marvelmaniac

Edge wear w/color loss, slightly jagged edges, rounded corners, minor to moderate spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks, slight spine roll/fanned pages, slightly discolored top staple, minor staining/foxing on both covers. 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to TopAn 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.

I cannot comment on the "trimming" since I have no experience with this. What I do see are color breaking spine ticks, color breaking creases on lower edge and lower right corner, spine roll, color loss/slight wear along the edges, small piece (1/16") missing from lower rear cover. 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.

Unfortunately I do use this service so I cannot give you a proper answer.

Rusted staples w/rust migration at lower staple, edge/corner wear with folds/creases, minor to moderate spine wear, moderate to severe foxing/dust shadows on front and rear covers. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to TopAn 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.

I do not use any online sites/programs to keep track of my collection. Back in 2015 I graded/cataloged/photographed over 2000 books in my collection. I wrote down all of the books/grades/notes using Yahoo Mail, the list is saved in "drafts" so I can edit when/if I need to, a copy is saved in a "comic book" sub-folder, in "documents" and as a PDF on a Flashdrive as a backup, along with all of the photo's and FMV for my top books. I did all of this for insurance purposes and for my children (47, 44) when I am gone to help them sell the collection. I am sure that there are sites out there that may be easier, however, this is an example of how I did it, ...EXTERIOR DEFECTS (FRONT AND BACK COVER) PIECES MISSING (SIZE), DETACHED COVER (ONE OR BOTH STAPLES), CREASES/TEARS (LENGTH AND SEVERITY), CHIPPING, ANIMAL CHEW, SPINE ROLL, SPINE STRESS, STRESS LINES AND TEARS, SPINE SPLITS (LENGTH) , ROUNDED/BLUNTED/CREASED/TORN/CORNERS, COLOR BREAKS ON CREASES AND COLOR SCRAPES, STAPLES OFF CENTER/PULLED/REPLACED/RUSTED, SOILING, STAINS, MOLD, TAPE DAMAGE OR REPAIR, WRINKLING OR WATER DAMAGE, COVER COLOR BRIGHTNESS AND REFLECTIVITY. ...INTERIOR DEFECTS TEARS, PIECES MISSING, CUT COUPONS (DOES IT AFFECT STORY OR NOT), MARVEL VALUE STAMP CUT OUT, PAGES MISSING, PAGES OR CENTERFOLD DETACHED, WRITING ON PAGES AND OWL (OVERALL WHITENESS LEVEL) FOR MORE