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Coming in June, we're hosting a CBCS 10th Anniversary Auction ! Now accepting submissions of CBCS-graded comics for auction.

Auction in progress, bid now! Prime Auction ends Monday April 15 to Friday April 19!

Comic Book Grading

Our grading standards are based on the standards laid out in the Overstreet Grading Guide with additional experience gained from our 40+ years in the comic industry. We closely monitor and calibrate our staff to maintain adherence to our established standards.

Grading is an inherently subjective process and there will always be small differences in opinion. Even professional grading services like CGC and CBCS acknowledge that the same book may not always receive the same grade if it is submitted for grading more than once.

Explanation of Grading Scales

Comics listed for sale on MyComicShop are assigned a grade from one of two grading scales: the BASIC GRADING SCALE with seven assignable grades: NM, VF, FN, VG, GD, FR, and PR; and the TEN-POINT GRADING SCALE with 23 possible grades ranging from 9.8 (highest) to 0.5 (lowest).

Some comics are "slabbed" by CGC or CBCS . These comic grading services will grade a comic and then seal the comic in a hard plastic case that displays the assigned grade. These grading services assign grades on the same ten-point grading scale used by MyComicShop. You can easily identify a slabbed comic because the grades will include the name of the grading service, such as "CGC 9.4" or "CBCS 9.4". A comic that has not been slabbed is sometimes referred to as a "raw" comic, which means a regular comic not encased in a plastic slab.

We use the basic grading scale for most of our comics priced up to about $15.00. We use the ten-point scale to grade most comics valued $15.00 or more and those published before 1980. Each grade on the basic grading scale encompasses multiple grades from the more precise ten point grading scale. For example, a comic that we have graded a NM on the basic grading scale, could be anywhere from a 9.2 NM- up to a 9.8 NM/M if it were to be graded on the ten point grading scale. Occasionally, you might get a borderline book that we've graded a NM that would be as low as a 9.0 VF/NM on the ten point scale, but that should be rare.

If the ten point scale is more precise than the basic grading scale, why do we not use the ten point scale for everything? It's a matter of labor and effort and training. It takes more effort, by a more experienced grader, to assign accurate ten point grades, than it does to assign the broader grades from the basic grading scale. This is why we use the basic grading scale for most items under $15 and the ten point grading scale for more expensive and older comics.

Uncirculated New Release Comics

Newly published comics often have minor imperfections that may push the grade below Near Mint, even when they're fresh out of the box from the distributor and have been carefully handled by our staff. Unless we have noted otherwise, comics offered as "new" will fall in the Very Fine to Near Mint range. In rare instances, if an issue's entire print run suffers from similar printing or production related defects that push the grades into the Fine to Very Fine range, and we are unable to obtain better replacement copies from the distributor, we will label the issue as being lower grade so you are aware of what to expect before purchasing.

As a retailer, we have to work with the comics that the publishers and distributors provide us. If a comic is actually significantly damaged, it can be reported to the distributor as a damaged copy for credit. Unfortunately, the publishers' standard for what they will accept as a damaged copy is a lot lower than the expectations of a grade-sensitive collector who only wants Near Mint copies.

Some of the more frequent issues affecting new comics that may knock the grade below Near Mint include minor imperfections like spine ticks and excessive denting or dimpling. Some new comics, including those from Marvel, use a lightweight paper stock for the cover, the same paper stock used for the interior pages. This makes it a lot easier for the cover and spine to acquire minor defects in the course of being printed, bound, and distributed.

Basic Grading Scale

NM Near Mint (encompasses all grades on the ten point scale from 9.2 up to 9.8, with an occasional 9.0)
VF Very Fine (encompasses all grades on the ten point scale from 7.5 up to 9.0, with an occasional 7.0)
FN Fine (encompasses all grades on the ten point scale from 5.5 up to 7.0, with an occasional 5.0)
VG Very Good (encompasses all grades on the ten point scale from 3.5 up to 5.0, with an occasional 3.0)
GD Good (encompasses all grades on the ten point scale from 1.8 up to 3.0)
FR Fair (encompasses 1.0 and 1.5 on the ten point scale)
PR Poor (same as 0.5 on the ten point scale)

Ten-Point Grading Scale

10.0 GM Gem Mint (slabbed comics only)
9.9 M Mint (slabbed comics only)
9.8 NM/M Near Mint/Mint
9.6 NM+ Near Mint+
9.4 NM Near Mint
9.2 NM- Near Mint-
9.0 VF/NM Very Fine/Near Mint
8.5 VF+ Very Fine+
8.0 VF Very Fine
7.5 VF- Very Fine-
7.0 FN/VF Fine/Very Fine
6.5 FN+ Fine+
6.0 FN Fine
5.5 FN- Fine-
5.0 VG/FN Very Good/Fine
4.5 VG+ Very Good+
4.0 VG Very Good
3.5 VG- Very Good-
3.0 GD/VG Good/Very Good
2.5 GD+ Good+
2.0 GD Good
1.8 GD- Good-
1.5 FR/GD Fair/Good
1.0 FR Fair
0.5 PR Poor

Grading and Returns

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 [email protected] or call us at (817) 860-7827 (Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM Central Time) 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.

Buyer responsibility and CGC, CBCS, and PGX comics: if buying comics graded and encased by CGC or CBCS, please closely inspect the large, high resolution cover images we have provided prior to purchase. By bidding on or purchasing a third-party graded comic you are acknowledging your acceptance of the grade assigned by the certification company. By purchasing a third-party graded comic you accept that MyComicShop is not responsible for the grade assigned by the grade certification company.

Grading Standards

When reviewing the possible defects a comic may have as shown below for the various grades, please keep in mind that while a single defect may not reduce a comic's grade, that defect if repeated and/or combined with other accumulated defects, may push the grade down by one or more grades.

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.

On the ten-point grading scale, a lower grade like 9.2 will allow these defects in a greater quantity and degree than a higher grade like 9.8, which sometimes may have no discernible defects at all. We do not assign the grades 9.9 and 10.0 to any unslabbed "raw" comics. You will only see these ultra-high grades on comics slabbed by one of the grading services. There is such a small degree of separation between the grades 9.8, 9.9, and 10.0 that even the most experienced comic graders may disagree on which of these three grades to assign to an apparently flawless comic, so the highest grade we will assign to a comic is 9.8.

In some cases it is possible for a comic shipped brand new from the publisher, or purchased new from a comic store's shelves, to already be in less than near mint condition due to the way the comic was produced, shipped, stored, or handled prior to purchase.

Very Fine (VF) condition

A VF copy has 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 are minor and include: Minor corner wear, a light accumulation of spine stress that may include color-break, a light accumulation of dents, and bends or folds less than 1/4" (note that on a VF copy, some color-break is allowed in a bend/fold).

Fine (FN) condition

A comic in FN 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 FN copy include: Slight 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, 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 (GD) condition

A GD copy has major defects, but is still complete and readable. A GD copy will have a significant amount of damage, usually an accumulation of smaller defects punctuated with some major defects. Acceptable defects on a GD 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.

Fair (FR) condition

A FR copy will have low eye appeal and will display major damage. A comic book in FR condition may have non-story elements such as coupons, portions of ad pages, or Marvel Value Stamps cut or torn out of the book, but all story and art will be complete. If an entire ad page is missing that would drop the grade to Poor. Types of damage that place a comic in FR range include: A spine split of up to 2/3 the length of the book, a missing back cover provided the front cover is still attached, severe water damage or residue damage, mold, and paper deterioration due to oxidation.

Poor (PR) condition

Comic books in PR condition may be missing up to 4 pages (two spreads) of story or ad pages, or have a completely split spine, or display severe damage that affects the readability of the book.

A Quick Note On Digital Codes

Publishers may choose to include digital content codes in their comics. Except where noted, we cannot guarantee that comics we sell will contain valid, unused, unexpired digital codes, and we can take no responsibility if a publisher chooses not to allow you to redeem such a code. Additionally, reasonable efforts to redeem this content (in particular, carefully removing a sticker covering codes) are not considered to reduce the grade we would assign the book.

Glossary of Grading Terms

Color touch is a form of restoration, usually applied to fill in color-breaking defects with a close approximation of the original printed color. Examining a comic under a black light can be helpful to spot potential color touched areas.

Not all ink, marker, or other color applied to a comic should be considered color touch. When the color is applied sloppily, in large areas, or with an intent just to "color" rather than attempting to "restore" the comic by concealing a defect, then we consider the application of color as a regular defect that will impact the grade of the comic, but does not deserve to be designated as restoration. The most common example of this is a child that has colored on part of a comic cover with colored pencils, inks, or markers.

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.

We’ve been selling comics since 1961 (our first sale: Fantastic Four #1 at $0.25, see one of our first ads ) and on the web since 1996.

Read a little about our history.

Alternative Investments

CGC Grading: A Guide for Beginners

A cornerstone of comic book collecting is the grade that a book is assigned by the CGC, or Certified Guaranty Company. Despite the CGC’s importance to modern collectors, many still don’t understand what it means for a comic book to be graded. By understanding CGC’s process, aspiring collectors will better understand why this grading process is so important.

But First, What Is the CGC?

Based in Sarasota, Florida, the CGC was founded in 2000 and quickly became a global standard for determining a comic book’s physical condition. Prior to CGC, the standard was the Overstreet Guide’s 10 Point Grading Scale, which ranged from a 0.5 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint). CGC built upon Overstreet’s grading by developing a more standardized process, and incorporated new elements.

How Do You Know if Your Comic Is Worth Sending In for Grading?

Though you may be tempted to submit every comic book you purchase for CGC Grading, this process must be paid for. The grading fee varies depending on the age and value of the comic, ranging from $22 to $120 for most books. Comics with a fair market value above $3,000 however, are charged on a sliding scale of 3% of the book’s value (minimum $150).

Given these costs as well as the costs of shipping, you should only seriously consider submitting a comic book for grading if you already know it’s valuable or if you believe that it will become valuable in the future. A general rule of thumb that many collectors follow is that a book’s expected value needs to be worth about $200 before it makes sense to have the book graded from a financial perspective.

Also note that the grading process often takes some time. CGC states that grading can take 106 to 133 days. A fee of $75 can reduce this time to 44 days, and an express fee of $120 can reduce this time to 17 days. Books over $3,000 in value are turned around in an expected 10 days.

What Are the Benefits of Sending Your Comic In for Grading?

A graded comic book often has significantly more value than a non-graded version, since a graded comic book has been authenticated by an industry respected organization. Additionally, collectors are much more willing to pay top dollar for high conditioned books, if that condition has been verified and quantified by CGC. Finally, with a CGC certification number, a graded comic has a provenance—meaning that this book’s ownership history will now be documented for future owners to appreciate.

Another benefit of grading is that your comic will be encapsulated in a crystal clear holder. In addition to the item being better preserved by this shell, the holder helps to guard against counterfeiting and tampering.

Beyond preservation, the CGC slabs themselves have a positive aesthetic quality that fans and collectors have come to appreciate. These containers make it easier to handle the collectibles and to display them. Instead of keeping a comic book hidden in a box, they can be showcased like the works of art they are. One drawback is that encapsulated books can’t be read.

What Are the CGC Labels?

