.

Cool Factor: Six years ago, I read the digitally collected version of this spectacular series from the Seventies. And fortunately for me, I’ve read so many comic books in between that I don’t remember much from Frankenstein, so when I pull out individual issues to read, it’s nearly like a new experience. This second issue was a great way to open October here at Cool Comics, and if you like Frankenstein, whether the original novel or any of the many movies, and have never tried this comic book series, I highly recommend it.

Comic Book Credits: Gary Friedrich (script), Mike Ploog (pencils/inks/cover pencils/cover inks), John Costanza (letters), David Hunt (colors), and Roy Thomas (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Frankenstein #2 is 20¢, while the current values are $80 on CBR and $50 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $50.

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! (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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.

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Welcome to Page 32 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 32.

Happy month of Halloween, readers and lovers of classic frights. If you appreciate the old Universal Monster movies of yesteryear and yearn for more tales that take you back to this simpler time and place, then you probably need to add this monstrous anthology to your bookshelves.

Conceived and edited by James Aquilone, CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED contains over two dozen tales of the macabre that may cause you to leave on your bedside lamp…at least until you’re once again able to settle your nerves.

Monster Kids, take a good look at the back cover image below and feast your eyes on what you can expect to find between the pages of this gem of horrors, including the names of many of the top writers in the field, such as Ramsay Campbell, Joe R. Lansdale, and Jonathan Maberry.

Aquilone is fast becoming one of my favorite anthologists out there, using the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform (and CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED broke several Kickstarter records!) to bring us this and other interesting works such as Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel and Shakespeare Unleashed – A Horror Anthology & Comic Book.

There’s no doubt that I have a love for the old Universal Studios monsters (above and below are pictured some of my fun Universal Monster items), but I’m also a fan of other disturbing literature, such as THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU by H. G. Wells, and CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED gives us a strong, related story that Wells would be proud of, along with other neat surprises that wait for you between the covers (perhaps as you’re hiding under your own covers!) of this anthology.

The writing is excellent, and Aquilone did a fantastic job in both selecting and editing the stories. A sample from one of my favorites is below:

THE NIGHTMARE AGAIN.

I almost dread falling asleep. Always the same, and yet never quite the same. The events differ dream to dream, yet always I am in a stranger’s body—a huge, monstrous, patchwork contraption that reels through the darkness in such ungainly fashion. It’s always dark in the dream, for I seem to be a creature of the night, forever in hiding.

And I can’t remember my name.

— the opening lines from Dreams by F. Paul Wilson

After whetting your appetite for CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED and telling you I attained it via Kickstarter, how can you get your hands on a copy? There’s no need to fret, friends, because it’s available, and in multiple formats, at many online retailers, and possibly at a bookstore near you! If you want to see what the reading public has to say, you can visit the Amazon page (yes, just click it and be transported) and look over the reviews.

While not every story in CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED satisfied my craving for creepy tales, plenty of them made this an anthology worth the price.

And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!

Note:  The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.

Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! delivered directly to your email! Just click Join My Newsletter on my website, sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

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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 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!

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.

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 .

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

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! (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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

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Welcome to Page 31 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 31.

Has it really been over 27 years since the publication of George R.R. Martin’s first book in his proposed trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire? In the late Nineties, I read an interview with Martin in Locus magazine about this epic fantasy and couldn’t wait to explore his new world. I believe at that time the first two volumes had come out, and while I ordered them from The Science Fiction Book Club, I decided I wouldn’t start reading until I owned all three.

But the series kept growing. Martin realized he couldn’t tell the story in just three books, and I decided to start reading it anyway, hopeful that he’d finish it soon. The funny (or not so funny) thing is, if I’d kept to my original plan, I still wouldn’t have cracked open A GAME OF THRONES. I’m hopeful that it will one day be concluded, but whether or not that happens, each volume is worth reading (and everybody has their own opinion, but for me, the books are superior in every measurable way compared to the HBO series).

“We should start back,” Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them. “The wildlings are dead.”

“Do the dead frighten you?” Ser Waymar Royce asked with just the hint of a smile.

Gared did not rise to the bait. He was an old man, past fifty, and he had seen the lordlings come and go. “Dead is dead,” he said. “We have no business with the dead.”

Martin’s prologue pulls fantasy lovers in right away, giving us hints of dark deeds to come, and we breathlessly keep turning page after page, because the mystery builds, sending shivers—cold shivers—down our spines. And by the time it ends, and we turn the page and see not “Chapter One,” but instead “BRAN,” we have no choice but to read on, discovering Martin’s method of using the point of view character’s name for each section, helping us learn more about many of these unique individuals.

