GRADING
GUIDE

GLOSSARY
TERMS

FIRST
APPEARANCES

GRADE: POOR
Abbreviated Notation: PR
Overstreet Numerical Equivalent (ONE) range: 4-1 (Highest possible PR grade = 4, Mid-grade= 3, Lowest possible PR grade = 1)

GRADE DESCRIPTION:
Most comic books in this grade have been sufficiently degraded to where there is little or no collector value. Copies in this grade typically have pages and/or part of all of the front cover missing. They may have severe stains, mildew or heavy cover abrasion or having been defaced with paint, varnish, glue, oil, indelible markers or dyes. Other defects often include rips, tears, folding and creasing and even moderate to severe brittleness (where the comic book literally "falls apart" when examined). Comic books in this grade are easily identified by a complete absence of "eye appeal" (see glossary).

CHECKLIST FOR THE GRADE POOR:

  • Extreme abrasion and wear.
  • Front cover may be gone or coverless.
  • Moderate to extreme brittleness.
  • Extreme soiling and staining.
  • Large chunks missing.
  • Extremely ragged spines and edgesú
  • Extreme fading where the cover becomes almost indiscernible.
  • Paint or oil stains.
  • Pages may be missing which affect story.
  • Cover may be laminated with plasticú
  • Heavy water/mildew damage.
  • Severe rips, team, folding and creasing.
Note: Coverless comics are the exception to the "not collectible in Poor" rule. Many collectors want clean, readable, coverless comics that are priced fairly. Coverless copies of key and/or rare comics are in demand by collectors. These enthusiasts also seek coverless comics to retrieve centerfolds, first rap-arounds, coupons and even staples in order to utilize them in the restoration of other incomplete comics.

COLLECTOR ALERT:
When examining comic books for sale, do not remove severely brittle comic books from their protective wrappers. Request that the owner handle the book. There have been reported cases where prospective buyers were held responsible for unavoidable damage to brittle comic books during examination.


Mint | Near Mint | Very Fine | Fine | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor