Slabbed books
CGC and CBCS books come with an official grade right on the label. I photograph every slab up close so you can see exactly what's coming to your door.
Grading guide
Comic grading, made simple
A grade is just a quick way to say what shape a book is in. Here's how the scale works, what a slab means, and how I describe every book in my shop.
How I describe my books
Every book in my shop is either professionally slabbed or checked over by me, and I'm upfront about which is which.
Raw books
Every raw book gets a careful once-over from me before it's listed, and I tell you what I see — spine, corners, cover, the works. No mystery condition.
What “AI condition notes” mean
Raw books also come with AI condition notes — a quick write-up of the wear spotted in the book's photos, like spine stress, corner wear, or color fading.
They're an estimate, not a certified grade. Only a grader like CGC or CBCS can give a book an official grade.
The 10-point grading scale
From 0.5 (Poor) all the way up to 10.0 (Gem Mint). Higher number, happier book.
- 10.0
Gem MintGM
Perfectly preserved. No visible defects under any magnification. Practically non-existent for pre-1980s books.
- 9.8
Near Mint / MintNM/M
Nearly perfect. Minimal handling and tiny manufacturing defects only. The standard for modern books.
- 9.6
Near Mint+NM+
Exceptional copy. Small stress marks or tiny spine tick possible. Excellent eye appeal.
- 9.4
Near MintNM
Very well preserved. Minor binding or corner wear acceptable. Bright, clean cover.
- 9.2
Near Mint-NM-
Small defects. Light creases, minor color fading possible. Outstanding for Silver/Bronze Age.
- 9.0
Very Fine/Near MintVF/NM
Slight wear starting to show. Very minor spine stress or corner blunting.
- 8.0
Very FineVF
Slight wear with some moderate defects. Clean, flat book with bright colors.
- 6.0
FineFN
Average used copy. Some cover wear, possible small stains or tears, but still presentable.
- 4.0
Very GoodVG
Moderate wear throughout. Possible writing, small tape repairs, rolled spine.
- 2.0
GoodGD
Heavy wear. Book is complete but shows considerable evidence of reading.
- 1.0
FairFA
Very heavy wear. Cover may be detached. Significant defects throughout.
- 0.5
PoorPR
Damaged but still complete. Heavily soiled, major tears, missing pieces.
Raw or slabbed?
Both are great — it depends on what you want from the book.
Raw comics
Ungraded comics sold without certification. Cheaper to buy, but grade is subjective — my assessment may differ from yours. Great for reading copies and casual collecting.
- Pro: Lower cost
- Pro: Can be read and enjoyed
- Con: No certified grade
- Con: Harder to resell at premium prices
Slabbed comics
Professionally graded and sealed in a tamper-evident holder. Universally recognized grade, protected from further deterioration. The standard for investment-grade books.
- Pro: Verified, trusted grade
- Pro: Better resale value
- Pro: Protected from damage
- Con: Can't read the book
- Con: Higher purchase price
Who does the grading?
Slabbed (encapsulated) comics from certified graders command higher prices because the grade is independently verified and the book is protected from further damage. The slabs in my shop are CGC and CBCS.
CGC
Est. 2000
Certified Guaranty Company
Industry leader. Blue label = universal grade, Yellow = restored, Green = qualified, Purple = signature series. Most trusted for high-value books.
CBCS
Est. 2014
Comic Book Certification Service
Strong alternative to CGC. Faster turnaround times, slightly lower cost. Verified Signature program is well regarded.
PGX
Est. 2003
Professional Grading eXperts
Budget option. Less collector confidence than CGC/CBCS. Grades are sometimes viewed skeptically on the secondary market.
Ready to find your next book?
Every book in my shop comes with its grade or condition notes, plus real photos. Questions about a specific copy? Just ask.