Content Edit Guidelines and Best Practices on VerseDB

Follow best practices to ensure your edits are accurate, well-formatted, and quickly approved.

What We Cover#

VerseDB is primarily a Western comic book database, covering American comics, British comics, and similar traditions. However, we accept all comic mediums.

Source Verification#

Preferred Sources#

Tier 1: Primary sources (highest priority)

• Official publisher websites (Marvel.com, DC.com, Image Comics, etc.)
• Printed comic books, including credits pages and indicia
• Publisher press releases and official solicitations
• Creator statements from verified interviews or official social media
• ISBN records and Library of Congress data

Tier 2: Secondary sources

• Comic databases such as ComicVine, Grand Comics Database, League of Comic Geeks, and Metron
• Established comic news outlets (CBR, Comics Beat, Bleeding Cool)
• Published reference books and encyclopedias

Tier 3: Tertiary sources (use with caution)

• Wikipedia, with all information independently verified
• Fan wikis, only when confirmed against primary sources
• Retailer listings, cross-referenced with publisher data
• Community forums, used only as leads and never as confirmation

Sources to Avoid#

Never use the following as primary sources:

• Unverified or anonymous social media posts
• Personal blogs without clear editorial standards
• Speculation, rumors, or leaks
• Fan theories or interpretations
• Unauthorized scans or unpublished material

Relationship Management#

Adding Relationships#

Before adding any relationship:

1. Verify it exists in official content
2. Search VerseDB first to avoid creating duplicates
3. Confirm you are linking the correct entity (watch for name collisions)
4. Choose the correct relationship type

When adding creators:

• Select the correct role (Writer, Artist, Inker, Colorist, Letterer, Editor, Cover Artist)
• Prefer printed credits and indicia when available
• Match the creator's credited name and spelling exactly

When adding characters:

• Only add characters who physically appear in the issue
• Separate cameos from major appearances when the distinction is clear
• Do not add characters who are only mentioned
• Confirm identity to avoid duplicates and mistaken aliases

Removing Relationships#

Valid reasons to remove a relationship:

• It was added in error
• It links to a duplicate entry
• The character does not actually appear
• The creator is not actually credited

Before removing:

• Re-verify the evidence
• Explain the reason in edit notes
• Consider variants, reprints, and retcons before changing links
• Do not remove confirmed, canonical relationships

Common Mistakes to Avoid#

Guessing information#

Do not add dates without verification, estimate page counts, assume creator credits, or include unconfirmed relationships. Leave fields blank when information cannot be verified and research before submitting.

Copying content#

Do not copy text from Wikipedia, other databases, or publisher descriptions. Always paraphrase in your own words and write original descriptions based on verified information.

Opinion-based edits#

Avoid personal opinions or value judgments such as "the best run" or "poorly written." Stick to factual statements like creator credits, publication dates, or documented reception when supported by sources.

Ignoring existing content#

Do not remove accurate information or completely rewrite solid descriptions without reason. Build on what is already there, correct errors carefully, and be mindful of pending edits.

Final Checklist#

Before submitting an edit, confirm that:

• The information is accurate and verifiable
• Reliable sources were used
• Formatting guidelines are followed
• Language is neutral and factual
• Spelling and grammar have been checked
• The edit adds clear value
• You would trust this edit if submitted by someone else

If all of the above are true, your edit is ready to submit.