Comic Book Rating System Gaining Traction

A new comic book ratings system instituted by DC Comics in January of this year is gaining more traction. Image Comics announced today that they would be joining DC Comics in using the new ratings system. Image Comics will be using the ratings for both their print and digital comic releases. The ratings system will go in effect beginning with Image titles shipping in July 2011. Here is a breakdown of the ratings and what they mean. E - EVERYONE (all ages, may contain minimal violence) T - TEEN (12 and up, may contain mild violence or mild profanity) T+ - TEEN PLUS (16 and up, may contain moderate violence, moderate profanity use and suggestive themes ) M - MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other content not suitable for minors) "Retailers have been asking us to more clearly define which audiences our various comics are aimed at for some time, and we're pleased to finally comply with those requests," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "It's been nearly a decade since the comics industry began the process of abandoning the Comics Code Authority, but during that time there hasn't been one consistent rating system. The system DC employs is by far the clearest, so it makes sense to go with that."