Contribution Guidelines: Issues

Printed & Digital Comics, One-Shots, Previews:

Collected Editions and Graphic Novels:

Simply filling in the other Variant Details fields will autogenerate the variant title.

Always use the Suggested Title. Should any case that you think should be an exception, please raise this in a support ticket or in the Community Discord.
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Date origination: We utilize the first publication release date where possible. For older titles with unknown first publication release dates, a cover date will suffice.

Newsstand Editions: In most cases, a Newsstand Edition came out between the Direct and the Cover Date. If a Newsstand release date is not known, please utilize the Main Cover's release date given the Cover Date can be added separately.

Kickstarter or other Crowdfunded Comics: The day the shipping of the comic begins should be set as the release date.

Event Exclusives: If a comic was made available during an event panel, the date of the panel should be used as the release date. If not, we utilize the first day of the event itself. The exception to this being if the event dates are before the Main Cover release date, then Main Cover's release date should be used.

TBD dates: Enter in 9999-01-01 to display TBD.
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Date origination: The Cover Date should only be filled in when it is displayed on the cover or in the indicia.
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Date origination: The Final Order Cutoff date provided by the distributor.

Digital-only comics should not have a FOC date.
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Annuals should be selected for Comics that are explicitly called an Annual.

Digital Chapters are mini digital comics that are often printed in a traditional Comic format, then once again reprinted into a larger collected edition, such as the original Injustice comics.

Hardcover should be selected for collected editions and graphic novels that are printed with a hardcover.

Trade Paperback should be selected for all other non-Hardcover collected editions, (physical and digital), as well as perfect bound / square bound paperback graphic novels.

Comic should be selected for anything that does not fit into an above category.
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We do not include covers in the page count. (4 pages total).

Do not include Gatefold covers, dust jackets, or other similar "Cover" pages that are not part of the interior contents.

Page count should include story pages, pin-up pages, text/letter pages, ads, and blank pages.

Interior foldouts should be included.

Inserts which aren't bound in, such as trading cards, 3D glasses, mini-comics, or other items do not count towards the page count.

For vertical scroll digital comics, please use the publisher's provided page count. If not available, please enter 0.
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Formatting: Prices should be entered with two decimal points (Eg. 3.95 and 1.00)

Currency: Pricing is listed as USD. You do not need to enter in the dollar sign ($).

Free Comics: Free comics should be listed with 0.00 as the Price.

Cover Price should be utilized. When not available (eg. Retailer Exclusives), please use that retailer's price.
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A synopsis should be a brief summary of the comic's plot, preferably the official one provided in solicitations.

Spoilers are not permitted.

Point-by-point recaps of the issue are not permitted.

Quotes from publications or other authors are not permitted, regardless of their origin (such as the publisher).

Synopsis from the interior of the comic, such as those presented in the Golden Age should not be used.

Do not add multiple story synopsis, unless it is a part of the official solicitation.

Story Arcs and Issue Titles are not permitted.

Event or Story Arc "continued in" or "continued from" text is not permitted, unless it is a part of the official solicitation.

External links are not permitted.
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Current Standard: 6 7/8 x 10 1/2 in (17.5 x 26.7 cm). Applies to most US comics published since the 1990s.

Bronze Standard: 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 in (18.4 x 26.7 cm). Applies to most US comics published after 1965 through most of the 80s.

Silver Standard: 7 1/8 x 10 1/2 in (18.1 x 26.7 cm). Applies to most US comics published during the late Golden Age through 1965.

Golden Standard: 7 3/4 x 10 1/2 in (19.7 x 26.7 cm). Applies to most US comics published from the 1930s through the mid 60s.

Magazine: 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 in. Applies to comics similar in size to large, mass-market magazines.

Digest: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. Applies to comics similar in size to small magazines (e.g. Reader's Digest).

Tabloid: Applies to comics similar in size to newspapers.

Oversized: Applies to comics larger in size than typical comic issues and trade paperbacks. Examples include the Marvel Omnibus and DC Absolute hardcovers.

Digital: Select this option for comics that are digital exclusives.

Other: Select this option for comics that do not fit into one of the above categories.
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Saddle-stitched: Select this for comics that are stapled through the centerfold. This category applies to the majority of monthly comic books.

Perfect Bound: Select this for comics with pages glued to each other in sections, then glued to the spine. This category applies to the majority of trade paperbacks, and to some hardcovers.

Case Bound: Select this for comics with pages sewn to each other in sections, then glued to the spine. This category applies to the majority of Marvel Omnibus and DC Absolute hardcovers.

Squarebound: Select this for stapled comics with a square binding (i.e. spine). Squarebound comics generally have two staples (rather than three staples for saddle-stitching). This category applies to the DC 100-Page Super Spectacular series and to the Marvel Graphic Novel series, among others.

