GLOSSARY OF GRADING TERMS
Bend
When part of a comic is curved, interrupting the flat, smooth cover surface. Bends WILL NOT show distinct lines (see also crease/fold).
Bindery Tear
A small horizontal rip in a comic's cover that can usually be seen on both the front and the back. These are always found along the spine and should be graded like spine stress if they are shorter than 1/4".
Chew
Damage caused by the gnawing of rodents or insects (usually). Results in multi-page paper loss with jagged edges. Very visually distinct.
Cockling
Bubbling on a cover's surface (typically a printing defect).
Crease
A fold that causes ink removal/color break, usually resulting in a white line (see bend/fold).
Denting
Indentations or dimpling (usually in the cover) that don't penetrate the paper or remove any gloss, but do interrupt the smooth, flat surface.
Double Cover
Technically a printing defect, double-cover books had an extra copy of the cover stapled on during manufacturing. This protective extra cover can be a boon, as these books are graded by the condition of the innermost cover.
Dust Shadow
When a comic has been stored in a stack at some point in its life, any portions of the cover that weren't covered up by the adjacent books have been exposed to environmental air, light, and settling dust particles, sometimes creating lines of discoloration along the edges.
Fingerprints
When finger oils left behind from everyday handling remain on a comic's surface, they can begin to eat away at the ink, literally creating color-breaking fingerprints on the cover that are sometimes distinct and sometimes smudged. Finger oils can usually be wiped away, but fingerprints are irreversible.
Flash
A method of examining a comic that uses its natural gloss and light (glare) to help you see imperfections in its surface, like denting.
Fold
Linear dents in paper that have distinct lines, but DO NOT break color (see also bend/crease).
Foxing
Bacterial or fungal growth in the paper of a comic (usually the cover) that presents in brownish discolored clusters or spots.
Gloss
The shiny surface finish of a comic.
Moisture/Water Damage
The damage left behind when a comic has been exposed to moisture (directly or environmentally). Water damage often presents with staining and/or a stiff or swollen feel to the paper. Look for lines of demarcation.
Paper Loss
When the surface of a comic has been compromised. This can be the result of heavy scuffing/abrasion, accidental tape pull, or the chemical reactions caused by some kinds of moisture damage.
Paper Quality
Paper quality refers to the coloration and structural integrity of a comic's cover and interior pages. We do give some leeway on pre-1980s comics, but when environmental conditions have caused the paper to oxidize and/or deteriorate significantly, the decrease in eye appeal and paper strength will bring a book's grade down. Generally, paper quality will not be a concern for most modern (post-1980) comics.
Printing Defect
A flaw caused in the printing process. Examples: paper wrinkling, mis-cut edges, mis-folded or mis-wrapped spine, untrimmed pages/corners, off-registered color, color artifacts, off-centered trimming, mis-folded or unbound pages, missing staples.
Reading Crease
A vertical cover crease near the staples that runs (generally) parallel to the spine, caused by bending the cover over the staples or just too far to the left. Squarebound books get these very easily.
Restoration
Any attempt (professional or amateur) to enhance the appearance of an aging or damaged comic book. Dry pressing/cleaning and the simple addition of tape repairs are not considered restoration, but the following techniques are: recoloring/color touch, adding missing paper, stain/ink/dirt/tape removal, whitening, chemical pressing, staple replacement, trimming, re- glossing, married pages, etc. Restored comics generally carry lower value than their unaltered counterparts.
Scuffing
A light paper abrasion that may or may not break color, but interrupts the surface gloss of the book. Its effect on grading is determined by severity.
Soiling
Substances or residue on the surface of a comic. Most commonly found in white spaces. Residue is a more severe form of soiling.
Spine Break
A spine stress that has devolved into a tear (usually through multiple wraps). Spine breaks greatly decrease the spine's structural integrity and are often found close to the staples.
Spine Roll
A condition where the left edge of a comic curves toward the front or back, caused by folding back each page as the comic was read. Also usually results in page fanning.
Spine Split
A clean, even separation at the spine fold, commonly above or below the staple, but can occur anywhere along the spine length.
Spine Stress
A small crimp/fold perpendicular to the spine, usually less than 1/4" long.
Staple Detached
When a wrap has come completely loose from a staple and is no longer bound to the comic in that area.
Staple Migration
When staple rust has moved onto the surrounding paper, causing staining.
Staple Popped
When one side of a cover has torn right next to the staple, but is still attached by the slip of paper beneath the staple. If not handled carefully, a popped staple can lead to a detached staple.
Staple Rust
Literally, rust on the staple.
Subscription Crease
A vertical cover-to-cover fold caused by the book being folded in half when sent through the mail directly from the publisher.
Wrap
A single sheet of paper folded to form four pages of a story. Most modern comics have eight wraps, plus the cover (but there are exceptions!).
Writing
Writing can be found on/in comics in many forms, and downgrades are based on severity. Common things you'll see:
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Minor initial or date markings (do not affect grade except in the highest range)
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Names written on covers or in margins
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Interior puzzles filled out
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Marker scribbles
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Markings/coloring over interior art
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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.
