When adding character appearances to stories within issues, follow these guidelines to ensure consistency and accuracy.
General Requirements
Characters that are living locations, such as Krakoa, may only be listed when they (the living being) are actively playing a part in the story.
For collected editions, please use the Import Story feature to bring in the issue stories and therefore the characters will be prepopulated.
Cover appearances and mentions should not be included.
When dealing with impersonations - only list the impersonator.
Symbiotes should only be listed in addition to the host when they are speaking or shown independent of a host.
The base character should not be added in addition to their personas.
Roles
Main characters have heavy speaking roles and/or are pivotal to the story. They typically have high page counts within the comic. The most common examples are a comic's main character(s) or protagonist(s). Antagonists, supporting cast, and/or guest stars may rise to “Main" status in some instances -- for example, when the story (either wholly or in large part) follows that character's exploits to the exclusion of the comic's typical Main character(s) -- but in most cases, those characters are Supporting. You can think of Main characters as having a "starring" role in the comic.
Supporting characters may have speaking and/or physical roles, but they are not the main character(s) of the comic. Their page counts may vary. If a non-Main character is physically present within the story and/or interacts meaningfully with another character, then they belong in this category. ("Meaningful" interactions include dialogue exchange, physical contact, etc.) If a collector of this character's appearances would be "missing" an important plot development or character moment by not reading/collecting this comic, then the appearance most likely is either Main or Supporting.
Supporting (Dream or Illusion): This category is for characters that otherwise fit the criteria for Supporting, but are actually dreams, illusions, hallucinations, etc. Other characters may or may not perceive a character in this category to be "real," but in any case, the "real" version of the character does not appear. This category does not include appearances that take place via flashback, or other narrative modes featuring the "real" version of a character; such appearances should be categorized as "Supporting."
Supporting (Construct): This category is for characters that otherwise fit the criteria for Supporting, but are actually robots, constructs, or simulacra (of some other kind) rather than the “real” character. (Constructs may be biological, technological, digital, natural/environmental, and/or supernatural in nature.) Other characters may or may not perceive a character appearing in this category to be the "real" version of the character, but in any case, the "real" version of the character does not appear. This category should only be used to credit simulacra with a limited number of appearances; if, for example, a robot version of a character appears for multiple issues, then the robot likely should have its own character page.
Cameo: This category is for characters that make a short appearance (typically 1 to 2 pages, or less), with minimal dialogue and/or physical interaction with other characters. Cameos generally are not pivotal to the main story or subplots. (Exceptions include final-page cameo "reveals," such as the first appearances of Wolverine and Venom.) Characters that appear in non-speaking, non-action roles but nevertheless are considered "present" for the story also fit this category; examples include party scenes in which multiple characters are pictured mingling in the background. However, consider the character's overall role in the comic/series to determine whether a short appearance actually rises to the level of "Supporting." If a collector of this character's appearances would be "missing" an important plot development or character moment by not reading/collecting this comic, then the appearance likely is not a Cameo.
Cameo (Vision): This category is for characters that appear for a small number of panels via dreams, visions, nonspecific flashes of memory, etc. Characters in this category do not interact with Main or Supporting characters in the present. Examples include the proverbial "floating heads of guilt" (of Aunt May, Uncle Ben, etc.) that appear to Spider-Man in times of hardship. This category does not include cameo appearances by "real" characters that appear in the narrative present; such appearances should be categorized as "Cameo." When there is doubt as to the type of Cameo appearance, simply select “Cameo.”
Cameo (Illusion): This category is for characters that appear for a small number of panels as illusions, hallucinations, etc. Characters in this category appear to manifest in the "real" world, and may be perceived as physically present by other characters. When there is doubt as to the type of Cameo appearance, simply select “Cameo.”
Cameo (Construct): This category is for characters that otherwise fit the criteria for Cameo, but are actually robots, constructs, or simulacra (of some other kind) rather than the “real” character. (Constructs may be biological, technological, digital, natural/environmental, and/or supernatural in nature.) Other characters may or may not perceive a character appearing in this category to be the "real" version of the character, but in any case, the "real" version of the character does not appear. This category should only be used to credit simulacra with a limited number of appearances; if, for example, a robot version of a character appears for multiple issues, then the robot likely should have its own character page.
Cameo (Image): This category is for characters that "appear" only as (non-moving and non-speaking, generally) images on television and/or computer screens, in photographs, etc. This category also includes characters that are pictured on inanimate objects such as coffee mugs, T-shirts, etc. but only if more than the character's head appears.
Cameo (Message): This category is for unpictured characters that "appear" asynchronously to the main action by way of a handwritten note, letter, text message, email, etc. Characters that appear in off-panel speaking or narrator roles do not belong in this category. Text-based "mentions" of non-appearing characters do not belong in this (or any) category.
Cameo (Inanimate): This category is for characters that "appear" only as inanimate objects, such as statues, action figures, stuffed animals, or other toys. This should not be used for corpses, please select the generic Cameo for this option.