Unbound: Select this for comics without binding (e.g. DC's Wednesday Comics).
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If known, please enter the variant's estimated print run. Only enter values that are explicitly confirmed by the publisher or by an issue's exclusive retailer.

DO NOT use estimates or sales data (estimated or reported) for this field.

Generally, this field should only be utilized for Retailer Exclusives, Event Exclusives, and Facsimiles that are also Retailer and/or Event Exclusives. (Exception: if a publisher advertises a specific print run for a Direct Market variant, that number may be entered.)
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Select all enhancements made to the cover. Below are definitions of the selectable Cover Enhancements.

Acetate: A hard plastic that either replaces a traditional cover or serves as a transparency over a traditional cover.

Affixed Cover: A variant cover that is printed and stapled on top of the main cover.

Card Stock: Thicker, heavier paper stock sometimes used for premium covers.

Chromium: Parts of the cover have been stamped with a highly reflective foil (differs from traditional foil).

Connecting: When placed next to other covers, the cover images "connect" to form a larger image.

Die-Cut: Part of the cover has been intentionally cut out.

Embossed: Parts of the cover are raised. Often done in combination with foil stamping; if so, please also select "Foil."

Foil: Parts of the cover have been stamped with foil; OR, the entire cover has been stamped with foil; OR, the cover is printed on foil stock.

Gatefold: A cover that folds out to more than one page.

Glow-in-the-Dark: The cover is printed with phosphorescent ink that glows in the dark.

Hologram: The cover is embedded with laser-printed (not stamped) foil, which uses light diffusion to create a 3D image. The image typically does not occupy the entire cover.

Lenticular: The cover is embedded with offset-printed thermoplastic, which uses light refraction to create a 3D image, and/or an image that appears to change at different viewing angles. The image typically does not occupy the entire cover.

Metal: The cover is made of thin (sometimes flexible) sheet metal or a metal-like surface; often, the cover has been glued to a standard, saddle-stitched comic.

Wraparound: Artwork extends from front cover to back cover as part of the same image. (This option should not be used for comics with different separate images on the front and back covers.)

Hardcover: A rigid cover, typically made of paperboard covered with buckram, cloth, paper, leather, or faux leather.

Dust Jacket: A detachable outer cover with flaps that hold it to the book's front and back covers. Typical of hardcovers.

Slipcase: A five-sided cardboard box in which one or more books may be slipped, leaving the spine(s) exposed.
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Full: The cover includes all publication information typical of a regular issue in the series, such as series title and issue number. Also known as the Full Trade Dress.

Minimal: The cover includes some but not all publication information typical of a regular issue in the series, OR the information is included at an extremely reduced size.

Virgin: The cover includes none of publication information typical of a regular issue in the series. (It may still include a trademark, publisher or artist signature.)
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Please indicate whether or not the comic was originally distributed in a sealed polybag.
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If no other field is more appropriate, you may indicate a unique description for the variant to generate the Title. Keep it short.

Do not repeat text that would be more appropriate in another field, such as Virgin, the Artist, etc.

If it is a Newsstand Edition, simply enter "Newsstand". This will auto-select Variant Type as well.

DO NOT include the words "Incentive," "Exceed," "Exclusive," "Limited," "FOC Reveal," "Unlockable," "Subscription," or "Cover."

Cosplayers may not be listed in the Cover Descriptor unless it is the only differentiating factor and officially labeled.
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Please select the Variant Type. Below are explanations of the available options.

Open Order: This option is for Direct Market variants that can be ordered at any quantity by comics retailers.

Reprint: This option is for Direct Market printings subsequent to the first (e.g. 2nd Printing, 3rd Printing, etc.). It is also for inexpensive, non-facsimile reprints (aka "cheap reprints") such as the ones published by Marvel under the True Believers and Dollar Comics banners.

Incentive Variant: This option is for Direct Market variants available to retailers at quantities limited based on how many non-incentive copies of the main issue they order. If a variant has an incentive ratio (1:10, 1:50, etc.) or is available on a "One Per Store" or "Two Per Store" basis, it belongs in this category. (Exception: If a variant is both a Reprint and an Incentive Variant, select "Reprint.")

Retailer Exclusive: This option is for variants available exclusively from one or more retailers. If a variant is both a Reprint and a Retailer Exclusive, select "Retailer Exclusive."

Event Exclusive: This option is for variants available exclusively from a specific event, such as NYCC 2019 or FCBD 2022. If a variant is both a Retailer Exclusive and an Event Exclusive, select "Retailer Exclusive." If a variant is both a Reprint and an Event Exclusive, select "Event Exclusive."

