scburdet

Splits seem to be on the list of things CGC hates, not as much as stains, but enough. 3.5/4.0

Detached cover sets the ceiling at 3.0. I think 3.0 is also a fair expectation of the accumulated defects

Small crease or scratch on the TRFC and I see something (another stain?) in Thor's arm on the BLFC. The staining is a killer though. 4.5±0.5

You bet! I have a 9.0 & an 8.0 magazine that I can't see would score that with comics of similar condition. As I understand it, Moderns, Economy, Sig Service & Magazines all have separate grading teams, so it means we have to get into the right heads to make our picks.

We were so focused on the staples, I barely paid attention to potential staining. I'd bet they penalized that at least as much as the staple stuff. I've seen even a tiny stain that's only noticable when really looking hard lead to an apparent deduction of 1-1.5 pts. I'm at the point that it would have to be a really high value book to even consider submitting something stained. TBF, I would have submitted this book regardless. It's still cool AF.

Fingerprints?

The detachment probably makes this a 6.0 since it's solid otherwise, with the possibility of a Qualified higher grade. Maybe a Qualified 9.0/9.2 if that's a bindery tear at the corner.

9.0/9.2. If you believe the CGC Guide, spine stress isn't treated as harshly as other creasing, but the corner ding is likely to drag a VF into the grade.

What's this?

If not the nicest ungraded key/semi-key Marvel magazine I own, definitely in the top 3. Love the cover

Kicking the tires of a few of my 2nd tier Claremont books in case there are signature candidates (to help avoid the stained Iron Fist 14 fiasco of '22). Some of the other key X-Mens didn't make it through pre=screen, but this one looks pretty good. Noticed my back cover photo as a small "finger shadow" on the BRBC, which is not on the book, just bad photography. Thanks in advance for your help

4.0/4.5. You *might* squeeze out a 5.0 if a press can get rid of those long impressions that don't appear to break color

7.0/7.5. Dust/sun shadow and not sure exactly what that smudge or small tape pull is on the back. White covers are hard to assess in photos b/c they hid the tic and creases

Printer's crease on the back cover? Outside corners look less than perfect. 7.5/8.0

Graders notes don't necessarily list all (or any) of the issues. I have more than one 9.0 with no notes, but clearly there are reasons they're not 9.8s. I would be very concerned about opening & trying to do anything. Based on anecdotal evidence, CGC has gotten harder on stains over the last few years.

From Dec 2022/Jan 2023. Spawn 1 was submitted directly.. Still missing my Hulk 330 with a Mark Jewelers insert. CGC sent back a Newsstand of that comic not my book. It's probably gone forever now.

Looks about 7.0/7.5 except for the missing piece. I'd expect a full point off for a chip/piece that size. 6.0±0.5

Maybe a 5.0. Buy a higher grade slab if you want it. There are already nearly 4K graded copies at 9.6/9.8. I don't think there's a big demand or interest in mid-grade moderns, unless it's just a really rare variant or something.