On comics42.shop we use stock images for the comics and don't represent the actual state of the items.

Would you like to have a photograph of the actual comic, please feel free to contact us at info@comics42.com.

Comics listed for sale on comics42.shop are listed a basic grading scale.

The basic grading scale, also known as letter grades, uses the grades from Near Mint (highest) to Good (lowest):
NM       - Near Mint

VF-NM - Very Fine to Near Mint
VF        - Very Fine
F          - Fine
VG       - Very Good
G         - Good

Very few comics are returned to us due to grading, but should you receive a comic that you believe is not properly graded, please contact us at info@comics42.com and report the problem. We will gladly work out a solution that meets your needs and concerns. Please note that unauthorized returns are returned at the sender's own expense.

Near Mint (NM) condition
A nearly perfect copy that looks brand new with only a few very minor defects. Acceptable minor defects on a NM copy include: a very small amount of spine stresses, very minor instances of denting (two or three at most), slight corner blunting, and minor (less than 1/8") bends without color breaks.

Very Fine to Near Mint (VF-NM) condition
A VF-NM copy has a few minor defects, but is in overall excellent condition. Most well-kept modern comics (especially if they have been read) fall into this grade. Acceptable defects on a VF-NM are minor and include: minor corner wear, a light accumulation of spine stress, a light accumulation of dents, and bends or folds less than 1/4".

Very Fine (VF) condition
A VF copy has several minor defects, and like VF-NM is in overall excellent condition. Acceptable defects on a VF are minor and include: corner wear, accumulation of spine stress that may include color-break, accumulation of dents, and bends or folds less than 1/4" (note that on a VF copy, color-break is allowed in a bend/fold).

Fine (F) condition
A comic in F condition is considered "above average" but still displays some wear. In general, the eye appeal is somewhat reduced due to either an accumulation of minor defects or one or two moderate defects. Acceptable defects on a F copy include: spine roll, a moderate accumulation of spine stresses that may break color, a spine split of less than 1/2", minor water spotting or residue (less than the size of a dime), an impacted corner, small cover damage and moderate foxing.

Very Good (VG) condition
A comic in VG condition shows some significant wear, but has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point that it is not a desirable copy. A VG copy may have an accumulation of minor defects or one or two major ones. Acceptable defects on a VG copy include: Spine roll, 1/2" to 1" spine splits or other tears, a cover or centerfold that is detached at one staple, discoloration due to oxidation, and a moderate accumulation of water damage or staining.

Good (G) condition
A G copy has major defects, but is still complete and readable. A G copy will have a significant amount of damage, usually an accumulation of smaller defects punctuated with some major defects. Acceptable defects on a G copy include: A vertical book-length crease, 1.5"-2" spine split, cover or centerfold completely detached, major tears, heavy discoloration/brittleness due to oxidation, heavy amounts of staining, residue, and water damage.

Glossary of Grading Terms

Bend
When part of a comic is curved, interrupting the flat, smooth cover surface. Bends WILL NOT show distinct lines (see also crease/fold).

Bindery Tear
A small horizontal rip in a comic's cover that can usually be seen on both the front and the back. These are always found along the spine and should be graded like spine stress if they are shorter than 1/4".

Chew
Damage caused by the gnawing of rodents or insects (usually). Results in multi-page paper loss with jagged edges. Very visually distinct.

Cockling
Bubbling on a cover's surface (typically a printing defect).

Crease
A fold that causes ink removal/color break, usually resulting in a white line (see bend/fold).

Denting
Indentations or dimpling (usually in the cover) that don't penetrate the paper or remove any gloss, but do interrupt the smooth, flat surface.

Double Cover
Technically a printing defect, double-cover books had an extra copy of the cover stapled on during manufacturing. This protective extra cover can be a boon, as these books are graded by the condition of the innermost cover.

Dust Shadow
When a comic has been stored in a stack at some point in its life, any portions of the cover that weren't covered up by the adjacent books have been exposed to environmental air, light, and settling dust particles, sometimes creating lines of discoloration along the edges.

