marvelmaniac

Lower corner wear with color loss, edge wear with color loss, tiny pieces missing top edge and color breaking creases at top and lower edge, small color breaking scratch above the "P", minor spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks, minor foxing/discoloration on front cover, moderate foxing/discoloration/staining of rear cover. Overall, this book is very nice, however, IMO, the staining on the rear cover prevents this book from being a higher grade. Without the staining this book would be close to a FN/VF 7.0, with the staining...FN- 5.5 to FN 6.0 FN/VF 7.0/VF 8.0 - Minor foxing. FN 6.0 - minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. VG/FN 5.0 - minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. VG 4.0 - Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed.

Blunted corners with color loss, slight edge wear with color loss, minor spine stress with multiple color breaking spine ticks and small tears, Dust/sun shadow along outer edge, discolored staples, lower staple off center, moderately discolored rear cover, staining/ink in the "footlocker contains" box, pages are tan to brown. IMO...FN- 5.5 to FN 6.0 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose. 5.5 FINE- (FN-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present. Also, what is this? Stain, Camera Angle, Lighting?

To properly give an overall grade we need pics of the rear cover, inside front rear covers/splash page, and centerfold. Hypothetically, if this book graded at a NM 9.4 or NM+ 9.6 without the tear, with the tear it will probably grade at a VF/NM 9.0 - NM- 9.2. I found this while searching the site, posted by "The Lions Den" on 8/2019... "If the tear is very small (1/8" or less) and the rest of the book is virtually perfect, the book could still receive a grade of 9.2. But if the tear is a little longer (say about 1/4 - 3/8 of an inch) it will nearly always knock the book out of the near mint range. And please bear in mind it's a very fine line between those measurements..."

Moderate foxing/mold/staining on last page/inside and outside rear cover (did it bleed through to other pages?), small bindery tear at top, slight top edge wear with color loss, blunted corners with color loss and a small/color breaking crease at the top right corner, minor spine stress with multiple color breaking spine ticks, staples are discolored, 1/4" triangle missing from the rear cover lower left corner. With the corner piece missing and the foxing/staining this book that would have other wise graded higher if those defects were not present, with those defects, IMO...VG/FN 5.0 GD/VG 3.0 - Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. VG 4.0 - Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present. FN 6.0 - minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. FN/VF 7.0 - Minor foxing.

Blunted corners with color loss and small pieces missing at lower left corner, moderate top edge wear with multiple color breaking ticks/small tears(?)/creases, color breaking creases at lower edge, moderate to severe spine stress with multiple color breaking stress lines and creases, staples are off center and moderately discolored, color breaking scratches at/thru the title logo, 1" lower spine split, minor to moderate spine roll, slight discoloration of rear cover. IMO the book could be a VG 4.0 but I am on the fence on this, when I am not sure, I always go lower...GD/VG 3.0 - VG- 3.5 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. 3.5 VERY GOOD- (VG-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Good but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG): Back to Top A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2". Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

Just looking quickly at your pic and the defects I can see, the book will be in the FR 1.0 - FR/GD 1.5 unless the pages are brittle, there are pages missing, ads cut out that affect the story, etc. then the book would be a PR 0.5. However, being a JIM 83, in a recent eBay auction a JIM 83, CGC FR/GD 1.5 sold for $2325.00, my "assumption" would be, in a worse case scenario, the book being incomplete and grading at a PR 0.5 would still bring $700.00 - $1000.00.

Slightly blunted corners, slight spine roll, color breaking scratch/tick by lower staple. 9.2 NEAR MINT- (NM-): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only a minor additional defect or defects that keep it from Near Mint. A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

The pics are dark and not clear, my old eyes are having an issue seeing the defects.

The small tear on the back cover is the killer here. Without the tear, VF- 7.5, with the tear... IMO...FN+ 6.5 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 6.5 FINE+ (FN+): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.

"PayPal charges the seller about 4% to accept a "Goods & Service" payment." 2.9% + .30 cents.

