bapowell

Hi all, Another Amazing Spider-Man 300 here. Nothing to mention about this one that isn't clear from the photos. There are a few small, non-color breaking spine stresses that I could probably press out, but I'm not sure it's worth it.

I've got a Tusy heat press that works great: I've used it on all sorts of comics with great results, but I've got a valuable high-grade book that probably doesn't *need* a press...

I've got a book with a few small, non-color breaking spine stress marks. I'm wondering if it's possible that a press might turn these into color breaks? I don't know exactly how that even might happen, or why I worry about this, but figured I'd ask. Thanks!

Thanks all. The seller called it a Fine which doesn't seem to warrant a fight.

Recently purchased this off Ebay; the exterior seems to match the seller's estimated grade (1/4" spine split, dust shadow on back), but I noticed two interior pages with corner pieces out. I can't seem to find much info on how this affects grade. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hi all, Overall very nice copy of Secret Wars 8. Small tear upper corner FC, non-color breaking indentation FC (on Spider-Man's body, see pics). There is some weird, faint yellowish discoloration on the back cover, that appears to be related to the green print on the last page (almost like it transferred somehow); again, see pics. Otherwise, corners are sharp and spine is great shape. Thanks!

Hi all, Please have a look at this Amazing Spider-Man 252. Everything looks great except the top left corner, which is abraded (but not split). Otherwise, there is a non-color breaking bend bottom left corner FC (which I can press out) and I count a single small spine tick visible on the FC, and two more small ones visible on the BC.

Thanks Tony. In the link above, they mention this process of acid migration, and state that Gerber boards don't take up any acid from the comics, whereas BCW acid-free boards do, and, as a result, see decreasing pH over time (and hence the need to replace). If Gerber backs aren't soaking up any acid, but it's still being produced by the comic over time, that would seem no better than just leaving a BCW board in indefinitely. Basically, there's acid being produced in the comic bag: you can either leave it in the comic (Gerber) or initially soak it up until you can't soak up any more (2-5 yrs), after which time it just gets left in the comic. Both options are ultimately equal. But the conventional wisdom is that Gerber is best for long term storage, so surely I'm missing something...

Thanks everyone. You really know how to make a guy feel special

Yes, indeed. There seems to be considerable disagreement! I'm debating sending this one in, but only if it has a chance of grading out at 8.5 or higher. I might pass...

Hi all, I just got off the phone with E Gerber products and learned that half-back and full-backs won't be available until April. Does anybody have a favorite non-Gerber acid-free archival backing board? BCW claims to be acid free but this reference suggests that they are only good for 3-5 years: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/blog/2014/02/16/are-bcw-backing-boards-really-acid-free/. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Hi all, This book is in excellent shape. Bottom left corner of FC has what looks like a small scrape (not a tear); I see one spine tick. Corners are sharp. Tiny (~1mm) tear 2/3 way down leading edge of BC. The trouble is with the double bend/crease starting at the middle top of the FC and passing down diagonally through the 'L' in 'HULK'. I was able to mostly press the bend out, though it's still evident if the angle is right, and the crease shows up with a light color-break. Wondering what you all think this does to the grade. Thanks for looking!

Hi all, Here is Fear #11 featuring Man-Thing, cover by Neal Adams. Several spine ticks and corner creases, otherwise in nice shape. Thanks!

Hi all, Here's a copy of Batman 188. High gloss and nice colors. Most noticeable issue is the scuffing along the spine and bottom edge FC. Interested in people's thoughts. Thanks!

Hi all, Here is a very nice copy of Amazing Spider-Man 111. Tight and crisp copy, only a couple small and light spine ticks. Except for the annoying tear at the top staple. Ugh. Wondering what y'all think of this. Thanks!

Are these lower grades because of the gouge in the back? Without the gouge, the book would seem to be in the Fine range.

Hi all, hoping to get some impressions on this one. The BC is tanner than the photo suggests. There is chipping along top and leading edges of BC. Thanks for looking!

Hi all, Perhaps my favorite Neal Adams Batman cover: Batman 245. Overall very nice shape, some corner wear and a couple medium-sized spine ticks. Thanks for looking!

I'll take it

Hi all, please have a look at this ASM 300. Overall nice book: a few spine ticks bottom half, some corner wear, small tear bottom staple. Thanks for looking!

Hi all, Just picked this one up and would love some opinions! Thanks for looking!

Hi all, I know this isn't the most exciting book, but I'm in need of some grading calibration and I'd appreciate some input on this one. Several spine ticks (one large-ish one by top staple), bottom right FC corner bend, and some wear to top left FC corner.

The back should press out fine. With a C&P agree with the 7-7.5 range.

Hi all, Here's Thor 161 in good overall shape. Looks to be a stray pencil mark on the "T" in "Thor", and bottom right corner of FC is impacted. Some tanning and dust shadow on BC.

Hi all, Here is a Captain Marvel #2 I just purchased ungraded. It's a sharp book with no obvious (major) problems, except for the blue ink spot on the back cover. I know these spots are variously known as "distributor ink" or similar, but the hivemind seems to be split on whether these constitute regular old stains wrt grading. Interested in the opinions of the knowledgable folks on this forum. Thanks!