Long overdue: DC drops the comics code.

[lugaru]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30436

The comics code is a relic, not just censorship but an attack against very specific publishers (such as EC). Well, DC finally dropped the code, which I suspect was to celebrate the fact that Marvel dropped it 10 years ago.

Hopefully the label will reflect the book, since DC has recently been the go to place for unexpected mature content.

[Previsionary]

As I told UE, I wasn't aware they still adhered to the code given their recent content.

[Podmark]

As I told UE, I wasn't aware they still adhered to the code given their recent content.

They only used it on some books. No idea which ones though.

[steamteck]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30436

Hopefully the label will reflect the book, since DC has recently been the go to place for unexpected mature content.

Which ironicly most often isn't.

[BentonGrey]

As I told UE, I wasn't aware they still adhered to the code given their recent content.

Ha, my thoughts exactly.

[cripp12]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30436

Hopefully the label will reflect the book, since DC has recently been the go to place for unexpected mature content.

I really haven't followed DC. What kind of mature content. When I first started collecting they where always cheezy to me.
Maybe I will give it a try.

[lugaru]

I often think of DC as cheesy too (My nickname is Dated Comics, hope nobody thinks this is me being rude) but in the last 5 years or so there has been an effort to make stuff hardcore...

Rogues gallery doing drugs.
A few sexual assaults.
People ripped in two fairly explicitly.
A whole league of blood vomiting lanterns.

And I think all this happened under the code...

Actually I just found a panel I realy want to post with Black Adam splattering psycho pirates brains everywhere, but it is a family forum. 

[Previsionary]

All you need to do is look at "Justice League: Cry for Justice." When you have some of DC's beloved heroes, oh, and Hal, torturing and trying to kill villains, then you know DC didn't care very much about whatever code they pretended to be under... for certain books.

[cripp12]

I often think of DC as cheesy too (My nickname is Dated Comics, hope nobody thinks this is me being rude) but in the last 5 years or so there has been an effort to make stuff hardcore...

Rogues gallery doing drugs.
A few sexual assaults.
People ripped in two fairly explicitly.
A whole league of blood vomiting lanterns.

And I think all this happened under the code...

Actually I just found a panel I realy want to post with Black Adam splattering psycho pirates brains everywhere, but it is a family forum. 

sounds like its not your father's DC.

[detourne_me]

Honestly I have no desire to read anything DC unless Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison have something to do with it...  Or maybe John Cassaday... If he ever does something DC.   I guess I'm only keeping up with Generation Lost because... Well I don't know...

[Talavar]

Just to clarify - none of the examples of extreme content at DC were submitted to the Comics Code Authority.  While DC hadn't officially stopped submitting comics, very few actually were or shipped with the 'CCA' imprint.  Despite what other posters seem to be suggesting, no one was ripped in half in a Code-authorized issue.

[lugaru]

Just to clarify - none of the examples of extreme content at DC were submitted to the Comics Code Authority.  While DC hadn't officially stopped submitting comics, very few actually were or shipped with the 'CCA' imprint.  Despite what other posters seem to be suggesting, no one was ripped in half in a Code-authorized issue.

Hmm... looked up some covers of issues I remembered and not a code in sight. Still I'm all for an inhouse rating system, so kids can get kiddy comics and people like me who read MAX, Vertigo and Avatar can get the adult comics we crave (with a few kiddy ones too)

As for Morrison + Quietly I loved that Batman run, and I'm really curious about Batman Inc but no chance to go to the comic shop yet. I have seen the parkour inspired french Batman and he is very cool.

[BentonGrey]

Just to clarify - none of the examples of extreme content at DC were submitted to the Comics Code Authority.  While DC hadn't officially stopped submitting comics, very few actually were or shipped with the 'CCA' imprint.  Despite what other posters seem to be suggesting, no one was ripped in half in a Code-authorized issue.

Hmm... looked up some covers of issues I remembered and not a code in sight. Still I'm all for an inhouse rating system, so kids can get kiddy comics and people like me who read MAX, Vertigo and Avatar can get the adult comics we crave (with a few kiddy ones too)

As for Morrison + Quietly I loved that Batman run, and I'm really curious about Batman Inc but no chance to go to the comic shop yet. I have seen the parkour inspired french Batman and he is very cool.

Yeah, I'd love for all of them to do some voluntary, in-house rating systems.  It just seems like a good idea to me.

[John Jr.]

All you need to do is look at "Justice League: Cry for Justice." When you have some of DC's beloved heroes, oh, and Hal, torturing and trying to kill villains, then you know DC didn't care very much about whatever code they pretended to be under... for certain books.

Since DC is (mis)using a lot of Silver Age character many people think they're "doing Silver Age again", but they're following the "Lots of senseless violence = cool, mature comics" for a looong time. They forgot the Code ages ago, what's good, but I agree with Benton, they need some kind of in-house rating system. Most of DC (or Marvel) comics are not suited for children.

[Talavar]

They are doing an in-house rating system, with rankings for Everyone, Teen, Teen+ and Mature.  It's something they should have done a long time ago.  Marvel also has an in-house ranking system, if I'm not mistaken.