If you did not circle the stains/discoloration I would not have seen the one on the rear cover, how much of a hit will CGC give for those stains? IMO, you are still in the NM- 9.2 range (NM 9.4?) 9.4 NEAR MINT (NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Subtle bindery/printing defects are allowed. Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books, although on Golden Age books bindery tears of up to 1/4" have been noted. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples are generally centered; may have slight discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.2 NEAR MINT- (NM-): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only a minor additional defect or defects that keep it from Near Mint. A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

We could use a good, clear, full pic of the front cover, the one posted will not enlarge enough to really see. What I can see is... Blunted corners with some color loss, slight edge wear, cover loose/detached from bottom staple, moderate spine stress and staple tears with multiple color breaking stress lines/small tears and some color breaking vertical creasing towards lower spine, staples are discolored, spine roll, some discoloration on front cover along outer edge, moderate discoloration along spine of rear cover and foxing along the lower edge of the rear cover. IMO...VG- 3.5 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. 3.5 VERY GOOD- (VG-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Good but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG): Back to Top A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2". Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

I have sold my Son's books on Facebook, not in the Marketplace but in comic book groups that allow sales and are well moderated. If you find a book you are interested in ask for (if not already posted) pictures with a name/date stamp, ask, on the site for references for the seller and only use PayPal Goods and Services for payment. If you do find a book in the marketplace and it is local be sure to meet at a public place, do not go alone, go during the day (we meet folks at the Police Station) and do not make payment until you see the actual item, then pay with cash or PayPal G&S, I am an old guy and do not trust Venmo and Zelle, too many scammers.

Blunted/worn corners, chipping/small pieces missing from top edge, moderate spine stress with color breaking vertical creasing and color breaking spine ticks, moderate spine roll, severe dust/sun shadow along outer edge of rear cover, discoloration of rear cover by spine (is that a doodle?) rear cover top edge has small chipping/pieces missing, I cannot see the staples nor can I see/tell if the cover/centerfold is loose/detached. 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.

Blunted/rounded corners with small tears and color loss, minor to moderate edge wear with color loss, long color breaking crease from top edge, multiple smaller color breaking creases throughout cover including vertical color breaking creases along the spine, moderate spine stress with color breaking spine ticks, small piece missing at spine, moderate upper staple tear, discolored staples, moderate spine roll, small tears/denting along the top edge of rear cover, moderate dust/sun shadow along spine on rear cover. 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.

Welcome To The Boards!!! Without getting into specifics, I have 2000 books and have used 1 Mil, 1.4 Mil and 2 Mil Mylites with Acid Free Boards, I have bags that are for Golden Age and Silver Age books and all are stored in standard short boxes, you do not want books to be too loose or too tight in the bag, you want as Goldilocks said, bags that are "just right". I do have Golden Age books that are too small for the Golden Age bags but too large for Silver, apparently size was not consistent from issue to issue back then. The same is true for the boxes, Golden Age Books are Tight fitting in standard boxes but Silver/Bronze are fine, you also do not want to squeeze too many books into a box or leave too much room so the books fall over on top of each other. IMO, yes the books need to be stored in Archival Safe Materials (Mylites) with Acid Free Boards, however, storage conditions may be more important than the the size/thickness of the Mylites/Boards/Boxes, bags and slabs are not airtight or UV protected and must be stored properly away from all UV light, humidity should be in the 40-50% range (not really feasible for the average person), consistent temps (60-70 degrees), away from all sources of moisture, away from any heat sources and extreme cold, not near any HVAC vents and not being stored in an unfinished attic/garage/basement and not stored directly on concrete.

Cover wrap is severely off center, moderately blunted left side corners with color loss, tiny tear/piece missing at top edge above the "P", color breaking crease at the top of the price box, minor spine stress with a couple of color breaking spine ticks, moderate to severe color loss at top of cover on the rear, chipping on the outer edge of rear cover, discoloration along outer edge of rear cover. IMO, the book would have been in the FN/VF 7.0 - VF- 7.5 range if not for the cover wrap being so far off center. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.

