If you’ve been in the comic grading game long enough, you know the feeling: sometimes a batch comes back from CGC looking rougher than you’d hoped. That was definitely the case with my latest submission.

This round had its ups and downs. Some grades didn’t land where I wanted, and a couple of key issues definitely stung more than others. But collecting (and flipping) comics is a long game, and every batch tells a story.

The Highlights

• Amazing Spider-Man #300 (CGC 9.2) – My copy improved! Anytime ASM #300 goes up in grade, that’s a win. Venom’s first appearance is still one of the most iconic modern keys, and higher-grade newsstands are always in demand.

• Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (CGC 9.6) – Another upgrade! This book marks the first full appearance of John Constantine, a character who continues to be huge in DC lore. Alan Moore’s run here is legendary, and 9.6 is a sweet spot grade that balances value and affordability for collectors.

The Tough Pills to Swallow

Not every book came back smiling:

• A couple landed in the 7.0–8.0 range, which is always tough to see when you were hoping higher.

• Even though some keys held strong, those mid-grade results remind you how unforgiving grading can be.

Lessons From This Batch

1. Pressing and cleaning matter. Even small defects or overlooked flaws can tank a grade.

2. Set expectations realistically. Keys will always hold value, but not every copy is going to be a 9.8 gem.

3. Celebrate the wins. Those upgrades on ASM #300 and Swamp Thing #37 made the entire submission worth it.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t the prettiest submission, but it’s part of the grind. Every grade teaches you something, and every slab tells a story. Sometimes it’s about the heartbreaks, sometimes about the hype — and today it’s a bit of both.

Keep your eyes on the listings some of these will be hitting the store soon.