Master the Art of Grading
Understanding grading standards is essential for every collector. Use this guide to evaluate your comics and cards with confidence.
The Grading Scale
Theoretically perfect. No flaws whatsoever. Extremely rare.
Nearly indistinguishable from a 10.0. Only the most minute, nearly imperceptible manufacturing defect allowed.
Nearly perfect. Allows for negligible handling or manufacturing defects. A spine stress line must be invisible to the naked eye.
Very well preserved. May have several minor manufacturing or handling defects. Example: A tiny corner crease or a couple of very small spine stress lines.
Excellent condition. Minor wear and small manufacturing/handling defects allowed. Slight stress lines or very minor corner blunting.
Still very sharp. Allows for some very minor wear. A few stress lines, slightly more corner blunting than 9.4.
Clean and flat. A few minor handling/manufacturing defects. Slight fold or crease, but nothing major.
Fits between VF and VF/NM. Attractive but with a few more defects than a 9.0.
An attractive collectible with a moderate defect or an accumulation of small defects. Minor cover wear, creases, or dimples.
Above average. Moderate wear is becoming more apparent. Flatness may be slightly compromised.
Above average. A major defect or accumulation of small defects. Spine roll, corner wear, or slight staining defined.
A copy with a major defect and several minor ones. Noticeable wear but still pleasing. Minor spine roll, corner creases.
The average used comic. Significant wear, creases, fading, or discoloration. Book is complete and readable.
Heavily read. Major defects like tears, creases, stains, and detachment. Still complete.
Common Defects
Spine Tics
Small, hairline creases on the spine, often near staples. 'Color-breaking' tics (showing white paper) are more severe than non-color-breaking ones.
Foxing
Brownish-red or yellowish spots on the paper caused by mold or oxidation. Common on older books.
Marvel Chipping
A specific printing defect from the late 50s/early 60s where a dull blade caused tears/chips along the right edge.
Corner Blunting
When the sharp corner of a comic is impacted, rounding it off or creating a soft impact crease.
Sun Shadow / Fading
Loss of color intensity due to exposure to light. Often uneven.
Staining
Discoloration from foreign substances (water, oil, coffee, etc.).
Spine Roll
A curvature of the spine that prevents the front and back covers from aligning. Caused by rolling or improper storage.
Staple Tears
Tears radiating from a staple, caused by stress or careless page-turning.
Rusty Staples
Oxidation on the staples. Rust can migrate into the paper, leaving stains around the staple.
Centerfold Detachment
The center pages have separated from the staples, either partially or completely.
Creases & Folds
Bends in the cover or pages. Color-breaking creases fracture the ink and show white underneath; non-color-breaking creases do not.
Tears
Rips in the cover or pages, from small edge tears to large pieces nearly detached.
Missing Pieces
Areas of the cover or pages that are gone entirely — from chipping, tears, or clipped coupons.
Water Damage
Rippling, warping, and staining from moisture. Often leaves visible tide lines.
Restoration
Non-original material or processes added to improve appearance: color touch, tear seals, piece replacement, or trimming.
Edge Wear
Fraying, soft creasing, and abrasion along the outer edges of the cover from handling and shelf wear.
Page Browning / Tanning
Age discoloration of interior pages, progressing from off-white toward cream, tan, and eventually brittle.