Mint. Fine. Good. Fair. Poor.

Mylar Bag Escapees #1

Over the years I’ve had a habit of collecting comics regardless of their condition, whether it be from the infamous Popular Book Centre which always used a massive ink stamp on the cover, or old comic books found at jumble sales. On a comic book grading scale, most of these wouldn’t achieve the lowest grade, but I still appreciate them in their tattered glory. Here are a selection of the er… finest.

Detective Comics #292. Cover Art: Sheldon Moldoff (one of Bob Kane’s uncredited collaborators). Letters: Ira Schnapp. This is actually one of my favourite comics because of the state of it. You couldn't distress something this much if you tried! I love it. It has character, just like vintage wine, and it smells good too!

Slightly scrunched Fantastic Four #38 - May, 1965. Cover Art: Jack Kirby.

From 1992, a comic I didn't know I had. I probably bought it for the cover art by Steve Rude.

Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #26 - July, 1961. Cover art: Curt Swan. Why would someone feel the need to keep their comics in a ring-binder?

Radar - The Man from the Unknown. An oddity that I bought as a kid. This issue is from 1962 - hence the pre-decimalisation, One Shilling price!

Batman #197 - December, 1967. I get a real nostalgia trip with this Batman logo. Still my favourite. Cover Art: Carmine Infantino & Mike Esposito.

Great cover! Though it looks like I forgot to peel the price label off at the time. It's probably going to be a bit tricky and a bit sticky now. Fantastic Four #276. December, 1984. Cover Art: John Byrne

What a bloody amazing cover... but just look at the state of it! At least you can see it's been treasured. Captain America #110 February 1969. Cover Art: Jim Steranko.

Maaan, I spent many long walks trying to seek out issues of The Forever People from obscure newsagents back in the day. This is #3 - July, 1971. Cover Art: Jack Kirby & Mike Royer.

Wonder Woman #191 - November 1970. Cover art: Mike Sekowsky & Dick Giordano.

The Amazing Spider-Man #10. December 1963. Cover Art: Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby (apparently). I've had this one a good few years.

Great cover by Franco Saudelli - Cimoc #174

So, this is what happens to a comic when it's left in the window of a caravan in Essex for a few hot summers! Batman #174 - September, 1965. Cover Art: Carmine Infantino, Joe Giella and Ira Schnapp.

The Amazing Spider-Man #64. September 1968. I found this on a vintage stall and it's still a good read, cover or not. It also smells the way old comic books should! Produced & Presented by: Stan (The Man) Lee and John (Ring-a-Ding) Romita. Ably Augmented by: Dazzlin' Donnie Heck. Embellishment: Mickey Demeo.Lettering: Artie Simek.

Eerie #131 - June 1982. Cover art: Rudy Nebres.

Kirby always designed such incredible costumes. I'd love to see this on the catwalk. Thor #150 - March, 1968. Cover Art: Jack Kirby.

This was a little joke by the guys at Orbital Comics in London. It made me laugh anyhow.