INFO ON GRADING SEE THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK GRADING GUIDE AND... http://comics.ha.com/tutorial/comics-grading.s?show=comicdefinitions FOR PRICING AND VALUE SEE THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE ...ADDITIONAL PRICING NOT IN GUIDE POOR 0.5 = 25% OF GOOD 2.0 FAIR 1.0 = 50% OF GOOD 2.0 FAIR/GOOD 1.5 = 75% OF GOOD 2.0 ...MARVEL VALUE STAMPS MARVEL VALUE STAMPS PLACED IN SELECT ISSUES FROM 3/74 - 8/76 + = ISSUES WITH MARVEL VALUE STAMP INTACT < = ISSUES WITH MARVEL VALUE STAMP MISSING (FOR MORE INFO SEE Marvel Value Stamps, Series A and Series B - A Comprehensive Index) (MISSING MARVEL VALUE STAMP DOES NOT AFFECT STORY UNLESS NOTED IN GRADER NOTES) (MISSING MARVEL VALUE STAMP MAKES BOOK INCOMPLETE AND A GENERALLY A GRADE OF 2.0 WHICH IS NOT REFLECTED IN GRADED BOOKS LISTS) NOTE * = WITH GRADER NOTES GRADED BOOKS... ADVENTURES OF THE BIG BOY (1956) (ALL ISSUES ARE COMPLETE WITHOUT WRITING UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED) 58)FN 6.0 61)FN/VF 7.0 62)FN/VF 7.0 63)VG- 3.5 64)*GD 2.0 (*WRITING ON COVER, CROSSWORD PUZZLE FILLED OUT) 65)VG 4.0 67)*FN 6.0 (*WOULD BE VF 8.0 EXCEPT FOR 1/8" TEAR AND CORNER CREASE ON REAR COVER) 68)VF 8.0 70)*VG- 3.5 (*WOULD BE FN/VF 7.0 EXCEPT FOR TEAR AND TAPE REPAIR) 73)FN/VF 7.0 74)*FR/GD 1.5 (* WOULD BE FN 6.0 EXCEPT FOR TAPE REPAIR, PIECES MISSING AND WRITING ON REAR COVER) 75)FN 6.0 (*1/4" TEAR ON FRONT EDGE OF REAR COVER, STAIN ON INSIDE OF FRONT COVER AND 1ST PAGE) 76)FN 6.0 77)*FN 6.0 (*WOULD BE VF 8.0 EXCEPT FOR 1/4" TEAR ON FRONT EDGE OF FRONT COVER) 81)*VG 4.0 (*WOULD BE VF 8.0 EXCEPT FOR TAPE REPAIR ON REAR COVER) 82)GD 2.0 88)*VG 4.0 (*WOULD BE VF+ 8.5 EXCEPT WORD PUZZLES HAVE BEEN FILLED OUT) 92)*VG 4.0 (*WOULD BE VF 8.0 EXCEPT FOR WATER DAMAGE AT BOTTOM OF BOOK) 94)FN+ 6.5 95)VF 8.0 96)*VG 4.0 (*WOULD BE VF/NM 9.0 EXCEPT FOR 1/2" TEAR ON BOTTOM EDGE AND 1/2" PIECE MISSING FROM LOWER RIGHT CORNER) 98)*VG- 3.5 (*WOULD BE VF/NM 9.0 EXCEPT FOR 1" PIECE MISSING FROM LOWER RIGHT CORNER AND VERTICAL CREASE) 99)*FN/VF 7.0 (*WOULD BE VF/NM 9.0 EXCEPT FOR LOWER CORNER CREASING STARTING ON REAR PAGES, GETS BETTER WITH EACH PAGE TOWARDS FRONT) AMAZING ADVENTURES (1961) 1)GD 2.0 2)FR/GD 1.5 3)FR 1.0 4)FR 1.0 5)PR/FR 1.0 6)GD- 1.8 AMAZING ADULT FANTASY (1961) 7)*PR 0.5 (*REMAINDER COPY) 8)*PR 0.5 (*REMAINDER COPY) 9)*PR 0.5 (*REMAINDER COPY) 10)FR 1.0 11)PR/FR 1.0 12)GD 2.0 13)FR/GD 1.5 14)FR 1.0

