The 6 Best Comic Book Grading and Slabbing Companies 

Comic book grading and slabbing companies certify the value of comic books. This comic, Batman #181, features the first appearance of Poison Ivy. Image courtesy Brucebalmighty Live/FB.

Have you ever tried to sell anything you believed was valuable? There are levels to making a personal transaction for your benefit. There is a process to convincing someone else, usually a stranger, to buy what you own. If you watch Antiques Roadshow or Pawn Stars, this is now the American dream – to trip over crap in the attic and find out it’s priceless. Have you ever tried to sell a comic book you believed was valuable? If the comic book wasn’t authenticated by legitimate comic book grading and slabbing companies, then all you did was prove that you don’t know how to prove a comic book is valuable.

Before 2008, before the launch of the MCU’s first film Iron Man, there was a stigma attached to being a comic book fan. You were considered a geek. And you had to be a high-level geek, like Nic Cage, or have serious connections to sell a comic book for big money. 

Nic Cage sold a copy of Action Comics #1, a rare 1938 comic book that features the first appearance of Superman, for $2.1 million in 2011.

That comic sold by Cage was authenticated and slabbed, encased in rigid plastic to protect it from the elements, and graded on a CGC scale from 0.0 to 10 to prove its value.

The point is that years ago, one would only hear such stories on the news. Only those in the know would know to grade and slab their comics before selling them. But now, every time an executive from Disney or WB/Discovery announces the imminent release of a future comic book film, hardcore and casual comic book fans rush out to buy the comic books inspiring it.

This has changed the way the comic book investment market works, a market that has no concrete guidelines and tenets. What do I mean by that? A fan sold a copy of Booster Gold #1 from 1986 for $650 in January 2023 because James Gunn announced a TV show about the unknown character would be produced.

Nic Cage didn’t sell his comic book this way in 2011 because this system didn’t exist. You had to understand comic book lore and have connections to sell and buy rare comic books. The modern comic book collectibles market is still evolving, but the best way to sell a valuable comic book is to have it graded and slabbed by an expert first.

And you must know about these processes if you want to sell collectible comic books as investments.

Comic Book Grading and Slabbing Companies (There Are Levels to This)

Unsplash

If you try to sell a valuable comic book to a buyer, then that comic book can only be authenticated by legitimate comic book grading and slabbing companies.

I once tried to sell a comic book by pulling it out of a plastic sleeve, touching it with my bare hands, and presenting it to a potential seller. (That guy looked at me like I had three heads. I was a teen then, and I now understand his reaction.)

When you want to sell something that is considered to be of value in the collectibles market, a buyer is going to believe the authentication of the item for sale by a third-party expert, not you.

For example, if you sell a house, the potential buyer usually has their inspector inspect the house before the deal. When you try to sell a car, a potential buyer test drives the car and vets the repair history. 

It’s the same with trying to sell comic books as an investment; a buyer is not going to take your word for it. The comic has to be authenticated as valuable by industry-vetted comic book grading and slabbing companies.

Comic Book Grading and Slabbing Companies (How They Work)

Unsplash

Comic book grading and slabbing companies have experts who verify comic books as valuable based on a series of factors. For a fee, you can send your comic book to be graded on a scale from 0.5 to 10, with 10 meaning the comic book is aesthetically perfect and very valuable.

Rarity, pivotal storylines, signatures from creators, and other factors can make a comic book valuable.

After being graded, the company is slabbed and the grade is printed on a sticker affixed to the slab. A “slab, is a rigid plastic shell that encases the comic. The slab protects the comic from the elements. Combined with the grading and authentication, the slab shouldn’t be opened, as it is proof of the grade and value of the comic before it was slabbed.

The grading and slabbing are the official authentication of the value of the comic. And it is a guarantee that your potential buyer can believe.

Comic book grading and slabbing companies all have varying authentication processes. Some of these companies are better known and trusted than others, although all offer legitimate services.

You can mail in your comic books or bring them into a physical store for grading and slabbing.

You may want to call or email such companies before submitting your comic books for grading or slabbing and ask questions. And these services aren’t free – you could pay $22 to $100+ to have each comic book assessed, graded, authenticated, and slabbed. And that is on top of postal fees and any other incidental fees.

Additionally, many of these companies offer “raw grade,” certification services. That means you can get your comic book graded without slabbing. However, most buyers may be hesitant to pay big prices for unslabbed comic books.