Each comic book receives a numerical grade of 0.5 to 10 as well as a designation related to the page quality of the comic. It’s worth noting that for many books (save for the most modern) the highest grade in existence is often a 9.8, with 9.9s and 10s for older books exceedingly rare. In addition to the number grade and page quality designation, each submission will have a color-coded label . There are 12 colors, and out of these, there are 5 major colors: Universal Label (Blue), CGC Signature Series Label (Yellow), Qualified Label (Green), Restored Label (Purple), and Pedigree Label (Gold).

The universal blue label is given to comic books that are graded as marked with no qualifiers. It has no autographs, no evidence of restoration, nor anything massively missing.

The yellow signature series is for a submission that has a significant person’s autograph, which has been authenticated. While one might assume that signed books are more valuable (and while this is often the case), in certain cases, especially with older comics, unsigned books can sometimes command a higher price.

The qualified green label is for any collectible that has a significant defect. The green label communicates that something is substantially wrong with the book despite being graded. This could be a missing page or an un-authenticated signature or missing staples. According to Midtown Comics , the green label allows a damaged book to be graded on a curve; “For example, a book missing staples may receive a blue label grade of 0.5 (POOR grade) but would receive a grade of 6.8 or 7 through the qualified green label.”

The purple restored label is for any comic book that has been repaired. In general, restoration significantly harms the value of a comic and some have dubbed this CGC designation as PLOD or “the purple label of death.”

The pedigree gold label is applied to any item that is part of a collection CGC recognizes as being of exceptional quality. A pedigree label not only verifies the quality of a book, but highlights the quality of the collection it comes from. As GoCollect.com writes , “a pedigree is an exceptional collection that they are willing to recognize with unique labeling.”

To date, there are only 61 pedigree gold collections recognized by CGC. Not only do their pedigree statuses signify quality, this label also increases the value of a book. A pedigree will increase a comic book’s value as a collectible because it adds to the story the item. After all, it is not some random book found in an attic. Instead, it was part of a collection that was preserved for future generations.

As ComicBookPedigree.com explains, when it comes to pedigree collections, “all of the owners had one thing in common; they were conscientious about the condition of their comic books. By luck or design, each of the collections featured here survived many tests of time; paper drives, puberty, and especially Mom, who never understood why her child would save such things.”

How Are Comics Graded by the CGC?

While one might think that this grading process would be a company secret, CGC is completely transparent about how a comic book’s quality is determined.

In 2020, Matt Nelson – the then primary grader for CGC and current CGC President – was featured in a video explaining how graders inspect submissions . This inspection follows a checklist:

(1) First impressions

A first impression is typically reserved for finding large problems; such as stains or holes on the cover as well as missing pieces and creases.

(2) Identify variants or pedigree A submission’s pedigree is determined by the collection it comes from. While different organizations have various criteria for pedigree, there are three near-universal standards:

A) The quality of an overall collection — does it already have high value items?

B) The collection’s origin — were they collected by the same person/people and stored in a similar space at the same time? This is of value because it signifies that all the items will be in a similar condition; and

C) The completeness of the collection — is it just a collection of random books or does it contain completed series?

In short, two of the same comic books in similar conditions can be worth different amounts if one comes from a trusted and vetted collection.

(3) Count pages

Self explanatory — each page of a book is counted to make sure a submission isn’t missing any.

(4) Determine page condition

When it comes to specific condition , graders will look for tears, stains, and creases.

One major issue in page quality is “ foxing .” Foxing is typically a degradation of paper that comes from within the paper as it ages. Foxing is typically found in books that have not been properly protected from the environment.

Another source of damage can come from the book’s staples. Staples rust if exposed to moist air and that rust can expand into paper. Staples might also cause tears.

In addition to keeping comic books away from moisture and humidity, it’s also important to keep them away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can bleach an image and tone down the vibrancy of a cover’s colors.

Finally, with so many comic books including posters or other features that encourage readers to cut them out, graders will determine if these extra materials are still present.

Examples of such materials include advertisements encouraging readers to cut out stamps and coupons to be sent in, or posters to be taken out and put on display. One of the many reasons X-Men #1 sold so many copies was due to variant covers, one of these variants being a cover that functioned as a pull out poster. Similar to Playboy , dozens of different titles were published with centerfold posters in a comic book that were designed to be removed from the book and hung up on walls—doing so would unfortunately significantly harm the value of the specific issue.

X-Men 1 Special Collector's Edition comic foldout

To make sure that pages or covers weren’t swapped out, graders will also examine a book’s staples to make sure they weren’t opened and closed again.

A surprising source of a comic book’s imperfections is the poly bag and board that it might be sealed in. For instance, a back cover might stick to the board it is sealed with. This means that a back cover could be damaged due to ink transferring to the board or the page itself becoming damaged from parts of it becoming permanently stuck to the board. Poly bags for comic books are incredibly common because they are affordable. However, they offer less protection than mylar bags . And while mylar bags are more expensive, they offer superior protection from moisture and humidity, insects, mold, and other chemicals.

(5) Check for restorations

To salvage/improve the appearance of a comic book, some collectors will try to restore it. CGC currently identifies 11 types of restorations that can be done on comic books: color touch, piece fill, tear seals, spine split seals, reinforcement, piece reattachment, cleaning, staple replacement or cleaning, re-glossing, glue, and trimming.

Because of the complexities surrounding restorations, CGC has a seperate scale to grade restored books. And while it is tempting to want someone to restore books to mint condition in the hopes that their new value will be dramatically higher, restorers can often do more damage than good to a book’s value depending on the specific situation .

Two restoration details to keep in mind are the slight differences between restoration and conservation. For instance, CGC defines restoration as “the act of adding foreign material to a comic book through certain techniques to return its appearance to an ideal or original state.” In contrast, “the goal of conservation is to preserve the structural integrity of the comic while removing all things that are detrimental to its longevity.”

Once a grader has documented and considered all of a book’s imperfections, they will determine a grade. Similar defects do not always have a similar impact on a book’s final grade. For instance, a crease being severe enough that it breaks the color will have a greater negative impact than a crease that doesn’t break a page’s colors.

(6) Assess all defects and determine a final grade.

To make sure the quality of a book is properly assessed, grading is done by a team and multiple CGC professionals examine every item as a means to guarantee consistency and accuracy. This process of multiple graders concludes once a consensus for a final grade is reached.

How Are Comic Books Authenticated by the CGC?

Before the intensive work of grading is done, the book is authenticated. With some comic books valued so highly, there are many attempts to pass off fakes as the real things. Stephen Fishler, the CEO and cofounder of Metropolis Collectibles and ComicConnect.com, discusses some of these attempts in Fraud Magazine :

“We’ve seen two notable attempts to counterfeit modern, or Bronze Age, comic books: Cerebus No. 1 (1977) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles No. 1 (1984). Why did counterfeiters pick them? Both were printed with unusual black-and-white interiors, which the fraudsters assumed would be easier to replicate. After all, 99% of the comics produced in the last 80 years feature full-color interiors,” Fishler said.

6193dfTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles No. 1 (1984)98e4ad82de19005825 Qpmzhndklg8r Ujaqqd0bdinosbzfiwdsamghaigy12ignltuhiwipqnm3vq8loq C6yhdbjexhdy18mxkrljnb8q3jzlmyczswxleeqme2 Otoicaybaxkvpq Udbkc7a7ulpy

“Regardless, industry professionals quickly spotted the counterfeits,” Fishler continued, “and no one ever profited from them. Case closed.”

Alternatives to CGC: CBCS and PGX

While CGC is undoubtedly the gold standard in the comic grading industry, there are other players in the space, most notably CBCS which is owned by Beckett Media. CBCS is generally considered a reputable player in the space and some collectors choose to use the company because of its slightly lower fees and often much faster turnaround times. The grading scales used by CBCS are nearly identical to those of CGC; however, it’s worth noting that CGC comics of the same grade generally fetch a slight premium to those graded by CBCS on the resale market.

PGX is another comic grading company out there; however, many collectors claim that their grading quality is suspect and stay away from either having their books graded by them or buying PGX graded books. For this reason, until something changes reputation wise, you might want to steer clear of PGX grading as an option.

With the comic book collector’s market increasing every year, the importance of grading will only grow. And this importance is not a hyperbolic statement. Grading has become so common that CGC and similar companies have needed to hire more people. As Jim McLauchlin wrote for GamesRadar.com , “Collectibles markets are surging, and as old comics get more expensive, collectors and dealers turn to third-party services to ensure authenticity and grade. The phenomenon has led to an odd crimp in the labor market – grading services and high-end auction houses are desperate to hire graders, even paying cash bonuses to get people in the door.”

As it becomes more common for comic books to get graded, it is important for collectors, fans, and others interested in comic books to understand what it means to purchase a CGC (or CBCS) graded collectible.

The above content provided and paid for by Public and is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute investment advice or any other kind of professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Before taking action based on any such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not endorse any third parties referenced within the article. Market and economic views are subject to change without notice and may be untimely when presented here. Do not infer or assume that any securities, sectors or markets described in this article were or will be profitable. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. There is a possibility of loss. Historical or hypothetical performance results are presented for illustrative purposes only.

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Arts and Entertainment

The Ultimate Guide to Grading Comic Books

Last Updated: May 23, 2023 Approved

Cover & Spine

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 119,217 times. Learn more...

The market value of comic books is partly determined by a grading process. This grading process details the exact condition and completeness of a comic, allowing the seller to get an idea of how much it is worth. While there is a certain amount of subjectivity to this process, a reasonably accurate grade can be assigned by a careful amateur.

Things You Should Know

Inspect the cover cover closely, looking for creases, water damage, and color fading. Then, check the spine for folding and tears.
Count the pages to make sure none are missing. Look for damage on the pages, like tearing, creasing, and discoloration.
Assign a 9-10 score to comics with no obvious wear, 5.5-8 if they’re discolored but cared for, 1.5-5 if they’re well-loved but readable, and lower if they’re very worn.

Examining the Cover and Spine

Bends, folds, or dents that warp the shape or surface of the book, but don't affect the color
Coackling, a bubbling effect on the cover usually caused by printing defects
Creases, more severe folds that remove ink or otherwise create distortions in the coloring
Moisture, water damage, or "foxing" (bacterial or fungal growth on the paper)
Fading, lack of gloss, or "dust shadow" (partial exposure to dust or air resulting in uneven fading)
Fingerprints, especially those which in which skin oils have led to discoloration of the ink
Chew (rodent damage)
Writing or other soiling of the cover.

Step 2 Make note of attempts to repair the book.

Note that more sophisticated efforts to restore a comic book, such as color restoration or re-glossing are often undetectable by amateur graders (and sometimes even professionals), but can also have a negative effect on value if noticed by a potential buyer. Such restorations should be noted upfront before attempting to sell a comic book. [3] X Research source

Spine stress/bindery tears, small creases, folds, or tears (under 1/4 inch) running perpendicular to the spine
Spine roll, a curvature of the left edge of a comic toward the front or back, caused by folding back each page of the comic as it was read
Spine break, spine stress that has become a full tear (usually through multiple pages), typically found near the staples
Spine split, a clean, even separation at the fold, usually (but not always) right above or below a staple

Look for signs of rust on the staples, as well as "popped" staples. A popped staple occurs when one side of a cover has torn right next to the staple, but remains attached by the paper beneath the staple. This condition can easily lead to detached staples.

