Comic Book Grading Guide

Comic grading guide

When purchasing a comic from backissuesheaven you can be assured that it will have been fairly and accurately graded - each and every comic that passes through my hands is carefully studied and graded. If I ever have any doubts about which grade a comic belongs in I will downgrade it to be safe. If you have any comments about any comic I have graded then please let me know, I am always willing to discuss any problems and always welcome the feedback - it helps me become a better grader.

I use a simplified version of the Overstreet Grading scale, using seven distinct grades - MINT(M), NEAR MINT(NM), VERY FINE(VF), FINE(FN), VERY GOOD(VG), GOOD(GD) and FAIR(FR).

MINT(M): Near perfect in every way. Only the most subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Cover inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimal fading. Corners are cut square and sharp. Staples are generally centered, clean with no rust. Cover is generally well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Paper is supple and fresh. Spine is tight and flat.

NEAR MINT (NM): Nearly perfect with only very minor imperfections allowed.This grade should have no corner or impact creases, stress marks should be almost invisible, and bindery tears must be less than 1/16 inch. A couple of very tiny color flecks, or a combination of the above that keeps the book from being perfect, where the overall eye appeal is less than Mint drops the book into this grade. Only the most subtle binding and/or printing defects allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Cover inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever so slight blunting permitted. Staples are generally centered, clean with no rust. Cover is well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Paper is supple and like new. Spine is tight and flat.

VERY FINE (VF): An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. Sharp, bright and clean with supple pages. Cover is relatively flat with almost no surface or edge wear. Cover inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. Staples should show almost no discoloration. Spine may have a couple of almost insignificant transverse stress lines. and is almost completely flat. An almost unnoticeable 1/4 inch crease is acceptable, if color is not broken. Pages and covers can be yellowish/tannish (at least, but not brown and will usually be off-white to white.)

FINE (FN): An exceptional, above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no creasing or other serious defects. Eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of slight surface wear and possibly a very small defect such as a few very slight cross stress marks on spine. A Fine condition comic book appears to have been read a few times and has been handled with moderate care. Compared to a VF, cover inks are beginning to show a significant reduction in reflectivity but is still a highly collectible and desirable book.

VERY GOOD (VG): The average used comic book. A comic in this grade shows some wear, can have a reading or center crease or a rolled spine, but has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point that it is not a desirable copy. Some discoloration, fading and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge. Missing a square piece (1/8" by 1/8") is also acceptable. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Cover and interior pages can have one or two minor tears and folds and the centerfold may be loose or detached. One staple can be loose, but the cover is not completely detached. common bindary and printing defects do not effect grade. Pages of inside covers can be brown but not brittle. Tape should never be used for comic book repair, however, many VG condition comics have minor tape repair.

GOOD (GD): A copy in this grade has all pages and covers, although there may be small pieces missing inside; the largest piece allowed from front or back cover is a 1/2" triangle or square 1/4" by 1/4". Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded and soiled, but completely readable. Often paper quality is low but not brittle. Cover reflectivity is low and in some cases completely absent. Most collectors consider this the lowest collectible grade because comics books in lesser condition are usually incomplete and/or brittle. This grade can have a moderated accumulation of defects but still maintains its basic structural integrity.

FAIR (FR): A copy in this grade has all pages and most of the covers, centerfold may be missing, if it does not affect the story, but price should be reduced; is soiled, ragged and unattractive. Creases and folds are prevalent and paper quality may be moderately low. Spine may be split up to 2/3 its entire length. Staples may be gone, and/or cover split up to 2/3 its length. Corners are commonly slightly rounded. If coupons are cut from front cover and/or back cover and/or interior pages, the book will fall into this grade. Up to 1/12 of front cover may be missing. These books are mostly readable although soiling, staining, tears, markings or chunks missing may interfere with reading the complete story. Very often paper quality is moderately low and may have slight brittleness around the edges but not in the central portion of the pages.