I'm trying to improve my grading skills. The comic in the photo is nearly flawless except for a crease running the length of the cover on the left-hand side, nearly 1/2 inch from the spine. I'm not sure what caused the crease. It's almost certainly not a fold. It appears to be pressure caused.
Assuming the comic would otherwise be a 9.8 or 9.6, what grade would you give it?
Or, put differently, what is the highest grade a comic with a defect like this could get?
To me, the defect has little effect on the comic's eye appeal. Even so, it is quite noticeable. And just to clarify, I'm less interested in the specific grade for this book than I am in understanding the effect of one significant defect like this.
Thanks!