Poor:
Not collectable – a readable copy. All pages are there with few creases, but cover is bashed and battered, nearly always detached, if in fact present at all. Boot sale versions which have not been cherished.
Fair:
Comic in generally average shape but lots of evidence of wear over many years, cover is usually creased, pages are well thumbed and there is grubbiness accumulated from dirty hands. Some dings and minor tears on cover but pages not torn and usually no scribbles. Cover all there and not detached but some nibbling to edges apparent.
Fair to Good (F2G):
Almost good but still lots of evidence of high use and creases on cover very evident. Book is complete but use over many years is apparent.
Good Minus:
Almost Good – certainly more tidy and collectable than Fair to Good. Some nibbles and discolouration allowed as is potential minor water damage but a complete neat and tidy comic book.
Good:
Excellent, considering its age (often in excess of 50 years old). Well read but no major creases, tight binding and neat inside pages, little degradation to cover, but clearly well read with spine showing this – probably cover folded back on itself on occasions. Some discolouration of cover through handling.
Good Plus:
On its way to being VG – very neat and tidy – some wear apparent – a neat written name on the cover allowed and/or titles neatly marked off on back allowed but otherwise a good looking comic book.
Very Good:
Copy has been read but has also been very well looked after. No major creases and binding tight. Some discolouration of cover through handling but very collectable.
Fine:
Probably only ever read once or twice and then stored very well. No creases on cover and pages lovely. For the collector who wants to build an excellent collection.
Near Mint:
Very rare and hard to tell if it has been read or not. Exactly what it means, virtually as it was on the day of publication.
New:
Brand new, unread book. No markings or creases.