The world of A GAME OF THRONES is huge in scope. The continent of Westeros is ruled by a King (Robert Baratheon), yet geographic regions, each different, are governed in their own way. Don’t worry, a map is provided so that we can better understand where the action is taking place. But perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the Appendix, which shows us what House each character is associated with. For example, the character Bran, who I named above, belongs to House Stark. If you’ve watched the series, you’re already familiar with most of these Houses, but I still suggest making use of the Appendix while you’re reading. It really helps (whether or not you’re used to reading books with dozens of characters) and adds to the total experience.

If you pick up a copy of the book and feel a bit intimidated by it (it’s over 700 pages), you could watch the HBO series first. I’m sure it will help you with some of the characters, plot, and geography, but don’t forget to go back and read A GAME OF THRONES when you’re done, because the adaptation only tells you part of the story, and with plenty of differences. Also, be aware that the show is most certainly not for kids.

“I am surrounded by flatterers and fools. It can drive a man to madness, Ned. Half of them don’t dare tell me the truth, and the other half can’t find it. There are nights I wish we had lost at the Trident. Ah, no, not truly, but…”

“I understand,” Ned said softly.

Robert looked at him. “I think you do. If so, you are the only one, my old friend.” He smiled. “Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King.”

And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!

Note:  The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.

Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! delivered directly to your email! Just click Join My Newsletter on my website, sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

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Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 417, 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 417…

A couple cool comics of note from last week are Werewolf By Night (if you liked the Disney+ special, give this one a try) and Incredible Hulk #4, featuring the Man-Thing! These two issues are perfect to put you in the mood for the coming Halloween season.

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Lobo versus Dr. Doom! 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.

In this episode of Cool Comics, we get double covers from Image featuring The Savage Dragon and Spawn, by Sydney Walton. His art is all hand-painted with acrylic paints. Syd is always taking commissions, so don’t hesitate to contact him for a cool cover or other fantastic creations. You can find him on Facebook at Syd’s Altruistic Art, or contact him via email at swaltoniii@aol.com.

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 .

#2101 — Batman and Robin #1, DC, November 2023.

Cool Factor: If you like Batman and Robin (the Damian Wayne version), then you owe it to yourself to give this new series a try. OK, maybe you don’t owe it to yourself or anyone else, but if you want 15 minutes of fun entertainment superhero style, then maybe you’ll decide it’s worth it to spend five dollars for the magic of words and art. Like all new series that I try, I’m never too sure how long I’ll keep reading it, but it’s a positive sign that I’m excited to read issue #2.

Comic Book Credits: Joshua Williamson (writer), Simone Di Meo (art/color/cover), Steve Wands (letterer), and Ben Abernathy (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Batman and Robin is $4.99, while the current value is $5. The Key Collector Comics value is also $5.

#2102 — The Omega Men #3, DC, September 2023 (Original Cover Date: June 1983).

Cool Factor: I bought and read this issue without really knowing anything about The Omega Men, but this Facsimile Edition gave me an opportunity to explore the first appearance of Lobo, and I’m strongly committed to adding these fun reprints to my collection (for this one, the original is worth around $85). And I could be wrong here, but I don’t believe Lobo was mentioned by name. I flipped back through the comic after I finished it and still didn’t see his name, so if you know it’s in there, let us know where to find it in the comments section below!

Comic Book Credits: Roger Slifer (writer), Keith Giffen (pencils/cover pencils), Mike DeCarlo (inks/cover inks), John Costanza (letterer), Anthony Tollin (colors), and Marv Wolfman (editor)

Price and Values: The cover price of The Omega Men #3 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#2103 — Crimebuster, Comic House, May 2023.

Cool Factor: This Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition ended up better than I’d anticipated, and if I wasn’t already spending too much money on my four-color fun, I’d consider finding more issues of Crimebuster (wait a minute, after a quick look on CBR, this new iteration is just getting started). Especially considering the way the first story in this FCBD issue ends. Eventually I’ll forget all about it (which isn’t too hard considering the hundreds of issues I read each year), but while it’s on my mind, I’ll continue to wonder where the story is going for a little while longer.

Comic Book Credits: Cover – Guy Perez; Crimebuster – Keith WTS Morris & Adrien Benson (story), Sam MacDonald (script), Giulia Gualazzi (art), Marianno Lucus Morales (colors); Boy Comics Issue 3 – Charles Biro (script/art), Michael Kelleher & Kellustration (restoration); Andrew Thomas (letters), and Keith WTS Morris (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Crimebuster is free, while the current value is $1.

#2104 — Donald Duck #183, Whitman, May 1977.

