It's easy to get confused about all the different graded comics out there, so I'm writing this guide to help out anyone who is as confused as I was when I first started collecting comic books. 

To start with, there are two main comic book grading companies, PGX (Professional Grading eXperts) and CGC (Comics Guarnaty, LLC). Also, PGX used to be PGA (they had to change the name for legal reasons) and CGC used to be CGG, so you might see some PGA or CGG comics floating around from time to time.  They both use the same grading standards, but CGC is more well established so you're likely to see a lot more CGC graded comics out there. I'm not saying that makes them better (that is an on going debate amongst comic collectors), just more plentiful.

Both companies use the same grading scale and it is as follows:

10.0-Mint grade

9.9-Mint

9.8-Near Mint/Mint

9.6-Near Mint +

9.4-Near Mint

9.2-Near Mint-

9.0-Very Fine/Near Mint

8.5-Very Fine +

8.0-Very Fine

7.5-Very Fine-

7.0 Fine/Very Fine

6.5-Fine +

6.0-Fine

5.5-Fine-

5.0-Very Good/Fine

4.5-Very Good +

4.0-Very Good

3.5-Very Good-

3.0-Good/Very Good

2.5-Good +

2.0-Good

1.8-Good-

1.5-Fair/Good

1.0-Fair

0.5-Poor

Many listings will use the abreviations for the grades (ex. Mine=M, Near Mint=NM, Very Fine=VF, etc.)

Comics graded 9.9 or 10.0 are extremely rare for either company.  You can literally take a comic book straight from the printing press and have it graded and it still probably wouldn't grade a 9.9 or 10.0.

A label is divided into two sections.  The left hand section is used to tell you the grade of the comic, the name of the comic, any grading notes, and the serial number given to the comic (ex. Tomb or Dracula, Mile High Pedigree, off white pages, and the serial number).  On the right hand side of the label are any notes of significance.  This might include something like "the first appearance of Wolverine", "1st edition", or who the art work was by.

Now then, both companies also use different colored labels to denote characteristics of the comic.  The colors for both companies and what they represent are as follows:

Blue Label-Both companies use a blue label if there is nothing wrong with the comic book (ex. no resoration, signatures, etc.). 

Yellow Label-CGC uses a yellow label if they witnessed a comic book being signed and then graded it.  It is important to note that CGC actually witnessed the comic book being signed and therefore such books are considered authentic by collectors (usually making them more valuable). These comics are usually referred to as Signature Series comics.

PGX Signature Series-PGX uses the same blue label on their signature series comics.  This can make it hard to notice.  Look in the bottom right hand corner of any PGX blue label comics where they note anything significant about the comic.  If it is a PGX Signature Series, it will say "signature witnessed by PGX".  PGX does not use a different colored label for comics with signatures they did not witness.  They use the same blue label and note that there is a signature on it, but do not say "signature witnessed by PGX" on it.

Restored Grade-This means that someone tried to repair the comic.  A repair can be anything from taping it up to applying a microscopic amount of color to the cover to make the cover look better (this is usually done to help the comic recieve a higher grade).  No matter how large or small the restoration, if CGC or PGX graders notice something, it will recieve a restored grade.  CGC gives such comics a purple label and PGX gives such comics a green label.  Restored comics almost always sell for less than normal or signature series comics.  Most collectors will not buy restored comics unless it is a rare comic (ex. first appearance of Iron Man).

Qualified Label- CGC uses a green label to denote a qualified grade.  A qualified grade is given to comics with a series defect (such as a 4 inch rip in the back cover) or a signature that was not witnessed by CGC.  It will say in the description why it was given a qualified label.  Comics with a qualified label can vary widely in price depending on why they recieved the grade.  PGX does not use a qualified grade.

Modern Label-Modern labels are no longer used by CGC, but they used to use a red modern label to denote any comic printed from 1980 to the present.  Since this label is no longer used (all modern comics recieve universal blue labels now) such comics are rare.  There is nothing wrong with these comics, it is just an outdated grading label.  If you purchase a modern label comic, you can send it into CGC for an updated universal holder.

I hope that helps you with all of your comic book purchases.  Good luck and happy bidding.