Marvel is revising (again) its ratings system for comics. This is the third version since they withdrew from the Comics Code. The original MPAA style of ratings had to change when the MPAA objected; the second version left people wondering what “PSR” meant.
The new versions:
ALL AGES – Appropriate for readers of all ages.
T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEEN AND UP – 13+ years old Appropriate for most readers, parents are advised they may want to read before or with younger children.
PARENTAL ADVISORY – 15+ years old Similar to T+ Suggested for Teen and Up, but featuring more mature themes and/or more graphic imagery. Recommended for teen and adult readers.
MAX: EXPLICIT CONTENT – 18+ years old Most Mature Readers books will fall under the MAX Comics banner, (created specifically for mature content titles) MAX and Mature-themed titles will continue to be designed to appear distinct from mainline Marvel titles, with the “MAX: Explicit Content” label very prominently displayed on the cover. MAX titles will NOT be sold on the newsstand, and they will NOT be marketed to younger readers.
The rating is similar to that used on several manga titles.
For some odd reason, the ratings for “T+” and “PARENTAL ADVISORY” will be printed in the UPC code box; the other two ratings will be printed at the top of the cover. Thus, you’ll have to look around to find the rating, if you’re interested in it.
You’d think the easiest, if they’re going to rank them, is to actually have the age numbers as the codes — 0/13+/15+/18+. But that would probably seem too concrete and definitive. Bleah.
(via Thought Balloons)