Comic Grading Grading Glossary
Learn the jargon of comic book grading with our comprehensive glossary. From ABRASION to ZERO, understand the language of comic book grading and enhance your collection.
Corner area is rough. May include extreme edge of corner or cover area around corner.
An area of a cover or spine has been roughened by rubbing against a rough surface. See also PAPER ABRASION
Date stamped or written on the cover by local reseller or wholesaler. Usually precedes the issue date on the book.
Fine minus to VG/F grade or MID-GRADE CONDITION
Higher quality than the usual comic stock. Baxter is a heavy often glossy paper used in many high-end comics.
Bottom of Back Cover.
Back Cover.
Wholes punched into comics to fit them into a three ring binder.
See PERFORATIONS
Triangular straight and small tears which occur on the corners of comics as a result of a cutting error at the bindery.
Defects associated with the binding process including mistrimming miswrapping inaccurate stapling etc.
See BINDERY DEFECT.
Black covers tend to show creasing fading scuffing and color loss defects more clearly than lighter colored ones.
See CORNER BLUNTING.
A copy that has been bound into a book. The process requires that the spine be trimmed off and sometimes sewn into a book-like binding.
See also JOINED PAGES and SIAMESE PAGES. This is a bindery error where the pages are not separated along their right edges.
Poor physical page quality. Pages can be easily chipped or flaked with normal pressure.
Paper is becoming brown due to age and oxidation. This term is often used to denote physical page quality which is not BRITTLE but darker than tanned. See also OWL.
See SUBSCRIPTION CREASE
Pages at the very center of the book where the staple ends bend in.
See CENTERFOLD
CENTERFOLD out.
Missing piece smaller than 1 square millimeter.
See SUBSCRIPTION FOLD.
Color has been flaked or abraded away in an area greater than 1mm in diameter. In a color flake the white paper beneath the color layer is visible. When small these are sometimes difficult to differentiate from INK SKIPS.
Color has been flaked or abraded away in an area less than or equal to 1mm in diameter. In a color flake the white paper beneath the color layer is visible. These are sometimes difficult to differentiate from very small INK SKIPS.
Color inks have been used to restore or repair areas where color has been lost.
Where a physical defect such as a tear detachment separation or cut has been physically repaired by application of tape glue or another foreign substance. This is a defect.
Any attempt whether professional or amateur to enhance the appearance of a comic book. These procedures may include any or all of the following techniques: Recoloring adding missing paper stain ink dirt or tape removal whitening pressing out wrinkles staple replacement trimming re-glossing etc. Note: Unprofessional work can lower the value of a book.
The state of preservation of a comic book.
Compression FOLDS at approximately 45 degrees to the ends and sides of the comic as if the corner of the comic were dropped against a hard surface.
Visible—usually white to off-white— crease line located within 1" of a corner on a cover. A more significant defect than CORNER FOLD but closely related.
Usually limited to one or another cover this defect involves a straight tear which has developed from a heavy CORNER CREASE and implies that a small portion of the corner is missing.
A FOLD occuring within 1" of a corner on either of the covers. Less significant as a defect than a CORNER CREASE but related.
A coupon has been neatly cut out somewhere in a comic. The advertiser should state whether the cut has effected any artwork or text related to the stories.
See COUPON CUT
The staples no longer bind the cover.
The reflective quality of the cover ink.
The cover is loosely bound by the staples.
See NO COVER
See COVER DETACHED
A REPAIR in which staples or glue have been used to affix a cover to the pages or binding.
Cover has been reduced in size by neatly cutting away rough or damaged edges.
A fold which causes ink removal usually resulting in a white line. See CORNER CREASE READING CREASE HAIRLINE CREASE LIGHT CREASE HEAVY CREASE.
A straight more or less clean separation of paper. See also TEAR and SEPARATION.
Cover.
Stamp pad or date pad ink printing is found somewhere on the comic (usually on a cover).
Reduction of acidity in paper.
Flaw.
A bent or incompletely penetrating staple. See SHALLOW STAPLE
An indentation that does not penetrate the paper nor remove any color or gloss. Less severe defect than a CREASE.
A small surface indentation on the cover usually caused by excessive thumb/finger pressure. Typically dimples occur on the edge of a cover. Synonymous with DENT.
Foreign substances adhere to a cover or page. See also SOILING.
