>User Profile > AgentJay > All-About-Me

I started collecting comics in 1980, and over the last thirty years have accumulated over twenty thousand issues.  In that time, I've found myself with extra copies of a whole bunch of comics, and I've decided to start offering them for sale on eBid.  While my personal story is one filled with humor and drama, I thought it better to use the About Me page to include useful information on the comics that I will be selling here. Below is a summary of what is allowed in different grades of comics, and a brief description of some of the terminology used. The information comes from The Official Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide Second Edition.

And if you're reading this, I want to thank you for taking the time to look at my listings and my All About Me page.  I truly appreciate it.

BINDERY/PRINTING - Only subtle bindery or printing defects allowed, no bindery tears
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Bright with high reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Flat, no wear, well centered
COVER CREASES - None allowed
SOILING/STAINING - None allowed
DATES/STAMPS - Small, inconspicuous dates/initials allowed
SPINE ROLL - None allowed, tight and flat
SPINE SPLIT - None allowed
STAPLES - Original and clean, well centered
STAPLE TEARS - None allowed
RUST MIGRATION - None allowed
STRESS LINES - None allowed
CORNERS - Sharp, square, no creases
CENTERFOLD - Firmly secure
INTERIOR TEARS - Slightest tears allowed
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - White, supple, fresh
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 1 to 2

BINDERY/PRINTING - Only subtle bindery or printing defects allowed, subtle tears up to 1/16"
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Bright with high reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Flat, no wear, well centered
COVER CREASES - 1/16" bend with no color break allowed
SOILING/STAINING - Only very slight foxing allowed
DATES/STAMPS - Small, inconspicuous dates/initials allowed
SPINE ROLL - None allowed, tight and flat
SPINE SPLIT - None allowed
STAPLES - Original and with only slight discoloration, well centered
STAPLE TEARS - None allowed
RUST MIGRATION - None allowed
STRESS LINES - None allowed
CORNERS - Very slight blunting with no creases
CENTERFOLD - Secure
INTERIOR TEARS - Slight tears allowed
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Off-white/cream, supple, fresh
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 2 to 3

BINDERY/PRINTING - Limited number of minor defects
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Bright with slightly diminished reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Almost flat with imperceptible wear
COVER CREASES - 1/8" bend with no color break allowed
SOILING/STAINING - Only very minor foxing allowed
DATES/STAMPS - Several date, stamps, and/or initials allowed
SPINE ROLL - None allowed, tight and flat
SPINE SPLIT - None allowed
STAPLES - Some discoloration allowed
STAPLE TEARS - Only the slightest tears allowed
RUST MIGRATION - None allowed
STRESS LINES - Very minor accumulation of nearly imperceptible lines
CORNERS - Very slight blunting with no creases
CENTERFOLD - Secure
INTERIOR TEARS - Very minor tears allowed
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Off-white/cream, supple
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 4 to 6

BINDERY/PRINTING - Limited number of minor defects
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Relatively flat with minimal wear
COVER CREASES - 1/4" bend with no color break allowed
SOILING/STAINING - Only minor foxing allowed
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Almost completely flat
SPINE SPLIT - Minor color break allowed
STAPLES - Some discoloration allowed
STAPLE TEARS - Very slight tears allowed
RUST MIGRATION - None allowed
STRESS LINES - A few almost insignificant lines allowed
CORNERS - Minute wear allowed
CENTERFOLD - Mostly secure
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor tears in margin allowed
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Cream/tan, supple
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 5 to 7

BINDERY/PRINTING - Small accumulation of minor defects
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Moderate reduction in reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Minimal wear, with interior yellowing or tanning allowed
COVER CREASES - Minor creases allowed
SOILING/STAINING - Only minor foxing allowed
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Only slightest roll allowed
SPINE SPLIT - Moderate color break allowed
STAPLES - Some discoloration allowed
STAPLE TEARS - Slight tears allowed
RUST MIGRATION - Slight migration allowed
STRESS LINES - Small accumulation of light lines
CORNERS - May be blunted
CENTERFOLD - Mostly secure
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor tears in margin allowed
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Cream/tan, supple
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 6 to 10

