What is a Signature Series comic?

How a Signature Series book is made

1. The book is submitted to CGC, raw or already graded, at a signing event or through a facilitator.
2. A CGC-authorised witness watches the creator sign it and takes custody of the book immediately.
3. CGC grades the book and encapsulates it with the yellow label, which lists the signer, and sometimes the date and event.

The chain of custody is the point. Because the witness saw the pen touch the paper, the signature does not need to be authenticated by comparing it with exemplars.

How the signature affects the grade

A witnessed signature is not treated as a defect. A book signed in silver paint pen on a black cover can still grade 9.8 if the book itself is a 9.8. Sketches added by the artist (a head sketch of the character, say) are noted on the label and are popular with collectors.

An unwitnessed signature is different: on a blue label it is treated as writing on the cover and lowers the grade, or the book receives a green Qualified label noting an unverified signature.

When a signature adds value

• The signer created the book or the character: a Stan Lee signature on a 1960s Marvel, Kevin Eastman on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue, Frank Miller on a Batman book he drew.
• The signer is scarce or no longer signing.
• The signature is paired with a remark (a sketch) by the artist.

A signature by someone unrelated to the book, or a very common signature, usually adds little and can make the book harder to sell to collectors who prefer unsigned copies.

Buying signed books

• Check that the label colour is yellow (CGC) or yellow/red (CBCS). A signature on a blue label was not witnessed.
• Verify the certification number online; the grader's record lists the signer.
• Prefer signatures in a colour that reads clearly against the cover.

Signed books in the store show the signer in the specifications and carry the yellow-label badge on the listing.