In our first guide I mentioned some very general rules that I follow when shopping online for comics.  This guide tackles a very touchy subject for both buyers and sellers- How To Accurately Grade Comics!!  Because you can't hold them in your hand or look closely at them shopping for online comics can be very difficult.  Everyone has at least one horror story of how they bought a comic online based on a single picture and the seller's short description.  I've been grading comics for over 20 years and you can tell by my feedback that I can't be too bad at it.  Does this mean that I don't make mistakes? No, unfortunately I do make an error every now and again and that's why I offer a return policy on all unslabbed comics.  However we have been averaging only one return a year due to grading errors so it is very rare.

This guide will talk about the basic levels of comic grading, but it will not discuss 3rd party grading such as PGX or CGC.  If you are interested in sending off your comics to a 3rd party grader you are essentially buying their opinion and really don't need to know mine or even have an opinion of your own. I suggest that anyone serious about buying comics should purchase the Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide 2nd edition. It is very comprehensive and has pictures of comics for every grade.  For everyone else here's the basic break down of the current comic grading system.

GOOD:  This is considered the lowest collectible grade.  It is also one of the two most missused and abused segments of the comic grading system.  A comic in good condition has very obvious handling wear such as wrinkles and small creases.  It may also have rubbing (aka shelf wear), soiling, very small edge tears, one or two large tears, a small piece or two missing (quarter size or less), a light to moderate spine roll, light water damage around the edges, a detached cover, popped (broken) spines, or a detached centerfold.  This grade also allows for cut coupons that don't affect any of the story, and writing on the cover.  Overall a comic in this grade still has some eye appeal.  If the comic looks battered and heavily soiled or has very large tears or large pieces missing from the cover it isn't in GOOD condition. 

A few things that I don't allow for this grade include brittleness, large pieces missing, significant water damage, heavy soiling, a heavy spine roll, obtrusive writing, cover(s) missing,  or page(s) missing.

VERY GOOD: A comic in this grade should be a very nice looking copy with few obvious flaws.  It will have up to 50% of its cover gloss left and will have only slightly faded color if at all.  Some rubbing (shelf wear) will be present and maybe even some light soiling.  Stain will be small, but tears and creases can still be present.  The cover will be attached by at least one staple and so will the centerfold.  If both the cover and centerfold are detached it will be difficult to qualify it as a VERY GOOD comic.  Writing may be present if not obtrusive. 

An interesting point about this grade is that there are many book in this category that would be very high grade other than a single significant flaw.  A few such flaws include holes, spine rolls, a single long crease, or a single tear.  In our first guide I talked about "problem books". Many problem books will fall into this category. If you see a listing that says something like "would be VF but...." or " would otherwise grade higher.." then the comic likely falls into this category or lower.

FINE:  Commonly referred to as a "mid-grade" copy.  A comic in this category has very nice eye appeal.  There are no noticable defects from a short distance. It is only when you take a closer look at the comic that minor flaws appears.  This grade allows for only a few light wrinkles and one or two small (less than 2") creases.  Any comic in FINE condition will have at least 70% of its gloss left and very little if any rubbing (shelf wear).  Holes, soiling, tears (over 1/2" or so), or missing pieces are not allowed.  Writing is only allowed if very minor. (NOTE: arrival dates are not considered a defect by many collectors unless they are obtrusive).

This particular grade is interesting because it is very difficult for dealers to sell FINE comics for price guide prices.  Most collectors are willing to pay less for a lower grade copy or much more for a higher grade copy.  I personally collect comics in this grade because I am able to regularly buy them for VG or lower guide prices.  Once you become familiar with comic grading you should be able to find ample bargains in this grade range.

VERY FINE: This is the other of the two most misused comic grades.  Any comic in VERY FINE condition must have at least 85% of its original cover gloss and is only allowed some very minor rounding to the corners and one (1) 1/4" or less crease that DOES NOT break the color. No soiling, no wrinkling, no writing (except for arrival dates), no spine rolls, no creases, no fading, or no rubbing (shelf wear).  Most collectors do not even allow minor spine stress near the staples although it is generally acceptable for VF- or F/VF books.

In my own experience I have found that only a very small percentage of comics labled as VERY FINE really qualify for the grade.  Most books in this grade are really a FINE, FINE+, F/VF, or even a VF-.  You will definately want to see large high resolution pictures of any comic labled a VF.  I've even seen 3rd party graded VF comics from one of the two main comic grading companies that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole!

Another serious problem in this grade range is "restoration".  Color touches (especially on black or white covers) and trimmed edges are not unusual.  The difference in most comic book price guides between FINE and VERY FINE is significant so it's easy to see why some people would go to such lengths to get their comics into this category.

MINT:  This grade level should be a complete guide all by itself!  Obviously a comic in this grade is not allowed to have any defects.  Collectors want everything perfectly centered, perfectly cut, and perfectly glossy.  You'll need to get out the laser level and check to see just how perfect the corners are and how straight the edges have been cut.  Many sellers also use this grade far too loosely, but unlike VF most people know that even the smallest defect will mean a comic won't make this grade.  This is why the much abused VF/NM grade is used because perfection is definately in the eye of the beholder. Even comics fresh off the printing press don't make it to this grade!

Seriously, if you're an investor or uber-collector and want books in this grade the best thing you can do is sign up for an auction catalog from Heritage Auctions and see what they have that's been 3rd party graded from 9.4 to 10.0.

Please remember that this is only a quick reference guide at best.  Pick up the Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide 2nd edition ( a new one is in the works) and go out and study how other collectors and dealers grade their comics.  The most important thing is that you find a system that works for YOU and allows you to build the collection that you're looking for.

Happy Collecting!

Cord