marvelmaniac

Mylar is the "archival standard" for comic book (paper) preservation, it is an "inert", "acid free" archival material that will not degrade over time as poly bags do. https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/comics.html https://www.incognitocomics.com.au/blogs/news/mylar-vs-poly-comic-book-bags All 2000 of my books are in Mylites (1 mil, 1.4 mil, 2 mil) with acid free boards and have been since I first found Mylites back in the 80's, I have books that have been in the same 1 mil Mylites for 30+ years.

I am a collector of "Adventures of the Big Boy" but only issues from 1955-1964, thought I was the only one, Bob's Big Boy was my favorite restaurant as a kid in the early 60's in NE Phila. According to MCS, the #1 issue of "Shoney's Big Boy" (1976) is indeed pricey, more than I would have anticipated, I assume these books are hard to find in higher grade and it was the start of a new series while the old series continued on. There are not any listed on eBay at the moment, however, an Adventures of the Shoney's Big Boy #1 sold for $10.95 on eBay on August 22, the price matches this... https://comicbookrealm.com/series/12307/0/paragon-products-adventures-of-shoneys-big-boy According to MCS the price is much higher than $10.00, there is currently an auction going on, what will it sell for? https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=377171

How can that be a 9.8, the CGC Blue Label is seriously mistrimmed.

From what I have read freezing temps will kill the book lice., I have never even thought about putting a comic book in the freezer and the thought scares me, however, when dealing with "creepy crawlies" anything goes. "Infested articles not discarded can be cleaned and aired or treated to eliminate booklice. Articles (that are resistant to freezing or heat) can be placed in plastic bags and either frozen (kept in freezer at 0°F for 4 days) or heated (30 min at 180°F) sufficiently to kill booklice." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JtykOjDWGM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JyKG1ejmlY Good Luck!!!

That is a very good impression of distributor spray.

Have you heard of "Marvel Chipping" on books from the 60's, this was caused by a dull blade, your top edge does not look like Marvel Chipping, is it a bindery issue? Marvel Chipping (Pic is from the web) Top edge wear w/very slight tears, blunted upper corners w/ slight color breaks, minor spine stress, distributor ink overspray on lower rear cover. 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. 7.5 VERY FINE- (VF-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount.

Creased/blunted corners, multiple color breaking creases including book length subscription crease/fold, moderate spine stress/staple tears w/color breaks, slightly discolored staples, slight foxing on rear cover. IMO, the book length crease prevents this book from being a higher grade, book length creases are only allowed up to GD/VG 3.0, the book does not appear to have any other "major defects" so, IMO... VG 4.0/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. 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.

Might as well continue the run, 1963 - 1980, my Marvel collecting years as a youth were 65-69, started collecting again in 79, other than ROM, 1980 is about as far as I go, the majority of the newer stuff from 1980-up was given to my Son when he started collecting when he got out of the Navy in 97. BTW, this is a very fun thread, Kudos!!! 1963 1964 (A lot to choose from, a GREAT Year) 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

I do not see anything wrong with this book, however, I will not assign a grade higher than NM 9.4 without having the book in front of me, it may very well be a NM + 9.6 or a 9.8 NM/MT, use the grading standards to check the book against the standards. 9.8 NEAR MINT/MINT (NM/MT): Back to Top Nearly perfect in every way with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimal fading. Corners are cut square and sharp. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Spine is tight and flat. Staples must be original, generally centered and clean with no rust. Paper is white, supple and fresh. Only the slightest interior tears are allowed. 9.6 NEAR MINT+ (NM+): Back to Top Nearly perfect with a minor additional virtue or virtues that raise it from Near Mint. Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. No bindery tears are allowed, although on Golden Age books bindery tears of up to 1/8" have been noted. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. One corner may be almost imperceptibly blunted, but still almost sharp and cut square. Almost imperceptible indentations are permissible, but no creases, bends, or color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Spine is tight and flat. Staples must be original, generally centered, with only the slightest discoloration. Paper is off-white, supple and fresh. Only the slightest interior tears are allowed. 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.

Slight edge/corner/spine wear w/color rub, discolored top staple. I cannot see the inside centerfold to see how bad the upper staple is, assuming it is all exterior discoloration, 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.

Could we please get clear pics of the entire front/rear covers?

From what I understand the white marks running vertically on the spine are a production flaw from the harder cover stock being folded at the time of printing, if this is correct then CGC will not deduct for this. I will not grade any book over a NM 9.4 without having the book in front of me and "assuming" the above statement to be correct... 9.4 NEAR MINT (NM): Back to TopNearly 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.

1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962

The problem is/was that nobody except CGC knew what the "missing page 14" was since it was not truly page 14, anybody ever call them out on this to get an explanation?

