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.
Quick Summary
- Western comics (Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, etc.)
- Manga (Japanese)
- Manhwa (Korean)
- Manhua (Chinese)
- Bande dessinée (French/Belgian)
Search and browse pages default to Western comics, but you can use the medium filter to find manga, manhwa, and other formats. Each series has a medium setting that determines whether individual releases are called "Issues" (Western) or "Volumes" (manga and others).
Tip
If you're adding non-Western content, make sure the series medium is set correctly so the terminology displays properly throughout the site.
What We Don't Cover
VerseDB focuses on published comic books and graphic novels. The following content types fall outside our scope:
Quick Summary
- Webcomics (unless they have official print editions)
- Fan comics and doujinshi
- Newspaper comic strips (Garfield, Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, etc.)
- Editorial and political cartoons
- Illustrated novels and picture books
- Animation and anime
- Light novels
Note
If a webcomic later receives an official print release from a publisher, that print edition can be added to VerseDB.
Core Principles
Accuracy
All contributions must be verifiable.
- Use official publisher sources whenever possible
- Check printed comics for credits and factual details
- Cross-reference multiple reliable sources when available
- If something cannot be confirmed, leave it blank
Rule
Never guess or estimate information. Inaccurate data weakens the database for everyone.
Neutrality
Keep all content factual and objective.
- Stick to verifiable information only
- Avoid opinions, rankings, or subjective language
- Do not promote or criticize the content
- Present facts without bias or interpretation
Copyright and Attribution
Write original content and respect source material.
- Paraphrase information in your own words
- Never copy text verbatim from other sources
- Follow fair use guidelines
- Credit original creators accurately
Collaboration
VerseDB is a shared effort.
- Improve existing content instead of replacing it outright
- Check for pending edits before submitting changes
- Respect content locks and moderation decisions
- Use moderator feedback to improve future contributions
Formatting Standards
Text Formatting
Character names
- Use proper capitalization and punctuation
- Preserve hyphens and special characters (Spider-Man, Jean Grey)
- Capitalize real names correctly (Peter Parker, not peter parker)
Series titles
- Use italics when referenced in descriptions
- Include subtitles when applicable
- Add volume or year when needed for disambiguation
Publisher names
- Use the full official publisher name
- Include imprints when they are part of the official credit
Dates
Use a consistent US date format: MM-DD-YYYY
- Release dates: 06-16-2025
- Birth and death dates: 08-28-1917
Numbers
Issue numbers
- Use numeric values only (42, not #42 or Issue 42)
- Use decimals for variant numbering when applicable (700.1)
Prices
- Use decimal format only (3.99, not $3.99)
- Assume United States dollars unless otherwise specified
- Leave the field blank if the price is unknown
Page counts
- Use numeric values only (32, not 32 pages)
Description Writing
Descriptions should explain what something is, not tell the full story.
- Start with a brief summary that identifies the subject and its scope.
- Include only key, clearly established details that help someone understand it at a glance.
- Add historical context only when it meaningfully improves understanding.
- Mention notable scope or appearances at a high level, without listing events or outcomes.
Avoid plot summaries, spoilers, marketing language, and long timelines. When in doubt, write less. Clear and accurate descriptions are always better than exhaustive ones.
Character Limits
Each content type has a maximum description length. Keep your writing within these limits:
| Content Type | Field | Max Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Issues | description | 800 |
| Series | description | 1,200 |
| Titles | description | 1,200 |
| Creators | biography | 1,200 |
| Publishers | description | 1,200 |
| Characters | description | 1,800 |
| Teams | description | 1,800 |
| Story Arcs | description | 2,000 |
| Comic Events | description | 2,000 |
Tip
Shorter limits exist for a reason. Issues need focused summaries, while story arcs spanning multiple series need more room to explain their scope.
Language Guidelines
- Write in present tense for current information
- Use past tense only for clearly historical facts
- Keep sentences direct and concise
- Define terms that may be unfamiliar to new readers
- Link to related VerseDB content when it adds clarity
- Use first-person language or personal opinions
- Include spoilers in descriptions without proper warnings
- Use all caps, excessive punctuation, or stylistic emphasis
- Write in slang or informal tone
- Present fan theories, speculation, or interpretation as fact
Content-Specific Guidelines
Characters
Quick Summary
- Name and Real Name are required for approval
- Description must be original, not copied
- Always verify first appearance before adding
Name
Required
Official character name with correct capitalization and punctuation (Spider-Man, not Spiderman)
Real Name
Required
Civilian identity, if applicable (Peter Parker)
Description
Required
Clear, factual overview of the character. Focus on identity and role, not plot summaries.