See DISTRIBUTOR STRIPES
Distributor's often color code comics for efficient distribution. These stripes are typically about 1" wide and can be found on the top edge of the book. They are often blue green red or yellow. Distributor Stripes are not a defect.
A duplicate copy of the same comic book.
The book is bound with two identical covers. Exterior cover often protects interior cover from wear and damage. Some collectors chase double covers. Has little impact on grade or value.
ROLLED SPINES and FOLDS can be corrected through the use of this machine.
A darkened often linear patch where the cover was exposed to settling dust. the dust may accumulate leaving a permanent stain. Can be difficult to differentiate from SUN SHADOWS and OXIDATION SHADOWS.
Eraser's tend to dull cover gloss and sometimes fade or completely remove color.
See STAPLE EXTENDERS
Similar to OVERALL APPEARANCE. A term which refers to the overall look of a comic book when held at approximately arms length. A comic may have nice eye appeal yet have hidden detects which reduce grade.
See FADING.
Color has faded on one or more covers because of exposure to sunlight or or another source of ultraviolet light.
The right edge of the book has a fanned appearance with the pages 'fanning out.' This results from a severe SPINE ROLL where the pages are progressively pulled away from the edge.
Front Cover.
A high grade comic originating from the publisher's file. Not all file copies are in pristine mint condition.
Oils from human skin transfer easily to comics and cause quicker accumulation of dust and dirt.
See COLOR FLECK
The comic is in Fine CONDITION
A linear dent or upward or downward bend that does not result in color loss. A less severe defect than a CREASE but related.
See FOLDING ERROR
A BINDERY DEFECT. The book is folded off-center resulting in the appearance of a portion of the back cover on the front or vice versa.
A spotting effect produced by the growth of molds usually along the edge of a comic.
Process used to preserve paper that has been wet before mildew damage can occur.
The Comic is in Good CONDITION
The special red and green cellophane glasses which originally came with a 3D comic are still attached.
The special red and green cellophane glasses which originally came with a 3D comic are not attached.
RESTORATION or REPAIR method involving glue.
Overall condition of a comic book as measured presumably against a standard. The most accepted terms and grading method are published in The Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide. See CONDITION and WHITENESS LEVEL.
A wax based marker commonly used to write on cardboard.
Indicates that someone marked the cover of a comic with a GREASE PENCIL usually with a resale price or an arrival date.
A fine wispy CREASE less than a half millimeter thick.
A CREASE that is longer than 2 inches or a CREASE which is thicker than a LIGHT CREASE and much thicker than a HAIRLINE CREASE.
Inside Back Cover.
Inside Front Cover
CREASE along an edge of a cover that results from an impact against the edge. Usually appears as one or more concentric half-circles.
Someone's initials are written on the cover.
See INITIALS ON COVER
A streak or blank spot where ink was not applied during printing.
Typically these appear as inked finger or thumb prints. They result from handling the book before the ink dries.
A book of great value or sufficiently high grade appropriate for sale at profit.
(1) Bindery defect in which pages are "trimmed long" and are not separated at right hand corner(s) or along right edge. See SIAMESE PAGES. (2) A rare printing defect where a new roll of paper is glued to the spent roll while still on the press. This glued intersection appears as a vertical "stripe" of double thick newsprint on one of the interior pages.
Lower or Left Side or Edge Of Back Cover.
Lower or Left Side or Edge Of Front Cover.
Left.
A CREASE 2" long or less or a thin CREASE between .5 and 1 millimeter thick. See also HAIRLINE CREASE and HEAVY CREASING.
Lower Left Corner of Back Cover.
The title on the front cover.
See REMAINDERS.
Staples that can be easily moved and no longer hold comic pages tightly. Implies that the spine is not tight. Books with this defect rarely achieve a grade higher than Fine Minus. See also POPPED STAPLES
Lower Right Corner Of Back Cover.
Lower Right Corner Of Front Cover.
The comic is in Mint CONDITION - Caveat emptor! Many if not most new comics on sale at shops do not even achieve this grade.
Typically occurs on one or both covers. These folds result from the manufacturing process and may be difficult to differentiate from other FOLDS.