Facsimile: This option is for facsimile reprints (including 2nd Printing, 3rd Printing, etc. of the facsimile edition). If a variant is any combination of Open Order, Incentive Variant, Retailer Exclusive, Event Exclusive, and Facsimile, select "Facsimile."

Misprint: This option is for "unintended" variants whose status as Main Cover has been superseded by a reprint or recall of the issue. If a Misprint is also either a Retailer Exclusive, an Event Exclusive, or a Facsimile, select the corresponding non-"Misprint" option.

Miscellaneous: Select this category for non-Retailer, non-Event variants intended for sale and/or distribution outside of the Direct Market. Examples include Newsstand Editions, Mark Jewelers Insert Variants, Australian Editions, etc.
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Please enter the full name of the variant's Exclusive Seller/Retailer. If there is not one, leave the field blank.

Please only enter an Exclusive Seller if it is different than the Main Cover. For example, if the Comic is only sold on Kickstarter (for all covers), simply skip this field but enter them as Miscellaneous Variant Types.

Exclusive Sellers should be listed in the order they appear on the variant's back cover and separated by a forward slash (/), with a single space on either side of the slash. Generally, retailer names should not be shortened or abbreviated. If there are more than three retailers, words like "Comics" and "Collectibles" may be omitted from retailer names as long as doing so does not create ambiguity. Do not rely on Google for this information; online retailers frequently claim other stores' exclusives as their own.

Variants sold through an artist's webstore should include the artist's full name (since, technically, that is also the name of the store), followed by the word "Webstore." For example: "J. Scott Campbell Webstore Variant," "Frankie's Comics / Clayton Crain Webstore Virgin Variant," etc. rather than their website or store name.
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Please enter the full name of the variant's Exclusive Event. If there is not one, leave the field blank.

Kickstarter or other crowdsourcing platforms are not Events. Please use Exclusive Seller for these, if and only if the main cover is not also sold through that platform.

Exclusive Events should only be abbreviated in the following cases: "NYCC" for New York Comic Con, "SDCC" for San Diego Comic-Con, "C2E2" for Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, "FCBD" for Free Comic Book Day. Always identify the year in which the Exclusive Event took place: "NYCC 2019," Kansas City Comic Con 2007," "FCBD 2022," etc.
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Please enter the variant's cover letter, but only if that letter has been officially assigned by the publisher.

Do not use cover letters created by third-party retailers or other websites. (Currently, DC Comics uses cover letters; Marvel does not.)
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Select whether the variant is part of the main issue's 1st Printing, 2nd Printing, 3rd Printing, etc. The printing is indicated in the issue's indicia.
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Full Color: Please select this if the cover artwork contains colors beyond grayscale. The Trade Dress (logo, etc.) may be ignored.

B&W: Please select this if there is no color at all in the artwork. The Trade Dress (logo, etc.) may be ignored.
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If the variant is an Incentive Variant, please enter the incentive ratio. If the variant is not an Incentive Variant or does not have a special order requirement, leave the field blank.
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By default, all comics have a single story in the Story Breakdown.

Permitted: Stories, Backup Stories, Text Stories, Character Profiles, Data Pages, Illustrations, Process Art, Scripts, Introductions, Afterwords, Recaps, Letters, Cover Galleries.​

Not permitted: Cover pages and Advertisements.

Original stories (first printing of it) should be added manually and then collected editions or reprints may then "Import" the original story in. When imported and "linked", the story will auto-update when the original is modified.

For collected editions or comics that reprint stories, please import the linked story from the original issue. (If the issue is not in the Import search, it may need to be updated with Story info).

Story breakdowns should be listed in the order in which their first pages appear in the book and never split.

Original Story: The first published version of this story.
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Reprint: A 1:1 reprint of an original story. When selecting this import option, users who read the original story will receive reading progress for this reprint and vice versa. When changes are made to the original story, it will then automatically update this reprint with the changes to the story title, credits, characters and more.
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Translation: A translation of an original story in a different language. When selecting this import option, users who read the original story will NOT receive reading progress for this translation and vice versa. When changes are made to the original story, only the characters will be automatically updated, ensuring unique translation details remain.
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Recolor / Remaster: A reprint of an original story with new colors or other minor changes. When selecting this import option, users who read the original story will receive reading progress for the recolor / remaster and vice versa. When changes are made to the original story, most fields will be automatically updated, with the exception of the creators and story colors.
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Excerpt / Preview: A fraction of an original story, with no changes. When selecting this import option, users who read the (full) original story will NOT receive reading progress for the excerpt / preview and vice versa. When changes are made to the original story, only the title of the story will be automatically updated.
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Reprint (Altered): A reprint that has minor alterations to the contents, for example slight art differences, orientation (vertical scrolling), etc. When selecting this import option, users who read the (full) original story will NOT receive reading progress for the altered reprint and vice versa. When changes are made to the original story, this reprint is left untouched.