BINDERY/PRINTING - Some accumulation of minor defects
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Significant reduction in reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Minor wear
COVER CREASES - Minor to moderate creases
SOILING/STAINING - Minor discoloration, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Minor roll allowed
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 1/4" split or severe color break allowed
STAPLES - Minor discoloration allowed
STAPLE TEARS - Minor tears allowed
RUST MIGRATION - Minor migration allowed
STRESS LINES - Few slight lines
CORNERS - May be blunted
CENTERFOLD - Loose, but not detached
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor tears in margin
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Tan/brown, supple, not brittle
ACID ODOR - None allowed
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 7 to 12

BINDERY/PRINTING - Accumulation of defects
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Moderate to low reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Minor to moderate wear
COVER CREASES - Minor to moderate creases and dimples
SOILING/STAINING - Minor to moderate discoloration, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Minor to moderate roll allowed
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 1/2" spine split
STAPLES - Minor discoloration
STAPLE TEARS - Minor tears
RUST MIGRATION - Minor migration
STRESS LINES - Minor lines
CORNERS - May be blunted
CENTERFOLD - Loose, but not detached
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor tears
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Tan/brown to brown, not brittle
ACID ODOR - May have beginning of odor
MISSING PIECES - None allowed
AMATEUR REPAIRS - None allowed
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 8 to 13

BINDERY/PRINTING - Do not affect grade
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Low reflectivitiy
COVER WEAR - Moderate to significant wear, may be loose
COVER CREASES - Moderate creases or dimples
SOILING/STAINING - Some discoloration, fading, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Moderate roll
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 1" split
STAPLES - Discolored
STAPLE TEARS - Minor to moderate tears
RUST MIGRATION - Some migration
STRESS LINES - Minor to moderate lines
CORNERS - Blunted corners
CENTERFOLD - Loose or detached at one staple
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor to moderate tears
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Brown, not brittle
ACID ODOR - Minor odor
MISSING PIECES - 1/4" triangle or 1/8" square
AMATEUR REPAIRS - Minor repairs on otherwise high grade
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 10 to 15

BINDERY/PRINTING - Do not affect grade
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Very low reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Significant wear, loose, may be detached at one staple
COVER CREASES - Book-length creases, dimples
SOILING/STAINING - Discoloration, fading, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Moderate roll
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 1 1/2" split
STAPLES - Rusted or replaced
STAPLE TEARS - Minor to moderate tears
RUST MIGRATION - Some migration
STRESS LINES - Moderate lines
CORNERS - Blunted or rounded
CENTERFOLD - Loose or detached at one staple
INTERIOR TEARS - Minor to moderate tears
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Brown, not brittle
ACID ODOR - Minor to moderate odor
MISSING PIECES - 1/4" to 1/2" triangle, 1/8" to 1/4" square
AMATEUR REPAIRS - May be present
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 11 to 17

BINDERY/PRINTING - Do not affect grade
COVER INKS/GLOSS - Low to no reflectivity
COVER WEAR - Significant wear, may be detached
COVER CREASES - Book-length creases or dimples
SOILING/STAINING - Discoloration, fading, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL - Moderate roll
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 2" split
STAPLES - Degraded, replaced, or missing
STAPLE TEARS - Moderate tears
RUST MIGRATION - May have migration
STRESS LINES - Lines are common
CORNERS - Blunted or rounded
CENTERFOLD - Loose or detached
INTERIOR TEARS - Moderate tears
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Brown, not brittle
ACID ODOR - Moderate odor
MISSING PIECES - 1/2" triangle, 1/4" square
AMATEUR REPAIRS - May be present
COUPON CUT - None allowed
READABILITY - Preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 13 to 19

