There is a relatively new service that is available to comic book collectors called CGC. Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) is an independent company which appraises the condition of comic books that are sent to them by collectors. After the grading process, CGC encapsulates the comic book in a hard plastic container and awards the comic book a specific number grade. The numbers range from 0.5 to 10; 0.5 being Poor and 10 being Gem Mint. Here is a complete list of the breakdown.

I have gotten many of my comics graded by CGC. I only get comics of significant value graded. I have an “Incredible Hulk” #181 which is the first full appearance of Wolverine and its graded at a 6.5 (Fine +). Some comic fans do not like this process. Their belief is that comics are meant to be read. I agree, but I think if you are a comic book collector, it’s good to have important issues graded. 

On their website, CGC posted an article saying that the website comicspriceguide.com would be presenting at the Baltimore Comic Con the only Golden Age comic book to be graded by CGC at a 10. When I saw that, I was amazed. How the hell could a comic book over sixty years old be in that condition?

During the Golden Age of Comics, comic books were read only by children. As we all know, children don’t do a very good job of taking care of their toys. A comic book for lack of a better term was a toy. Today comics are predominantly read by older males and many of them try to keep their books in the best condition possible. So it is amazing that a comic book that old has survived literally in perfect condition. Some comics fresh from the comic shop wouldn’t get a grade of a 10 by CGC.

My belief is that like any collectible, whether it’s stamps, coins, toys, or books, collectors will try to keep items in mint condition - comics are no different and with the availability of CGC these collectibles will survive the rigors of time. Also, a comic that has been CGCed can sell for higher a price than an ungraded book. If comics continue to be a valuable hobby in the future, we readers and collectors can make a profit. I remember reading in the Wall Street Journal about a family whose grandfather collected comics when he was younger. He had a lot of Golden Age and Silver Age stuff. He was one of the few who actually kept his stuff in good condition. He died, but his family ended up selling the collection for over a million dollars. They would have made more if movers hadn’t stolen part of the collection years earlier.

If you are a reader of comics, then read and enjoy. I am both. I read and I collect. I make sure I get the best copy when I pick from the stack of books from my local comics store - which is called Phoenix Comics in Scarsdale, NY and it is owned by fellow Comix 411 writer Joel Rosenberg. Joel can attest that I will go through a stack and pick the best copy to buy. I will also return a book for a new copy if I noticed that there is a rip that I missed when purchasing it. Thankfully, Joel lets me get a new copy.

I will be attending the NY Comic Con in February of 2009. I hope to get some books signed and CGCed while I’m there. Hopefully some of the creators of the books I want to get graded will be there. I would like to get my recalled copy of “All-Star Batman and Robin” #10 signed by Frank Miller or Jim Lee. I also have a “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” #1, and a “Flash” Vol. 1 #350 that I would like Carmine Infantino to sign. Getting your book graded is not cheap. A single book is about $16; to get it signed and graded is $27; then comes the shipping and insurance.

So if you don’t care about getting your book graded or slabbed as some people like to call it, then don’t do it. It’s a free country and we all have different opinions and preferences. I’ll keep you updated on what I get graded.