• 10.0 Gem Mint (GM): Perfect, no handling or manufacturing defects.

• 9.9 Mint (M): Nearly perfect; only the most subtle binder/printer defects.

• 9.8 Near Mint/Mint (NM/M): Near perfect with minor imperfections.

• 9.6 Near Mint+ (NM+): Exceptional condition, very minor wear.

• 9.4 Near Mint (NM): Standard "new" book condition, minor handling wear.

• 9.2 Near Mint- (NM-): Very well preserved, small imperfections.

• 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM): Excellent, minimal wear.

• 8.5 Very Fine+ (VF+): Attractive, minor wear.

• 8.0 Very Fine (VF): Excellent, minor handling wear.

• 7.5 Very Fine- (VF-): Above-average, minor imperfections.

• 7.0 Fine/Very Fine (FN/VF): Above-average, light wear.

• 6.5 Fine+ (FN+): Above-average, minor creases/wear.

• 6.0 Fine (FN): Minor wear, some creasing, reading copy.

• 5.5 Fine- (FN-): Above-average, moderate defects.

• 5.0 Very Good/Fine (VG/FN): Average, moderate wear.

• 4.5 Very Good+ (VG+): Slightly below-average, moderate wear.

• 4.0 Very Good (VG): Standard used comic, noticeable wear.

• 3.5 Very Good- (VG-): Below-average, moderate defects.

• 3.0 Good/Very Good (GD/VG): Significant wear, moderate-to-major defects.

• 2.5 Good+ (GD+): Substantial wear.

• 2.0 Good (GD): Heavily read, "reading copy," major defects.

• 1.8 Good- (GD-): Substantial wear, major defects.

• 1.5 Fair/Good (FR/GD): Extensive wear, major defects.

• 1.0 Fair (FR): Very poorly handled, heavy defects.

• 0.5 Poor (PR): Heavily damaged, missing pieces, lowest grade.

• Slabbed: A comic encased in a protective, sealed plastic case by a professional grading service like CGC.

• Eye Appeal: The overall look of the comic, which can sometimes influence a grade.

• Color Breaking Crease: A crease or fold that breaks the ink, often causing a white line, which is a major factor in lowering a grade.

• Spine Roll: A condition where the spine is not flat, causing the book to not lie flat.

• Restored: A book that has been repaired using non-original materials (e.g., adding color, glue, or new paper).