COMICMANIA

COMIC GRADING

The primary reason to grade a comic is that there is a direct correlation between the condition of the comic and the value of the book. The higher the grade of a comic book, the higher the value.

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Professional comic book grading eliminates concerns about grade misrepresentations by providing a professional assessment of condition and quality. Every comic book certified by CGC is graded by the hobby’s most experienced and trusted team, according to well-established grading standards. Furthermore, every CGC-certified comic book undergoes a thorough restoration check by leading professionals during the certification process. When restoration is detected, it is fully noted on the certification label.

Once certified by CGC, a comic book is encapsulated in a state-of-the art, tamper-evident holder, providing superior protection and stability for long-term preservation.

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Over one hundred thousand comic books are submitted to CGC each year. Books are carefully handled and tracked through the grading process, and always fully insured while on their premises.

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For more information, please visit www.cgccomics.com.

GRADING SCALE

10.0

9.9

9.8

9.6

9.4

9.2

9.0

8.5

8.0

7.5

7.0

6.5

6.0

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.0

0.5

Gem Mint

Mint

Near Mint/Mint

Near Mint +

Near Mint

Near Mint -

Very Fine/Near Mint

Very Fine +

Very Fine

Very Fine -

Fine/Very Fine

Fine +

Fine

Fine -

Very Good/Fine

Very Good +

Very Good

Very Good -

Good/Very Good

Good +

Good

Good -

Fair/Good

Fair

Poor

COMIC PRESSING & CLEANING

Mishandling and exposure to the elements can cause any comic book to suffer from damage, which immediately lowers its value. The majority of the damage that can be addressed is limited to non-color or non-image breaking defects, for example: light creases, slight surface dents, light scratches, subtle folds, minor spine rolls, ripples or waves, surface dirt, smudges, fingerprints and other disruptions in surface gloss. Simply put, pressing is the application of even heat and pressure in order to  attempt the removal of these imperfections, which can improve the overall appearance of the comic, and in doing so, raise its grade and value.

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For example, if an Incredible Hulk #181 is initially a 9.2 but then pressed into a 9.8, the value then increases tens of thousands of dollars. Even if it goes up one grade to a 9.4, the value has still increased a couple thousand dollars.

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Dry cleaning is a process used to remove dirt and pencil marks from both the interior and/or cover of a comic book, particularly in the white areas of the comic. Dry cleaning means just that: no liquids (including water, peroxides and/or solvents) are introduced to the comic book during cleaning. Instead, gentle dry methods are used to remove as much dirt deposits from the book as possible. Dry cleaning will not remove tanning, stains, pen or marker, sun shadows or foxing.

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Comic pressing and cleaning should be considered anytime there is a desire to improve the overall condition of the book. This can either be for resale purposes, grading and encapsulation purposes or simply to improve the appearance of your collection at a minimal cost instead of spending time, money and effort in acquiring new, higher condition issues.

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We have a guy here in Delaware who specializes in pressing and cleaning comic books for us. Advantage to this is not having to ship any comics out to Florida, which reduces time, shipping costs and any risk of damaging the comics in the process of shipping & handling.

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If you are considering having your comics pressed and/or cleaned, each comic will be pre-screened (at no cost) to ensure pressing or cleaning is needed and suitable.

OUR GRADING, PRESSING & CLEANING PRICE GUIDE