The prices I come up with are not based on one sale, they are based on multiple sold auction prices (when available) for books in the same grade, it is more of an average between the high/low prices a book in that grade sold for over the last 6 month's. Judging by what I have seen while checking FMV over the last 1 1/2 years, this is probably a good time for buyers, the question is, will prices keep dropping, stabilize or go up again, I assume it will all depend on pop culture, the MCU and other factors, unfortunately that is a question no one can answer. Good luck on your quest to upgrade your IH 181 at a reasonable price.

Blunted corners with a small color breaking crease at the top right corner, two long color breaking creases starting at right edge under the issue number/date, spine roll w/fanned pages, multiple wrinkles/creases on rear cover along with some staining/foxing. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to TopAn 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.

The books are Silver and early Bronze, all books are raw. Here are a few examples... (June 2022/December 2022/June 2023) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (PR 0.5) $1000.00/$690.00/$600.00 14 (VG/FN 5.0) $1900.00/$1400.00/$1400.00 31 (VG+ 4.5) $350.00/$350.00/$200.00 Annual 1 (VG/FN 5.0) $1200.00/$1200.00/$900.00 AVENGERS 4 (GD/VG 3.0) $1200.00/$900.00/$800.00 48 (VG - 3.5) $160.00/$100.00/$70.00 DAREDEVIL 1 (PR 0.5) $1200.00/$1100.00/$900.00 FANTASTIC FOUR 5 (FR/GD 1.5) $4000.00/$4000.00/$2500.00 12 (GD/VG 3.0) $800.00/$900.00/$600.00) 33 (FN 6.0) $240.00/$50.00/$70.00 48 (GD 2.0) $1100.00/$750.00/$700.00 67 (VF 8.0) $400.00/$300.00/$150.00 INCREDIBLE HULK 2 (FR/GD 1.5) $1300.00/$1300.00/$1000.00 180 (GD/VG 3.0 Missing The MVS) $350.00/$300.00/$200.00 181 (FN/VF 7.0) $4500.00/$4000.00/$3500.00 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 83 (GRR VF- 7.5) $600.00/$600.00/$400.00 STRANGE TALES 110 (GD 2.0) $2000.00/$1250.00/$1000.00 TALES OF SUSPENSE 52 (VG/FN 5.0) $500.00/$500.00/$400.00 TALES TO ASTONISH 35 (GD 2.0) $350.00/$300.00/$200.00 THOR 126 (FN- 5.5) $190.00/$175.00/$100.00 X-MEN 2 (PR 0.5, Remainder Copy) $300.00/$200.00/$125.00 4 (GD+ 2.5) $1000.00/$700.00/$700.00 10 (FN/VF 7.0) $615.00/$550.00/$400.00

Just finished getting FMV for my top books (100-150 books) as I do every 6 month's. (eBay sold auctions for books in the same grade) In June of 2022 my top 50 were valued at $42,000.00, in December of 2022 the top 50 were valued at $36,000.00 and as of June 2023, $31,000.00, according to this, prices are still falling.

Determining the cause of a popped staple is not an easy one, even CGC with all of their experience with this cannot be 100% sure if the issue is production or handling damage, it could also be caused by poor pressing. Grading the book without the popped staple... Blunted corners w/color loss, small/color breaking creases at top/bottom right corners, minor dust/sun shadows on rear cover (or just the lighting?). IMO, the book presents nicely, however, the color breaking corner creases prevent this book from reaching the VF 8.0 range, a Qualified grade would be in the FN/VF 7.0 - VF- 7.5 How much of a hit will the book take with the popped staple(s), depends on the severity, is the cover or centerfold loose, detached at one staple, detached at both staples, the hit could be anywhere from 1-3 points in grade. Worse case scenario, both the cover and centerfold are completely detached, VG+ 4.5 - VG/FN 5.0.

To view the staples, can we get pics of the inside of the front and rea covers and centerfold?

Binder Holes are a major defect since they affect the entire book 2-3 times and possibly affect the story. If binder holes are present on a higher grade book sent to CGC, that book would get a Green Qualified Label, if a Blue Universal Label is requested a book that is other wise a VF 8.0 or VF/NM 9.0 may drop as low as a GD 2.0/GD+ 2.5. With your book already being of lower grade (nothing wrong with lower grade (Well Loved) books, I have many), it would be graded as it appears with all defects. Binder Holes, Moderate edge wear with small tears/chipping, moderately blunted/rounded corners with color breaking creases, moderate spine stress, multiple cover length/vertical/color breaking creases, smaller creases/folds present by outer edge, discolored lower staple, minor to moderate dust shadow on rear cover, chipping/small tears on the edges of the rear cover. If the binder holes were not present I would grade this book at a GD 2.0 - GD+ 2.5, IMO, the number of cover length creases would have prevented this book from reaching a GD/VG 3.0. With the binder holes present, as the book sits now, IMO... FR/GD 1.5 My advice/opinion, Bag and Board them (Mylites/Acid Free Boards), store them properly and most of all...Read and Enjoy Them. Here are pics of a JIM 41 and JIM 46 that I have with 3 binder holes and detached covers, without those defects the books would have graded at FN+ 6.5 and FN- 5.5, with the defects I graded both at a FR 1.0. (Mostly due to the detached covers)