BINDERY/PRINTING - Do not affect grade
COVER INKS/GLOSS - No reflectivity
COVER WEAR - May be detached
COVER CREASES - Creases, tears, and folds
SOILING/STAINING - Discoloration, fading, staining, soiling, and/or foxing
DATES/STAMPS - Dates, initials, and store stamps allowed
SPINE ROLL -
SPINE SPLIT - Up to 2/3 length of comic
STAPLES - Degraded, replaced, or missing
STAPLE TEARS - Accumulation of tears
RUST MIGRATION - May have migration
STRESS LINES - Accumulation of lines
CORNERS - Rounded
CENTERFOLD - May be missing
INTERIOR TEARS - Accumulation of tears
PAPER QUALITY/COLOR - Brown, edges show brittleness
ACID ODOR - Odor present
MISSING PIECES - Up to 1/4 front cover or entire back cover, and/or chunks
AMATEUR REPAIRS - May be present
COUPON CUT - Coupon may be cut
READABILITY - Generally preserved
NUMBER OF DEFECTS ALLOWED - 15 to 24

ABRADED CORNER - A grinding of the corner area
BROWNING - Paper discoloration - discolored more than tanning, less than brittleness
COLOR FLAKE - A section of color broken away leaving white, more than 1 mm square
COLOR FLECK - A section of color broken away leaving white, no more than 1 mm square
COLOR SCRAPE - A section of color scratched away leaving white
CORNER BLUNTING - Compression folds of 45  at corner, as if comic was dropped on corner
CORNER CREASE - A fold with color break within 1" of the corner
CORNER FOLD - Linear dent within 1" of the corner
CREASE - A fold which causes ink loss
DENT - An indentation which does not penetrate the paper or remove material or gloss.
DIMPLE - An indentation on the cover
FADING - Loss of color due to light exposure
FOLD - A linear or irregularly shaped dent in the paper that does not result in loss of ink
FOXING - Mold growth causing spotting, usually at the edges
HEAVY CREASING - Crease longer than 2"
INK SMUDGE - Ink that was smeared during printing
LIGHT CREASING - Crease 2" long or shorter
MISCUT / MISTRIMMED - Cover or page that was not cut square or cut at the wrong size
MISWRAPPED - Staple and fold do not intersect with the center of the cover
RIP - Uneven or rough tear
ROLLED SPINE - Curving of the spine from folding over while reading
RUST MIGRATION - Rust from staples has discolored surrounding paper
RUSTY STAPLES - Staples have rusted
SCUFF - A light paper abrasion or scratch
SOILING - Organic and inorganic substances and residues on the surface of the paper
SPINE CHIP - Small piece missing from the area of the spine
SPINE SPLIT - An even separation at the spine fold above or below staple
SPINE STRESS - Small fold usually less than 1/4" long running perpendicular to the spine
STAIN - Discoloration caused by a foreign substance
STRESS LINES - Light tiny wrinkles along spine, usually near staples but can appear anywhere
STRESS SPLIT - Clean paper separation caused by pressure, mostly at spine
TEAR - An irregular separation of paper, different from a split or cut

SLIGHT, SUBTLE - 1 defect / Individual defect of 1/32" to 1/16"
SMALL - 1 to 2 defects / Individual defect 1/16" to 1/8"
LIMITED ACCUMULATION - 2 to 4 defects
VERY MINOR - 2 to 5 defects / Individual defect of 1/16" to 1/8"
FEW - 3 to 5 defects
MINOR, MINIMAL - 3 to 5 defects / Individual defect of 1/8" to 1/4"
SOME ACCUMULATION - 4 to 6 defects
MODERATE - 4 to 8 defects / Individual defect of 1/4" to 1"
SMALL ACCUMULATION - 4 to 8 defects
CONSIDERABLE, SIGNIFICANT - 8 to 10 defects / Individual defect of 1" and up
MANY, ACCUMULATION - 8 to 16 defects
EXTENSIVE, EXTREME - 10 to 25 defects / Individual defect of 2" to 3" and up

I'll admit that I don't use these descriptions as much for the measurements or number of defects, but for the severity of the defects.  I use slight and subtle for minor or barely noticeable defects, for example.  I want to be as accurate as I can in the descriptions, but there is a limit to how intense I can be in the checking of the books.  I check the grade of each comic, make scans of each individual issue, and write the detailed description for each issue to try and give you as much information as possible to make your buying decision.