Story: Narrative content with pictures and speech bubbles.
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Text Story: Narrative content without sequential art. Does not included Script pages.
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Character Profile: Non-narrative content providing an overview of a character. A new Character profile 'Story' must be added per character covered. If a profile is for a group, without individual profiles, it must be a single profile.
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Data Page: Non-narrative content providing additional context to the world. A new Data Page 'Story' must be added per each item covered.
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Illustration: Non-narrative, completed art content such as pin-ups, poster art, promotional art, unused cover art, and rejected cover art. If both text and art are included (for example, in character pin-ups with a written explanation and/or minimal dialogue), but the art is the focus, Illustration is the appropriate story type. Do not create Illustration story breakdowns for unfinished Process Art or for finished Cover Art. Do not create Illustration story breakdowns for advertisements (including house ads) unless they are being presented in an archival manner as bonus material.
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Process Art: Non-narrative content depicting unfinished art or art-in-progress. For art that appears “finished” but is altered by the publisher and/or another artist prior to official publication, Process Art is the appropriate story type. Do not create Process Art story breakdowns for finished art, including Illustrations or Cover Art.
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Script: Text-based content describing the narrative and/or dialogue of a comic, typically unaided by sequential artwork.
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Introduction: Nonfiction, text-based content that appears before – and, typically, comments on – a larger work and/or its author(s). Forewords, Prefaces, and Dedication pages are included in this story type. Such material does not have to appear at the beginning of a book to be considered an "Introduction." A story breakdown of this type may not be a part of the comic's main story.
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Afterword: Nonfiction, text-based content that appears after – and, typically, comments on – a larger work and/or its author(s). Some comics may refer to this story type with words such as Postface or Postscript. Such material does not have to appear at the end of a book to be considered an "Afterword." A story breakdown of this type may not be a part of the comic's main story.
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Text Article: Nonfiction content without sequential art. Includes informational articles, historical articles, creator profiles, interviews, and opinion pieces. Do not create story breakdowns for Text Articles that lack a definitive, singular place of first publication; ineligible articles include advertisements, DC Nation pages, Stan's Soapbox columns, profiles and interviews that run concurrently across multiple issues by one or more publishers, and letters pages. If an interview is formatted as a dialogue, credit both the interviewer (if known) and the interviewee(s) as Writers.
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Letters: Text-based content in which a representative of the publisher, typically an editor or assistant editor, responds to letters from readers. All editorial staff credited in the Letters section should be credited in the breakdown according to the roles listed. If credits appear in the Letters section, don't credit any additional editorial roles that appear outside of the Letters; however, do credit the comic's main Editor(s) if they have been omitted from the Letters. In addition, any creators explicitly identified as responding to letters may be credited as "Writer." If no editorial credits are listed in the Letters, you may apply the following credits from the comic's primary story: Editor, Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, and Senior Editor.