A bindery (trimming/cutting) defect that causes a series of chips and tears at the top bottom and right edge of the cover. This is caused where the cutting blade of an industrial paper trimmer becomes dull. Dubbed "Marvel chipping" because it can occur quite often with that company's comics from the late 50s and early 60s but can also occur with any companies comic books from the late 1940s through the middle 1960s.
Pages on the interior are not uniform in size or shape. Usually a bindery defect.
See MAVERICK PAGES.
See DEFORMED STAPLE. May also refer to a staple placed in the wrong location - i.e. through the back or front cover away from the spine fold.
For most collectors and dealers this means that the book is in the Very Good to Fine range of CONDITION
Between the staples.
Covers are irregularly cut at the bindery (i.e. irregularly shaped or sized).
MISCUT.
The staples and spine fold were not placed correctly on the cover. Part of the back cover appears on the front or vice-versa and the right edge of the book may be uneven from front to back or vice versa. See also BINDERY DEFECT.
Wrinkling or other physical damage and/or stains caused by absorption of a liquid.
Circular MOISTURE DAMAGE or WATER STAIN typically resulting from a glass or other vessel which sat on the cover.
A comic smells like moth balls after it has been stored with them for a while.
Unnecessary additional staples were applied at the bindery.
See READING CREASES.
See MYLAR (TM)
An inert very hard space age plastic used to make high quality protective bags and sleeves used for comic book storage. Mylar (TM) is a trademark of the Dupont Co.
A person's name address or signature has been stamped on the comic typically on the front cover.
No cover. See COVER MISSING
A collector or investor who can not be satisfied with the condition of a comic.
The comic is in Near Mint CONDITION.
COVER MISSING
See FOLDING ERROR
See OIL STAIN
A translucent patch where oils have penetrated paper.
How the book looks at first blush without reference to quantity of minor defects. Similar to EYE APPEAL
The cover extends about 1/16th of an inch beyond the edge of the pages. In this condition the extended edge of the cover is more prone to damage than the other edges.
When a collector or dealer intentionally or not GRADES a comic higher than its actual CONDITION
Overstreet WHITENESS Level. A published industry color standard for grading interior pages of a comic.
Darker usually linear area at the edge of some comics stored in stacks. Some portion of the cover was not covered by the comic immediately above it and was exposed to the air. Also see DUST SHADOW and SUN SHADOW
Refers to the WHITENESS level of the interior pages and their physical state. The physical preservation of a comic's interior pages is usually described in terms of SUPPLEness or BRITTLEness while page quality should be judged against a published standard such as the Overstreet Whiteness Level (OWL).
The book is missing one or more pages.
The pages are bound in the wrong order (rare)
A cutting tool has been used to trim on or more edges of a comic. See also MISCUT
A bindery defect. In this case the pages are vertically reversed relative to the covers.
Rough area on a comic cover where color has been scratched away through contact with a rough surface revealing the paper beneath the ink.
A comic from a pedigreed collection. See PROVENANCE
See PEDIGREED COMIC
A linear dent caused by writing on paper positioned on top of a comic. Best observed while holding the book at an angle from a light source.
A binding technique involving glue as opposed to staples.
Small hole at the page margins which sometimes occur as part of the manufacturing process. Not considered a defect. Perforations are sometimes used to tell if a comic is an unread copy. In such a copy tell-tale clicks are heard when the book is opened for the first time as the perforations separate.
PHOTO REACTIVE INKS
Certain inks used in the printing of comics that contain a higher proportion of metals thus decreasing their stability and resistance to fading. Comics with these inks/colors commonly have faded covers. Examples are: "DC dark green" (e.g. Showcase #8 Superman #100) blue (Showcase #13) purple (Showcase #14) and orange-red (Showcase #4).
See VINEGAR SMELL
An industrial paper cutting tool.
Pencil writing on cover.
A plastic often used in comic storage. Has been judged to be harmful when used for long term storage. If you use poly bags it is recommended that you replace them often.
See PAGES OUT OF ORDER.
A staple no longer binds the cover and the cover is split at the staple.
Rectangular box usually located left of the logo (especially on Marvel and DC books from about 1960 to 1990) containing either portraits or a standard pose of the character(s) involved in the series.
Adhesive backed stickers applied to comic covers to alter the cover price. Some collectors view them as a defect.
See INK SMUDGE PRINTING DEFECT.