Fingerprints
When finger oils left behind from everyday handling remain on a comic's surface, they can begin to eat away at the ink, literally creating color-breaking fingerprints on the cover that are sometimes distinct and sometimes smudged. Finger oils can usually be wiped away, but fingerprints are irreversible.

Flash
A method of examining a comic that uses its natural gloss and light (glare) to help you see imperfections in its surface, like denting.

Fold
Linear dents in paper that have distinct lines, but DO NOT break color (see also bend/crease).

Foxing
Bacterial or fungal growth in the paper of a comic (usually the cover) that presents in brownish discolored clusters or spots.

Gloss
The shiny surface finish of a comic.

Moisture/Water damage
The damage left behind when a comic has been exposed to moisture (directly or environmentally). Water damage often presents with staining and/or a stiff or swollen feel to the paper. Look for lines of demarcation.

Paper loss
When the surface of a comic has been compromised. This can be the result of heavy scuffing/abrasion, accidental tape pull, or the chemical reactions caused by some kinds of moisture damage.

Paper quality
Paper quality refers to the coloration and structural integrity of a comic's cover and interior pages. We do give some leeway on pre-1980s comics, but when environmental conditions have caused the paper to oxidize and/or deteriorate significantly, the decrease in eye appeal and paper strength will bring a book's grade down. Generally, paper quality will not be a concern for most modern (post-1980) comics.

Printing defect
A flaw caused in the printing process. Examples: paper wrinkling, mis-cut edges, mis-folded or mis-wrapped spine, untrimmed pages/corners, off-registered color, color artifacts, off-centered trimming, mis-folded or unbound pages, missing staples.

Reading crease
A vertical cover crease near the staples that runs (generally) parallel to the spine, caused by bending the cover over the staples or just too far to the left. Squarebound books get these very easily.

Restoration
Any attempt (professional or amateur) to enhance the appearance of an aging or damaged comic book. Dry pressing/cleaning and the simple addition of tape repairs are not considered restoration, but the following techniques are: recoloring/color touch, adding missing paper, stain/ink/dirt/tape removal, whitening, chemical pressing, staple replacement, trimming, re- glossing, married pages, etc. Restored comics generally carry lower value than their unaltered counterparts.

Scuffing
A light paper abrasion that may or may not break color, but interrupts the surface gloss of the book. Its effect on grading is determined by severity.

Soiling
Substances or residue on the surface of a comic. Most commonly found in white spaces. Residue is a more severe form of soiling.

Spine break
A spine stress that has devolved into a tear (usually through multiple wraps). Spine breaks greatly decrease the spine's structural integrity and are often found close to the staples.

Spine roll
A condition where the left edge of a comic curves toward the front or back, caused by folding back each page as the comic was read. Also usually results in page fanning.

Spine split
A clean, even separation at the spine fold, commonly above or below the staple, but can occur anywhere along the spine length.

Spine stress
A small crimp/fold perpendicular to the spine, usually less than 1/4" long.

Staple detached
When a wrap has come completely loose from a staple and is no longer bound to the comic in that area.

Staple migration
When staple rust has moved onto the surrounding paper, causing staining.

Staple popped
When one side of a cover has torn right next to the staple, but is still attached by the slip of paper beneath the staple. If not handled carefully, a popped staple can lead to a detached staple.

Staple rust
Literally, rust on the staple.

Subscription crease
A vertical cover-to-cover fold caused by the book being folded in half when sent through the mail directly from the publisher.

Wrap
A single sheet of paper folded to form four pages of a story. Most modern comics have eight wraps, plus the cover (but there are exceptions!).

Writing
Writing can be found on/in comics in many forms, and downgrades are based on severity. Common things you'll see:
Minor initial or date markings (do not affect grade except in the highest range)
Names written on covers or in margins
Interior puzzles filled out

Marker scribbles
Markings/coloring over interior art
Writing indentations, in which no ink or pencil has touched the comic, but it has been used as a writing surface, so you can see rough areas where the writing dented in.