What do spine stress lines do to a comic's grade?
How graders view stress lines
Stress lines appear when a comic is opened and closed repeatedly, especially near the staples. A few faint lines may have little effect, while deep creases or color breaks can pull a grade down noticeably. Graders look at whether the crease breaks the surface of the cover ink and whether the spine has lost its flatness.
Stress lines are often confused with spine ticks, which are small nicks along the spine edge. Both matter, but they are different. Look at the spine under good light from a low angle to see how each one affects the book.
Check spine creases under low-angle light. Note whether the cover ink is broken. Compare stress lines with spine ticks. Expect a grade difference for deep creases.
Handling to prevent new lines
Read comics by supporting the book flat and avoiding sharp bends at the spine. Avoid opening a comic fully on a hard surface. Careful handling protects the grade you already have and keeps future lines from forming.
Store comics upright and fully supported so the spine is not forced into a curve. Gentle storage limits new creases between reading sessions and protects the grade you already have.
Common mistakes
- Forcing a comic open flat, which creates new creases.
- Confusing spine ticks with stress lines when describing a book for sale.