Many of these companies will also add the signature of the authenticator on a sticker on the slab for an added fee.

Quality Comix

Unsplash

Quality Comix is a comic book store and certification company based in Montgomery, Alabama. They grade and slab comic books and also have a free online Comic Book Price Guide

If you have a stash of comic books in your home, then you can check the value online and get a ballpark estimate of its market value. 

You don’t need to be a lifelong comic book fan and expert in comic books to flip some comic books, but it helps. You can at least get a ballpark estimate of the comics you own before trying to sell them.

Curb your enthusiasm. You probably won’t make a fortune. This is a great way to learn about comics, the collectibles investor market, and potentially make some money with a potential side hustle.

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC)

Unsplash

When comic books are graded and slabbed, most people will ask, “What is the CGC grade?” There is more than one way to grade comic books, but CGC is the industry standard. When I was a child, the “Overstreet Guide,” was the standard for checking the value of comic books. But now, CGC is the overwhelming preferred standard. 

CGC was launched in 2000, is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, and is now the global verification standard. The CGC grade of comic books, 0.5 for the lowest grade and 10 for the highest is the standard championed by CGC and almost accepted by all.

Depending on whether the comic book was published before or after 1975 will determine how much you pay in processing fees. Such fees can range between $22 to $130+ depending on how valuable the comic book is. The more valuable the comic is determined to be, the more the processing increases accordingly.

You can also pay extra fees for fast-track processing.

Comic Book Grading and Certification Services (CBCS)

Unsplash

CBCS is one of the best comic book grading and slabbing companies in the industry. Most people who don’t utilize CGC will usually opt for CBCS.

The company was launched in Plano, Texas in 1998.CBCS charges anywhere from $22 to $200 for grading, slabbing, and certification services for comic books valued at up to $7,000. 

However, such terms are not set in stone. Every client has different needs and authentication is dependent on many factors.

CBCS has certification experts you can consult, call, or email for free tips on how to identify valuable comics you may own.

Heritage Auctions

Unsplash

In January 2022, a copy of Action Comics #1 with a CGC grade of 6.0 sold for $3.18 million through Heritage Auctions. Even though the comic has a low CGC grade, the 1938 comic book is one of the rarest comic books in the world. There are probably only a few copies of Action Comics #1 in existence in good to nearly perfect aesthetic condition.

Heritage Auctions is a collectibles company that was launched in 1976 in Dallas, Texas.

Heritage Auctions is famous for coordinating million-dollar sales of rare comic books and memorabilia as well as grading, certification, and slabbing.

You can call or email Heritage Auctions for a free consultation on the value of your comics. Heritage Auctions believes that most comic books printed after 1980 possess little value.

Professional Grading Experts (PGX)

Unsplash

Professional Grading Experts or PGX is a third-party comic book grading, slabbing, and certification company based in Eugene, Oregon. The company was launched in 2002.

Depending on the era the comic book was published, (Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern age) the processing costs can range anywhere between $14 to $28. These processing costs apply only to comic books with a potential value of up to $4,000.

PGX will assess and pre-screen comic books for grading for free and only charge $5 per comic for any comic deemed not valuable enough for grading or slabbing.

Expert Grading Services (EGS)

Unsplash

Expert Grading Services, or EGS, is a newer company in the grading and slabbing service industry. It was only launched in 2018.

Depending on the era the comic was published in, and the swiftness of service you desire, you will pay anywhere between $25 to $100 for EGS’ grading and slabbing services.

(Here is an extra company for you to consider, because we appreciate you reading this blog! Please read and share!)

ComicConnect

Unsplash

ComicConnect is a New York City-based comic book grading and collectibles auction house. While ComicConnect will grade your comic, they also can connect you to a third-party company to have your comic book slabbed.

You will anywhere between $5 to $100 for grading based on the value of the comic book. Comic books worth $10,000 command a $100 grading fee.

However, if you auction your comic book through ComicConnect then all grading fees are voided.

Ever wondered how you could make money investing in something you love? If so, then comic book investing might be for you! In this guide, A.A. Francis covers everything the casual investor needs to know to get started. Learn about what makes a comic book valuable, how to determine value on your own, and strategies for making a sale. Plus, find out why now is the best time to start investing in comic books.

The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing

Read More

5 Best Comic Book File Cabinets For Storage

Comic Book Investing Guide: Miracleman Omnibus

5 Best Acid-Free Comic Book Backing Boards

Allen Francis

Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing.  Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College.  Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.