Assessing Page Quality

Make sure there are no missing pages in the comic book. Missing pages severely impact a comic's value. [6] X Research source

Make note of how many pages (or "wraps") are detached, either fully or partially.

Tears, creases, or cuts (such as clipped coupons)
Tape, glue, or other attempts to repair pages
Writing or other soil to the pages
Water damage, often leading to a stiffness or rippling of the paper
Staple migration, a condition that occurs when the rust from staples stains the paper around it

Look for discoloration or brittleness. Especially in comics from the 1980s and earlier, the paper can become yellow or tan as it oxidizes, and loses some of it's structural integrity.
A certain amount of discoloration is expected and acceptable in very old comics, but the less the better.

Assigning a Grade

"Mint" grades include "Perfect/Gem Mint" (10.0) and "Mint" (9.9). These describe comics that have no detectable imperfections. A 10.0 book is absolutely perfect in every way. Very few comics meet this criteria, even those still sitting on the shelves in a comic store. [13] X Research source
"Near Mint+/Mint" grades include "Near Mint/Mint" (9.8) and "Near Mint+" (9.6). These grades describe comics that have only the slightest wear. A small number of stress lines and very slight discoloration are acceptable defects. Most people would consider these to be perfect, but the trained eye may notice tiny imperfections.
"Near Mint" (9.4) and "Near Mint-" (9.2) describe comics that have minimal stress lines and discoloration. The spine and cover are flat. The cover may have a small amount of surface wear, but the colors are still bright. A 9.4 Near Mint book is the standard condition of a new book sold at a comic store as is considered "new" condition. A 9.2 indicates only the very minor wear, typically a minimal stress mark on the spine (non-color breaking) or other similar marks.

Step 2 Assess whether it might deserve a

"Very Fine/Near Mint" (9.0), "Very Fine+" (8.5), "Very Fine" (8.0), and "Very Fine-" (7.5) are grades that allow for some wear, as they have typically been read a few times. A few stress lines are acceptable. While the cover can have some wear, it should still retain its original glossiness.
"Fine" grades include "Fine/Very Fine" (7.0), "Fine+" (6.5), "Fine" (6.0), and "Fine-" (5.5). These grades describe comics with a fair amount of stress lines and creases. A low number of small tears and missing pieces, usually 1/8 to 1/4 inch (about 3.1 to 6.3 mm) in length is also acceptable at this grade level.

Step 3 Determine whether it might merit a

"Very Good" grades include "Very Good/Fine" (5.0), "Very Good+" (4.5), "Very Good" (4.0), and "Very Good-" (3.5). These grades describe a comic that has all of its pages but is noticeably creased, rolled, and scuffed. Missing pieces on the cover can be as large as 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6.3 to 12.5 mm).
"Good" grades include "Good/Very Good" (3.0), "Good+" (2.5), "Good" (2.0), and "Good-" (1.8). These grades describe comics that are in somewhat worse condition than the "Very Good" grades. The cover may have some missing pieces and the book is generally scuffed, abraded, and faded. Moderate spine split is permissible. The comic still has all of its pages, however.

"Fair" grades include "Fair/Good" (1.5) and "Fair" (1.0). These grades describe comics that are worn and in general disarray. Despite their condition, they still retain all of the pages and most of the covers. These comics may be torn, stained, faded, and brittle.

"Poor" (0.5) describes comic books that are missing pages and up to 1/3 of the cover. The comic may be brittle and defaced by other materials such as paint and glue.
Some people will not grade a comic missing it's cover, but some give "Incomplete" comics a score between 0.1 and 0.3.

If you plan to have a comic professionally sealed (or "slabbed"), a professional grading is recommended, since any potential buyers will not be able to open the comic and assess it for themselves.
Professional graders included the Certified Guarantee Company (CGC) and Professional Grading Experts (PGX).

Community Q&A

Another item to consider is the comic being autographed. If the signature can be authenticated, it will typically add to the value of the book. Without a way to authenticate it, many collectors consider the book to be defaced and the writing lowers the grade and value of the book significantly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Practicing grading with books of various conditions will help you to better see the nuances between, for example, "Fine" and "Very Fine." The more you grade, the more effective a grader you will become. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
In addition to the physical condition of a comic, value is determined by its rarity and marketability. Comics that feature a notable artist, popular characters and story lines, or had a limited print run may be worth more to buyers. For example, Action Comics #1 is valuable because it is the first comic to feature Superman and because it is rare to find an original issue most notably because ten cents was a lot of money for most people in 1938, especially right after the great depression. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://www.mycomicshop.com/help/grading
↑ http://comicspriceguide.com/comic-book-grading
↑ http://www.nostomania.com/servlets/com.nostomania.CatPage?name=ComicsGradingMain
↑ https://www.cbcscomics.com/grades

About This Article

To grade a comic book, start by examining the cover through a magnifying glass for things like folds or fingerprints. Then, check the spine for small tears or folds, or spine break, which is a tear near the staples. Once you've finished checking the cover, count the pages of the comic to make sure none are missing. Give the comic a "mint" grade if it's flawless," or "fine" if it has been read but well-preserved. If the comic is well-read but still intact, give it a "good" grade. However, if pages are missing or it's unreadable, grade it as "poor." To learn more, including how to avoid getting fingerprints on comic book pages, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Comic Book Grading

Comic book grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a book, which directly influences its value. As with grading all collectibles, there is a degree of subjectivity as there are many factors to consider and all of them must be weighed to determine an overall grade. Different people may place different weight on each factor and thus, may grade the book differently than others. This is not to say that one person’s opinion of a grade is right while another’s is wrong but that they have differing opinions. In fact, it is often best to gather multiple opinions and average them to a final grade.

When shopping, it is an excellent idea to learn about comic book grading so that you can determine a book’s grade for yourself. This should give you peace of mind to know that you are getting a good value if your grade agrees with the seller’s. Most reputable dealers will strive to grade accurately or even a bit conservative in order to satisfy their customers. Dealers that exaggerate grades are likely trying to sell at inflated prices.

COMIC BOOK GRADING SCALE

There are eight major grades in the comic book grading scale. In descending order:

Near Mint (NM)
Very Fine (VF)
Very Good (VG)

This comic book grading scale has been used for several decades, during which time the scale has been expanded to more accurately describe a book’s condition. First, is the use of a forward slash (/) to denote a book as being between grades. For example, “Fine / Very Fine” (or abbreviated “FN/VF”) denotes that book is graded between “Fine” and “Very Fine.”

Next is the use of plus (+) and minus (-) to denote that a book is slightly above or below a grade. Therefore the comic book grading scale is more refined now so that a “Fine+” is better than a “Fine,” a “Fine / Very Fine” is better than a “Fine+,” a “Very Fine -” is better than a “Fine / Very Fine”, a “Very Fine” is better than that and so forth.

Finally, a 10-point scale has been applied to give us the most modern system of comic book grading:

10.0 Gem Mint
9.8 Near Mint / Mint
9.6 Near Mint+
9.4 Near Mint
9.2 Near Mint-
9.0 Very Fine / Near Mint
8.5 Very Fine+
8.0 Very Fine
7.5 Very Fine-
7.0 Fine / Very Fine
5.0 Very Good / Fine
4.5 Very Good+
4.0 Very Good
3.5 Very Good-
3.0 Good / Very Good
1.5 Fair / Good

This 10-point comic book grading scale is widely used now and you will often see people grade by simply putting the number value on the book with the classic descriptive grade. It is not the practice, however, to use numbers other than those in this scale so you wouldn’t see a book graded “6.3”. It is either a 6.0 or a 6.5.

COMIC BOOK VIEWING

In order to properly view a book, you need to view it outside of the bag and you will use several of your senses (not just sight, but touch and smell). You also need good lighting such as a desk lamp.

When handling a book, you need to take some precautions. First, be sure your hands are clean and dry. Some people prefer to use cotton gloves, which is fine. The main thing you need to do here is prevent dirt, oil or substances that be on your hands from getting on the book.

Most books are bagged to protect the book and the bag is usually secured with a piece of tape. It is best to completely remove the tape from the bag and place it somewhere where the book has no chance of coming in contact with it. Accidentally allowing the tape to come in contact with the book may result in damage, possibly as severe as a tear.

Make sure you have a clean, dry surface that is free of anything that could damage the book. One of the most common mistakes is having a drink or food nearby that could spill or drip on the book, causing a stain.

When viewing the book, use the desk lamp so you can clearly see everything. First, move the book around under the light to view the cover (including the back). You should be able to gather an opinion about the gloss of the cover by how the light reflects on it. Does it look completely new? Books with wear have lost some or all of their gloss and the degree of gloss remaining is one of the main factors in grading.

Moving the book at different angles under the light not only allows you to view the gloss, but also look for defects. You will be able to see light creases or folds, stains, dimples or other types of damage to the cover. Often minor defects such as a light crease where the paper has not been broken may be difficult to see without a good light, especially inside a bag.

Inspect the edges of the cover, including the corners. In high grade books, it is the corners that first see wear and so their sharpness may be what differentiates it from a “Near Mint” to a “Mint” grade.

Examine the spine very closely as it is the next spot that typically shows wear. Look very closely at the staples. Books that have seen water damage or just even some humidity may have staples that are corroding and causing the paper to turn color. You will also be looking for tears or even separation of the cover or pages from the staple.

As you open the book, be especially careful if you know you are dealing with one that is old and potentially brittle, or if you fear the staples are not firm. It is very easy to separate the cover from a staple if it is almost there already. Be aware that staples are often misaligned which makes it a lot easier to cause damage as either the front or back cover will pull on the staple.

Inspect the staple areas as good as you can from the inside to determine if they are nice and firm, pulled or even completely separated from the cover or any of the pages. Also check to see if the staples are original – they should be flat on the inside of the book rather than crimped like most staplers you find in an home are. Staples are often added or replaced to reinforce a book that is falling apart.

Next, you need to evaluate the paper quality. Paper typically has sulfur or other substances that cause it to turn color as it ages. You will need to describe what the paper looks and feels like. High grade books will have white or off-white paper. From there, paper will be yellow or tan to brown in color. Very old paper may even be brittle but you typically should not see this unless you are dealing with Victorian Age books.

You should also take note of the paper’s smell. Does is smell fresh or musty? Water damaged books will have a very strong musty smell but you will likely see the stains long before you notice the smell.

The other thing you are doing with your nose is detecting the use of chemicals. Paper can be cleaned in order to make it look white and traces of the chemicals used such as bleach will still be present.

As you did with the book closed, make use of the light, viewing the book at different angles. Look not only for obvious problems such as writing, tears or creases, but also for ones that have been hidden like pencil writing that has been erased. You can detect this by seeing less dirt in the erased spot and even the indentation of the writing in the paper from how the light reflects. Again, moving the book under the light is the key to seeing this.

You should view each page to check for the these defects, as for any clipped coupons or completed forms / puzzles. Also, pay close attention to the center of the book where the staples are visible. As with the cover, the inside page could be separated from the staples.

It always amazes me at the conventions how quickly someone will arrive at an opinion of a grade simply by viewing the book in the bag, by looking solely at the cover and spine. While this is a major factor in grading, the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” definitely rings true. A complete and thorough viewing of a book in ideal conditions is the best way to properly evaluate and grade a book.

