Welcome to The Wonderful World of Graded Comics! For many comic book collectors, the idea of grading their comics can be intimidating. It involves assigning a grade to your comics based on their condition and rarity, which can impact their value and collectability.

But don’t worry, here at PCA Toys we are here to guide you through the process and help you decide whether you should grade your comics yourself or have a professional grading service do it for you. We’ll also take a look at the different companies that offer grading services, their methods, and the impact on the value of your comics. So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, join us as we dive into the fascinating world of grading comics.

Should I Buy Graded Comics From a Store or Do It Myself?

For comic book collectors, grading is a crucial part of the process. A graded comic book can provide assurance of its condition and value, making it an attractive option for collectors and investors. However, the question remains: should you get your comic book graded yourself, or should you buy a graded comic from a store? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

Getting a Comic Book Graded Yourself

Pros:

1. Control – When you get a comic book graded yourself, you have complete control over the grading process. You can choose the grading service, and ensure that your comic book is handled and graded to your specifications.
2. Cost – Getting a comic book graded yourself can be less expensive than buying a graded comic from a store. You only pay for the grading service, rather than the cost of the comic book plus the grading fee.
3. Satisfaction – Grading a comic book yourself can be a satisfying experience, as it allows you to take ownership of the process and see the results of your efforts.

Cons:

1. Risk – Grading a comic book yourself comes with some risk. If you are not experienced with grading, you may make mistakes that could negatively impact the value of your comic book.
2. Time – Grading a comic book yourself can be time-consuming. You will need to research grading services, fill out paperwork, and wait for your comic book to be graded and returned to you.

Buying a Graded Comic from a Store

Pros:

1. Convenience – Buying a graded comic from a store is a convenient option. You can browse graded comics online or in person, and purchase a comic book that has already been graded and encapsulated.
2. Confidence – When you buy a graded comic from a store, you can be confident that the comic book has been professionally graded and encapsulated to preserve its condition.
3. Time – Buying a graded comic from a store can save you time, as you don’t have to go through the grading process yourself.

Cons:

1. Cost – Buying a graded comic from a store can be more expensive than getting a comic book graded yourself. You are paying not only for the grading service, but also for the cost of the comic book itself.
2. Limited Options – When buying a graded comic from a store, you may have a limited selection to choose from. If you are looking for a specific comic book, you may need to get it graded yourself.
3. Quality Control – While graded comics from a store have been professionally graded, there is still the possibility of human error. Mistakes can be made during the grading process, which can negatively impact the value of your comic book.

With all of that being said, both getting a comic book graded yourself and buying a graded comic from a store have their pros and cons. Getting a comic book graded yourself can be more cost-effective and give you more control over the process, but it also comes with some risk and can be time-consuming. Buying a graded comic from a store can be more convenient and provide more confidence in the quality of the grading, but it can also be more expensive and limit your options. Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual preferences and goals as a collector. Still interested? Let’s dive into the companies that slab the books!

CGC or BGS?

CGC

CGC Graded Comics Offering

CGC offers several grading tiers for comic books, including standard, fast-track, and express services. The standard service takes 20 business days to complete, while the fast-track service takes 10 business days and the express service takes 5 business days. CGC also offers a restoration check service, which checks for any signs of restoration or repair on the comic book. (These times are estimates and are subject to change depending on how many books are sent in at a time.)

When a comic book is submitted to CGC for grading, it undergoes a rigorous and thorough process to determine its condition and value. The comic book is first examined for any signs of restoration or repair, as this can significantly impact its value. Once the restoration check is complete, the comic book is graded according to a 10-point scale.

What CGC Looks for When Grading a Comic Book

CGC looks for a variety of factors when grading a comic book, including:

Cover Quality – The condition of the comic book’s cover is one of the most important factors in determining its grade. CGC looks for any signs of wear, such as creases, tears, or fading.

Page Quality – The quality of the comic book’s interior pages is also a crucial factor in its grade. CGC looks for any signs of staining, discoloration, or tears.

Binding Quality – The binding quality of the comic book is also taken into account when grading. CGC looks for any signs of spine stress, which can indicate that the comic book has been read or handled frequently.

Structural Integrity – CGC also looks for the overall structural integrity of the comic book. Any signs of damage, such as missing pages or detached covers, can significantly impact its grade.

CGC offers a comprehensive and reliable grading service for comic books and is usually the go to company for Grading Comics. By looking for a variety of factors when grading a comic book, including cover quality, page quality, binding quality, and structural integrity, CGC provides collectors and investors with a professional and accurate assessment of their comic books. Whether you’re a casual collector or a serious investor, CGC’s graded comics offering can help you make informed decisions when buying and selling comic books.

Beckett Grading Services

Beckett Graded Comics Offering

Beckett offers several grading tiers for comic books, including standard, express, and walk-through services. The standard service takes 20 business days to complete, while the express service takes 10 business days and the walk-through service is completed on-site at comic book conventions. Beckett also offers a signature authentication service, which authenticates the signature of comic book creators or celebrities. (These times are estimates and are subject to change depending on how many books are sent in at a time.)

