GRADE: NEAR MINT
Abbreviated Notation: NM
Beautiful, with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Minor imperfections that are allowed in this grade include tiny corner creases or staple stress lines, a few color flecks, bindery tears, tiny impact creases or a combination of the above where the overall eye appeal is less than Mint. Only the most subtle binding and/or printing defects allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Cover inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever so slight blunting permitted. Staples are generally centered, clean with only light rust, and no paper discoloration or staining. Cover is well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Paper is supple and like new. Spine is tight and flat. In rare cases a comic was not stapled at the bindery and is not considered a defect

GRADE: VERY FINE
Abbreviated Notation: VF
An excellent copy with above average eye appeal. Sharp, bright and clean with supple pages. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show. Cover inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. Slight wear beginning to show including some minute wear at corners. Staples may show some discoloration. Spine may have a few transverse stress lines but is relatively flat. A light 1/2 inch crease is acceptible. A comic book in this grade has the appearance of having been carefully handled. Pages and covers can be yellowish/tannish (at the least) but not brown.

GRADE: FINE
Abbreviated Notation: FN
An exceptional, above average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no major creasing or other serious defects. Eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of surface wear and the accumulation of small defects, especially on the spine and edges. Centerfold may be loose but not detached. A Fine condition comic book shows handling. Compared to a VF, cover inks are beginning to show a reduction in reflectivity but is still highly collectible and desirable.

GRADE: VERY GOOD
Abbreviated Notation: VG
The average used comic book. A comic in this grade shows moderate wear, can have a reading or center crease or a rolled spine, but still has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point where it is not a desirable copy. Some discoloration, fading and even minor soiling is allowed. No chunks (see glossary) can be missing but a small piece (see glossary) can be out at the corner or edge. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no affect on this grade. Cover and interior pages can have minor tears and folds and the centerfold may be loose or detached. One or both staples might be loose, but cover is not completely detached. Common bindery and printing defects do not affect grade. Pages and inside covers may be brown but not brittle. Tape should never be used for comic book repair, however many VG condition comics have minor tape repair.

GRADE: GOOD
Abbreviated Notation: GD
A copy in this grade has all pages and its cover, although there may be small pieces missing. Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded and soiled, but are completely readable. Often paper quality may be low but not brittle. Cover reflectivity is usually low and in some cases completely absent. Most collectors consider this the lowest collectible grade because comic books in lesser condition are often incomplete and/or brittle. Traditionally, collectors have sometimes found it difficult to differentiate this grade from the next lower grade. This task can be simplified if one remembers that a comic book in this condition can have a large accumulation of defects but still maintains its basic structural integrity.