COMIC BOOK GRADING

I’ve seen a number of comic book grading guides that list out a lot of detail for each grade. While this can be very helpful, I’d encourage you to practice developing a quick opinion of a rough grade (or range of grades) first then either reward or discount the grade by applying each of the attributes you noticed about the book during its evaluation. For example, you may immediately have an opinion of a Silver Age book right after viewing it, thinking “that’s a nice Fine or maybe even a Very Fine”. Then, look at your detailed observations to help you decide if it is a 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, etc.

To help with this approach, here’s my take on what each grade looks like first with an overall description then some examples of the degree of attributes for each grade. Keep in mind this is by no means complete and you also need to learn to weigh all of the attributes together to arrive at a final grade.

As the name of the implies, this is a perfect or near perfect book. It is as if it was printed yesterday and is completely without damage. It will have high gloss with very fresh looking (and smelling) ink. It is actually quite rare to describe any book from the Silver Age or earlier in this grade, simply due to the natural degradation of ink and paper.

A book in this grade should also look near perfect at a glance but may have very subtle defects such as corners that are not perfectly square or printing that is slightly misaligned or very slight off-white pages. It may actually take an experienced professional to tell the difference between a “Near Mint” and “Mint” book. Books that are “Near Mint” will simply have no problems that are so noticeable that you will see them right away. It will take a close examination and any defects present will be very minor and difficult to notice.

The cover will be glossy and new.
The pages will be white or nearly white and will feel supple and like new.
The spine will be firm and flat; Any stress marks will be very minor and difficult to see.
Date stamps and written dates are acceptable providing they are not obtrusive.

Comic Book Grading - Very Fine / Near Mint 9.0

A book in this grade may not look like it was just printed but will definitely be a very attractive and obviously well taken care of book. It should simply scream to you, “I’m a great looking book.”

The cover will have minor wear but will still have a lot of gloss and should be free of dirt.
The pages can be off-white to even slightly yellow but should still be attractive and should still feel nice.
The spine may have some stress marks but will still be firm and primarily flat.
A small fold or crease (1/4″), tiny indentations or a slight bend is acceptable but must not be objectionable.

Often the degree of any small defects will make the difference between a VF or a VF+, for example. If upon examining the book, you have the opinion that it is really nice and close to a NM, then you are probably thinking of a range of grades from VF+ to NM-. Judging the severity of each of minor defect should help you decide if it is 8.5, 9.0 or a 9.2. Likewise, if “Fine” crosses your mind but are thinking it is close to “Very Fine,” then you are likely in the 6.5 to 7.5 range.

Comic Book Grading - Fine / Very Fine 7.0

A book in this grade should be attractive and still very desirable to a collector. It may have some defect but the book should still have great eye appeal. This means the defects should be few, not very severe and inconspicuous. It can have one major defect that doesn’t negatively impact the eye appeal. For example, it could have a small tear provided it is difficult to see. If the tear is obvious and impacts the design and appeal of the cover, for example, it must be downgraded. Overall, a Fine book is going to look appealing.

The cover can show some wear but should still have enough gloss and little enough dirt to be very attractive. It may have minor tears or creases/folds but shouldn’t have so many as to detract from its beauty.
The pages may no longer be off-white – they be yellowish or light tan but still not showing too much age.
The spine may have some visible stress lines or possibly a mild roll as long is it doesn’t misalign the book too much. The cover can be loose from one staple but not both.
Any major defects must be limited and mustn’t impact the book’s eye appeal. This can mean the difference between a surface tear where some of the interior paper of the cover is visible and a clean one where you can barely tell there is a tear until you open the book. A book that would otherwise grade VF may have been downgraded due to a defect like a spine split, tear or very inconspicuous writing.

Comic Book Grading - Very Good / Fine 5.0

A book in this grade will be more obvious that it is well read due to multiple problems. But it will still be fairly good looking to a collector, especially someone that is collecting an expensive, older book that may be hard to find in this grade. The problems will not be so severe to make you focus on them. For example, a spine roll shouldn’t make the whole book look crooked. Water damage, if present should barely be noticeable. If a piece is missing out of the cover, it shouldn’t be more than 1/4″ in size and should be somewhat inconspicuous. In short, major defects are acceptable but still need to be limited and not distracting.

The cover will show definite wear and will have very little or no gloss left. There may be some soil or stains but not too heavy. There may be multiple or even a couple of major creases or a small piece missing but overall, the cover should still look attractive and complete.
The pages may be yellowish, tan or even light brown but should still feel okay to the touch. You should not feel fearful of causing further damage by handling the the pages. They shouldn’t have any major tears or writing. Minor tears are okay, but should be very few and only in the margin – they should not extend in to the frame of the page.
The spine may be split a bit or detached from a one staple but the cover must still be attached.
Major defects are acceptable provided they do not detract from your enjoyment of looking at the book and reading it.

Comic Book Grading - Good / Very Good 3.0

A book in this grade can still be somewhat attractive and collectible but will have problems that are more severe or numerous than with a Very Good, to the point where you are at least a little distracted by them. It may simply be that there is more wear and soil on it. It may have numerous creases or wrinkles to where it is distracting. There may be some less conspicuous writing on it. Very Good is where a lot of the picky collectors draw the line unless it is a very expensive book. The defects will simply be too numerous or too severe for them to look at. However, the book will still be intact with all its pages and completely readable.

The cover will show a lot of wear and may have some creases or fair amount of soil.
The pages may have some tears or a small pieces missing but the book must still be readable. This means a piece missing mustn’t interrupt the story, no pages can be missing and the pages cannot be too fragile to turn.
The spine may not be flat and could be a bit limp or have a roll.

A book in this grade now has problems that are more a little distracting. The problems will likely be a focus, drawing your attention away from at least some of the beauty of the book. Overall it will be quite worn and ragged, though still all there.

The cover may have a lot problems including heavy folds and even a large chunk missing. It may even be detached from the staples.
The pages will be fairly poor in quality, whether it is poor paper quality, or simply worn and aged with soiling, staining and chunks missing. A coupon clipped out is acceptable but not a panel.
The spine my be completely split.

The name of this grade says it all. The problems with a book in this grade can be so severe that it may no longer have any collector value. Some of the cover or even some of the pages may be missing. There may be heavy stains, mildew or other problems that prevent one from enjoying the book to any degree.

6 Comments on “ Comic Book Grading ”

My brother-in-law bought a box full of old comics, mostly 80’s Marvel stuff, st a yard sale. I would guess most to be fair to good condition, but wherever they were stored left them all smelling like oil and gas. How would that type of smell effect the value? It’s pretty noticeable.

Odor is definitely a factor in grading. A high grade comic book will not only look and feel new, but smell new with relatively fresh smelling paper. Books smelling like oil and gas will definitely be a turnoff for collectors and will negatively impact the grade. It’s tough to say what they would grade exactly without seeing them and evaluating their other attributes.

The pictures shown as examples were very helpful to understanding the elements involved in grading comic books. Thanks.

What effect on condition would a roll, not a crease, that shows through the whole comic have on the grading. The comic is in otherwise near mint condition.

A roll is significant sign of wear. It’s tough to say how much of an impact it would have without seeing the book. A good barometer is to simply think of how desirable it is to you as a collector. If you rate on a scale of 10 based on that approach and think it’s a 5, then you are probably looking at something in the Very Good to Fine range.

Great information and the pics really help

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CGC Comic Grading: What You NEED to Know About Certifying Your Comics

What is CGC comic grading? Is it worth the money? Let’s explore everything you need to know about this comic book grading service.

In the year 2000, the world of comic book grading was revolutionized when CGC Grading burst onto the scene. Since then, the comic book grading service has helped comic book collectors and sellers determine the value and worth of a particular comic book. Here, we’ll explore everything you need to know about CGC comic grading, whether it’s worth the money, and whether its competitors have more to offer.

Are you looking to sell your comics ? We’re always on the lookout for vintage comic collections.

What Is CGC Comic Grading?

The CGC ( Comics Guaranty Company ) opened its doors and graded its first comics in early 2000. A highly respected comic dealer, Steve Borock, was hired to be CGC’s first primary grader and unofficial ambassador for certified grading.

Before CGC, the grading of comic books was left to individual dealers and collectors. There was never a consensus on what a grade would be and, subsequently, many collectors were taken advantage of by unscrupulous comic dealers, some of whom knew less about grading than the collectors did!

Nowadays, CGC is a great tool for both dealers and collectors alike. When thousands of dollars are involved, CGC is a great third-party arbiter of grade and value for comic book transactions. According to Gpanalysis.com, nearly $1 billion worth of CGC-graded comics have traded hands since 2002!

Related: GPAnalysis: Is the Comic Book Valuation Service Worth the Money?

What Is Restoration and What Does CGC Grading Have to Do with it?

Restoration is any alteration made to a comic book that attempts to improve its appearance. Examples of restoration include color touch, adding pieces to a comic, spine reinforcement, staple replacement, tear seals, and more. Prior to CGC’s existence, many dealers would not disclose restoration that had been done to a comic before its sale. When CGC started grading these comics, the collectors were unhappy to learn that their prized possessions were restorations, without being advertised as such. Many dealers went out of business during those early days because their customers caught onto their bad business practices.

How Does CGC Grade Comic Books?

CGC uses a standard 10-point grading scale to grade comic books. It doesn’t publicly release how it grades its comics, but as it has graded over 5 million comics since its inception, there are plenty of examples in different grades to gauge a book’s standard. Note that from 0.5 to 9.0, the grades are in 0.5 point increments. Then from 9.2 up to 10.0, they are in 0.2 or fewer increments. This is because the difference in value of expensive comics graded above 9.0 is so dramatic, so by breaking down the grade separation into smaller increments, collectors can better determine the right value.

10.0 Gem Mint 9.9 Mint 9.8 Near Mint/Mint 9.6 Near Mint + 9.4 Near Mint 9.2 Near Mint - 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint 8.5 Very Fine + 8.0 Very Fine 7.5 Very Fine - 7.0 Fine/Very Fine 6.5 Fine + 6.0 Fine 5.5 Fine - 5.0 Very Good/Fine 4.5 Very Good + 4.0 Very Good 3.5 Very Good - 3.0 Good/Very Good 2.5 Good + 2.0 Good 1.8 Good - 1.5 Fair/Good 1.0 Fair .5 Poor

How Much Does CGC Grading Cost?

CGC’s fees are calculated based on the fair market value of each individual comic. If you have questions about what your comic might be worth, please view our comic price guide !

How do you submit your comics to CGC?

As comic experts, what do we think? Is CGC Grading worth the expense? We’ve outlined the pros and cons of CGC Grading below.