If a section typically containing letters does not actually contain letters in a particular comic (for example, if "The Spectacular Spider-Mail" includes an editorial note but no letters), the story breakdown should still be set to Letters.
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Cover Gallery: Non-narrative content displaying one or more previously published covers. Previously published cover artwork can be displayed with this Story Type through the References system. Select all appropriate covers to be added to the Cover Gallery. If only one cover is reprinted, a single reference will display a Cover Reprint. The Cover Gallery may not be used for a comic's Cover page.
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Front Matter: All uniquely published, non-advertising, non-Illustration material that precedes a comic's Introduction -- or, if it lacks an Introduction, its "main" story breakdown(s) -- should be set to the "Front Matter" story type. Distinct "Front Matter" items should not be grouped together into a single breakdown; instead, each item should be assigned its own breakdown and an appropriate descriptive title.
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A comic's Front Matter may include the following items: Half-Title, Title Page, Credits, Table of Contents, Dedication, Epigraph, Acknowledgments, and/or Recap, among other similar categories. ("Indicia" and "Copyright Page/Information" are not eligible Front Matter items at this time.) If a Front Matter breakdown (such as "[Title and Credits]") appears partway into the comic's "main" story but before the story's halfway point, place the Front Matter breakdown prior to that of the "main" story. If the item appears more than halfway through the story or after the story's conclusion, use the "Back Matter" story type instead and place the breakdown after the “main” story.
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If reprinted material (such as artwork) is featured on a page with Front Matter, create an appropriate Front Matter story breakdown and use the Reference feature to credit the comic(s) from which the artwork is excerpted. Do not credit the creators or any characters depicted. If artwork and/or reproduced covers are devoted a full page (or pages), do not create Front Matter breakdowns for them; create appropriately titled Illustration or Cover Gallery story breakdowns (depending on the content presented).
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Creators and characters may only be credited in Front Matter when material that is unique/original to that Front Matter appears. In this event, as few creator credits should be added as possible; only credit editorial roles if narrative (i.e. story) content is present.
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Additionally, whenever a Dedication or Epigraph appears on its own page after a comic's "main" story breakdown, it should be set to either the "Introduction" or "Afterword" story type (depending on whether it comments on the preceding story or the following one) and given the title "[Dedication]" or "[Epigraph]."
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Back Matter: All uniquely published, non-advertising, non-Illustration material that follows a comic's "main" story breakdown(s), and which otherwise doesn't fit any other story types, should be set to the "Back Matter" story type. Distinct "Back Matter" items should not be grouped together into a single breakdown; instead, each item should be assigned its own breakdown and an appropriate descriptive title.
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A comic's Back Matter may include the following items (shared with Front Matter): Title Page, Credits, Dedication, Epigraph, and/or Acknowledgments. Unlike Front Matter, Back Matter may also include these items: Postscript, Appendix, Endnotes, Glossary, Bibliography, Works Cited, Index, and/or Creator Biographies, among other similar categories. ("Indicia" and "Copyright Page/Information" are not eligible Front Matter items at this time.) Even if primarily text-based, use the "Back Matter" story type for these breakdowns rather than "Text Article."
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If artwork is featured on a page with Back Matter, create an appropriate Back Matter story breakdown and credit the artists and the characters depicted; also use the Reference feature to credit the comic(s) from which the artwork is excerpted. If artwork and/or reproduced covers are devoted a full page (or pages) amidst the Front Matter, create appropriately titled Illustration or Cover Gallery story breakdowns (depending on the content presented).
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If reprinted material (such as artwork) is featured on a page with Back Matter, create an appropriate Back Matter story breakdown and use the Reference feature to credit the comic(s) from which the artwork is excerpted. Do not credit the creators or any characters depicted. If artwork and/or reproduced covers are devoted a full page (or pages), do not create Back Matter breakdowns for them; create appropriately titled Illustration or Cover Gallery story breakdowns (depending on the content presented).
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Creators and characters may only be credited in Back Matter when material that is unique/original to that Back Matter appears. In this event, as few creator credits should be added as possible; only credit editorial roles if narrative (i.e. story) content is present.
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Promo: Unique, non-narrative content advertising other publications from the same publisher. This story type may encompass (so long as they do not appear in other comics) full-page series announcements, crossover/event advertisements, descriptions of comics currently on sale, and "next issue" pages. If a page spotlighting another comic prominently features that comic's cover, but is clearly for advertising/promotional reasons rather than purely archival or aesthetic purposes, then Promo (rather than Cover Gallery) is the appropriate story type.

Comics with text and/or artwork (whether interior art, cover art, process art, or final art) appearing in the Promo can be displayed with this Story Type through the References system. If only one comic is Referenced, and no title is entered, the title will automatically display the name of the promoted comic; for example: "[Promo: Batman #500]." If more than comic is Referenced, the title will automatically display as "[Promo Gallery]." If a single comic is being promoted, and it is different from the one(s) Referenced, you may edit the breakdown title to reflect the correct comic.

When another comic's narrative content is previewed or excerpted, use the Preview/Excerpt story type (not Promo) to directly link the appropriate story breakdown from that comic. The Promo story type may still be used for any full-page, non-narrative promotional material, such as a preview of the cover art or a text-based advertisement.
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Use the full story title as present in the comic's interior. If no such title exists in the interior, you may use a story title that is present on the cover.

If the main character of a solo series has their persona (e.g. Batman, Robin, Spider-Man) featured as the standalone first part of a subtitled title, such as in Batman: Gothic, their name must be removed. By the same token, if a group or team name (e.g. Avengers, X-Men, Justice League) has its name featured as the standalone first part of a subtitled title, its name must be removed.

Capitalize the first letter of the first word in the title and capitalize the first letter of the first word following a colon.

Regardless of how the comic stylizes the title, capitalize nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. This includes all conjugations of the verb "to be" ("is," "am," "are," "was," "will"), which are capitalized (example: "I Am Iron Man"). After the first word of the title, do not capitalize articles or prepositions ("of," "on," "in," "the," "an," etc.).

Use the word "Part" to identify an entry in a larger story arc, unless the story specifically uses a different word (such as "Chapter"). Use a comma to separate the name of the story arc from the numeric part designation. Example: "Engines of Vengeance, Part 2."

Exclude a story arc's total number of parts from the Story Title. For example, "Torment, Part 1" instead of "Torment, Part 1 of 5."

If a story is numbered as part of a story arc within an even larger story arc, you may omit the larger story arc (and any corresponding part number) as long as doing so would not cause confusion.