If you enjoy those books and love the thrill of the hunt, then, go for it, it took me 30 years to complete my runs to where they are now, Enjoy The Journey!!! When I started collecting again in 79 I wanted to complete runs of the major Marvel titles I grew up with in the 60's. I always gave myself a starting point and an end point with issue numbers so I did not become overwhelmed, I usually started with the higher numbered books and worked my way down, I always had a price in mind that I was willing to pay for a book and I would always keep an eye out for deals on the lower numbered books at shows, LCS, eBay, etc. If condition is not a factor, it definitely makes things easier (which it is not to me, I have 329 books, out of 2000 (All Raw) between PR. 0.5 and GD- 1.8, along with 1 coverless book and 10 Remainder Copies. Tape, Writing, Ad Page/Pin Up Missing, Remainder Copies on higher dollar books were a non factor for me.) With comic book prices coming back down to "normal" (prices have dropped 20-30% in the last year and are still dropping.), it is the perfect time to start hunting those valued/elusive books. Good Luck and Have Fun!!!

Minor to moderate edge wear with minor to moderate color loss, color loss throughout cover, blunted/rounded corners w/color loss, minor spine stress w/multiple color breaking spine ticks. 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to TopAn 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.

For what it's worth and only my opinion... I cannot tell how CGC will view this book or others like it, however, I stayed away from NM 9.4 for this reason.... 9.4 NEAR MINT (NM): Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books,

You are absolutely correct.

Somewhat long Bindery Tear at the top left corner, minor spine ticks, only one breaks color, looks like there may be slightly fanned pages, cannot really tell (as seen at the bottom right of your 4th picture). 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.

I have been collecting since 1979, before I found my 1st LCS in 81/82 it was mail order, which was hit or miss, then came the LCS, which made life a lot easier, although you did not know what they may have until you got there. I always collected on a budget and wanted to complete my Silver Age runs, for Christmas in the 80's I would make a list of the books I was looking for, along with a secondary list if the others could not be found. To complete the secondary list I looked through The Overstreet Price Guide and picked out newer books (Bronze Age mostly) that were increasing in value much more than the books around them, mostly because I wanted to see what the hype/higher price was all about, that is how I got my IH 181 (they paid $25.00 in 82/83). Other than that I made monthly trips to the 5/6 LCS's that were in my area, I only had so much money, so cost, not grade was the biggest concern. Back then if you saw a book that you needed/wanted you had to decide then and there if you were going to purchase it or it may not be there if/when you returned (I hemmed and hawed about spending $20.00 for a JIM 84 in 98/99), my goal was as many books as possible for said amount of $$$. I also went to smaller, local shows with my list and Overstreet in hand, every dealer/buyer had their copy handy, the thrill of the hunt, as nerve racking as it may have been was part of the enjoyment of collecting, never knowing what you may find and the excitement you felt when you did find it, the internet pretty much ruined that. To me, comic books are comic books, I grew up in the 60's when comics were "cheap, disposable" entertainment, you read them, colored in them, drew on them, took out the pinups, folded them and put them in your back pocket while you rode your bike (with your baseball cards flipping through your bicycle spokes), and, if you left them lying around they became coasters, fly swatters, note pads or thrown out. Even though I now know the value of my comics and no longer treat them that way, I still look at them through the eyes of 10 year old me in 1965, they are comic books, the stories/characters are fictional, I read, enjoy and never question "how did he do that" or "that's not possible", because anything is possible in your imagination, to me, folks who view comic books through the eyes of an adult and look for logic and reality are not getting the same enjoyment as a kid. I still do not care about high grade, or any type of restoration, I only care about having the book.

