Grading a Comic Book (determining its condition) is very crucial in determining the comic's value. Below is a common list of grading that we use...
Gem (GM 10.0)
Mint: (MN 9.9)
Near perfect comic book, very seldom found, and hard to grade in this area. Most comics coming from manufacturer cannot be graded in 9.9 because of possible manufacturer defects - even if they are slight. And, you can nearly forget about GEM (10.0) condition! Practically, the manufacturer themselves would have to place it in protective covering before it ever leaves the plant to be a GEM. However, MN has no foreseeable flaws - except as one will find in minimum manufacturer flaws (and, I mean, very minimum flaws!)
MN/NM 9.7
Near Mint (NM 9.4)
Most new comic books will fall into this category. The Cover should show no creases; no fading; it should lie flat on a table; no roll at spine - no curving. Cover, however, may be slightly off-center (that is, how it was printed). Staples should be like new, not rusted. Minor bindery tears are acceptable, but no more than 1/16th of an inch. On the inside, the pages should show only minor fading, if any. There should be no stains or marks, at all. There should be no tears or cuts. And, overall, the comic should look like new.
NM/VF 9.0
Very Fine (VF 8.0)
The cover should be mostly flat but may have some wear. The colors of the cover may be slightly faded. Corners may be very slightly creased. The Spine may have slight wear. The spine should be flat, though (no curvature), but some slight lines may be visible. Inside, the pages may have some minor printing and binding defects. The pages may even be yellowish in color. There should be no stains or major discoloration. Overall, the comic should still look good with only minor imperfections.
VF/FN 7.0
Fine (FN 6.0)
On the cover, there will probably be minor wear. Minor creasing is acceptable. The corners may be blunted. On the Spine, the staples may have some discoloration. Minor creases are fine. The spine may have a roll to it. On the inside pages, there may be minor tears on the edges. Discoloration is fine, as long as it is not major. The pages may be tan or brown in color. Very minor stains are allowed. Overall, this is a comic book that is above average in appearance.
FN/VG 5.0
Very Good (VG 4.0)
The cover may have a large amount of wear including creases, fading, and discoloration. A better copy with a piece of the cover missing will fall into this category. The cover may have a price sticker or date sticker. The spine may be rolled. The staples may have rust. Inside, the pages may be brown in color. A finer copy with a tear repaired with tape. May have minor to moderate printing defects. Overall, a very average used comic book with nothing majorly wrong.
VG/GD 3.0
Good (GD 2.0)
A detached cover is acceptable. Creases, fading and major discoloration available. Minor to moderate tears and folds. Coupons may be cut from the cover. On the Spine, the staples may discolored, rusted, or even absent. Creases and minor tears permitted. Inside pages may have some obvious types of repair such as tape. The color of the pages may be brown, but not brittle. There may be small bits of the comic missing, but not affecting flow of the story. There may be stains and other defects of the pages, too. Overall, A below average comic book.
GD/FR 1.5
Fair (FR 1.0)
The cover may be detached from the comic. There may be large amounts of wear, including fading, discoloration, and stains. Coupons may be cut from the cover. Less than 1/12 of the cover missing is accepted. Major wear accepted along the spine. Staples may be missing. The spine may be split up to 2/3rds of the cover. Inside, the pages are often faded, discolored, torn, or stained, but must still be readable. Most of the page should not be brittle. Overall, the least desirable, collectible comic condition, but are still readable. But pages missing from the comic are not acceptable.
Poor (PR 0.5)
The cover will show major signs of wear. May have large stains, large amounts of fading, rips, tears, and pieces missing. The Spine will mostly likely be bent and torn. Staples may be missing. Inside, the pages can have large stains and even mold damage. There may be pages missing. Marks, tears, and other things that may actually affect the story. Pages may be brittle and break at the touch. Overall, A comic in this condition is just like it sounds, poor! One to avoid unless you absolutely need it to complete a collection or to tide you over until something else comes along.
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