[lugaru]

They are doing an in-house rating system, with rankings for Everyone, Teen, Teen+ and Mature.  It's something they should have done a long time ago.  Marvel also has an in-house ranking system, if I'm not mistaken.

Yup... here are some examples from Marvel:

Spoiler

See the All ages - I love the term All Ages since it means these comics are not "for kids", they are "kid friendly" but good for any age.

An older example

Spoiler

T+ with the text "suggested for teens and over"

And for some grown up fare

Spoiler

Which as a punisher Max fan I'm not sure if just saying "explicit content" prepares readers for what is in those books (besides awesome stories).

[deano_ue]

All you need to do is look at "Justice League: Cry for Justice." When you have some of DC's beloved heroes, oh, and Hal, torturing and trying to kill villains, then you know DC didn't care very much about whatever code they pretended to be under... for certain books.

I'M RAY PALMER WELCOME TO PAIN. that still hurts my head

[detourne_me]

All you need to do is look at "Justice League: Cry for Justice." When you have some of DC's beloved heroes, oh, and Hal, torturing and trying to kill villains, then you know DC didn't care very much about whatever code they pretended to be under... for certain books.

I'M RAY PALMER WELCOME TO PAIN. that still hurts my head

He really said that?
I'm not missing out am I?
I heard even Magog has his own series now....

[lugaru]

http://www.the-gutters.com/comic/91-jeff-mccomsey#


Really funny comic about DC droping the code. Contains the F-word, you are warned. And encouraged of course.

[The Hitman]

This is like when Poloroid stopped making instant film, except that I was sad about that.

[cmdrkoenig67]

DC hasn't been really following the code for a while (I certainly hope not, with all the rapes, brutal deaths, decapitations, etc...)...It's kind of sad that most mainstream comics can't be more kid-friendly.  Comics that I grew up on in the 70s and 80s were kid-friendly and I look back at them and still enjoy them.  Comics don't have to talk down to kids to be kid-friendly.

Dana

[Mr. Hamrick]

DC hasn't been really following the code for a while (I certainly hope not, with all the rapes, brutal deaths, decapitations, etc...)...It's kind of sad that most mainstream comics can't be more kid-friendly.  Comics that I grew up on in the 70s and 80s were kid-friendly and I look back at them and still enjoy them.  Comics don't have to talk down to kids to be kid-friendly.

Dana

While I understand your opinion about comics being kid friend, I think it's great that DC is formally dropping the code.  The code was put there for reasons that border on censorship and were done so for reasons that had less to do with the content and more to do with the perceived content.

I think it's a proper step in the direction of establishing that comics can and do appeal to a wide range of audiences.  There has long been a derogatory opinion toward comics as being "only for kids" which is not the least bit deserved.  Well, not deserved since the late 80s.  There were exceptions to the rule before that but by the late 80s, the exceptions became the rule.  And after that, establishing a different and better system for separating material that is suitable to all ages vs. that which isn't.

My question though is with the demise of Wizard comics magazine, the apparent decrease in direct comic sales, and the amount of comics going digital, will all this be too little too late?

[steamteck]

I don't think it makes much difference. I think the need to make more books about the iconic characters more kid friendly and easier newbie access without making them dull and simplistic ( you know like in the older days or the better animated stuff) and get those comics out to a wider number of venues so non hard core comic geeks can actually see and get them easily

[cmdrkoenig67]

I don't think it makes much difference. I think the need to make more books about the iconic characters more kid friendly and easier newbie access without making them dull and simplistic ( you know like in the older days or the better animated stuff) and get those comics out to a wider number of venues so non hard core comic geeks can actually see and get them easily

I agree, Steam...Ah, for the days when comics were available at supermarkets, drugstores and newsstands...Sigh.  Limiting comics to just comic book stores(the direct market) was a horrible idea and it's still hurting comics to this day.

The prices should drop a bit too, IMHO.

Dana

[cmdrkoenig67]

While I understand your opinion about comics being kid friend, I think it's great that DC is formally dropping the code.  The code was put there for reasons that border on censorship and were done so for reasons that had less to do with the content and more to do with the perceived content.

I have no objection to the code being dropped, it was censorship and came from a time of paranoia.  I do think companies should take a bit more responsibility in what they put out for content, though...Which DC began to do many years ago, when they established the Vertigo line of comics.  Marvel is doing it now with the Max comics (In fact, Marvel did it ages ago with their Epic line too).

Dana

[Tawodi Osdi]

I do believe that mainstream comics ought to tone their grittiness down.  I don't mind a little grit every now and then, but I don't like it as a standard.  As far as censorship goes, I believe in the right of the consumer to censor products through their spending practices.  One of the reasons I don't spend money on modern comics is that I don't like the way many of them are going, and I would be embarrassed to buy one for a kid which I consider to be a great tragedy.  I have dyslexia and comic books were a great help in overcoming my dyslexia, and it saddens me that I can't share something that was once important to me to the next generation.