Web of Spiderman 118 - PGM 3 3

[Zegeroth]

Hello, 

Thank for you for your time.  I’m interested in opinions on the grading of this, particularly the staple on the back.

This comic is crisp and has never been opened.  All edges and corners are sharp with no wear.  There are no bends, or spine dings.

Interresting areas:

1. Ink line on front spine by datebox.  This is ink and not a crease.  I believe production.

2. Back bottom left corner has color missing on the black area.  There is no bend here, unsure on what would have caused this.

3. Back staple stress lines by the staple entry.  I feel this is production also, but it does look bad enough make even 9.6 tough if not.

I will be submitting this fairly soon so I’ll update it eventually with the grade.  I’d love to have a 9.8 first Scarlet Spider here, but maybe wishful thinking. 

[Zegeroth]

I looked at the back staple some more and it is staple tear on the top.  There is also an insert on the top staple.  I suspect this insert can get pulled a bit and it causes the tear.  
 

I was looking at some CGC 9.8s and there are a few with a similar issue.  Added a picture of 2:

Edited August 21, 2021 by Zegeroth

[Zegeroth]

Some interior pictures showing how elaborate this insert is and the tear

[candygramformongo]

That's interesting about the insert and its effect on the back staple - I'll be curious to see how that plays out.  My estimate is a 9.6 though I think 9.8 is also on the table if a grader ignores the "staple stuff" because of the insert.....or a 9.4 if they ding you for the "staple stuff".   Good luck - please update and post the results when you get it back!

[grendelbo]

9.4

Could be a 9.6 depending on how CGC treats the apparent manufacturer defects.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Zegeroth]

On 8/21/2021 at 11:28 AM, grendelbo said:

9.4

Could be a 9.6 depending on how CGC treats the apparent manufacturer defects.

Thanks for posting.

 

Please list your flaws please.

[grendelbo]

On 8/21/2021 at 12:35 PM, Zegeroth said:

Please list your flaws please.

Minor staple stress with color-breaking creasing. Slight edge wear back cover bottom edge and lower left corner.

I'll rarely, if ever, grade above a 9.4 with pics alone, FYI. For one I don't really believe there's a difference between 9.6s and 9.8s. 9.4s are NM and I think that's where the grading scale should stop. Also, without a book in hand there's always something that could be missed, even with the best pics.

[Zegeroth]

On 8/21/2021 at 12:01 PM, grendelbo said:

Minor staple stress with color-breaking creasing. Slight edge wear back cover bottom edge and lower left corner.

I'll rarely, if ever, grade above a 9.4 with pics alone, FYI. For one I don't really believe there's a difference between 9.6s and 9.8s. 9.4s are NM and I think that's where the grading scale should stop. Also, without a book in hand there's always something that could be missed, even with the best pics.

Completely agree on the ability to judge something better than 9.4 by pics.  I was curious if you saw something else.  The lower back left area is allowed in 9.8.  It looks slightly worse as the phone software brightens the whites.  The staple stress and everything would be in the production flaw.  If it’s not, i’d give this a 9.2 myself.

[CHASEnBLUE]

Expect a 9.4 and hope for the 9.8. I'm thinking you will be higher than 9.4...good luck!

[Funnybooks]

9.6

[Deadpoolica]

9.2

[Galen130]

9.2