Numbers should be spelled out only if the story does so. Example: "Cycles, Chapter Two."

Quotations should not be used.

If a story is numbered and part of a larger story arc displayed on the cover, and also has an additional, unique title, use a colon to separate it from the story arc title and numeric part designation. Example: "Maximum Carnage, Part 2: Darklight." In the rare instance that a third method of separation is required and not provided by the story, use an en dash (a short dash, not to be confused with a hyphen) with a space on either side. Some exceptions may be made for consistency.

If a story is untitled but constitutes a numbered entry in a story arc that is titled in other issues, apply an appropriately numbered title (example: "[Torment, Part 3]"), enclosed in brackets.

If a story is untitled and without other means to distinguish it, leave the field blank. Do not invent a title, do not use the story's first words as a title, and do not retroactively apply the title of a reprint or collected edition.

If a story title contains an error (such as a misspelling), retain the error. You may include the word "sic" in brackets to indicate that the error is in the original text. Example: "Prisoners of the Pharoah! [sic]"

For untitled stories in anthology comics (e.g. early issues of Action Comics, Detective Comics, etc.), the strip title may be enclosed in brackets and used as the story title. For example: "[Zatanna]," "[Slam Bradley]," etc.
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For Character Profiles: Please set the Title to the Character name, as displayed on-page.
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For Data Pages: Please set the Title to the content covered, as displayed on-page.
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For Illustrations: Please set the Title to include a format description and to credit the main artist.
- Acceptable format descriptions include Pin-Up, Poster Art, Painting, Promotional Art, and Unused Cover Art.
- "Pin-Up" should only be used when it is also used by the publisher.
- "Painting" should be used to describe painted art that has not previously been published.
- Include additional identifying information, such as issue numbers or dates, as available: “1992 Poster Art,” “Bound-In Poster Art,” etc. (Only include a date if the year is different from the comic in which the Illustration is being reprinted.)
- In the absence of any other format description, or when the original format is unknown, use the word "Illustration."
- If the main artist is known, credit them following the illustration description: "1992 Poster Art by Mark Bagley," "Bound-In Poster Art by Rick Leonardi," etc.
- When the illustration has an official title, include it at the beginning of the title field, enclosed in single quotation marks: " 'Captain America: The Artificial American Dream' Poster Art by J. H. Williams III," etc.
- When a relevant issue is known, it should be named in the title: "Amazing Fantasy #15 Rejected Cover Art by Steve Ditko," etc. When the specific issue number is unknown, the series title may be used without it: “Captain America (Vol. 3) Unused Cover Art by Jae Lee,” etc.
- When referring to complete but unpublished cover art, the terms “Unused” and “Rejected” should be used as specified in the comic in which the Illustration is presented (unless proven inaccurate by an outside source).
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For Process Art: Please set the Title to describe the type of process art presented and to credit the main artist.
- Acceptable descriptions include Character Designs, Concept Art, Cover Pencils, Cover Inks, etc.
- The blanket term “Process Art” may be used for pages that depict the progression of art through various stages of completion.
- If the main artist is known, credit them following the type description: “Character Designs by Dave Cockrum,” “Concept Art by R. B. Silva,” etc.
- Do not include character names in the title.
- In the rare instance that Process Art is officially titled, include it at the beginning of the title field, enclosed in single quotation marks.
- If several pages of Process Art by the same artist are grouped together under a title such as "John Cassaday Sketchbook," that title may be used in lieu of separate breakdowns for each work of Process Art.
- When a relevant issue is known, it should be named in the title: “Batman #125 Cover Inks,” “X-Men #25 Cover Process Art,” etc.
- The words “Interior” and “Cover” may be used when doing so would prevent confusion.
- When a specific issue is identified, only credit an artist in the title if doing so would prevent confusion (e.g. "Amazing Spider-Man #2 Interior Pencils by John Romita Jr." if the issue has multiple pencillers).
- When referring to previously unpublished Process Art, the terms “Unused” and “Rejected” should be used as specified in the comic in which the Process Art is presented (unless proven inaccurate by an outside source).
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For Script: The relevant issue should be named in the title: “X-Men #1 Script.” If the entire script is not reproduced, this should be specified: “X-Men #1 Partial Script” (naming which pages of the script are reprinted is unnecessary). If the script pages are accompanied by art-in-progress or by finished artwork, and the script still occupies 50% or more of the page(s), this should be specified: “X-Men #1 Script & Process Art,” “X-Men #1 Partial Script & Finished Art,” etc. If art-in-progress and finished artwork both appear, only "Process Art" is necessary.
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For Introduction: Please set the Title to that which is displayed in the book, while following the capitalization and formatting guidelines specified above. If no title is provided, leave the field blank.
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For Afterword: Please set the Title to that which is displayed in the book, while following the capitalization and formatting guidelines specified above. If no title is provided, leave the field blank.
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For Text Article: Please set the Title to that which is displayed in the book, while following the capitalization and formatting guidelines specified above. If no title is provided, leave the field blank.
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For Recap: Please set the Title to that which is displayed in the book. If no title is provided, leave the field blank.
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For Letters: Please set the Title to that which is displayed in the book. If no title is provided, leave the field blank.
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For Cover Gallery: Please leave the field blank, unless the Cover Gallery has a specific name displayed in the book.
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For Front Matter: Please set the title to describe the type of Front Matter presented and, unless it's officially titled as such, enclose it in brackets. For example: "[Title Page]," "[Credits]," "[Dedication]." If multiple items appear on a single page, they may be combined in the title: for example, "[Credits and Table of Contents]." If three or more items appear on a single page, separate the items using commas: "[Title, Credits, and Recap]." If multiple items appear on a single page, and at least one item is officially titled while at least one other item is untitled, treat all items as untitled. Items should be placed in the order they appear on the page (top to bottom, left to right for Western comics). If a Title Page appears in combination with any other Front Matter item, shorten from "Title Page" to "Title": for example, "[Title and Credits]." For Title Pages, DO NOT set the title as the actual text of the "main" story's title.