The Pros of CGC Grading

CGC protective case protects the comic from most damage — When you drop a CGC-graded comic, the case will usually take all of the damage, leaving your comic intact. CGC will reholder your comic for a nominal fee of $15 or so. The same goes for when you ship comics. If they are in a CGC holder and the case gets damaged, the comic itself is usually unaffected, preserving its value.
Easy to value for selling and insurance purposes — If, like most of us, you keep your comics in your home, you’re protected by your home insurance. If you have a loss, due to fire, flood, or theft, getting reimbursed through your insurance company can be challenging to say the least. But if your expensive comics have been graded by CGC, an insurance adjuster can easily verify the value and write you a check for the loss. We also all go through challenging times in life. If you need cash in a hurry due to the loss of your job or medical bills, your CGC comics can be an immediate cash lifeline.
CGC Grading is more consistent than other grading services — While this is a matter of opinion, CGC is considered the gold standard for grading because it’s been operating for 20 years now, with processes that have been continually honed through these years. The CGC doesn’t always get the grade right, but certainly, the overwhelming majority of the comic grades it hands out are accurate. By comparison, other grading companies can get overwhelmed by volume and their grading suffers.

The Cons of CGC Grading

Can’t open the book to read it — Old-time collectors who want to read and smell their comics won’t be able to if their comics are all encased in plastic. There are workarounds, however. You can buy a reading copy along with your certified copy if you can afford to do so. Digital comics are also increasingly prevalent. Just subscribe to a service that has your comic (such as comixology.com) and read to your heart’s desire.
Must be a paid member to submit comics (Minimum of $25 per year) — When you’re ready to submit your comics, you’ll have to submit comics at a show (free), through an authorized comic dealer (free), or sign up for a yearly plan so you can submit your own. These plans start at $25 a year, which is not a lot, but if you don’t have a lot of comics to submit, it could be more than you want to spend.
Turnaround time for less expensive books runs up to 4 months — For expensive comic books worth over $1,000 in value, you’ll get your books back in a couple of weeks at most. For comics that are inexpensive (i.e. worth less than $400), you’ll have to wait and wait, and wait. It depends on the season and CGC’s current staffing, but you’ll find at certain times of the year, the turnaround times (TAT) can be as high as four months!
Grading can be inconsistent — Just because CGC is more consistent than other grading companies doesn’t mean it will be consistent with your comics! At the end of the day, we are all human and comic book grading is a subjective art as well as a science. In our experience, CGC is right on the money between 95% and 98% of the time.

What Do the Different CGC Label Colors Mean?

Blue — When the label color is blue, it means that CGC has determined the comic has not been altered in any way from its original state. It is considered unrestored.

Green — When the label color is green, CGC has determined that the comic has a hidden defect or an unverified signature that qualifies the grade that it would have been had the defect not been there. For instance, if a coupon has been cut out of the interior of the comic, but it otherwise would have been an FN 6.0, CGC would grade the comic a Green Label FN 6.0 and notate the missing coupon on the label itself.

Purple — When the label color is purple, it means that CGC has found the comic has had some sort of amateur or professional alteration done to the comic book. Collectors have nicknamed this label a PLOD, which stands for Purple Label of Death! Usually, PLODs sell for 10-30% of the price of their Blue-label counterparts.

Yellow — When the label color is yellow, it means that a representative of CGC has physically witnessed a signature by the signer. CGC has designated a yellow label to be a “Signature Series” comic. Thus, when collectors refer to Signature Series in print, usually they will write SS for short.

Do you have a question about comics and pricing? Our expert comic team is here to help — get to know us.

How Do You Submit Your Comics to CGC to Be Graded?

Now you’re armed with all this information, if you’ve decided to go ahead and submit your comics to CGC for grading, how can you go about it? Follow the steps below:

Sign up for the Collector’s Society — Right now, there are three separate tiers. Each of these tiers allows you to submit comics without having to attend a show or submit through an authorized dealer. The cost ranges from $25 to $299 per year.
Submit the online form — Once you’ve signed up for the Collector’s Society, you’ll have to log in at cgccomics.com and fill out your order.
Send in your comics — Once you’ve filled out the online order form, it’s time to ship your comics. Please pack them carefully! We will soon have an informative video link here that will help you understand the best way to pack your comics for shipment to CGC.
Wait depending on the turnaround time of the tier you submit your comics under — The wait is the hardest part. Make sure you take into account that business days are being counted, not weekends or holidays!

Check out our free online comic price guide

CGC vs CBCS — Which Is Better?

If CGC deserves the gold medal in the arena of grading comic books, then CBCS deserves a silver medal.

CBCS is a grading company founded by the original primary grader of CGC, Steve Borock, in 2015. After three years of fitful growth, CBCS was bought out by Beckett Media in 2018. CBCS moved its operations from Florida to Texas to Beckett’s headquarters. In the move, CBCS lost a significant number of its customer service employees and had a difficult time keeping its customer service up to par.

CBCS’ fees are slightly less expensive than CGC’s and sometimes its turnaround times are quite a bit faster. For modern books (post-1974), you should submit your comics to CGC, not CBCS, as CGC modern books hold their value in the marketplace much better. For vintage comics, the difference in price is much less and, many times, non-existent. Overall, CBCS has been a welcome option and brought some well-needed competition to CGC.

CGC vs PGX — Which Is Better?

If CGC earns a gold medal and CBCS a silver, does that mean the other grading company, PGX, deserves the bronze? The short answer is that PGX should be disqualified from competition completely due to its business practices and negligence. It sometimes fails to spot restoration and trimming on comics and its grading is suspect. Other accusations have been made against PGX, which won’t be repeated here. Just do your research before submitting to this company. CGC and CBCS are both much better options for certifying your comic books.

Should You Send Your Comics to CGC?

If you have comics that are flawless and were printed post-1974, then you might consider submitting your comics to CGC. The cost is $20 per comic plus shipping both ways. The cost ends up being about $25 for comics from this era. It’s a big risk for comics from this era if you don’t get a CGC Grading of 9.6 or 9.8.

If you have comics pre-1975, search our price guide to see if your comic has any significant value. If it does, you might want to consider getting it certified by CGC. Generally speaking, your comic should be worth $200 or more to justify the costs of getting it certified. Certification costs start at $27 + shipping both ways and go up from there depending on the value you assign the comic. If you need some help with grading your comics before submitting, we will soon have a very informative video that will help you get a ballpark idea of the grading your comics might be assigned by CGC.

Do you have any questions about buying or selling valuable vintage comics? At Quality Comix, our expert team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss selling your comics.

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What’s The Deal With Comic Book Age Ratings?

Just like films, video games, and television, comic books also use age ratings. This helps inform if a comic book is suitable for a particular age group and can point them in the right direction for age-appropriate content.

Although, these ratings can be useless if you don’t know what they actually mean. This guide gives you everything you need to know about comic book age ratings so you make an informed decision.

Read on to find out more.

Is There A Consistent Age Rating System?

The short answer is no. While most comic book publishers have opted to use the system devised by DC Comics (more on that later), Marvel has had a few different systems over the years.

Current Comic Book Rating Systems

In terms of comic book age ratings, there are two systems are prevalent in modern-day releases. While they’re both similar, they both have their own differences which separate them.

The DC Comics Rating System

Introduced in 2011 by DC Comics, this rating system is the one that most publishers use.

The rating system follows as such below:

E – EVERYONE – Appropriate for readers of all ages. May contain cartoon violence and/or some comic mischief.
T – TEEN – Appropriate for readers age 12 and older. May contain mild violence, language and/or suggestive themes.
T+ – TEEN PLUS – Appropriate for readers age 15 and older. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes.
M – MATURE – Appropriate for readers age 17 and older. May contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes and other content suitable only for older readers.

** 2022 UPDATE **

DC Comics seems to be using two systems in tandem at the moment. There’s the above system, which appears on their website, and a more straightforward age-based rating system that appears on the covers.

An example of this is Batman #120, which is rated Teen on the DC Comics website but 13+ on the cover.

The age-based rating is as follows:

13+ – Replaces Teen
15 + – Replaces Teen Plus
17+ – Mostly reserved for the DC Black Label comics, this replaces the M/Mature rating

As for the all ages graphic novels, it appears that DC has opted to use a reading age, similar to how a traditional book publisher would. For example, on Amazon, the graphic novel Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld has a reading age of 8-12 years.

The Current Marvel Comics Rating System

Marvel has had a few different rating systems over the years (see more about those below). Below is the one that they currently use:

ALL AGES – Appropriate for all ages.
T – Appropriate for most readers, but parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.
T+ TEENS AND UP – Appropriate for teens 13 and above.
PARENTAL ADVISORY – Appropriate for 15 and up. Similar to T+, but featuring more mature themes and/or more graphic imagery. Recommended for teen and adult readers.
EXPLICIT CONTENT – 18+ years old.

Older Comic Book Rating Systems

While comics currently have two prominent rating systems, those are not the only ones that have been used in the past.

The Comics Code Authority

The Comics Code Authority was formed in 1954 after there was widespread concern for the content found in some (mostly horror) comics. A lot of this was motivated by Fredric Wertham’s book Seduction of the Innocent and the Senate hearing that occurred after it. To avoid being regulated by the government, the comic book industry opted to self-regulate themselves with the Comics Code Authority.

The self-policing of the comic book industry came with it a set of criteria which dictated what could and could not be in a comic book. Over the years, certain elements would be relaxed as publisher complained that the Comics Code stifled creativity and felt ridiculously out of date.

By the 2000s most comic book publishers had abandoned the Comics Code in favour of new rating systems.

Comics that adhered to Comics Code have the seal of approval (as seen above) on their covers.

You can find out more about the Comics Code and its history in this piece by the Comic Book Legal Defence Fund .

Marvel’s First Rating System

After withdrawing from the Comics Code Authority in 2001, Marvel introduced their own rating system. This system was inspired by ratings used by the Motion Picture Association of America.

PG (Parental Guidance)
PARENTAL ADVISORY/EXPLICIT CONTENT

Marvel’s Second Rating System

Not long after the first rating system was introduced, Marvel had to revise their rating system after the Motion Picture Association of America complained about the use of some rating name. Marvel revised its system to the following:

PSR (Parental Supervision Recommended)

Marvel’s Third Rating System

Marvel then revised their rating system in 2005 to the following:

A – Appropriate for age 9 and up
T+ – Suggested for teens and up
PARENTAL ADVISORY
MAX: EXPLICIT CONTENT

How Do I Find Out The Ratings Of A Comic?

There are a few ways to find out the age rating for a comic.

On the front or back cover of a comic
In comic book solicitations
On the publisher’s website

Why Is There No Consistent System?

As you can see, there’s no consistent system for rating comic books and graphic novels. Unlike film, TV, and video games, there is no official ratings board or committee . Comics are self-regulated and it’s up to the publisher to apply the rating to their releases.

In Conclusion

The ratings used for comic books should be used to inform if the content is right for you or the young people in your life. Just like the ratings of movies and other media, please use some common sense and check the ratings before purchasing comics for young people.

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Comic Book Grading: Understanding the Basics and Labels

As the market for alternative investments continues to expand, comic books have emerged as one of the premier asset classes among collectors and investors. Understanding the grading process and the labels applied to comic books is a critical step for anyone looking to navigate this market. In this article, we'll explore the basics of comic book grading, including the differences between grading agencies, how each label is valued, and what determines which label is applied to a comic book.

The Grading Process

Comic book grading is the process of evaluating a comic book's condition based on a standardized set of criteria. The grading process takes into account factors such as the condition of the cover, the pages, the binding, and the overall appearance of the book. A higher grade indicates a comic book in better condition, while a lower grade signifies more wear and tear. CGC’s grading rubric goes from a familiar Gem Mint 10 to a 0.5 Poor. It describes a 10 as “The highest grade assigned. The collectible must have no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects.”, whereas the description reads 0.5 “A heavily defaced collectible with a number of major defects. Some pieces will also be missing.”.

