harvust

Thanks for your input everyone! Do you think C+P would help that number at all or is the damage to the top face too much to overcome?

Is it possible the damage at the top of the cover is actually an attempt to remove the distributor spray (either via chemical or scraping) that appears over the top of the comic? If that is the case, would that qualify the comic for a purple restoration label?

Yes that blue mark on the back cover is distributor spray. I have no idea what the damage on the front of the cover is but it also lines up perfectly with the distributor spray which I find curious. I would say you're on the right track with a light spine roll. You're also right about the small stains on the back cover. Hope the new pics help!

UPDATE: I noticed the images I uploaded last night were a bit dark/blurry so I took some new photos and swapped out what I could. Hopefully this helps! There are some interesting marks on this issue and I wanted your input on how they'd affect grading. To start, there are two lines of overspray at the top of the comic, the right light seems to have caused some damage to the front facing cover (or there is just well-aligned damage in that area). How much does that affect the final grade? Second, the top staple is almost entirely on the front of the issue. Does this count as a manufacturing defect? Lastly, there seems to be some color rub on the final page (spidey getting his black suit) that appears to come from the back cover. Does that affect overall grading? I appreciate your insight! close up of damage to front cover an attempt at a spine close up overspray marks the front-facing staple trying to showcase the staples interior color rub interior page

Wow everyone! Now that I have the book back in my possession it is CRAZY how many defect I can clearly see now that I've actually been looking into grading and studying examples of the 0.5-9.8 spectrum. Here are the images as promised but even with the things my untrained eye can see (marked on the photos) this clearly isn't the 9.8 book I was dreaming of. That being said, what do you think a press could do for the number given the marks I have (and haven't) showcased? Again thanks for everyone's help with this. This has been a really great learning experience!

Great example and thanks for the feedback! I guess now all that's left is to do the math and see if it makes more sense to sell the 7.0 as is and try to buy in to a 9+ or just spend the $65 to turn the one in hand right back around. Thanks for all the great info everyone!

Apologies! I didn't take any high-quality pics before sending it off to CGC. Is that something I should get in the practice of? I'll be sure to upload some pictures as soon as the comic is back in my possession. It just shipped out today from FL. Thanks for your input!

Thanks, that's what I'm doing now. I feel real dumb for not spending the $15 to get it pressed - but I suppose this lesson is invaluable so at least I have that going for me 🥲.

Hi! I just did my first submission to CGC and included my Saga #1 1st print. Being completely new to comics grading I sent it off thinking it looked great and didn't pay for the additional pressing. I just got access to my grades and see that Saga came in at a 7.0 with the following notes. light spine stress lines to cover moderate bends to cover moderate creasing to cover In my naivety I was expecting this to be a 9+ book without any extra steps, and I'm having some real regret for not paying for pressing. I know I could pay to have the whole process done again and include pressing, but would that be worth it? A press *should* get rid of the grading notes above correct? (outside of the spine stress). Is it possible for a 7 to jump to a 9+ with pressing. FWIW I was planning on keeping this as part of my personal collection - possibly displayed on the wall - I'm a bit less enthusiastic now that it's only a 7. Thanks for any insight!

I'm just recently getting back in to comic book collecting after taking a few decades off and it feels like nowadays everyone is even more "in the know" than when I left! I was wondering if there were any neat spots you personally like to peruse when looking for potential additions to your collection - Virtual or corporeal. I figure we're all hoping to stumble upon that one yard sale with the grandmother selling her son's comic collection because he doesn't visit anymore - but outside of that and ebay/flea markets/comic shops where is a good place to spend some time treasure hunting?

thanks! I'm oddly proud of it. As they say, "from humble beginnings"

oh cool! I've never seen this. ...do I need to treat that in any way? I'd imagine it happened decades ago.

Ok I know I'm about to hit my legal limit on daily posts but this one has me scratching my head. I got this at auction because it had a cut-out on page 14/15. From looking at the scans available on this website it looks like the cut-out doesn't affect story - so does that mean it wouldn't affect grading? I'm not super familiar with the grading process so I would love your feedback on this book (and the process for cut-outs in general). Thanks in advance!

This book seems to be in pretty good shape outside of some odd marking across the first page. It looks like they may be pencil (see last photo). Book is otherwise fully intact with what I assume are off-white pages. Thanks in advance!

So I have a feeling I know how this is going to go but I am interested in your input. I got a hold of this copy of B&TB#34 that has a gnarly tear on the front cover. That being said there has been no attempt at resto and the cover image is fairly cohesive when aligned properly. The rest of the book seems to be in good shape outside of some hole punching at the top of the book throughout. I'm obviously not expecting a 9 (or a 5 for that matter) but I am interested in learning how such elements affect your grading rationale. Thanks in advance! Cover tear front Cover tear back