For Back Matter: Please set the title to describe the type of Back Matter presented and, unless it's officially titled as such, enclose it in brackets. For example: "[Title Page]," "[Works Cited]," "[Index]." If multiple items appear on a single page, they may be combined in the title: "[Postscript and Acknowledgments]." If three or more items appear on a single page, separate the items using commas: "[Title, Credits, and Postscript]." If multiple items appear on a single page, and at least one item is officially titled while at least one other item is untitled, treat all items as untitled. Items should be placed in the order they appear on the page (top to bottom, left to right for Western comics). If a Title Page appears in combination with any other Back Matter item, shorten from "Title Page" to "Title": for example, "[Title and Credits]." For Title Pages, DO NOT set the title as the actual text of the "main" story's title.
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This is a separate number from the overall page count.

Page count should only include actual story pages for this particular story.

Do not include covers, pin-up pages, text/letter pages, ads, and blank pages unrelated to the Story Type.
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Story: The "Story" credit should only be used for a creator that had some involvement in the story's creation, but was not the primary writer or had lesser contributions to writing the script or full comic. More often than not, if someone is credited with the Plot, they can be set for Story credit. If there is only a single writer or story creator, the Story credit should not be used.

Artists: Artist is intended to encompass Pencillers and Inkers, and sometimes Colorists.

Colorists: A Colorist who colors interior or cover art should be labeled as a Colorist.

Inkers: An Inker who inks art from the interior should be labeled as an Inker.

Letterers: A letterer who creates comic book lettering digitally or by hand should be labeled as a Letterer. Give credit to a lettering company (e.g. Comicraft, Sharpefont, etc.) only when it is credited independently from individual letterers. For example, Comicraft should be credited (along with Richard Starkings) for "Richard Starkings and Comicraft," but not for "Comicraft's Richard Starkings." Do not credit "Typeset" as a letterer.

Cover Artist: Cover Artist is intended as the primary Penciller. Inkers, Colorists, Designers, etc. should not be marked as Cover Artists.

Variant Cover Artist: This credit has been sunset now that we have credits on the variants themselves. Please use the individual Cover credits on the specific Variant page.

Editors: The editorial roles available in the contribution form are the only ones that should be credited. Managing Editors, Editorial Assistants, and Editorial Interns should not be credited.

Designers: Do not label creators credited with "Production" as Designers.

Reconstruction: This label is for creators who contribute to art reconstruction in reprints and/or collected editions. They may be credited in the comic under labels such as "Color Reconstruction," "Black & White Reconstruction," "Art Restoration," or similar.​
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Please refer to our knowledgebase article on Character Appearances.
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References are a context-dependent feature allowing story breakdowns to "reference" specific comics in different ways, depending on the story type. To add a Reference to a story breakdown, enter the title of the comic you wish to reference in the search field. See below for more details on how to use this feature with each story type. Do not use References for purposes other than those outlined below.
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Story: Use References to add comics that have material (script, artwork, or both) either reprinted or previewed as part of the story. If an entire story from another comic is reprinted, use the "Import" function to copy that story in its entirety rather than using the References feature. DO NOT use References to document in-story references to other comics.
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Text Story, Character Profile, Data Page, Illustration, Script, Introduction, Afterword, Text Article, Letters, and Recap: Use References to add comics that have material (script, artwork, or both) either reprinted or previewed as part of the story. If an entire story from another comic is reprinted, use the "Import" function to copy that story in its entirety rather than using the References feature.
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Process Art: Use References to add the comic(s) in which the completed Process Art was first published. Do not create Reference entries for Process Art that lacks a final published version (e.g. character designs), or for Process Art intended for non-comic mediums (e.g. toys, posters, etc.).
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Cover Gallery: Use References to add comics that have their covers reprinted. This may be one or many covers.
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Please refer to our knowledgebase article on Keys to understand our vision for this data.