Personally I do not have my books graded so it all depends on your collecting goals which may change over time, me, I was only interested in completing runs, condition was usually not an issue for me, just remember that having a book graded does not provide any greater protection than the book being placed in a Mylite with an Acid Free Board, slabbed and raw books both need to be stored in the same proper conditions, controlled environment (cold/hot/humidity), away from sources of heat, moisture, UV light. I have 10 Remainder Copies in my 2000 book collection and I have always collected on a budget. Remainder Copies are a less expensive way to obtain otherwise unaffordable issues or to help fill a hole in a run while still being able to afford more books, the story is complete, only the top 1/4-1/3 of the cover is missing. Personally I would rather go to a Show or LCS and walk away with 10 Well Loved (low grade readers) copies as opposed to one high grade copy, however, I grew up in the 60's when comic books were "just comic books", they were meant to be read and they were "inexpensive, disposable" entertainment. How remaindered copies are graded is totally unfair (IMO) since they usually receive a grade of .01-.03 regardless of the overall condition of the book while a book in FR 1.0 can have numerous serious defects including...(From Heritage Auctions Grading Standards) "Books in this condition generally have all pages and most of the covers, although there may be up to 1/4 of the front cover missing or no back cover, but not both".

If that is true then I guess everybody else is wrong? I feel CGC make things up as they go along and they are not transparent in what they do, (My Opinion Only) but it makes for good comic book back and forth discussion, however, why does everyone accept everything CGC does and says as gospel, you realize they are human just like the rest of us which means..."Not Perfect, Makes Mistakes, Can be Wrong" Nowhere am I able to find anything that supports CGC's page count theory of both sides = 1 page, (which is the theory they used on the D.D. 7 label) also a "wrap" is technically 4 pages. From MyComicShop...(bottom row shows how many pages are in D.D. 7 from Apr. 1965) "In Mortal Combat with Sub-Mariner!" Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by Wally Wood. Namor hires Franklin and Murdock to sue the human race on his behalf. When this doesn't work, he gets himself arrested so he can have his day in court. Realizing humanity won't listen, the Sub-Mariner goes on a rampage which brings Daredevil into the (hopeless) fray. Namor returns to the sea out of respect for DD and to stop Krang from taking over Atlantis. Sub-Mariner/Daredevil pin-up by Wood. Note: First appearance of Daredevil's red costume. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12. https://chilkibopublishing.com/how-many-pages-are-in-a-comic-book/ https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/342798-when-counting-pages-of-a-comic-book-do-you-also-count-the-covers/ https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-how-many-pages-long/ https://comicbento.com/how-many-pages-are-in-a-comic-book/ https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/335782-what-is-a-wrap-and-a-centerfold-for-comic-books/ https://docs.comics.org/wiki/Page_Count

Yes, the pinup page is towards the back of the book, it is actually the page just after the end of the story, the front of that page is an ad page, the pinup is on the other side of the ad page. Yes, my centerfold is the same as yours.

Technically CGC is incorrect on the number of the "missing page" and their statement on the page number that is missing is very confusing and they should know better, they should have stated that the "pinup page" was missing. When counting comic book pages the outside front cover is page 1, the inside front cover is page 2, and so on, each individual page is actually 2 pages, front and backside = 2 pages. Even if you skipped the cover and went by actual page number they would still be incorrect on the missing page number, what they did was start with page 1 of the story and count each page as 1 page which makes the pinup page 14, the pinup is the page after the end of the story. According to CGC's logic the D.D. 7 only has 16 pages. From MCS on D.D. 7 "36 pages, full color." Actual/True Page 14 (Counting the Covers) Page 14 by Actual Page Number Page 14 According To CGC Which Is Actually Page 28.

From a comic grading company... "Look at the placement of the staples on the comic when looking at mis-wraps vs. spine rolls. Mis-wraps, the staples will be where their supposed to be but the cover is not aligned. A spine roll has all the pages of the book shifted, the spine itself has shifted, placing the staples on top of the book or the bottom of the book." Either way, IMO... "it dramatically affects the aesthetic appeal of the book"

Slightly blunted corners w/color rub, slight edge wear w/color rub, minor spine stress with 2-3 small color breaking spine ticks, minor staple tears, slight spine roll, slight foxing on rear cover. IMO... 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to TopNearly 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.

Slightly blunted corners, slight edge wear, minor spine stress with a couple of small/color breaking spine ticks, slight spine roll, outer edge slightly miscut (as seen by the "TM".), minor color rub on front cover. IMO... 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to TopNearly 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.

Normally I would suggest pics of the front/rear covers with closer/clear pics of the spine/staples/corners, pics of the inside front/rear covers and centerfold, your last pic has a reflection so it is difficult to actually see the creasing/wrinkles and whether they do break color as it appears they do in the first photo. Color breaking creases/wrinkles on top edge, minor spine stress with a couple of minor spine ticks, slight wrinkling on rear cover. If the creasing on the top edge does break color, IMO... 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.

Edge/corner wear w/color breaking creases at lower edge/corners, minor spine stress with staple tears at upper staple and a few color breaking spine ticks, small spine tear as seen on rear cover next to "Capt. America", slightly discolored lower staple, spine roll/fanned pages, moderate foxing on front and rear covers. There are no apparent major defects with this book, however IMO, the foxing prevents this book from being a higher grade. FN- 5.5/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.

Regardless of the overall condition of the front/rear covers, the book would probably receive a grade of PR 0.5/FR 1.0 Incomplete with the 1/2 centerfold page missing that does affect the story. If I were to give this a qualified grade, disregarding the missing 1/2 page... Edge/corner wear w/color breaking creases at top edge, color rub at bottom edge, minor to moderate spine stress w/color breaking spine ticks, slight spine roll/fanned pages, rusted staples w/severe rust migration, stain/crease on rear cover upper right. IMO, the rusted staples and rust migration prevent this from being a higher grade. 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.