A defect caused by the printing process. Examples would include paper wrinkling mis-cut edges mis-folded spine untrimmed pages off registered color off-centered trimming mis-folded and mis-bound pages.
This is not necessarily a defect. The term refers to a cover through which you can see the printing on its reverse. Very common on WHITE COVERS
SPINE ROLL is more pronounced on one end than the other.
The origin of a comic book. Some collectors feel that books from well known collections are more valuable than others regardless of grade. See PEDIGREE.
A game or puzzle has been written on.
The substance in ink that promotes oxidation and discoloration and is associated with transfer stains. (2) A yellowish crystalline compound with an irritating odor obtained by the oxidation of aniline and regarded as a benzene with two hydrogen atoms replaced by two oxygen atoms. It is used in tanning and making dyes. Quinone will oxidize another material and be itself reduced to hydroquinone.
Rodent gnawing damage.
Right Side or Edge of Back Cover.
A low grade (Poor Fair or Good) comic which is suited for research or reading.
Book length cover creasing on or near and paralell to the spine resulting from bending the pages back over the spine. Especially common in thick and square bound books.
Staples which are sunk below the edge of the spine but have not punched through the cover. Often the spine will appear to pinch inward slightly at a recessed staple.
A 'repair' which is generally considered unethical and defective and which is intended to restore cover gloss with the application of a silicon spray or other glossy fixative.
Comics which did not sell. Before the 1960s covers or portions of covers were often removed and returned to publishers for credit. See THREE FOURTHS COVER
See REMAINDERS
See READING COPY
The fine art of repairing a comic to look as close as possible to its original condition.
Any comic that has been restored to any degree.
See REMAINDERS
See REMAINDERS
Right Edge of Front Cover.
Rice paper is often used in restoration to repair cuts and separations. It is thin and transparent.
Rough TEAR. See also CUT SEPARATION.
A defect which occurs as a result of reading and folding back pages. When the book lies flat the spine points upward. There are different degrees of spine roll. Degree in this case effects grade. See PROGRESSIVE ROLLED SPINE
See ABRADED SPINE
The corner has assumed a round shape from general wear. See also ABRADED CORNER
Rust stains have spread from the staple onto the book. See RUST STAIN RUSTY STAPLES.
Either the staples or an object once located nearby rusted and left a stain on the book.
Oxidized reddish brown staples.
The staple binding of magazines and comic books.
Staple which has had rust or other discoloration removed by scraping the surface. This condition is readily identifiable under a hand lens.
Light paper ABRASION.
Usually refers to a straight SPLIT between the covers occuring along the spine.
A comic with many spine perforations where binders thread held it into a bound volume.
Staple that has not penetrated all of the pages and whose extenders are not entirely visible at the centerfold. See DEFORMED STAPLE
Bindery defect in which pages are "trimmed long" and are not separated at right hand corner(s) or along right edge. See JOINED PAGES.
SIGNATURE
A rare bindery defect in which a SIGNATURE is inadvertently duplicated. This may also displace and/or replace an adjacent signature.
A rare bindery defect in which SIGNATURES of pages are bound in the wrong sequence. For example a 32 page comic book with this defect usually has pages in the following order: 9-16 1-8 25-32 17-24.
A section of the book corresponding to a single SIGNATURE is upside down relative to the covers.
A large sheet of paper printed with four or a multiple of four pages. It is folded and cut to become a section of pages for a comic book.
See SIGNATURES
Smoke causes a gray to black discoloration.
Organic and inorganic substances and residues on the surface of the paper. Different from STAINS.
The left edge of a comic at which it is bound.
A small piece missing from the spine.
See ROLLED SPINE and PROGRESSIVE ROLLED SPINE
Even separation at the spine fold commonly above or below the staple.
A small fold usually less than 1/4 inch long perpendicular to the spine. See also TRANSVERSE STRESS LINE TRANSVERSE STRESS TEAR STRESS LINE.
See SPINE SPLIT
See PERFECT BINDING
See PERFECT BINDING
Discoloration caused by a foreign substance.
The portion of the staple that actually penetrates the paper and can be seen bent inward at the centerfold. The portion of the staple that is bent either upwards or downwards toward the center of the staple.
A punched out area in cover and interior pages caused by staple extender. This hole becomes enlarged (abraded) when staples are removed and replaced several times.