Very slight corner wear with very small crease and/or color loss at the lower right corner, small denting along top edge by top right corner, slight staple tears, slightly recessed staples, lower staple slightly off center, minor spine stress with slight color loss, slight staining along spine from top edge to top staple, slight discoloration of rear cover. The top staple appears to be recessed, if the cover is not loose... 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

Spine roll/off center cover wrap, slightly blunted corners, slight color loss along outer edge, 1-2 spine stress lines that do not break color, small stain by outer edge of rear cover, slightly crunched lower right corner on rear cover. Due to the spine roll, IMO... 8.0 VERY FINE (VF): Back to Top An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. A limited accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show, possibly including some minute wear at corners. Inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. Spine is almost completely flat with a possible minor color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present. Paper is cream to tan and supple. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. FN/VF 7.0 - The slightest spine roll may be present FN 6.0 - A minor spine roll is allowed. VG/FN 5.0 - A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. VG 4.0 - Moderate spine roll may be present

Spine roll/off center cover wrap, small dent at top edge, slightly blunted corners, slight color loss along edges, some denting along lower edge of rear cover, slight dust/sun shadow on rear cover by lower spine/lower edge. 9.2 NEAR MINT- (NM-): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only a minor additional defect or defects that keep it from Near Mint. A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

Very slight blunting of corners, color loss at the lower left and right corners, 1, small color breaking spine tick at lower spine, very slight staple tear at lower staple, slight denting at top edge of rear cover, slight discoloration of rear cover. 9.2 NEAR MINT- (NM-): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only a minor additional defect or defects that keep it from Near Mint. A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

Slight spine roll/cover wrap not centered, lower staple not centered and slightly discolored, slight edge wear/color loss at top right corner/edge, very slight discoloration of the rear cover by the outer edge and spine. Even with the off center cover wrap, there are no serious/ defects on this book, so, IMO... 9.2 NEAR MINT- (NM-): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only a minor additional defect or defects that keep it from Near Mint. A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed. 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present.

The spine split is a killer here... 2 1/2" lower spine split, blunted/rounded corners with color loss, color breaking creases at lower right corner, edge wear with small chipping at top and bottom edge, recessed/discolored staples, some color loss in the darker blue areas at the top, minor spine stress with 1-2 color breaking spine ticks. slight spine roll, fold at top left corner of rear cover, minor discoloration of rear cover. The book without the spine split (depending on the issue with the outer edge would, IMO be in the FN- 5.5 to FN 6.0, with the spine split and this is just my opinion, the grade will drop to at least a GD+ 2.5 to GD/VG 3.0. FN 6.0 - There can also be a 1/4" spine split VG/FN 5.0 - A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. VG 4.0 - Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. GD/VG 3.0 - May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2". GD 2.0 - May have up to a 2" spine split FR/GD 1.5 - May have a spine split between 2" and 2/3 the length of the book. ***This is a book that if it were mine I would use an archival grade tape to repair the split, only to keep it from getting worse, the tape will not affect the grade, some folks will disagree, I would rather have tape on my book (which I have a lot of) than a book that falls apart and gets worse each time it is touched, 2 1/2" taped spine split or a completely torn off front cover? https://www.amazon.com/Lineco-Archival-Document-Repair-Tape/dp/B000P8FT2G/ref=asc_df_B000P8FT2G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167126147920&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7536125016759133930&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007574&hvtargid=pla-338126302524&th=1 I cannot find any real pics online, what is the white on the outer edge, color loss, fanned pages, it is thicker at the bottom than it is at the top.

Blunted corners with color loss, folded lower right corner, moderate edge wear with small pieces missing/small tears and color breaking creases, moderate spine roll with off center staples/fanned pages, minor to moderate spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks, discolored staples, severe color loss along spine by the "M", crunched top right corner of rear cover, minor to moderate staining/discoloration of rear cover, IMO...VG+ 4.5 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present. 4.5 VERY GOOD+ (VG): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Good but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.

Moderately blunted corners with color loss, small fold at lower right corner, edge wear with some color loss, chipping/pieces missing from outer edge, slight color breaking creases along the lower outer edge, minor to moderate spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks, discolored staples, creased top right corner of rear cover, very slight spine roll, minor discoloration of rear cover with some color loss in the "blue" of the ad balloon. If that is "Marvel Chipping" on the outer edge, no problem, if it is just pieces missing then the grade will drop appropriately, assuming it is chipping... IMO... 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.