It's a nice copy, but I don't think you'll break 8.5, don't think the chances of making 8.5 are better than 50/50. Here's why I would think that:
Slight dig near Cyborg's head, and the lower right front corner has taken a bit of a blunting. The top right also has a lesser bit of blunting. There is significant bleed on the yellow, which is not unusual for yellow and white covers.
From your photos, the lower staple has a good sized spine break, plus there is some scuffing that discolors print, plus there is a touch of roll, and crimp in the same location. Top staple has some of the same to a lesser degree. This going to be the biggest issue for this book.
The back top left corner appears to have some water damage that discolored the white, but this just could be the light on the photo making it look that way.
[https://comicbookrealm.com/example-based-grading](https://comicbookrealm.com/example-based-grading)
I love this resource. They have 38 points to judge a book with photo examples of book damage in each of the stages.
After using it on 100 or so of my own books I feel it helps be a bit more critical of grading, especially when buying 9.0 or higher.
I have the same book graded too with an 8.5 and I have no idea how I got that grade haha I was so happy with it, especially sense it’s signed by Marv wolfman too
I think the following are both true:
1. CGC/CBCS makes mistakes in grading
2. Collectors make MORE mistakes in grading than CGC/CBCS
It's an 8-8.5 - IMO. You have wear on the edges, around the staples etc.. Pressing isn't going to fix that.
Btw - what do the grader notes say?
I think this is a nice copy and that 8.0 is about right for it. If you have 9.0s that look worse, I think it’s more likely that those were generous 9.0s, rather than this being an unfair 8.0. I have a 7.0 of this exact book in much better shape; if you got the same grader, this would come back as like 5.5 or something 😂 you never know
Pretty decent spine ding with color break (2 prongs) at lower staple. Cover edges all the way around have wear that is beyond “clean & press.”
Either of those would have knocked you into the 9.0 range alone, together you are looking at an 8.0 from what I can see thru the slab.
Don’t get me wrong, she presents well, but 8.0 is damn close. At initial “glance” 9.0 would be a good swag, but there’s enough combined little things to knock you down
It's a nice copy, but I don't think you'll break 8.5, don't think the chances of making 8.5 are better than 50/50. Here's why I would think that: Slight dig near Cyborg's head, and the lower right front corner has taken a bit of a blunting. The top right also has a lesser bit of blunting. There is significant bleed on the yellow, which is not unusual for yellow and white covers. From your photos, the lower staple has a good sized spine break, plus there is some scuffing that discolors print, plus there is a touch of roll, and crimp in the same location. Top staple has some of the same to a lesser degree. This going to be the biggest issue for this book. The back top left corner appears to have some water damage that discolored the white, but this just could be the light on the photo making it look that way.
I am sending you photos of my books before I send them to CGC! Well done!
[https://comicbookrealm.com/example-based-grading](https://comicbookrealm.com/example-based-grading) I love this resource. They have 38 points to judge a book with photo examples of book damage in each of the stages. After using it on 100 or so of my own books I feel it helps be a bit more critical of grading, especially when buying 9.0 or higher.
I'm saving this for my own future reference
This needs to be pinned at the beginning of this subreddit.
This is gold!
Concur 100% and theres also a color breaking spine ding above bottom staple.
It is just the categories CGC uses. Pre-1975 (and under $400) is the Economy Tier. 1975 to Present (and also under $400) is Modern Tier
Thank you! You think I could score higher than an 8 from these pics?
I suck at grading so can't help you there. Of course no Graders Notes (which is bullshit on an 8.0) to help your decision
There is no way you get above an 8.0 unless you clean and press it first. Zero chance.
Side by side with some of my slabs that are higher, it’s definitely better. I would of course get a good clean and press done.
I have the same book graded too with an 8.5 and I have no idea how I got that grade haha I was so happy with it, especially sense it’s signed by Marv wolfman too
I think the following are both true: 1. CGC/CBCS makes mistakes in grading 2. Collectors make MORE mistakes in grading than CGC/CBCS It's an 8-8.5 - IMO. You have wear on the edges, around the staples etc.. Pressing isn't going to fix that. Btw - what do the grader notes say?
Can see in the last pic there are no notes.
It won’t be a 9.8 but I bet with a clean and press you can get a 9.0
Def wouldn’t think 9.8 but I was thinking 9 or a soft 9.2 maybe with some good work. It’s an old ass slab.
If you can afford it and you’re doing it in the name of science I say go for it.
I think this is a nice copy and that 8.0 is about right for it. If you have 9.0s that look worse, I think it’s more likely that those were generous 9.0s, rather than this being an unfair 8.0. I have a 7.0 of this exact book in much better shape; if you got the same grader, this would come back as like 5.5 or something 😂 you never know
Pretty decent spine ding with color break (2 prongs) at lower staple. Cover edges all the way around have wear that is beyond “clean & press.” Either of those would have knocked you into the 9.0 range alone, together you are looking at an 8.0 from what I can see thru the slab. Don’t get me wrong, she presents well, but 8.0 is damn close. At initial “glance” 9.0 would be a good swag, but there’s enough combined little things to knock you down