Aliases
Optional
Other established names the character is known by
Powers/Abilities
Optional
Clearly established abilities or notable skills only
First Appearance
Optional
Debut issue and publication date. Verify before adding.
Creators
Optional
Writer and artist credited with the character's creation
Affiliations
Optional
Teams, organizations, or long-standing associations
Status
Optional
Active, deceased, or retired when explicitly established
Series
Quick Summary
- Name, start year, and publisher are required for approval
- Use volume or numbering to disambiguate when titles repeat
Name
Required
Official series title with correct capitalization, punctuation, and subtitles
Start Year
Required
Year the series began publication
Publisher
Required
Publishing company using the full official name
End Year
Optional
Only include if the series has conclusively ended
Description
Optional
High-level series overview. Keep it factual and avoid spoilers or plot outcomes.
Publication Type
Optional
Ongoing, limited series, one-shot, miniseries, or similar
Creators
Optional
Key credited writers and artists. Do not guess.
Related Series
Optional
Previous volumes, spin-offs, tie-ins, or closely related series when clearly established
Issues
Quick Summary
- Series and issue number are always required
- Verify release dates using official publisher sources
- Only add characters who actually appear in the issue
Series
Required
Parent series this issue belongs to
Issue Number
Required
Numeric value only (42, not #42 or Issue 42)
Name
Required
Issue title, if the issue has one
Release Date
Optional
Publication date in MM-DD-YYYY format
Price
Optional
Cover price in decimal format (3.99)
Page Count
Optional
Total story pages only, excluding ads
Creators
Optional
Full creative team with correct roles. Do not guess.
Description
Optional
Issue description focused on setup and context. Avoid outcomes and spoilers unless clearly marked.
Story Arcs
Optional
Story arcs this issue is explicitly part of
Character Appearances
Optional
Characters who physically appear in this issue
Creators
Quick Summary
- Only the creator's name is required for approval
- Biographies should focus on work within comics
- Personal details must be publicly known and verified
Name
Required
Full creator name as it is commonly credited
Biography
Optional
Concise career overview focused on comic-related work
Birth Date
Optional
Only include if publicly available and reliably verified
Nationality
Optional
Country of origin, if known
Notable Works
Optional
Key creations or well-known runs
Awards
Optional
Major industry recognition when clearly established
Publishers
Quick Summary
- Name is required for approval
- Description should explain what they publish, not corporate history
Name
Required
Full official publisher name
Description
Optional
What they publish and their specialty. Avoid corporate history and marketing language.
Founded Year
Optional
Year the publisher was established, if known
Headquarters
Optional
City or country where headquartered
Website
Optional
Official publisher website URL
Status
Optional
Active, inactive, or defunct
Teams
Quick Summary
- Name is required for approval
- Focus on team identity and purpose, not roster lists
Name
Required
Official team name with correct capitalization
Description
Optional
Team purpose and identity. Avoid complete roster lists or membership timelines.
First Appearance
Optional
Debut issue and publication date
Headquarters
Optional
Base of operations, if established
Affiliations
Optional
Publisher universe or parent organization
Titles
Quick Summary
- Name and publisher are required for approval
- Titles are parent containers that group related series
Name
Required
Official title name
Publisher
Required
Publishing company
Description
Optional
What the title represents. Do not summarize individual series.
Start Year
Optional
When the first series under this title began
Status
Optional
Ongoing, completed, or cancelled
Story Arcs
Quick Summary
- Name is required for approval
- Focus on scope and participants, not plot details
Name
Required
Official story arc name
Description
Optional
High-level overview of what the arc covers. Avoid plot spoilers and outcomes.
Issues
Optional
Issues that are part of this arc
Characters
Optional
Major characters involved in the arc
Start/End Issues
Optional
First and last issues of the arc
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:
- Verify it exists in official content
- Search VerseDB first to avoid creating duplicates
- Confirm you are linking the correct entity (watch for name collisions)
- 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
Warning
These issues are the most common reasons edits are rejected. Review your submission carefully before submitting.
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.