Batman: Sword of Azrael #1
***Any waves or stickers in the scans are on the protective bags, NOT on the comic!***
Condition/Value
Near Mint
Current Estimated Value AS GRADED:
$4(CPG.com) to $12(Overstreet)
Grading Criteria
Mint: The comic book has to be practically perfect, like you just bought it fresh and new... from the bindery(you won't find a "gem mint" copy at a newsstand). Wonderful, bright colors; gleaming, clean staples; properly flexible, clean, fresh paper; a nicely put together spine. Don’t get uptight about your ultimate decision, but, again, don’t lie to yourself. Mint is mint. Any imperfection has got to be visible only with a microscope(or very good glasses).
Near Mint/Mint: What a difference a slight imperfection makes? And that’s the difference between Near Mint/Mint and Mint. No crying, continue to grade.
Near Mint: "Like it just came off the newsstand." Indeed. You know how hard it is to find a PERFECT copy on the newsstand? It's hard enough to find one at your local comic book shop. But, you are actually still in a very nice place. A very nice price, too. So, take a deep breath and be sure this baby is close to perfect, with an emphasis on the word “close” (which also means “near”). Scrutinize the book for bindery tears over 1/6th of an inch, visible stress marks, the cover even slightly faded? Rust free staples. Square corners. Paper like new. Spine flat. Everything you always wanted from a comic with, perhaps, only some tiny imperfections to mar your perfect view.
Very Fine/Near Mint: Someone was reading but not buying at the comic book store again...and a VF/NM copy is the result.
Very Fine: Still holds its own-bright, flexible pages with a corresponding bright, flat color. Stress lines and a bit longer (1/4”) crease-OK. A slight discoloration of the paper-tan to yellow is allowed.
Fine/Very Fine: Still a nice book with eye appeal, but there's just one blight that ruins the picture. Whether it be a small corner crease, some humidity(not soiling) in the paper, a discolored staple or an obtrusive date, something is keeping this book from greatness.
Fine: You look at this and you know it’s been read, but it’s also been treasured-or, at least, adequately preserved, by accident. Cover has a slight bluntness, but still some brightness. Pages haven’t turned brittle, but yellowing, quite possibly, has begun. Minor soiling on an otherwise high grade copy is allowed here.
Very Good/Fine: Used, but not abused. Creases are increased and you don't have to ask "Where is the wear?" But still a collectible, displayable comic book.
Very Good: This is nowhere near "Very Good". This comic is all there, but used, creased and somewhat faded, even somewhat soiled. It could even have a ¼” triangle missing from corner. All kinds of stamping and marking from stores or distributors are permitted in this grade. Even a loose(not detached) cover or a centerfold detached from one staple, bindery problems and page corrosion are permissible.
Good: Contains all pages and cover, but pieces might be missing. ½” triangle or ¼” square may be missing. All kinds of creases, scruffing, soiling, fading. But it’s still whole.
I normally do not sell comics below Good. But just FYI:
Fair: Fairly horrible condition-soiled, faded, torn-up to 1/10 of the cover missing. Readable, but barely. This is the last stop on the road for a serious collector. Worth about 50% of "Good" value.
Poor: You’ll recognize this one, all right. It’s got tears and stains and mildew and dullness in the cover. Chunk of the cover and pieces of the pages are missing or marked up. A page may be missing, but it must be clearly noted for this messy monstrosity to even get this grade. You don’t want this in your collection. Unless it's the first appearance of Superman, Batman or Spider-Man, it's basically worthless.
For more detailed information on how I grade, please refer to the Overstreet grading guide here: http://www.gemstonepub.com/archive/06_grading.asp | 
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