Grading is conducted by professional grading companies, and the two most well-known grading agencies in the industry are the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) and the Comic Book Certification Service (CBCS). Both companies utilize similar grading scales, but there are subtle differences in their methodologies that collectors and investors should be aware of.

Labels and Their Significance

Once a comic book is graded, it is encapsulated in a protective plastic case or a “slab”, and a label is attached to the case to display the grade and other relevant information. The label, commonly referred to as a "slab," serves as a certificate of authenticity and a way to easily identify the grade of the book.

There are different types of labels used by grading agencies, and each label carries its own significance:

Universal (Blue) Label: The most common label used by grading companies, the Universal Label indicates that the comic book is an original and unaltered copy. It is applied to comic books in any condition, from "Mint" to "Poor."

Signature Series (Yellow) Label: A special label applied to comic books that have been autographed by a creator or contributor and have been authenticated by the grading agency. Signature Series labels often carry a premium in the market due to their unique nature.

Qualified (Green) Label: The label applied to books with a “significant defect” that needs further description. Usually, meaning a missing page or marking on the book. May also denote an unauthenticated signature, meaning one that was not supervised by the grading firm.

Restored (Purple) Label: This label is applied to comic books that have undergone restoration or conservation efforts to improve their appearance or condition. Restored comic books are valued differently from unaltered copies, as restoration can affect the book's long-term value.

Pedigree (Gold) Label: A label applied to books that come from a collection of great significance. CGC has a list of these 61 “Pedigree Comic Book Collections” that books might potentially belong/have belonged to. Collectible valuations are somewhat dependent on ownership history, also called provenance, so knowing the origin of a book has the potential to alter the value significantly.

The Value of Grading

Comic book grading provides several benefits to collectors and investors. A graded comic book offers a level of transparency and authenticity that is critical in the market. Grading also helps standardize the condition of comic books, allowing for easier comparison between copies and more accurate price determination.

Additionally, the grade of a comic book can significantly impact its market value. Higher-graded comic books often command higher prices, while lower-graded copies may be more affordable. Ultimately, the grade of a comic book is just one of many factors to consider when making an investment decision.

Deciphering Comic Book Population Reports

Population reports are distributed by grading firms to give collectors a snapshot of their graded population of books at a point in time. Knowing the distribution of grades received by a population of a specific book is very valuable information for collectors.

By carefully analyzing population reports, collectors can gain valuable insights into the rarity of specific comic books and make informed decisions when buying, selling, or trading. Whether looking for a hidden gem or seeking to understand the relative value of an asset, population reports serve as an essential tool for navigating the ever-evolving world of comic book collecting and investing.

Comic book grading is an essential component of the alternative investment landscape. Understanding the grading process and the significance of different labels can help collectors and investors make more informed decisions as they navigate the exciting world of comic book investing.

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Comic Book Grading Guide

This basic comic book grading guide is designed to help you sell comic books you have found, bought, or inherited.

It's not meant to be an expert guide to grading comic books. In fact, I'm far from an expert.

But I CAN teach you to quickly assess about what your comic book grades at, and therefore, roughly what your comic book is worth.

That is all the skill you will need to determine the average grade of your comic books. Once you have that information, it will be a lot easier to get them appraised .

The Mint Condition Myth

The most common problem with comic book grading is, it's subjective.

Most people see a comic from the 1980s in a plastic bag and presume that it's "mint condition". You see this all the time:

"Collection of vintage comics, still in original bags, mostly 1980s and 1990s, mint condition!"

There are several problems with that description.

Almost NO comics came in bags
The comics may have been put in bags last week after 25 years stuffed in a box.
You need the right kind of bags, and acid-free backing boards.
Most people see 'little faults' (like creases across the corner) and presume they are unimportant.

Truly mint condition comics, even from as recently as the 1980s, are very hard to come by.

This is extremely important if you're buying comics. It's less important if all you want to do is sell some comics you've found, or inherited.

Comic Book Grades Explained

Comic book grading is based on a score out of 10:

0-1.5 = poor to good minus
2.0-3.5 = fair to very good minus
4.0-5.5 = very good to fine minus
6.0-7.5 = fine to very fine minus
8.0 = very fine
8.5 = very fine plus
9.0 = very fine/near mint
9.2 = near mint minus
9.4 = near mint
9.6 = near mint plus
9.8 = near mint to mint
10.0 = gem mint

Let's show you some examples, so you can understand what YOUR books grade on this scale.

What a Fair (1.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a poor comic book

Worn, torn, stained, tape repaired, written on, cover loose, rusted staples, heavy creasing... These are all faults you will find on the worst condition comics.

NOTE: if a comic is incomplete for any reason (missing pages, coupons clipped, cover gone), it is virtually worthless.

What a Good (2.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a good comic book

It's still a pretty rough-looking specimen, but a good comic should at least be solid, readable, and relatively presentable.

Most of the faults found on poor comic books can apply. There should be a few less of them.

What a Very Good (4.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a very good comic book

Very good comics still look well-read, but they're starting to seem less of a compromise for collectors who don't simply want to read their books.

This is the worst grade when it's acceptable to see tape repairs.

You should look at a very good comic and not feel embarrassed if a friend saw it in your collection.

What a Fine (6.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

For most "serious" collectors, fine is the lowest acceptable grade.

While there can be wear, some minor creasing and other faults, a fine comic book usually has most of its cover gloss, and looks pretty nice at first glance.

It's more the sum of small faults (or one major one) that brings this book down from a higher grade.

What a Very Fine (8.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a very fine comic book

Now we're getting into the territory where the value of your comic books spikes up rapidly. The price difference between the value of a fine and a very fine comic book can be double or more .

Generally a very fine comic either is a near mint, with one nasty fault bringing it down, or a near mint, with a few minor faults bringing it down.

When you're comic book grading, you should be conservative. If in doubt between a near mint minus and a very fine, always presume it's very fine, and then the only surprises can be good ones.

You can expect an otherwise very nice cover to have one corner with a crease, some spine stress marks, a little wear. But it's a really nice looking comic.

NOTE: This is the grade that most inexperienced comic book graders think is "mint". So if you see a collection described as mint, presume it's actually very fine.

What a Very Fine/Near Mint (9.0 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a near mint minus comic book

Most near mint minus comic books have just one small fault bringing them down. Perhaps a patch of wear on a front cover edge, perhaps one corner creased and breaking color.

Almost anybody with no experience would call this comic "mint".

What a Near Mint Minus (9.2 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a near mint comic book

The most common fault at near mint is color breaking spine stress.

That, or a small, small corner crease.

Anything that breaks color is going to prevent this book from getting to 9.4 or higher.

What a Near Mint (9.4 Graded) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a near mint plus comic book

We're into super-picky territory here.

Sorry to say that MINT comics are really rare, and here's why. The hobby gets very petty when you're comic book grading near mint to gem mint comic books.

The tiniest spine stress takes you down 0.2. A fingerprint on an otherwise perfect gloss, or any gloss wear on the spine, takes it down from mint.

This really doesn't matter to you if all you want to do is sell an old collection you came into.

What a Near Mint Plus (9.6 Grade) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a mint minus comic book

Even pickier than a 9.4, a 9.6 comic book can only have one very small fault really.

The cover should be more or less perfect, with no breaks in the cover gloss. The above image is hard to make out, but there's a small bump to the top of the spine.

Otherwise this book would grade 9.8.

What a Near Mint/Mint (9.8 Grade) Comic Book Looks Like

Comic book grading: this is a mint comic book

Call "mint" brand new minus. Somebody dared to read this once upon a long ago, and now the comic shows very minor signs of handling.

Otherwise, it's perfect.

Mint 9.9 or Gem Mint 10.0...

Forget it! These don't exist.

Well, okay, they DO exist, but only if a comic was bought and stored immediately in perfect conditions, and has never been disturbed since.

If you find anything this perfect, DON'T EVEN OPEN IT! Simply opening it could cause spine stress.

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Comic Book Rating System

Comic book rating systems are used to rate the content of comic books and graphic novels to help consumers decide what is appropriate for their reading level. Comic book rating systems typically use a letter grade or a numerical scale.

One popular comic book rating system is the Comics Code Authority, which was created in 1954. The Comics Code Authority used a six-point system, with “A” being the most child-appropriate rating and “F” being the most adult-appropriate rating. In 2011, the Comics Code Authority was discontinued and replaced with the ESRB rating system.

The ESRB rating system is used to rate video games, and it was adapted to rate comic books and graphic novels in 2011. The ESRB rating system uses a four-point system, with “E” being the most child-appropriate rating and “M” being the most adult-appropriate rating.

Another popular comic book rating system is the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system. The MPAA rating system is used to rate movies, and it has been adapted to rate comic books and graphic novels. The MPAA rating system uses a five-point system, with “G” being the most child-appropriate rating and “X” being the most adult-appropriate rating.

1 Are there any 10.0 graded comics?
2 What is a good comic book rating?
3 What does a 7.0 grade comic look like?
4 How do comic books get graded?
5 Is CGC 10 rare?
6 Does CGC give 10s?
7 What does a 9.0 graded comic look like?

Are there any 10.0 graded comics?

There are not any 10.0 graded comics. However, there are a few comics that have been given a 9.9 grade. These are some of the rarest and most valuable comics in the world.

What is a good comic book rating?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on personal preferences. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine whether a comic book is worth reading.

Generally, a comic book with a rating of 3 or higher is considered good. This means that the story is well-written, the artwork is pleasing to the eye, and the characters are engaging.

Comic books with lower ratings may still be worth reading, but they may have some weaknesses that prevent them from being truly enjoyable. For example, the story may be confusing or the artwork may be ugly.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what makes a comic book good or bad. Some people may prefer stories that are dark and gritty, while others may prefer light and humorous tales. The key is to find comics that match your personal taste.

What does a 7.0 grade comic look like?

A 7.0 grade comic is generally considered to be in excellent condition. It will have almost no wear, no tears, and no creases. The colors will be bright and vibrant, and the paper will be free of any serious damage.

A comic in this condition would be a great investment, and would likely be worth a lot of money. It would also be a great read, and would provide hours of enjoyment.

If you’re looking for a high-quality comic, then a 7.0 grade is the way to go.

How do comic books get graded?

Comic books are graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the poorest condition and 10 being the best. This scale takes into account the overall condition of the comic book, including its cover, interior pages, and spine.

Comic books are graded by professionals who have years of experience in the industry. The graders use a standard grading scale, which is designed to provide a consistent and accurate assessment of a comic book’s condition.

The most common grade for a comic book is Near Mint (NM), which is assigned to comics that are in excellent condition, with no major defects. Comics that are in Mint condition (M) are considered to be perfect, and are worth a great deal of money.

Less common grades include Very Fine (VF), Fine (FN), and Very Good (VG). These grades are assigned to comics that have some minor defects, but are still in good condition overall.

The lowest grade that is typically assigned is Poor (P), which is given to comics that are in very bad condition, with major defects and wear and tear.

