4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): The
average used comic book. A comic in this condition shows some significant
moderate wear, but still has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye
appeal to the point that it is not a desirable copy. Cover shows moderate to significant
wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Moderate to extreme
reduction in reflectivity. Can have an accumulation of creases or dimples.
Corners may be blunted or abraded. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates,
initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading,
foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can
be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also
acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on
otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a
1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears
and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is (no
worse than) brown but not brittle. A minor acidic odor can be detectable. Minor
to moderate tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one
staple.
3.5 VERY GOOD– (VG–):
Fits the criteria for Very Good but with an additional defect or small
accumulation of defects that detracts from the book’s appearance by a
perceptible amount.
3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD
(GD/VG): A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows
significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover
reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners
may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor
to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be
missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is
also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine
roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2".
Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate
stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is (no worse
than) brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.
Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.
2.5 GOOD+ (GD+): Fits
the criteria for Good but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of
virtues that improves the book’s appearance by a perceptible amount.
2.0 GOOD (GD): Shows
substantial wear; often considered a "reading copy." Cover shows
significant wear and may even be detached. Cover reflectivity is low and in
some cases completely absent. Book-length creases and dimples may be present.
Rounded corners are more common. Moderate soiling, staining, discoloration and
foxing may be present. The largest piece allowed missing from the front or back
cover is usually a 1/2" triangle or a 1/4" square, although some
Silver Age books such as 1960s Marvels have had the price corner box clipped
from the top left front cover and may be considered Good if they would
otherwise have graded higher. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are common
in Silver Age and older books. Spine roll is likely. May have up to a 2"
spine split. Staples may be degraded, replaced or missing. Moderate staple
tears and stress lines may be present, as well as rust migration. Paper is (no
worse than) brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached.
Moderate interior tears may be present.