Like movies, video games, and television, comics also use age ratings. this helps inform whether a comic is suitable for a particular age group and can point them in the right direction for age-appropriate content.
However, these ratings can be useless if you don’t know what they really mean. This guide gives you everything you need to know about comic book age ratings so you can make an informed decision.
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read on for more information.
Is there a uniform age rating system?
The short answer is no. while most comic book publishers have chosen to use the system devised by dc comics (more on that later), marvel has had a few different systems over the years.
current comics classification systems
In terms of comic book age ratings, there are two systems that are prevalent in today’s releases. while they are both similar, they both have their own differences that set them apart.
the dc comics rating system
Introduced in 2011 by dc comics, this rating system is the one used by most publishers.
The classification system follows as follows:
- e – all – appropriate for readers of all ages. may contain violent cartoons and/or some comic mischief.
- t – teen – appropriate for readers 12+. may contain mild violence, suggestive language and/or themes.
- t+ – teen plus – appropriate for readers 15+. may contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery, and/or suggestive themes.
- m – mature – appropriate for readers 17+. may contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes, and other content suitable for older readers only.
**2022 update**
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dc comics seems to be using two systems together at the moment. there’s the old system, which appears on their website, and a simpler age-based rating system that appears on the front pages.
an example of this is batman #120, which is rated teen on the dc comics website but 13+ on the cover.
The rating based on age is as follows:
- 13+ – replaces teen
- 15+ – replaces teen plus
- 17+ : Reserved primarily for dc black label comics, this replaces the m/mature rating
As for all-ages graphic novels, it appears DC has chosen to use a reading age, similar to how a traditional book publisher would. for example, on amazon, the graphic novel amethyst: princess of gemworld has a reading age of 8-12.
the current marvel comics rating system
Marvel has had a few different rating systems over the years (see more on these below). Below is the one they currently use:
- all ages: Appropriate for all ages.
- t: Appropriate for most readers, but be warned to parents who may want to read earlier or with younger children.
- t+ teens and older – appropriate for teens 13 and older.
- advice for parents – suitable for ages 15 and up. similar to t+, but with more mature themes and/or more graphic images. recommended for teen and adult readers.
- explicit content – over 18 years old.
older comics classification systems
While comics currently have two prominent rating systems, those aren’t the only ones that have been used in the past.
the authority of the comic code
The Comics Code Authority was formed in 1954 after there was widespread concern about the content of some (primarily horror) comics. Much of this was prompted by Fredric Wertham’s book Seduction of the Lambs and the senate hearing that followed. To avoid being regulated by the government, the comics industry chose to self-regulate with the authority of the comics code.
The self-regulation of the comics industry was accompanied by a set of criteria that dictated what could and could not be in a comic. Over the years, certain elements were loosened up when the publisher complained that the comics code stifled creativity and felt ridiculously out of date.
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by the 2000s, most comics publishers had abandoned the comics code in favor of newer rating systems.
comics that adhered to the comics code have the seal of approval (as seen above) on their covers.
You can learn more about the comics code and its history in this article from the Comics Legal Defense Fund.
first marvel rating system
After withdrawing from the comics code authority in 2001, Marvel introduced its own classification system. This system was inspired by the ratings used by the Motion Picture Association of America.
- all ages
- pg (parental guidance)
- pg+
- parenting advice/explicit content
marvel’s second rating system
Shortly after the first rating system was introduced, Marvel had to revise its rating system after the Motion Picture Association of America complained about the use of some rating name. marvel revised his system to the following:
- all ages
- psr (parental guidance recommended)
- psr+
- parental advisory/explicit content
marvel’s third rating system
marvel later revised their rating system in 2005 to the following:
- all ages
- a – suitable for ages 9+
- t+ – suggested for teens and older
- parental advisory
- max: explicit content
how do I find out the ratings for a comic?
There are several ways to find out the age rating of a comic.
- on the front or back cover of a comic
- in comic requests
- on the publisher’s website
why is there no consistent system?
As you can see, there is no consistent system for rating comics and graphic novels. Unlike film, television, and video games, there is no official ratings board or committee. comics are self-regulated and it is up to the publisher to apply the rating to their releases.
in conclusion
The ratings used for comics should be used to inform whether the content is appropriate for you or the youth in your life. Just like movie and other media ratings, use a little common sense and check the ratings before you buy teen comics.