It is important to note that not all comic books are graded. Generally, comic books that are in excellent condition or better are graded, while those that are in poor condition are not.

If you are looking to sell a comic book, it is important to have it graded so that you can get an accurate estimate of its value. Comic book grading services are available online, and they charge a fee for their services.

If you are looking to buy a comic book, it is a good idea to ask for the grade before you make a purchase. This will help you to determine its value and whether or not it is in good condition.

Comic book grading can be a complex process, but it is a valuable tool for assessing the condition of a comic book. By understanding the grading scale and the factors that are taken into account, you can make more informed decisions about your comic book purchases and sales.

Is CGC 10 rare?

It can be difficult to determine the rarity of a comic book, as it depends on a number of factors including the age of the book, the condition of the book, and the popularity of the book. That said, CGC 10 is often considered a rare grading.

Comic books that receive a CGC 10 grade are in extremely good condition, and are considered to be some of the best preserved comics in the world. As a result, they can often be worth a great deal of money.

For example, a copy of Action Comics #1 that is graded CGC 10 sold for $3.2 million in 2016. This is likely the highest price ever paid for a comic book.

While it is difficult to say for certain, it is likely that CGC 10 comics are rarer than comics that receive lower grades. This is because it is much more difficult to keep a comic in such good condition.

As with any collectible, the rarity of CGC 10 comics will depend on a number of factors, and it is always best to consult with a specialist to get a more accurate estimate.

Does CGC give 10s?

There is a lot of speculation among comic collectors on whether or not CGC (comic grading company) gives 10s. The rumor is that CGC grades comics on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best grade possible. This rumor is unsubstantiated and there is no evidence to support it.

CGC does not release information on the grades of individual comics, so it is impossible to know for sure what grades they are giving. However, there are a few things we can look at to get a better idea.

First, we can look at the grades that CGC has given comics that have been sold at auction. A quick search on eBay shows that the highest grade CGC has ever given a comic is 9.8. This means that it is highly unlikely that CGC is giving 10s.

Second, we can look at the grades that CGC has given comics that have been graded by them. A quick search on the CGC website shows that the highest grade CGC has ever given a comic is 9.8. This means that it is highly unlikely that CGC is giving 10s.

Overall, there is no evidence to support the rumor that CGC is giving 10s. While it is possible that they may occasionally give a 10, it is not likely that this is happening often.

What does a 9.0 graded comic look like?

When grading a comic book, the first number is always the cover grade, and the second number is the interior grade. For example, a comic with a grade of 7.0 on the cover and a grade of 5.0 on the interior would be labeled as a 7.0/5.0.

The most common grades for comics are from 0.5 to 10.0, with 0.5 being poor and 10.0 being perfect. A comic that is graded a 9.0 is considered to be near-mint condition.

A comic that is graded a 9.0 will have almost no wear on the cover, and the interior will be in excellent condition. There may be a very small amount of wear on the cover, but the interior will be completely free of tears, creases, and markings.

A comic that is graded a 9.0 is a very rare find, and is highly sought after by collectors. Most comics that are graded a 9.0 are worth a lot of money, and can sell for thousands of dollars.

If you are lucky enough to find a comic book that is graded a 9.0, you should make sure to keep it in a safe place, because it is likely to be worth a lot of money in the future.

Comic Book Ratings

Why get your comic book rated, people regularly rely on ratings for their entertainment..

Personal Finance Advice

What Are The Top 10 Comic Books For Kids

Posted: April 8, 2024 | Last updated: April 8, 2024

<p><span>Contrary to popular belief, comic books are the perfect gateway for improving reading skills in young readers. These engaging stories combine captivating visuals with exciting narratives, making them ideal for kids aged 6 to 13 years. </span></p> <p><span>Less than 20 years ago comic books were seen mostly as a medium for children, but that is far from true. Modern comic books have been exploring more mature, violent, and narratively complex story themes aimed at adults since the 1980s. There are dedicated sub-genres of comic books for kids.</span></p> <p><span>Most modern comic books now have ratings for age appropriateness relative to their comics, but such ratings vary according to publisher. For example, a “T” rating on a cover means it is appropriate for readers ages 13 and up. However, there are many comic books for kids that focus on readers between the ages of 6 to 13. Here are ten that parents should check out.</span></p>

Contrary to popular belief, comic books are the perfect gateway for improving reading skills in young readers. These engaging stories combine captivating visuals with exciting narratives, making them ideal for kids aged 6 to 13 years.

Less than 20 years ago comic books were seen mostly as a medium for children, but that is far from true. Modern comic books have been exploring more mature, violent, and narratively complex story themes aimed at adults since the 1980s. There are dedicated sub-genres of comic books for kids.

Most modern comic books now have ratings for age appropriateness relative to their comics, but such ratings vary according to publisher. For example, a “T” rating on a cover means it is appropriate for readers ages 13 and up. However, there are many comic books for kids that focus on readers between the ages of 6 to 13. Here are ten that parents should check out.

<p><span>Wings of Fire is a popular series of comic books for kids in the form of graphic novels drawn by Mike Homes. The fantasy series is about a fictional world called Pyrrhia full of dragons, mystical creatures, and several feuding tribes of people trying to coexist with one another. The series is designed for readers ages 8 and up. The stories are interesting, uncomplicated, and designed to pique the interest of young readers who are developing an interest in the fantasy genre.</span></p>

1. Wings of Fire Boxset - Books 1-5 (2015)

Wings of Fire is a popular series of comic books for kids in the form of graphic novels drawn by Mike Homes. The fantasy series is about a fictional world called Pyrrhia full of dragons, mystical creatures, and several feuding tribes of people trying to coexist with one another. The series is designed for readers ages 8 and up. The stories are interesting, uncomplicated, and designed to pique the interest of young readers who are developing an interest in the fantasy genre.

<p><span>Before they were the Teen Titans, they were the Tiny Titans! Through bright and colorful comic book panels, this series shares the adventures of pint-sized heroes attending Sidekick Elementary. From hilarious mishaps to heartwarming moments, these tiny titans prove that even the littlest heroes can make a big impact. It’s a great comic book for kids just getting into superheroes. This series is written by Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani with art by Baltazar. It is recommended for ages 6 through 11. </span></p>

2. Tiny Titans Vol. 1: Welcome to the Treehouse (2009)

Before they were the Teen Titans, they were the Tiny Titans! Through bright and colorful comic book panels, this series shares the adventures of pint-sized heroes attending Sidekick Elementary. From hilarious mishaps to heartwarming moments, these tiny titans prove that even the littlest heroes can make a big impact. It’s a great comic book for kids just getting into superheroes. This series is written by Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani with art by Baltazar. It is recommended for ages 6 through 11.

<p><span>Young children sometimes develop an age-appropriate sense of crass, gallows humor as they slowly mature, and as long as parents are aware, that is OK. The Captain Underpants series of comic books for kids is a great way to encourage reading and mitigate the formation of humor in children. The comic is about two immature fourth graders, Harold and George, who create a fictional superhero, Captain Underpants, who they then have to try and control as they go on wacky adventures. This comic is appropriate for ages 6 and up.</span></p>

3. The Captain Underpants Color Collection (2015)

Young children sometimes develop an age-appropriate sense of crass, gallows humor as they slowly mature, and as long as parents are aware, that is OK. The Captain Underpants series of comic books for kids is a great way to encourage reading and mitigate the formation of humor in children. The comic is about two immature fourth graders, Harold and George, who create a fictional superhero, Captain Underpants, who they then have to try and control as they go on wacky adventures. This comic is appropriate for ages 6 and up.

<p><span>Creator Mike Cavallaro has crafted a comic book series for kids about a child hero who discovers that she is a long-lost descendent of the infamous hunter of monsters, Beowulf! Eowulf Wegmund usually contends with living in a New Jersey suburb, going to school, and trying to get along with school nemesis Amadeus. As mystical villains begin cause trouble in her small town, Eowulf and Amadeus combine forces to protect it. This comic book for kids is suitable for ages 9 and up.</span></p>

4. Eowulf: Of Monsters and Middle School (2024)

Creator Mike Cavallaro has crafted a comic book series for kids about a child hero who discovers that she is a long-lost descendent of the infamous hunter of monsters, Beowulf! Eowulf Wegmund usually contends with living in a New Jersey suburb, going to school, and trying to get along with school nemesis Amadeus. As mystical villains begin cause trouble in her small town, Eowulf and Amadeus combine forces to protect it. This comic book for kids is suitable for ages 9 and up.

<p><span>Bone is the family-friendly story of three cousins named Phoney Bone, Fone Bone, and Smiley Bone. The three cousins are treated as misfits, run out of their hometown, Boneville, and find themselves exploring a mysterious valley forest occupied by wondrous, mysterious, and scary creatures. It’s a black-and-white comic with simplistic designs, light-hearted yet poignant storytelling, and slapstick humor. The series is written and drawn by creator Jeff Smith and is the recipient of over 41 creative award honors. Suitable for ages 7 and up.</span></p>

5. Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume (2004)

Bone is the family-friendly story of three cousins named Phoney Bone, Fone Bone, and Smiley Bone. The three cousins are treated as misfits, run out of their hometown, Boneville, and find themselves exploring a mysterious valley forest occupied by wondrous, mysterious, and scary creatures. It’s a black-and-white comic with simplistic designs, light-hearted yet poignant storytelling, and slapstick humor. The series is written and drawn by creator Jeff Smith and is the recipient of over 41 creative award honors. Suitable for ages 7 and up.

<p><span>Writer and artist Cece Bell used her real-life experience of losing her hearing at a young age as the creative inspiration for her comic book for kids, </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/aug/04/cece-bell-el-deafo-in-pictures"><span>El Deafo</span></a><span>. The story features anthropomorphic child characters and Cece, the central character, learns that her Phonic Ear hearing aid gives her super hearing. El Deafo features stories that reinforce morals, being kind to others, having understanding for hearing-impaired people, and the power of friendship. El Deafo was recently adapted into a cartoon series. Suitable for ages 7 and up.</span></p>

6. El Deafo: A Graphic Novel (2014)

Writer and artist Cece Bell used her real-life experience of losing her hearing at a young age as the creative inspiration for her comic book for kids, El Deafo . The story features anthropomorphic child characters and Cece, the central character, learns that her Phonic Ear hearing aid gives her super hearing. El Deafo features stories that reinforce morals, being kind to others, having understanding for hearing-impaired people, and the power of friendship. El Deafo was recently adapted into a cartoon series. Suitable for ages 7 and up.

