Update: How we present new release comics

April Update: We are now handling new release comics a bit differently. Most new release comics will be offered as "New" rather than assigned indivdual grades. A comic that we offer listed as "New" without a grade could fall anywhere between Very Fine and Near Mint unless otherwise specified in the listing. Some incentive variants and higher value new releases will continue to be assigned grades.

In the occasional unfortunate instances in which nearly the entire print run exhibits printing/production-related defects that would push the grade into the Fine to Very Fine range, this is how we will handle it: we will first report the issue to the distributor and attempt to obtain undamaged replacement copies. If no replacements are available because the same problem affects the entire print run, that issue will be offered for sale as new, but with a clear note alerting you to the fact that the only available copies of that issue are likely to fall in the Fine to Very Fine range. If you primarily want to read the comic, it will probably make very little difference to you.

This change applies only to NEW RELEASE COMICS. It does not apply to back issue and collectible comics which will always be graded. It also generally will not apply to higher value variants including ratio variants, which are usually assigned more precise ten point grades, and will continue to do so. This also does not change anything for our preorder or subscription service customers. Preorders are not offered at a specific guaranteed grade other than "new". We weed out any unacceptable lower condition copies and provide you the best copies we can, limited only by the fact that we have to work with what we receive from the publishers or are able to pull in as replacements.

More information about comic grading scales and our handling for new release comics can be found on our grading Page.