Tank the Dog

I’m at a 3.0 on this one, with the stain on the front and the tear on the back holding it back when considered with all the other general wear.  One of my favorite FF books!

For me, I have a nostalgia factor with the X-Men cartoons from the 90’s getting me into comics.

Uncanny X-Men 299, I loved the chess themed cover of 299.  Although the marvel trading cards from the early 1990’s is what got me interested in the first place.

I’ve seen at least two of these mid-grade cross eBay back in 2019 and 2020.  Was eyeing them at the time but never pulled the trigger on either.

A 1.8 to 2.0, with a maybe a gentle press from someone very experienced - mostly to keep those edge pieces from folding over, etc.  a press will likely make it look a bit nicer in a slab, but it won’t likely affect the grade in this case.  Awesome book!  A grail that kept getting away, and now it’s too expensive for me these days.

I’m at a 5.0 on this.  Most of my graded square bounds seem to have graded better than I expected when in the mid and high level grades.  Grading squarebounds is pretty tough for me too, either I’m too harsh or conservative on certain flaws.  As you get lower, it seems they do grade a bit tighter.  Is the edge binding piece missing at the tear, it’s hard to see from the pics, if so that may knock it a bit as well.

I’m at a 7.5 on this one and a clean and press could give it a shot at an 8.0 to 8.5.  Just a few ticks break color, the rest is mostly slight edge and corner wear.  Also not sure what’s going on with the left end of the upper green stripe on the Spalding ad on the reverse, was it printed that way?  Almost looks like crud, but could just be missing the green ink and it was printed that way.

I’m partial to the first copy, it present extremely well for the grade.  I’m not a fan of the very blunted corners and corner fold (lower right) of the second book.  Although if clearer pics of the second book become available, it would be worth taking another look.

I am at a 7.0, possibly a 7.5 with a light clean and press.  Ultimately the foxing will hit it, I have a few silver age square bound (CGC) that look nice but have noticeable foxing on the back and none are higher than 7.5.  They present well though.

From what I can see, I’m at a solid 8.0 right now.  Seeing the spine and rear cover wouldn’t hurt.  Looks like a really nice wrap on this copy which is a big plus too.  It might bump to an 8.5 on a good day and possibly with a light press.

I’m at a 3.0 on this.  Don’t think a press will help the grade, but may make it present a tad better in hand.  As for the first pages mis-aligning and not being stapled, I’ve seen this is on several square bound Silver Surfer issues, so nothing new there.  I had (sold it) a number 3 with the first few pages like that and it didn’t seem to hurt the grade.