# Dog-eared

This describes a comic book or graphic novel where the corners of the pages or covers have been bent or creased, often from being frequently read or handled. For collectors, this is a form of wear and tear that detracts significantly from the book's overall condition grade. Lower grades due to dog-ears translate directly into lower resale value, as pristine or near-mint copies command the highest prices. Even minor corner damage can push a book into a lower grade category, which can halve its potential selling price. To mitigate this during storage, always use acid-free corner protectors or place the comic between two rigid, flat boards to prevent accidental bending.

**Category:** comics

## What it means
Dog-eared refers to physical damage where the corners of a comic book or graphic novel pages, or the cover itself, have been bent, creased, or folded over. This is not simply handling; it is a permanent deformation of the paper stock. In grading terms, this falls under "Wear and Tear" and is a clear indicator of prior heavy reading or rough handling. The mainstream equivalent is minor page creasing or corner wear. For collectors, dog-ears are a tangible reduction in the book's aesthetic integrity, directly impacting its numerical grade (e.g., dropping a book from VF to FN).

## What it does to price
Dog-ears are a negative factor that reduces value. The impact is proportional to the extent of the damage. A single, minor dog-ear on a cover might result in a 5-10% price reduction from a perfect copy. Multiple, significant dog-ears across several pages or a heavily creased cover can drop the book into a lower grade bracket, potentially halving the resale value compared to a Near Mint copy. For example, a high-demand, pristine copy might sell for $150; the same book with noticeable dog-ears might sell for $75–90, depending on the severity and the market's tolerance for the specific title.

## How to spot it
Spotting dog-ears requires close inspection of the book's perimeter. Examine all four corners of the cover and the first few internal pages. The tell is a distinct, sharp crease or fold where the corner meets the main page surface. Sellers should provide high-resolution, close-up photos of all four corners of the front and back covers. Honest mistakes are common when books are stacked improperly. Fakes are rare, as dog-ears are a result of physical stress, not printing errors, but sellers may exaggerate minor handling marks into significant damage to justify a lower price.

## Buying smart
Paying a premium for a dog-eared copy is only justifiable if the book is otherwise flawless in every other aspect—color saturation, spine integrity, and interior damage. If the dog-ears are severe, the discount should be substantial. A fair deal involves a price that reflects the downgrade in grade. If a seller lists a book as "VF" but it exhibits clear dog-ears, the price is inflated. If the damage is minor, the discount should be small (under 10%). If the damage is extensive, the discount should be significant (30%+).

## Selling smart
When listing, honesty regarding dog-ears maximizes buyer trust and secures a better final price. Do not hide them. Photograph the affected corners clearly in the listing photos. In the description, use precise terminology: "Minor dog-earing present on top-right cover corner." This transparency allows buyers to self-grade the damage against the listed price. A seller who discloses minor wear upfront prevents disputes and attracts serious buyers willing to pay for the content, even with the cosmetic flaw.

## See it priced

- [Sold listings for "dog-eared" on eBay](https://junkpal.ai/api/go?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3Ddog-eared%26LH_Sold%3D1%26LH_Complete%3D1%26mkcid%3D1%26mkrid%3D711-53200-19255-0%26siteid%3D0%26campid%3D5339166094%26toolid%3D10001%26mkevt%3D1%26customid%3Dmd-glossary-sold&p=md-glossary-sold)
- [Current listings on eBay](https://junkpal.ai/api/go?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3Ddog-eared%26mkcid%3D1%26mkrid%3D711-53200-19255-0%26siteid%3D0%26campid%3D5339166094%26toolid%3D10001%26mkevt%3D1%26customid%3Dmd-glossary-live&p=md-glossary-live)

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_Updated 2026-07-31._

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Source: [https://junkpal.ai/glossary/dog-eared](https://junkpal.ai/glossary/dog-eared) · JunkPal price guide (junkpal.ai)
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