<p><span>Amulet is a series of comic books for kids created by Kazu Kibuishi, a noted New York Times bestselling author. After moving into a new home with her mother, siblings Emily and Navin are shocked to discover their mother has been kidnapped by a mysterious creature and taken to another realm. Emily learns that she has been chosen to become a stonekeeper, a bearer of a powerful amulet. She and Navin then enter a fantastical world to save their mother and fight for a new world. Suitable for ages 8 and up.</span></p>

7. Amulet #1-8 - Box Set (2018)

Amulet is a series of comic books for kids created by Kazu Kibuishi, a noted New York Times bestselling author. After moving into a new home with her mother, siblings Emily and Navin are shocked to discover their mother has been kidnapped by a mysterious creature and taken to another realm. Emily learns that she has been chosen to become a stonekeeper, a bearer of a powerful amulet. She and Navin then enter a fantastical world to save their mother and fight for a new world. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

<p><span>Young Max of the mystical realm Byjovia constantly daydreams about becoming a knight. It is a dream that constantly eludes him due to his age and inexperience. After Max’s uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the notorious King Gastley, Max teams up with like-minded adventurers called the Midknights and sets out to save his Uncle Budrick and restore glory to Byjovia. This fantasy story is light-hearted, campy, and has a fun-filled tone. It’s suitable for ages 7 and up.</span></p>

8. Max and the Midknights (2019)

Young Max of the mystical realm Byjovia constantly daydreams about becoming a knight. It is a dream that constantly eludes him due to his age and inexperience. After Max’s uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the notorious King Gastley, Max teams up with like-minded adventurers called the Midknights and sets out to save his Uncle Budrick and restore glory to Byjovia. This fantasy story is light-hearted, campy, and has a fun-filled tone. It’s suitable for ages 7 and up.

<p><span>This comic book for kids series is a spin-off of the wildly popular InvestiGators series by creator John Patrick Green. The series features fan-favorite characters Brash and Mango and Cilantro the Chameleon. The series features light-hearted and campy secret agent adventures that are age-appropriate for the point of view of children. Recommended for ages 7 and up.</span></p>

9. InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T. (2023)

This comic book for kids series is a spin-off of the wildly popular InvestiGators series by creator John Patrick Green. The series features fan-favorite characters Brash and Mango and Cilantro the Chameleon. The series features light-hearted and campy secret agent adventures that are age-appropriate for the point of view of children. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

<p><span>Will Henry’s Wallace the Brave comic books for kids series has been lovingly referred to as an inspirational continuation of the Peanuts gang and Charlie Brown comic book strips. The story centers on six-year-old Wallace and his friends dealing with the everyday happenings in his town Snug Harbor. Wallace is naive, good-natured, and learns about the realities of life through his experiences and advice from his parents and brother Sterling. Suitable for ages 7 and up.</span></p>

10. Wallace the Brave (2017)

Will Henry’s Wallace the Brave comic books for kids series has been lovingly referred to as an inspirational continuation of the Peanuts gang and Charlie Brown comic book strips. The story centers on six-year-old Wallace and his friends dealing with the everyday happenings in his town Snug Harbor. Wallace is naive, good-natured, and learns about the realities of life through his experiences and advice from his parents and brother Sterling. Suitable for ages 7 and up.

<p><span>If you’re a parent, then there many options for you to find comic books for kids. Even Marvel and DC create all-ages and kid-centric comic books designed specifically for young kids. Always consider your options and read the comics before exposing them to your kids. </span></p>

There is a Multitude of Choices Available When it Comes to Comic Books for Kids

If you’re a parent, then there many options for you to find comic books for kids. Even Marvel and DC create all-ages and kid-centric comic books designed specifically for young kids. Always consider your options and read the comics before exposing them to your kids.

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Comic Book Rating System
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COMMENTS

CGC Grading Scales
CGC uses a highly accurate, industry standard 10-point grading scale to evaluate collectibles. Scroll below to see the Standard Grading Scale for comic books, magazines, concert posters and lobby cards, or use the tabs to explore the Page Quality Scale and Restoration Grading Scale. For the CGC Cards Grading Scale, visit CGCcards.com >.
Comic Book Grading
Comics listed for sale on MyComicShop are assigned a grade from one of two grading scales: the BASIC GRADING SCALE with seven assignable grades: NM, VF, FN, VG, GD, FR, and PR; and the TEN-POINT GRADING SCALE with 23 possible grades ranging from 9.8 (highest) to 0.5 (lowest). Some comics are "slabbed" by CGC or CBCS .
Rating System
This is our independent ratings system: All (A) - The All (A) rating indicates that the content rated by Comic Book Ratings is safe for people of all ages to read. Children (C) - The Children (C) rating indicates that the content rated by Comic Book Ratings is designed for children ages 5 and up. Youth (Y) - The Youth (Y) rating indicates ...
CGC Grading: A Guide for Beginners
The grading fee varies depending on the age and value of the comic, ranging from $22 to $120 for most books. Comics with a fair market value above $3,000 however, are charged on a sliding scale of 3% of the book's value (minimum $150). Given these costs as well as the costs of shipping, you should only seriously consider submitting a comic ...
How to Grade Comic Books: Grading Scale & Examples
1. Consider a "Mint" grade. Comics are graded using both descriptive categories and a 0-10 rating system. If your comic is in flawless or nearly flawless condition, it might merit a grade of "mint" or "near mint." This condition applies to perfectly flat comics with supple paper, a glossy cover, and no obvious wear.
Comic Book Grading
1.0 Fair. 0.5 Poor. This 10-point comic book grading scale is widely used now and you will often see people grade by simply putting the number value on the book with the classic descriptive grade. It is not the practice, however, to use numbers other than those in this scale so you wouldn't see a book graded "6.3".
CGC Grading Process
CGC uses a proven, multi-step grading process that is designed to ensure consistency, accuracy and integrity while safeguarding your valuable collectibles. Here, you can explore the key stages of the CGC grading process for comics. To see the CGC Trading Cards grading process, visit CGCcards.com >. Step 1/7.
CGC Comic Grading
CGC uses a standard 10-point grading scale to grade comic books. It doesn't publicly release how it grades its comics, but as it has graded over 5 million comics since its inception, there are plenty of examples in different grades to gauge a book's standard. Note that from 0.5 to 9.0, the grades are in 0.5 point increments.
Marvel Comics rating system
The Marvel Comics rating system is a system for rating the content of comic books, with regard to appropriateness for different age groups.In 2001, Marvel Comics withdrew from the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system for its publications. This was precipitated by the CCA refusing approval of the seal due to the strong depiction of violence in X-Force #116, a comic ...
Pop Culture Collectibles Grading
If you collect comics, you know CGC — the world leader in comic book grading. Founded in 2000, CGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade, backed by a comprehensive guarantee. CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, whose mission is to empower collectors with services that ignite passion ...
FAQs about CGC Grades
Derived from the Overstreet grading criteria, the CGC grading standard was first developed by taking a consensus of grades assigned to a variety of comic books from a nationwide pool of experts, including comic book dealers and leading collectors. CGC realizes that comic book grading is an art that develops from years of experience, and while ...
The Expert's Guide to Grading Comics
The gold standard in certifying a comic book's quality is the grading system through Certified Guaranty Company, better known as CGC. Led by President Matt Nelson, CGC provides clients with a ...
What's The Deal With Comic Book Age Ratings?
The rating system follows as such below: E - EVERYONE - Appropriate for readers of all ages. May contain cartoon violence and/or some comic mischief. T - TEEN - Appropriate for readers age 12 and older. May contain mild violence, language and/or suggestive themes. T+ - TEEN PLUS - Appropriate for readers age 15 and older.
Comic Book Grading: Understanding the Basics and Labels
The grading process takes into account factors such as the condition of the cover, the pages, the binding, and the overall appearance of the book. A higher grade indicates a comic book in better condition, while a lower grade signifies more wear and tear. CGC's grading rubric goes from a familiar Gem Mint 10 to a 0.5 Poor.
Pop Culture Collectibles Grading
CGC revolutionized comic book collecting with the introduction of expert and impartial certification services that are backed by a comprehensive guarantee. Now with more than 15 million collectibles certified, CGC is the world's largest and most trusted third-party grading service for comics, TCGs, sports cards, video games, home video and more
Comic Book Grading: What Are Your Comics Worth?
The price difference between the value of a fine and a very fine comic book can be double or more. Generally a very fine comic either is a near mint, with one nasty fault bringing it down, or a near mint, with a few minor faults bringing it down. When you're comic book grading, you should be conservative.
ComicConnect
The CBI Scale or the Comic Book Impact scale is a rating system that evaluates a comic book based on the following criteria: historical impact, cultural impact, artistic importance, popularity, and longevity of title and/or character. ... Comic books in this grade may have a clipped coupon, so long as it is noted along side of the nomenclature ...
Marvel Subscriptions :: Never miss an issue of Avengers, Spider-Man, X
MARVEL RATING SYSTEM. ALL AGES - Appropriate for readers of All Ages. A - Appropriate for readers Ages 9 and Up. T - Teens. Appropriate for readers 13 and up. Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, parents are advised they may want to read before or with younger children. T+ - Teens and up. Appropriate for older teens. Parental Advisory - 15 ...
DC Comics rating system
The DC Comics rating system is a system for rating the content of comic books used by DC Comics. In 2011, DC Comics decided to withdraw from the Comics Code Authority and implement their own rating system for their comics. Rather than replicating the system used by Marvel Comics, DC Comics' system is more similar to video game ratings ...
Comic Book Rating System
Comic book rating systems are used to rate the content of comic books and graphic novels to help consumers decide what is appropriate for their reading level. Comic book rating systems typically use a letter grade or a numerical scale. One popular comic book rating system is the Comics Code Authority, which was created in
Comic Book Ratings
Rating System; Contact; Toggle Navigation. Comic Book Ratings. Join Our Mailing List. Why get your comic book rated? People regularly rely on ratings for their entertainment. Search. Search for: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; News; Creators ... Comic Book Ratings. Join Our Mailing List.
Benefits of Grading
Expert Analysis. Professional comic book grading provides expert assessment of condition and eliminates concerns about grade misrepresentation. Before a comic book is CGC-certified, it must be graded by at least two comic professionals according to well established standards that ensure integrity, quality, confidentiality and consistency.
Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 4/3/2024
Rating: 3.5 out of 5. ROOK: EXODUS #1. One of the proclamations of Ghost Machine is that their comic books will have the best art on the stands, and that is definitely the case with Rook: Exodus ...
What Are The Top 10 Comic Books For Kids
Most modern comic books now have ratings for age appropriateness relative to their comics, but such ratings vary according to publisher. For example, a "T" rating on a cover means it is ...
CGC Services & Fees
Applies to all lobby cards on the form. Not available for on-site services. N/A. $5. Tier + 2 Days. A $5 handling fee per invoice applies to all online submissions, and an $8 handling fee per invoice applies to all paper submissions. Notes: The fees above apply only to direct submissions to CGC by Collector members.

Comic Book Grading

Explanation of Grading Scales

Uncirculated New Release Comics

Basic Grading Scale

Ten-Point Grading Scale

Grading and Returns

Grading Standards

Near Mint (NM) condition

Very Fine (VF) condition

Fine (FN) condition

Very Good (VG) condition

Good (GD) condition

Fair (FR) condition

Poor (PR) condition

A Quick Note On Digital Codes

Glossary of Grading Terms

CGC Grading: A Guide for Beginners

But First, What Is the CGC?

How Do You Know if Your Comic Is Worth Sending In for Grading?

What Are the Benefits of Sending Your Comic In for Grading?

What Are the CGC Labels?

How Are Comics Graded by the CGC?

How Are Comic Books Authenticated by the CGC?

Alternatives to CGC: CBCS and PGX

The Ultimate Guide to Grading Comic Books

Things You Should Know

Examining the Cover and Spine

Assessing Page Quality

Assigning a Grade

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Comic Book Grading: Understanding the Basics and Labels

The Grading Process

Labels and Their Significance