Chapter2099

Zoom in on the third pic and you see the questionable red rust-like focal area at the top of the staple.

Tony, Thanks for the reply. Surprisingly, I think I got some good pics! I can argue that I’m seeing some red-rust like areas at the base of some of the staples. Mind you, these pics are from two different slabs that I recently purchased from two different sellers. One of the slabs was literally graded 4 weeks ago. I just find it hard to believe that if it were rust, this would slip by someone grading these. Not to mention, the odds that BOTH have it and got 9.8s? And if it wasn’t like this before grading, I find it hard to believe that both would develop this in such a short period of time, especially the one graded a month ago and the other 8-10 months ago. That’s why I’m wondering if this is something that’s acceptable during the grading process to allow a 9.8 or if I’m misdiagnosing altogether. Am I being too particular??

Hello all! Hopefully a straight forward question. I’m newer to the collecting community and I’ve got two 9.8 graded slabs (both graded within the last 6 months.) Long story short, to ME, there’s questionable rust on the staples. It’s not obvious and honestly, it may not even be rust. There’s no grader notes commenting on it, etc. Question: Can a slab get a 9.8 grade with rust on the staples? Or is it not rust and are my newbie eyes/brain making this something more than it is? I can try to take pics, but I don’t think I can even photograph it because it’s that subtle and it’s in a slab. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

You are all awesome. Really appreciate all of your help. You all have been really great, helping me with newb questions. Is there a site you all recommend going to to help learn and grade comics myself? Ie. This is the criteria for a 9.8, this is the criteria for a 9.6, etc.

Let me know if you need other pictures and what kind. It literally looks like it’s part of the page though. Not damage in the sense that someone spilled something, etc.

I got a CGC slab from eBay, graded 9.8. Looked excellent in the photos. Looks excellent in person. After close inspection though in person, I noted a small stray ink blob on the edge of the cover. It’s appears to be a manufacturing “defect” from what I can tell. So the question: Does a random ink blob(?) disqualify it from a 9.8? I think the answer is that the some aspects of grading are subjective and one could argue around and around all day. For those that say “are you happy with it?”, the answer is yes, assuming this isn’t some egregious over sight by CGC. I’m still learning the whole “how to grade for yourself” concept so I’m looking for some advice.

I’m freaking out over nothing. Just checked a slab I got back from CGC recently. Does the same thing.... Close thread. Lol

It was a relatively inexpensive issue. I paid about $250 - wasn’t a steal or “too good to be true” deal. The seller has been around 15ish years and about 2000 feedbacks. So I’ve got that in my favor. I was more worried about someone trying to switch out of CGC label - not so much the comic. The new labels have the “fold around” top that goes up and around the back of the case - which I believe is different than the older versions which was a just straight sheet of paper - no folds, etc. (if that makes sense.) There’s no way that I can see that some could replace that (put a new one in and somehow refold it and curve it around the top), in this particular case, with the lack of evidence that I’m seeing. BUT, figured I’d ask because I know many of you have seen or heard it all.

Recently purchased a slab from eBay. I noticed the top of the slab “squeaks” like the two sides aren’t completely sealed. There’s no obvious gap unless I REALLY try to pry it apart, in which case, I can probably create a 1/16 inch (maybe slightly more) gap in the center (only) - not on the corners. The other three sides are “air tight”, so to speak. Obviously, concerns of tampering come to mind, but I really struggle to see how they could do it, with no cracks, pry marks, breaks, glue marks, etc. I also don’t see how you could switch out the label, etc. AND replace it perfectly. (This is the most recent CGC slab version.) Question: Have any of you experienced this with the most recent slab version? Or is my paranoia of a tampered slab justified? I REALLY think it’s a stretch but wanted input.

I really appreciate you posting this. This is all new to me, so I appreciate the input. I love hearing everyone’s opinions because I’m so new to grading and collecting, I really don’t know the do’s and dont’s. I can’t stress it enough but thank you for your post!!

Lol. The internet is a dangerous place. I hear you though and appreciate the info, especially coming from a collector. I read all sorts of stuff, and honestly, have trouble discerning the importance of this from that, etc. So bottom line: Am I over hyping news stand editions? Right now, I’m looking at purchasing Spider-Man 2099 #1. I love that run and don’t even have a graded #1. Checking on eBay, I can buy a CGC 9.8 Direct or a CGC 9.8 News Stand version. Legit there’s $300+ difference between the two. No disrespect to those selling news stand versions, but am I sucker for paying that much more for a news stand cover?? *ESPECIALLY, when you say that the CGC doesn’t even recognize most news stand editions.* I guess I’m really questioning what’s the point to purchasing a news stand version (at a significantly inflated cost) of a comic that you love if the CGC doesn’t recognize it as any different that the Direct?

Really appreciate the info! (And I apologize in advance for my wordiness. lol) I was reading last night that basically anything after 2000, the *suspected* average direct to news stand cover ratio is 100:1 or less. Factor in the damage on news stands, etc, and basically what you said, good luck finding one for most of these newer issues runs (2000 and later). The Ultimate Fallout example is actually one of those I was looking at. News Stands versions are basically untouchable at this point. I bought a Buffy (Dark Horse) #1 direct cover graded the other day. (Yes, I’m a big Buffy fan. Lol) Didn’t even realize they made a news stand cover - happened to stumble upon a beat up cover on eBay. You might have answered this but does the CGC have a registry that keeps tabs on both Direct AND News Stand graded comics so that I can see how many graded News Stand versions exist?

Long story short, I’m trying to a find a site or source to tell me if a news stand cover of a comic exists? When I use the CGC Registry, I can see various variants that exist, but I don’t see if there’s a news stand version that exists. Most of my knowledge just comes from searching eBay, but some comics are sold so infrequently that I can’t tell a news stand version even exists. For example, I recently purchased a Thor (2014) #1. To my knowledge, Marvel news stand covers were discontinued in 2013, and yet this cover is still denoted with a “Direct Edition” label on the bar code. So does that mean a news stand version exists? Or is that an incorrect assumption? The whole point is that I realize news stand versions tend to be more sought after, so if I’m on the hunt for a graded comic, I’d prefer the news stand *IF* it exists. I’ve searched for hours and hours, but as a newb, I can’t figure out if I’m looking in the wrong place or if the resource just doesn’t exists. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all! (And I apologize if this has already been posted.)