Cool Factor: In the first story, A Day In A Duck’s Life, Donald’s greed causes not only problems for himself, but also for his three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. But should we expect anything less? Donald has plenty of flaws, including his temper, yet I always enjoy reading these older Disney stories. This issue also contains another tale with Donald and his nephews, and an adventure featuring Goofy. These older Whitman/Gold Key comics are just perfect for the young at heart!

Comic Book Credits: Creators include Larry Mayer, Carl Barks, Kay Wright, Dick Hall, and Del Connell. To see details on story titles, creators for each story, characters for the stories, and other cool stats, please see the entry at GCD.

Price and Values: The cover price of Donald Duck #183 is 30¢, while the current value is $22.

#2105 — Astonishing Tales #1, Marvel, August 1970.

Cool Factor: Wait a minute…Ka-Zar and Dr. Doom in the same Seventies comic book? I love the double image on the cover of the two storylines, and while the two title characters don’t cross paths, this is a fun anthology style issue that gives readers some entertaining variety. By the way, if you don’t look closely enough, you may miss the fact that Ka-Zar is IN THE CLUTCHES OF KRAVEN THE HUNTER! These were two great stories that continue into issue #2, so I guess I’ll be looking for yet another back issue to add to my collection!

Comic Book Credits: Cover – Marie Severin (pencils), Bill Everett (inks), Sam Rosen (letters), and Morrie Kuramoto (top caption); The Power of Ka-Zar! – Stan Lee (script), Jack Kirby (pencils), Sam Grainger (inks), and Sam Rosen (letters); Unto You Is Born… The Doomsman! – Roy Thomas (script), Wally Wood (pencils/inks), and Artie Simek (letters); and Stan Lee (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Astonishing Tales #1 is 15¢, while the current values are $125 on CBR and $100 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $85.

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! (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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.

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Welcome to Page 30 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 30.

Are you fascinated by mysteries in our history? If the answer is a resounding yes, then you’re probably already familiar with the story of the lost colony of Roanoke.

A KINGDOM STRANGE: The Brief and Tragic History of the Lost Colony of Roanoke by James Horn takes readers back to the late Sixteenth Century and sets the scene by delving into why these men and women traveled across the sea to an unknown world, leaving behind family, friends, and the familiar.

When I think of the story of Roanoke and the missing colony, the first two things that come to mind are Virginia Dare (first English child born in a New World English colony) and Croatoan, a word found carved in the fort’s gatepost. Additionally, my thoughts also go to a scene from Stephen King’s made-for-television mini-series, Storm of the Century, which gives us a fictional answer as to why John White couldn’t find anyone when he returned to the colony after sailing back to England for supplies.

The next two weeks were the happiest that White spent on Roanoke Island. On August 18 his daughter, Eleanor, gave birth to a girl, “the first Christian born in Virginia,” who was given the name Virginia and christened the Sunday following (August 24). The happy event and accompanying celebrations brought a measure of cheer to the settlers after the difficult three weeks following George Howe’s death. The healthy birth of baby Virginia restored the settlers’ numbers and was perhaps a sign that the English would succeed after all in establishing themselves in America.

But there is much more to the story. A KINGDOM STRANGE gives us the necessary background we need to understand why this venture took place, how it was financed, and what it represented for England. The land of the New World was coveted by the European powers, regardless of the fact that the territory was already occupied by indigenous people.

Today, Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks is a much-loved vacation spot, a place where people flock to beautiful beaches, fish off piers, eat at great restaurants, and, like me, explore lots of history.

Those who ventured to Roanoke in 1587 wouldn’t recognize it today. But the question we must put forward is: What DID happen to the people? Horn gives us some possible scenarios, but there is no conclusive answer. Maybe it will be solved in my lifetime, but I’m not counting on it. If you have an interest in The Lost Colony, A KINGDOM STRANGE is a great place to start.

And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!

Note:  The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.

Now you can get notification of new pages of I Read That Book! delivered directly to your email! Just click Join My Newsletter on my website, sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

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Welcome to Cool Comics in My Collection episode 416, 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 416…

Here are my thoughts on a couple comics I appreciated from last week. While I’m enjoying the Justice Society of America series from DC, the scheduling has me disappointed. I’d love to see some consistency with this great title. The current run of Fantastic Four isn’t what I’m used to, but I’m enjoying the ride. If you’re a fan of the Thing, you may want to grab this issue.

The Cool Comics Battle of the Week is Sabrina the Teenage Witch versus The Hulk! 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.

