> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thefoundrysessions.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Comic Book Grading Explained: What Does VG+ Mean? - URL: https://www.thefoundrysessions.co.uk/comic-book-grading-explained-what-does-vg-mean/ - Published: 2026-10-15T09:10:43.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-15T09:10:43.000Z - Description: From Mint to Poor, what the grades mean, what to check in person, and how to store your comics. - Author: Dave Dangerfield - Tags: Collecting, Comics & Graphic Novels, DDMG Blog Cross-post If you’ve ever wondered whether a Fine comic beats a Very Fine (it doesn’t), you’ve met the first quirk of comic grading. The scale has its own language, and learning it is the most useful skill a collector can have. When I started collecting and visiting comic shops, I didn’t know much about comic grading, but I did know how [records were graded](https://www.thefoundrysessions.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-collecting-preowned-vinyl-2/). So for a while I made my own rough conversion, matching comic grades to where I thought they sat on the record scale. As I learnt more, I found it isn’t quite that simple, the two scales overlap but don’t line up. Since then, and particularly since running my shop, I’ve been learning to grade properly using the scale below. Even so, visual grading depends on the person doing it, whatever system they use. Human error and personal ideas of acceptable wear all play a part. My own rule is that if I’m unsure between two grades, I go with the lower one, just to be safe. **Why grading matters** Condition has a big effect on both value and how a comic looks on your shelf. The gap between a Near Mint and a Very Good copy of the same issue can be large. Rarity and demand matter too, but knowing the grades helps you buy with confidence, price your own collection fairly and spot something that doesn’t match its description. **The scale** The numbers below follow the Overstreet scale, which grading company CGC builds on ([CGC’s full scale is here](https://cgccomics.com/grading/grading-scale?ref=thefoundrysessions.co.uk)) and dealers use worldwide. - **Mint (MT), 9.9–10.0:** Flawless. Basically theoretical for preowned. Be sceptical of any raw copy sold as Mint. - **Near Mint (NM), 9.2–9.8:** Looks almost unread. Bright cover, flat spine, sharp corners. NM- (9.2) allows a tiny flaw or two. For many collectors, NM- is the sweet spot for quality and value. - **Very Fine (VF), 7.5–9.0:** Light handling, minor stress lines, slightly blunted corners, still bright and flat. A great grade for reading and display. - **Fine (FN), 5.5–7.0:** Read but looked after. Some spine stress, more corner wear, maybe minor creasing. Often the best value for filling runs. - **Very Good (VG), 3.5–5.0:** VG+ (4.5) is where most affordable preowned comics sit. Clear signs of reading, noticeable spine stress, blunted corners, perhaps small creases, but complete and sound. Plain VG (4.0) has a bit more wear, such as a rolled spine or small stains. Great for reading and budget collecting. - **Good (GD), 1.8–3.0:** Heavy wear, significant creasing, possible small tears or a split at the staples. Complete but rough. Worth it for rare issues or reading copies of key books. - **Fair and Poor (FR/PR), 0.5–1.5:** Missing pages, large tears, water damage. Filler copies or very rare issues only. **Raw vs slabbed** A raw comic is ungraded and unencapsulated, which covers almost everything you’ll find preowned. A slabbed comic has been graded by a third party, usually CGC or CBCS, and sealed in a tamper-evident case. Slabs cost more and give you an independent opinion, though grading is still a judgement call and graders can differ. Raw comics rely on the seller’s assessment, which is why learning to grade yourself pays off. **What to check in person** - **Spine:** Stress lines, splits at the staples, rolling. - **Corners:** Blunted, creased or chipped corners are the most common grade-reducers. - **Cover:** Creases, soiling, writing, price stickers and residue, fading. - **Staples:** Should be centred and rust-free. Rust or replaced staples hurt the grade. - **Interior pages:** Fan through for browning, brittleness, tears, missing pages or writing. - **Centrefold:** Make sure it’s attached. A detached or missing one is a major defect that sharply cuts the grade. - **Restoration:** Cleaned, pressed or colour-touched copies are sold as “restored” and valued differently. Ask if you’re unsure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/44/2b447e87-e9ed-45d5-94ea-9a37e4976e0d/content/images/2026/10/IMG_20261014_153329.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/44/2b447e87-e9ed-45d5-94ea-9a37e4976e0d/content/images/2026/10/IMG_20261014_153316.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/44/2b447e87-e9ed-45d5-94ea-9a37e4976e0d/content/images/2026/10/IMG_20261014_153312.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2b/44/2b447e87-e9ed-45d5-94ea-9a37e4976e0d/content/images/2026/10/IMG_20261014_153303.jpg) Cover tears, blunted corners, spine damage and creased edging & corners are just some of the more obvious wear and damage. **Older vs modern comics** Older comics were printed on newsprint, which browns over time (tanning) and can eventually turn brittle, meaning the paper cracks. A Silver Age comic (1956–1970) in VG is a different proposition to a modern VG, so always ask about page quality, because a bright cover can hide tanned interiors. Paper improved through the 80s and 90s, so modern comics are more stable and high grades are easier to find and keep. **Storing your comics** - Bag and board each one with acid-free boards. Polypropylene bags are fine to start with, and Mylar is best for long-term storage. - Store upright in a box, packed snugly so they don’t slump, and don’t stack heavy piles. - Keep them cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. - Handle by the edges. *Originally published on* [*DD Music Geek*](https://www.ddmusicgeek.co.uk/?ref=thefoundrysessions.co.uk)*, updated October 2026.* At [DD Music Geek](https://www.ddmusicgeek.co.uk/?ref=thefoundrysessions.co.uk) I assess every preowned comic before listing it. New to collecting on a budget? Here’s my [guide to starting a comic collection](https://www.thefoundrysessions.co.uk/how-to-start-collecting-comics-on-a-budget/). If you collect records too, here’s my [beginner’s guide to preowned vinyl](https://www.thefoundrysessions.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-collecting-preowned-vinyl-2/). --- **From the shop** A few of the preowned comics on the shelves right now: *Products shown above are sold through my shop,* [*DD Music Geek*](https://www.ddmusicgeek.co.uk/?ref=thefoundrysessions.co.uk)*, where you’ll find the full terms and conditions.*