When a comic book is submitted to Beckett for grading, it undergoes a thorough process to determine its condition and value. The comic book is first examined for any signs of restoration or repair, as this can significantly impact its value. Once the restoration check is complete, the comic book is graded according to a 10-point scale similar to CGC.

What Beckett Looks for When Grading a Comic Book

Beckett looks for a variety of factors when grading a comic book, including:

Cover Quality – The condition of the comic book’s cover is one of the most important factors in determining its grade. Beckett looks for any signs of wear, such as creases, tears, or fading.

Page Quality – The quality of the comic book’s interior pages is also a crucial factor in its grade. Beckett looks for any signs of staining, discoloration, or tears.

Binding Quality – The binding quality of the comic book is also taken into account when grading. Beckett looks for any signs of spine stress, which can indicate that the comic book has been read or handled frequently.

Structural Integrity – Beckett also looks for the overall structural integrity of the comic book. Any signs of damage, such as missing pages or detached covers, can significantly impact its grade.

Beckett offers a thorough and reliable grading service for comic books. By looking for a variety of factors when grading a comic book, including cover quality, page quality, binding quality, and structural integrity, Beckett provides collectors and investors with a professional and accurate assessment of their comic books.

How Are Comic Books Valued

Comic books, like all art, are traded on a lot of tangible and intangible qualities. It is hard to pin down an exact value at any time. Generally what makes an issue of a comic book valuable is its rarity, its social impact, and its condition.

Graded comic books are a popular choice for collectors and investors, as they provide assurance of a comic book’s condition and value. However, how are graded comic books valued? In this blog post, we will explore some of the indicators and things that people look for when purchasing graded comic books.

Grading Scale

The first thing that people look for when purchasing graded comic books is the grading scale. Most grading services, such as CGC and Beckett, use a 10-point scale to grade comic books. The higher the grade, the better the condition of the comic book, and the more valuable it is likely to be.

Rarity

Rarity is another important indicator of value when it comes to graded comic books. Comic books that are rare or difficult to find are often more valuable than those that are widely available. Rarity can be determined by several factors, including the number of copies that were printed, the age of the comic book, and its historical significance.

Demand

Demand is another important factor in determining the value of a graded comic book. If a particular comic book is in high demand, it will be more valuable than one that is not. Demand can be influenced by several factors, including popular characters, storylines, and artwork.

Condition

The condition of the comic book is one of the most important indicators of value. Graded comic books are assigned a grade based on their condition, with higher grades indicating better condition. Factors that affect the condition of a comic book include wear and tear, creases, tears, and discoloration.

Signature

Another indicator of value when it comes to graded comic books is the signature of the comic book’s creator or artist. Signed comic books are often more valuable than those that are unsigned, as they add a personal connection to the comic book and can be more difficult to find.

Most Expensive Comic Book to Date

The most expensive comic book to date is Action Comics #1, which was published in 1938 and features the first appearance of Superman. In 2014, a copy of the comic book sold for $3.2 million in a private sale, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold. There are believed to be fewer than 100 copies of the comic book still in existence, and the condition of each copy can significantly impact its value. Other notable expensive comic books include Detective Comics #27, which features the first appearance of Batman, and Amazing Fantasy #15, which features the first appearance of Spider-Man.

What is My Comic Book Worth

The value of a graded comic book can depend on a number of factors, including the condition of the book, the rarity of the book, and the demand for the book among collectors. Here are some steps to help determine the value of your graded comic book:

1. Look up the book: First, you should look up the title and issue number of the comic book online. This will give you an idea of the book’s popularity and rarity, which can help determine its value.
2. Check the grade: The grade of the comic book is an important factor in determining its value. Look at the grading label on the slab to determine the grade that was assigned to the book by the grading service.
3. Research prices: Once you have determined the title, issue number, and grade of the book, you can research prices online. There are several websites that track the sales of graded comic books, such as Heritage Auctions and ComicLink. You can also check online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon to see what similar books are selling for.
4. Consult a professional: If you are unsure of the value of your graded comic book, it may be helpful to consult a professional at your LCBS. Most shops have applications that can help provide you with an accurate valuation of your book based on its condition, rarity, and demand.

Keep in mind that the value of a comic book can fluctuate over time, so it is important to regularly monitor the market to stay up to date on current prices. Additionally, the condition of the book is one of the most important factors in determining its value, so it is important to store and handle your graded comic book with care to maintain its condition.

If you’re a fan of comic books or just getting started in the hobby, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of graphic storytelling. Whether you prefer to collect individual issues, trade paperbacks, or omnibuses, there’s a wealth of amazing content and vast and diverse worlds waiting for you to discover. From the excitement of new releases to the thrill of hunting down rare and collectible issues, the comic book industry has something to offer for everyone.

So why wait? Start your collection today, and join the millions of fans who have discovered the timeless appeal of comic books! Start exploring the incredible stories, characters, and artwork that the comic book industry has to offer today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog and visit our store to stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews, and insights from the world of comics.