This episode of Cool Comics features a remarkable rendition of Batman and some of his foes by world renowned artist Robert A. Kraus! RAK has a distinctive style that meshes so well with the heroes, villains, and monsters we grew up loving. As the creator of Chakan, the forever man, RAK is known around the globe and is a great friend to Cool Comics — it’s always a pleasure to show off his amazing art!

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 .

#2096 — Sabrina Annual Spectacular, Archie, October 2023.

Cool Factor: These days, from what I’m seeing, new Archie comics contain one original story and reprints from the past. And I’m fine with the reprints, because I have yet to run across a story from the past that I’ve read before. September, as we all know, ushers in Fall (along with lots of pumpkin spice treats), so a Sabrina the Teenage Witch issue is a nice start towards Halloween season. And this issue is a bit spectacular (just like the title says) because it gives us a look at the first ever Sabrina story, which dates back to October 1962.

Comic Book Credits: Cover – Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña; Power of Three – Jamie L. Rotante (writer), Holly G! (pencils), Jim Amash (inks), Glen Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters); Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch – George Gladir (script), Dan DeCarlo (Pencils), Rudy Lapick (inks), and Vincent DeCarlo (letters); Spook Out – Al Hartley (script/pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), and Bill Yoshida (letters); The Court Jester – Dick Malmgren (script), Harry Lucey (pencils), Marty Epp (inks), and Bill Yoshida (letters); Scary Cat – Ian Flynn (writer), Chad Thomas (art), Glenn Whitmore (colors), and Jack Morelli (letters); and Jamie Lee Rotante, Vincent Lovallo, and Stephen Oswald as editorial team.

Price and Values: The cover price of Sabrina Annual Spectacular is $3.99, while the current value is $4.

#2097 — Hulk #1, Marvel, December 2019 (Original Cover Date: May 1962).

Cool Factor: If I had an extra $180,000 in my bank account, who knows, maybe I’d purchase a nicely graded copy of Incredible Hulk #1. But instead, I’m satisfied with my beautiful Facsimile Edition, which comes with the same story, art, and ads…so why go broke? If you’re a Hulk fan and don’t have the original – or even a reprint in a trade – you may want to add this historic issue to your collection. And you can probably find yourself a copy since Marvel recently published a second print run.

Comic Book Credits: Stan Lee (script/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils/cover pencils), Paul Reinman (inks), Stan Goldberg (colors/cover colors), Ray Holloway (letters), and Artie Simek (cover letters/logo/title on splash page).

Price and Values: The cover price of Incredible Hulk #1 Facsimile Edition is $3.99, while the current values are $4 on CBR and $15 on ZKC. The Key Collector Comics value is $15.

#2098 — Ranger Academy, BOOM! Studios, May 2023.

Cool Factor: If I were a wee bit younger, there’s a chance I would be a huge fan of Power Rangers. And while I’m sure there are a number of older guys who are fans, it’s never really interested me. So, I was surprised when this Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) edition ended up entertaining me beyond my expectations. Not enough to get me to become a fanatic, but I’m always pleased when the time I spend reading these feels worth it.

Comic Book Credits: Maria Ingrande Mora (writer), Jo Mi-Gyeong (illustrator), Fabiana Mascolo (colors), Cardinal Rae (letters), Miguel Mercado (cover), Madison Goyette (designer), and Dafna Pleban (editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of Ranger Academy is free, while the current value is $1. The Key Collector Comics value is $4.

#2099 — Hot Stuff #147, Harvey Comics, February 1979.

Cool Factor: Since Sabrina put me in the mood to start thinking about the fun of October, I decided to go with another scary theme (well, Harvey characters really aren’t scary, just fun!) and had a devil of a time when I read this issue of Hot Stuff! Sadly, I’m sure there are many kids today who will never know the joys of Harvey comics. They were such staples in the Sixties and Seventies that I always read these with a bit of misty-eyed nostalgia, even though I rarely read any of them when I was young. Besides, I probably appreciate them more today than I ever did as a kid.

Comic Book Credits: As per usual with so many comic books for the Young at Heart, I was unable to find creator information for this issue of Hot Stuff. Stories in this issue include Jokeland, The Winged One, The Second Mr. Gulliver, Stumbo the Giant, and Acting Big.

Price and Values: The cover price of Hot Stuff #147 is 35¢, while the current value is $4.

#2100 — The Brave & the Bold #138, DC, November 1977.

Cool Factor: There were so many great team-up titles in the Seventies that it’s unfortunate I didn’t have enough pocket change to buy them all. And while that sounds a bit greedy, most of you know exactly what I mean. As I’ve stated here several times over the years, I was mainly a Marvel kid, so buying discounted back issues of DC four-color adventures adds to the fun of the hobby for me, taking me on a trip to those early days of collecting and sharing titles with kids in my neighborhood. And besides those reasons for this being a cool comic, The Brave & the Bold never seems to disappoint.

Comic Book Credits: Bob Haney (script), Jim Aparo (pencils/inks/letters/cover pencils/cover inks), Jerry Serpe (colors), Tatjana Wood (cover colors), Vince Colletta (art director), Denny O’Neil (story editor), and Joe Orlando (managing editor).

Price and Values: The cover price of The Brave & the Bold #138 is 35¢, while the current value is $12.

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! (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/

Now you can get notification of new episodes of Cool Comics in My Collection delivered directly to your email! Just click “Join My Newsletter” on my website (or click on the image of my No-Prize!), sign up, and that’s it. Pretty easy, right? Just be sure to follow the instructions on the confirmation email so that you start receiving my newsletter. If you don’t see it, you may want to check your Spam or Junk Mail folders.

The Cool Comics In My Collection Facebook Group is a place where you can discuss the comics you love, your favorite titles, and the characters that keep you coming back for more. Also, creators are welcome to share news about what you are working on, including crowdfunding campaigns. Don’t miss out on all the inside scoops that might get revealed on our Facebook group. Be sure and join today!

Tired of seeing a blank image when you leave comments? Now you can have a picture or logo show up here at Cool Comics and other WordPress sites, absolutely free! Just click the link below to get started.

https://learnwp.ca/gravatar/

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Welcome to Page 29 of I Read That Book! On each Page, I’ll tell you a little about a book I read, often in a fun and informal manner, with the hope that you also may become interested enough to read it – or perhaps read it again if you’ve already enjoyed it once. The books I’ll be featuring come from a variety of genres at differing stages of my life, so whether you prefer history, literature, science fiction, or horror, there’s a good chance you’ll get some interesting ideas for your personal “To Be Read” list. Thank you for joining me on this journey as we flip through the pages of some of my favorite books. But before you start reading below, I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee for me!) and find a comfortable place to sit, then turn to Page 29.

If you’ve never read Ray Bradbury’s loosely connected collection of tales about mankind’s journey to Mars, perhaps you have experienced the often-anthologized story, There Will Come Soft Rains, not realizing it’s part of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES.

In the living room the voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o’clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o’clock! as if it were afraid that nobody would. The morning house lay empty. The clock ticked on, repeating and repeating its sounds into the emptiness. Seven-nine, breakfast time, seven-nine!

But There Will Come Soft Rains enters much later in this seminal volume. Bradbury opens the collection with a short scene, less than one page, that takes place in January 1999: Rocket Summer.

One Minute it was Ohio winter, with doors closed, windows locked, the panes blind with frost, icicles fringing every roof, children skiing on slopes, housewives lumbering like great black bears in their furs along the icy streets.

In the table of contents and the beginning of each story, we are presented the date, which helps give the reader the feeling of cohesiveness to the overarching collection. There are stories of great triumph, stories of awe, and stories of terror. If you choose to read from THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES before bedtime, you’ve been forewarned that sleep may not come easy. And if you are able drift off to slumberland, your dreams may change to nightmares, thanks to stories such as April 2000: The Third Expedition.

“Here’s to our health.” Grandma tipped her glass to her porcelain teeth.

  “How long you been here, Grandma?” said Lustig.

  “Ever since we died,” she said tartly.

If I’m not mistaken, THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES was my introduction to Bradbury. He was a skilled crafter of wondrous tales, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of his books and stories. My current copy, which I have pictured above, is not the one I first read. Again, if memory serves, the book belonged to my older sister. She was a great influencer in my life when it came to speculative fiction, and I’m all the richer for it.

For those who enjoy collections of works by a single author, the Library of America recently released a volume of Bradbury works that contains THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, FAHRENHEIT 451, DANDELION WINE, and SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. As a subscriber, I receive the boxed sets, which I consider invaluable additions to my personal library.

Astute observers may have noticed from the first image that my second-hand, well-loved paperback copy presents a scene from the 1980 TV miniseries The Martian Chronicles. The special effects are nothing to write home about, and like all film versions, there are differences, but there is a certain charm to the show, and especially so when it comes to some of the actors, such as Rock Hudson, Darren McGavin, Bernadette Peters, Roddy McDowall, and Fritz Weaver.

If you choose only one (book or TV mini-series), the book is the far better choice.

And don’t forget to join us here again when I flip to the next Page!

Note:  The first 32 pages of I Read This Book! originally appeared on Substack.

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