Leopold Butters

Take it. thx

I just came across another GSX-Men listing. It's part of ComicLink's upcoming auction in August, 2020. Why does this problem seem to be so frequent with this particular comic? Here's the link: https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?id=1414026

Thanks Randall, for the frank (and depressing) assessment of graded comics. Do you see this as a problem associated exclusively with CGC encapsulation or with CBCS, PGX, etc. as well? I was unaware of the instance of Hulk 181, jeez, that's right up there with the GSX-Men example I posted above. Wretched! In any case, it's high time that all on-line venues started posting super high def photos, FRONT AND BACK, for all books. ComicLink, for example, never posts back-cover images for their auctions. Makes you wonder ...

This seems to be happening more frequently over the past couple of years. As William-James88 states above, I suppose it is possible that if it's the only defect, it could still be considered a 9.6. Personally, in cases like these, I highly doubt that the original grade reflects the damage you see. Your book, as is, looks like a 9.2 - 9.4 in my opinion. Either CGC fumbled when encapsulating (and isn't taking responsibility) or it was damaged somewhere on the road after it left CGC's hands. In any case, we must all inspect CLOSELY before casting our bids, as the cgc grade is no longer (or maybe never was?) an ironclad guarantee. Look at this "9.8" which sold in ComicLink's recent auction (May 2020). Seriously, that's a 9.8?? It sold for $11,305 so apparently someone thinks it's legit (not me, i'd grade it a 7.0, that's ugly!). https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?id=1394426&itemType=0

okay, how on earth can this possibly be a 9.8. Auction ends tomorrow and the bid is currently at $10,800. Scandalous. https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?id=1394426&itemType=0

Thanks for your input. Has anyone come across any other books? I found this copy of Iron Fist 14 9.4 CBCS in ComicConnect's auction which opens in two weeks (April 27, 2020). Two spots, both around the bottom right of the front cover. First the bottom right corner, is it folder? And about an inch higher along the right side edge, a rounded indentation. What's your take. Still a 9.4? SCS?

By pure chance I discovered Shaken Comic Syndrome in the CGC forums a few months ago (original post early 2019). It's been at least a year but I'm not sure when exactly I started noticing high grade books (9.4 and higher) with defects seemingly incompatible with the assigned grade. Initially I assumed the damage was factored into the grade (but avoided those books regardless!). Obviously the forum comments were a real eye-opener (thanks everyone!)! I'm still going through my books looking for anything I may have missed: detached staples, folded corners, and other defects typical of this "syndrome". I thought it would be cool to have a thread dedicated to identifying SCS books; a place where buyers and enthusiasts in general can weigh in on damage (is the grade compatible with the damage or is it post encapsulation damage) and warn buyers of damaged books in auctions/sales that are live and in progress right now. Below are two recent ones I came across. What do you think? Shaken Syndrome? Has anyone spotted any books in upcoming auctions / for sale bins? 1. On eBay last week (April 3, 2020): X-Men 141 graded at 9.6. Check the bottom right corner of the front cover. 2. On ComicLink February 2020 auction: Iron Fist 14 at 9.4. Again, bottom right corner of front cover.