Comic Cleaning First Impression
- David Edwards
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 7
Before you jump into cleaning a comic, you need to get a idea of the defects, cleaning strategy and over all grade of the comics.
Cleaning can damage a comic and fail to remove the defect, so you need to to set out a cleaning plan.
FIRST IMPRESSION OF A COMIC
The first step in cleaning and pressing comics is the first impression. The phase is about inspecting the comic for defects and getting a feel for the condition. If you are considering grading and having the comic slabbed, this is the phase to estimate the current and potential grade. The phase has the following steps:
1. First Impression
2. Identify variants
3. Page count and quality
4. Check for restoration
5. Assess the defects
When going through the first impressions do not wear gloves, this will reduce your ability to identify defects and restoration. However, ensure you hands are clean and dry.
Step 1. First Impression.
Hold the book, ideally flat on a backing board, and take a first look, are:
Colors vivid,
Corners sharp.
Is there any dirty, does it have any stains?
Are there any bends or creases?
Are there any tears?
Is the spine stressed with spine ticks?
Flip the comic over with care. Overall does the comic look like a high grade with little or no obvious defects? It is important to look at the comic in natural light and from different angles as this will give you the best chance to see imperfections.
Take notes of any defects, you can see.
Step 2. Identify variants
Comics have many variants that affect the value, check:
1. What print edition is it, first, second, etc.
2. Is it a variant, e.g. newsstand, virgin, exclusive, etc.
Once you understand the variant, check the value on the price apps, get an understanding of the raw, and slabbed values.
Step 3. Page Count and Quality
Count the pages from back to front and validate all the pages are there. Ensure any stickers are still on the book, if they are missing this impacts their value. Ensure none of the vouchers have been cut out.
As you look through the page check the average color of the pages against the following chart.
The color of the page affects the grade of the book, the number or representing of the max grade to be expected based on the color.
Step 4. Check for restoration
Restoration affects the book value, so it is crucial to check for any visible signs of restoration.
Here are some common checks to perform when evaluating comic books for restoration:
Creases and Color Breaks: Examine any creases carefully. The potential for a color break is significant. Color breaks should appear white and not be colored in. If the color break appears not consistent with the rest of the cover, it may indicate that the crease has been touched up.
Ink Bleeding: Lift the page and check the inside of the cover. Look for any ink bleeding through the cover. This is a sign that defects have been colored in, which is a common restoration technique.
Tape and Glue: Check for the presence of tape or glue on the spine, corners, or interior pages. Tape may be used to repair tears or attach detached covers, while glue might be used for spine repairs or to reattach loose pages.
Run your finger down the spine of the book and across the cover of the book, the glue used to repair spin splits may not be visible, but may be detectable through touch as will tape.
Recoloring: Look for any areas where the color seems unusually vibrant or inconsistent with the rest of the cover or pages. Recoloring is a common restoration method, and it can often be detected by slight differences in texture or sheen.
Trimmed Edges: Inspect the edges of the comic book. Trimming is a method used to remove damaged edges or to make the book appear in better condition. Check for any irregularities or inconsistencies in the size of the pages. Comic book edges are rarely perfectly aligned due to the position of the staples, look for:
1. White cover edges when the pages are darker.
2. Complete flat edges where the cover lines up exactly with all the interior pages.
3. Edges line up, bu there is obvious roll of the cover.
Step 5. Check the Staples:
Rust and Wear: Check the staples for signs of rust or unusual wear. Original staples will often show some signs of age, including minor rust or tarnishing. If the staples look too new, they may have been replaced.
Position and Size: Look at the position and size of the staples. Replacement staples might not align perfectly with the original holes, or they might be slightly different in size. Also the position of a staple will be important later when pressing the book.
Paper Around Staples: Inspect the paper around the staples. If the paper is torn or has small holes that don’t align with the current staples, it may suggest the original staples were removed and replaced or the pages are fragile and at risk for detatching.
Step 6. Check for missing Stickers and Coupons
Finally, check no coupons and stickers have been removed from the comic.
Double-check that the paper color of the pages with coupons and stickers matches the color of the other pages.
Step 7. Gloss and Paper Quality
Feel the texture of the cover and interior pages. Overly glossy covers might indicate restoration, as a coat of gloss can be added to make the comic book appear in better although rare . Additionally, check the paper quality for any signs of brittleness or unusual feel, which might indicate harsh treatment such as chemicals to lighten the pages.
By conducting these checks thoroughly, you can better assess whether a comic book has undergone restoration and determine any defects.
5. Assess the defects
As you are reviewing the comic make a note of the defects as follows:
Make an estimated assess the current grade and potential grade, e.g., 9.6 current, potential 9.8.
SUMMARY
Once you have formed you first impression and created a plan for comic, you are ready to get the book to the best condition it can be.