Character First Appearance: A character's first appearance in comics.
- Must be related to the specific persona (or base, if not a persona).
- Cameo and Full first appearances are permitted only for major character keys, such as Wolverine.
- Keys for DC Comics characters must be with their respective timelines (Pre-Crisis, Post-Crisis, and Post-Flashpoint). Eg. Batman (Post-Flashpoint) first appeared in Flashpoint #5.
- Do not enter in a universe or timeline note for a character's first appearance ever.
- Do not enter canonical, cover or mentioned first appearances.

Character Death: A character meeting their demise, permanently.
- This does not apply to characters that are later brought back.
- May not be added within 30 days of the release.
- Only currently dead characters or ones that were major Key Issues may get a Death Key Event.

Team First Appearance: The first ever assembling of a team, regardless of the members. For example, The Justice League of America first appears in The Brave and the Bold #28.

Iconic Costume Appearance: The first ever usage of a beloved costume. For example, Spider-Man's black suit reveal in Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8.

Iconic Cover Artwork: Comic covers featuring artwork that has become iconic. For example, Hulk #340, ASM #300, Spider-Man #1, Web of Spider-Man #32, ASM #316, Action Comics #643, and more.​

Origin: Origin stories for iconic characters that are presented later in their publishing history.

Keep the Notes field short, such as "Full" instead of "Full Appearance".
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All covers should be high quality, laid flat without borders, to not need to be cropped or adjusted.

Box sets, polybagged or packaged comics must show just the comic in frame. The polybag may be over it, but it should be cropped to just the comic itself to maintain consistency in sizing, cropping, etc.

Minimum Width: Cover images should be at least 400 pixels wide. If no other image can be found for the cover, a smaller one will suffice.

Max Width: There is currently no maximum width, however the Contribution form may time out for extremely large images. So it is recommended to keep it between 300 and 900 pixels wide.

Watermarks: Cover images without watermarks are required.

UPCs: Cover images should include their UPCs/barcodes if they are displayed on the front. If there's a Newsstand and Direct Edition - the Direct Edition should be the main cover. The Newsstand Edition should be listed as the Variant.

Front/Back: Cover images should only include the front side of a comic, regardless of how the artwork is presented. Even if it is a Wraparound Cover or Flipbook.

Nudity: Nudity (or very close to it) must be heavily censored with large blur effects or thick black bars. If not obscured greatly, genitalia, nipples, etc. should be covered with a large shapes covering the bare skin. This is done to ensure our apps are permitted on Google and Apple platforms. In addition to censorship, please see the NSFW tag section.

Digital Editions: Digital Editions or digital-specific covers are not permitted. Most are simply the regular cover without trade dress.

Flip Books: For Flip Books, only one side may be listed. The barcode side should be used. This way we can differentiate Direct vs Newsstand.

Deluxe Editions: If the Deluxe Edition is intended to be the main cover, it should indeed be set as the main cover. UPC numbering can confirm this as well.
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NSFW: Visible genitalia, female breasts, buttocks, fondling and sex found in covers must be labeled as NSFW.

Possibly NSFW: Lower or outer curve of the female breast exposed, majority of buttocks exposed. If you're questioning NSFW and are unsure, select this.

Safe: Everything else.
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Issues from the same publisher that reprint the precise, full comic with an identical name should be set as variants.

Image Firsts and other cheap reprints should be set as variants with Image Firsts Edition being their Cover Name, unless they include other material.

If an edition has unique story-related contents (beyond the cover) it should have its own series, for example a Director's Cut edition, Ashcan, Noir Edition, or Red Band.

If an edition has a polybag, there may be a non-polybagged variant added for tracking sales and ownership for those who want it.

For Comics and Annuals - If there's a Newsstand Edition and a Direct Edition, the Direct Edition is the main cover with the Newsstand Edition as the variant. If there is a Whitman Variant (Diamond in the corner) for the Direct market, it should instead be the Variant. If they simultaneously released direct Collector's Editions with the intention of those being the main covers like some older DC titles, those should be listed as the main.

For TPs/HCs - If there's a "Direct Market Edition" or "DM Variant", that must be the variant and not the main cover.

If a Facsimile Edition (Replica or Archive Edition) exists, it should be a Variant of the original, unless the indicia or title are very different.