scburdet

5.0 if those are stains as you say and not surface grime that could be partially removed.

9.2/9.4. These prestige formats can be a little tricky. I have a 9.8 with the binding and a few little defects are still viewable on the corners

3.5, maybe 4.0. I think the detached cover is "allowable" at this grade.

4.0. I can't quite get myself to 4.5 with the volume of creasing, but maybe.

2.5/3.0 my read of the CGC standards is the only thing that matters here is the size of the missing piece.

Your photo appears to have the top of the front cover cropped off. I see a small water stain on the BLFC, maybe another stain above AMAZING, a reader crease/spine creasing (white covers can hide this), and it looks like the bottom staple may be loose or detached based on the wear. It is helpful to include some notes if there are things like a loose staple that won't be obvious in the photos. I'd give this a 4.5/5.0 projection, but really need the top of the front cover and staple info to be sure.

4.0/4.5. The long, hard reader crease has me more at 4.0. I have seen some of these early FF keys defy my expectations though.

Max 1.5/1.8. Too many pieces out to go 2s I suspect. You might get $200-225 for this in a slab. Personally, I would want a book to have more significance to encapsulate it at this grade. For me, significance or preserving an older rarity or gem is the key criteria. Beyond that, there can be personal reasons outside of added value (e.g. nostalgia). You can certainly protect a book like this without grading it. I have a few early X-Men in mid- and lower-grade condition with no plans to get them graded FWIW.

4.0/4.5. I can't quite get to 5.0, but I won't file a report if it clears that bar

The defects around the watchtower probably maxes this out at 7.5. Maybe 8.0 if pressed and the grader is having a good day

I'd say 7.0 now, 7.5 pressed

9.4 pressed. Dents on the back cover along the outer edge

9.2/9.4 pressed some kind of indention on the back along the top

9.0/9.2 Some kind of indention below "stronghold". Should be pressed. You seem to have mixed up the direct and newsstand title

Defect not restoration. This does not look like an attempt at color touch. Also doesn't appear to be distribution ink. It could be treated like a stain or substance as there's no specific defined defect. I'd expect 5.0 or less, probably less. I would not send this kind of book to CGC

9.0/9.2

5.0/5.5. Little stain on the back

>9.2

2.0/2.5. Lower more likely

5.0/5.5

7.5/8.0 some light stains on the top edge of the back cover.

9.2 or better

9.0/9.2

maybe 9.0 pressed. The back is pretty bendy

6.5/7.0