The portion of the staple that does not penetrate the paper and lies on top of the cover parallel to the spine. The part of the staple visible on the outside of he comic.
See CENTERFOLD
A staple is no longer attached. See STAPLE TEAR.
(1) To strengthen with additional materials the cover paper at the site of staple contact. (2) To strengthen with additional materials the centerfold and/or other pages at the points of staple contact.
Rust stains have spread from the staple to the paper.
Usually referes to a tear perpendicular to the spine and articulating with one of the ends of a staple. See also STAPLE HOLES.
Price or other sticker affixed to cover.
Store name (and sometimes address and telephone number) stamped in ink via rubber stamp and stamp pad.
Light tiny wrinkles occurring along the spine projecting from the staples or appearing anywhere on the covers of a comic book.
Any clean paper SEPARATION caused by pressure. Most common at the spine.
A long crease usually the length of the entire book which occurs as a result of folding for mailing. See SUBSCRIPTION COPY.
These comics are sent by mail to subscribers and usually have been folded in half longitudinally. The folding generally causes a book-length FOLD or CREASE. See SUBSCRIPTION CREASE SUBSCRIPTION FOLD.
As with other FOLDS this is an area which has been folded but does not involve color loss (as CREASES do). See SUBSCRIPTION COPY.
See SUBSCRIPTION CREASE and SUBSCRIPTION COPY.
A darker often rectangular or triangular patch on the cover of a comic where it was exposed to the sun over a prolonged period. See OXIDATION SHADOW
The condition of paper with little or no deterioration. Bendable pliant and limber. The opposite of BRITTLE.
A brown to tan line often occurs when a comic has been effected by moisture and subsequently dried. These typically occur in conjunction with MOISTURE DAMAGE and WATER STAINS.
Where cellophane tape has been removed you may find residual adhesive substances which have penetrated paper fibre. These substances yellow rapidly and attract and bind dust and other particles.
See TAPE RESIDUE
A uneven separation within a page or cover. Less of a defect than a RIP more than CUTS and SEPARATIONS.
SeeSTAPLE TEAR
A tear that has been glued together.
See REMAINDERS
Top of Back Cover.
Top of Front Cover.
Tape on spine. Typically this denotes a condition where the entire spine has been taped lengthwise.
Occurs on either the reverse of the front cover or the reverse of the back cover. A TRANSFER STAIN is a yellowed stain resulting from ink on the first or last page which has rubbed off onto an inside cover.
Printing on the first page or the reverse side of the front cover can be seen on the cover itself. This is not always considered a defect. See PRINT THROUGH
Fine crease of variable length emanating from the spine and running perpendicular to it.
TRANSVERSE STRESS LINES that have developed into tears. Usually these only effect covers but may extend a few pages into the comic when severe.
Pages and covers are trimmed to size at the bindery. This term however may also refer to a repair process in which defects are removed with a sharp implement. Repair trimming is a defect.
See REMAINDERS
Upper Left Corner of Back Cover.
Upper Left Corner of Front Cover.
When a collector or dealer intentionally or not GRADES a comic below its actual CONDITION. Under-grading is often done intentionally by honest sellers when they are unsure which grade to assign to a book.
Upper Right Corner of Back Cover.
Upper Right Corner of Front Cover.
The smell of acetic acid in newsprint that is deteriorating.
These books originate in a publisher's warehouse. Though similar to FILE COPIES they do not necessarily occur in high grade. Warehouse books which are usually stored without coverings in boxes tend to show evidence of having rubbed and scuffed against other comics. COLOR FLECKS BINDERY DEFECTS and SCUFFS are common.
See MOISTURE DAMAGE
Some portion of the book has been stained by a transparent fluid which has left a light TANNIN LINE. Unlike MOISTURE DAMAGE this defect does not necessarily indicate wrinkling or more severe physical damage and is therefore considered less severe.
Comics with a lot of white on their cover show wear more readily than others and so as with BLACK COVER comics rarely occur in high grade. The demand for WHITE COVER books is fairly high.
See WHITENESS LEVEL
How white the interior pages are in comparison with a published standard. See OWL PAGE QUALITY
Pages are in a near-perfect state of preservation. See WHITENESS LEVEL
Holes eaten into paper by a variety insects or boring worms.
See PEN IMPRESSION
The wrong cover was attached at the bindery. Rare.