I collected as a kid in the 60's (65-69) and began collecting again in 79 (Marvel, all books are Raw), there have been times in the past when books had there value artificially inflated for one reason or another, it could be due to a movie, TV show, a current storyline that peaks the interest of newer readers and makes them want to find earlier appearances of a character which of course increases the value of the older books, generally the older books hold their value, back in the day there was no social media to blow everything out of proportion, the only way you got your latest comic book news was from your LCS, Overstreet Price Guide, Wizard World or any other Comic Book Publications. In the early 90's people started hoarding new books with variant covers, gimmick covers, this created an artificial shortage of these books (even though the print numbers were high) and because of the false shortage, interest peaked, the prices escalated and the publishers started printing 2nd, 3rd printings to keep up with demand. When the price of these new books climbed (Ghost Rider 15 Glow In The Dark Cover selling for $30.00 when it was 2 month's old, the 5 variant covers of X Men 1, etc.) everyone who hoarded started selling, this flooded the market with these books and soon interest peaked and faded away and the value took a big turn downward, or, back to normal. Comic book stores were stuck with numerous copies nobody wanted, the publishers were stuck with hundreds of thousands of books nobody wanted, it was almost the end of the comic book industry. For the most part, many of these books are now dollar bin books that only increased in value due to the MCU, once the film debuted and ran its course the value came back down. Yes, the MCU created a large interest with younger/newer readers who until the movies were released knew nothing about comic book characters, this led to a demand for early appearances of these characters which increased the value dramatically between 2020 and 2022, now that the movies have flooded the market and folks have lost interest, the price of these books is coming down, basically, back to a normal, a non-artificially inflated price. Every 6 month's (June/December) I check the FMV (eBay sold auctions for books in the same grade) of my top books, basically for curiosity and for my heirs, my top 50 books lost $6000.00 in value from June 2022 to December 2022, as I am in the process of doing this right now for 2023, it appears the value is going to drop even more, going by this trend, this is probably a good time to be a buyer. The point of all of this is, that unless you are a speculator/investor/flipper, buy and read what you enjoy, not for it's monetary value, if the value goes up, Great, if it does not, who cares, you are collector and enjoy reading/having the books. If there are older issues/stories you are interested in but cannot afford you can always buy reprints of those issues for a lot less.

I do not know, that is why I phrased the comment/question with "If that is...", I am sure the OP can tell us if it is a hard cover stock.

I did not even know about this, just checked my copy and it does have the "Kool Aid" packet, When I graded my copy a few years back I must not have even thought twice about it, probably said, "Hey a Kool Aid Pack, Cool" and moved on. This issue also has a sealed card inside to subscribe to "Spider-Man Magazine for Kids". From looking online I was only able to find pics of 4 graded copies, 3 by CGC, 1 by the other guys, the labels do mention the Kool Aid Pack... "Direct Editions Have A Kool Aid Sample Pack Included", however, there is no mention of the "Subscription Card". The majority of books for sale on eBay are mentioned by the seller that the Kool Aid Pack is included, however, since this is a low $ book, there probably is not much interest, should something happen and this book becomes "Hot", there will probably be a lot of interest in the included items being there. Looking at Go Collect, the site shows there have been 3 issues graded as "Qualified", I do not have an account so I cannot see why they received Qualified labels.

Slight edge/corner wear with small color breaking creases/tears, moderate spine stress with color breaking spine ticks and a book length vertical color breaking crease, slight spine roll w/fanned pages. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to TopAn 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.

4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to TopThe 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.

If that is "hard cover stock" then that spine stress is normal from opening the book.

Edge wear with color loss, blunted/dented/rounded corners w/color loss, numerous color breaking creases, minor to moderate spine stress w/a few color breaking spine ticks, slight stacking curl/fanned pages, moderate to severe foxing on front and rear covers, fold/crease top left corner of rear cover. The date stamp has no affect on the grade of this book, date stamps depending on location/size are allowed up to and including NM/MT 9.8. IMO, due to the moderate to severe foxing this book will max out at... 3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG): Back to TopA 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.