I would like to start off by explaining the grading system. This has nothing to do with the level of work that people put into their comic or how it is received by the public. This is not a 5 or 10 star program. This is a simple grading system, much like the grading system of the movies. That’s not to say that we are not implementing a 5 star system as well. That is left up to the general public to rate using the 5 star system.

This list was created by a committee consisting of Religious leaders from various religions, parents, High School and College students, and various programmers. We have done this so that there is never any question as to why something was graded a certain way. In order to show complete transparency, we want you to review this list and become familiar with it. This might be updated from time to time and categories might be added as needed.

What are the Grading Categories?

All Ages

Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

Teen

Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

Mature

Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

Adults

Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content. Will require extra waivers to view stating that you are of the age to view the material.

How the Grading is Determined

The grading will be based on the number of content descriptors and the use of each based on a select group of readers sensitivity. This way each reader will only get the experience that they wish to have according to their age appropriateness. To access Mature content, one will have to sign an online waiver stating that they are old enough to look at such content. As a general rule, Crypto Comics will allow an adults only submission that will be left in the hands of the audience to determine their worth. It will be the Content Descriptors only that determine the rating.

Content Descriptors

  • Alcohol Reference – Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages
  • Animated Blood – Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood
  • Blood and Gore – Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts
  • Blood- Depictions of blood
  • Cartoon Violence – Violent actions involving cartoon-like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted
  • Comic Mischief – Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor
  • Crude Humor – Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor
  • Drug Reference – Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs
  • Fantasy Violence – Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life
  • Intense Violence – Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death
  • Language – Mild to moderate use of profanity
  • Mature Humor – Depictions or dialogue involving “adult” humor, including sexual references
  • Nudity – Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity
  • Partial Nudity – Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity
  • Sexual Content – Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity
  • Sexual Themes – References to sex or sexuality
  • Sexual Violence – Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts
  • Strong Language – Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity
  • Strong Sexual Content – Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity
  • Suggestive Themes – Mild provocative references or materials
  • Tobacco Reference – Reference to and/or images of tobacco products
  • Use of Alcohol – The consumption of alcoholic beverages
  • Use of Drugs – The consumption or use of illegal drugs
  • Use of Tobacco – The consumption of tobacco products
  • Violence – Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment.
  • Violent References – References to violent acts

How does this work

We will be assigning a point value to every content descriptor. From there we will add up all the points that are associated with each comic. The total sum will determine where it falls in the grading system. A Grade will be assigned so that everyone can see, before they open the book, exactly what content they will be exposed to.

We do this so that everyone can get the full experience from the comics that they find. The only comics that we will be limiting people from would be the Adult Comics so that no one under the age of 18 will be exposed to them.

Penalties

While creators are filling out the submit form, we will not have time of availability to monitor all new works. We will be trusting those that submit, that they will be honest about the content. However, sometime a matter of taste can skew a result. We will take that into consideration with all of our comics. Users of any level will still be able to report inappropriate content and our administrators will be notified on each report.

If it is just a simple 1 time issue after submitting several comics with the correct descriptors then the issue could possibly be overlooked. We will simply adjust the content descriptors and move on with our lives. If it a major issue (i.e. having a comic that contains nudity be graded for children, or happens several times), then disciplinary actions may be taken, including banning that user from the site completely.

Please, for your sake and all that come to enjoy comics, do not take this lightly.