FAQ
General Information
What is the GCD?
The Grand Comic-Book Database (GCD) is an ongoing international project to build a detailed comic-book database that will be easy to use and understand, and also easy for contributors to add information to it. This fully searchable and sortable database includes information on creator credits, story details, and other information useful to the comic-book reader, fan, collector, and scholar.
If we are able to take this project to its ultimate conclusion, the database will contain data for every comic book ever published in every country around the planet. It is available to all over the internet at the [http:\\www.comics.org GCD home page].
Note that the GCD is a database for "comic books", rather than a database for "comics", because it is limited to books and periodicals (of any size or binding) whose contents are 50% or more comics art. Comics in newspapers, web pages, or other publications that do not meet the above criteria are not indexed here, although publications that reprint newspaper strips, web strips or magazine cartoons and meet the official criteria may be indexed.
This is not a commercial endeavor, and will not become one. Indexing the sum total of all comic books is a huge project. Without heroic effort, it can't be done by one person or even a small number of people. Our operating principles are designed to allow a large number of people to collaborate in a simple and easy way to achieve our ultimate goal. Many hands make light work, and many hands will be required for this.
Is the GCD a commercial entity?
No. The GCD is strictly a non-profit, non-commercial, fan-based volunteer effort.
When was the GCD started?
The GCD was started in 1994 by Bob Klein and Tim Stroup. Jon Ingersoll, Tim Tjarks, and Gene Reed joined shortly afterward. The project started as an offshoot of the Amateur Press Association for Indexing (APA-I) mailing group. Originally the GCD data was exchanged on computer disks. Soon Jon Løvstad of Norway joined up and GCD access on the Internet was born.
What is a "member" of the GCD? Do I have to become a member to get access to data from the GCD?
The GCD Charter states the three ways to qualify as a member of the GCD. To find out whether you have qualified for membership, contact the [GCD Contact Email].
Membership in the GCD was previously required in order to be able to download GCD data files for personal use. This requirement has been dropped, and anyone may now browse the website or request the GCD data files strictly for personal (non-commercial) use.
Membership in the GCD is not a requirement for joining and participating in the GCD-provided mailing lists - anyone may sign up and participate in the list discussions. There is currently one direct benefit for GCD members - eligibility to vote in Board elections. GCD members also benefit from the knowledge that we are contributing to a free, non-commercial resource that is regularly used by comics fans and researchers of comics history.
Whom do I contact for more information about the GCD?
For more information about the GCD, email the [GCD Contact Email].
Whom do I contact to report problems with the website?
To report problems with the website, you may contact GCD Board member and web-master Jon Løvstad, who can be reached at: [[email protected]].
I would like to use data and/or cover scans from the GCD. Who owns the copyright to these items?
A: GCD Data - The GCD is an original compilation and database which by reason of the selection and arrangement of its contents constitutes an intellectual creation as defined by Copyright Law, and is protected as such. The data itself is copyrighted jointly by those who did the original work and the GCD. The data can be used as long as the GCD (and the original indexer if known) is credited as the source.
B: GCD Cover Scans - All cover images are copyrighted by their respective current copyright holders. Copyrights are typically held by the publisher on work-for-hire properties, by the creator(s) on creator-owned properties, or by a third party in the case of licensed properties. Copyright details can usually be determined from the indicia of comics.
If you wish to download and use cover scans from the GCD website, please credit the GCD and the person who posted the scan (if known). Please do not "leech" bandwidth by linking directly to the cover image files on the GCD website.
Does my country have a local GCD chapter? How do I start an international chapter?
National GCD chapters exist for the following countries:
GCD Deutschland: http://www.garcke.de/GCD/
GCD Italia: http://www.ubcfumetti.com/gcd/
GCD Norge: http://www.comics.org/norway/
GCD Sweden: http://www.lysator.liu.se/gcd/
To start an international chapter for another country, contact the GCD Board
They will be more than willing to offer any help and assistance needed. However, be forewarned:
If you do wish to start a GCD chapter, you will be considered not only the liaison between your country and the GCD proper, but you will also be the main Coordinator of data for your country. It may entail a good bit of work. We would recommend that you take upon this task only if you truly enjoy indexing comics and helping others do so as well.
Hope you find our project interesting and exciting. We do, and we hope you will join us in creating the Grand Comic-Book Database!
Information that isn't in the Charter that should perhaps be in the Charter
Anyone who contributes complete, usable data for 25 indexes, 75 cover scans or 75 corrections/error reports (or more) is eligible to be considered an official member of the Grand Comic-Book Database. This membership will entitle you to voting rights in all future GCD elections and possible future benefits.
That we officially adopt the last 14 days of the month of October (12:00:00am GMT, October 18th to 11:59:59pm GMT October 31st) as the official period that people may announce their candidacy for the Board.
For 14 days from 12:00:00am GMT, November 1 to 11:59:59pm GMT, November 14 candidates will be able to campaign if they choose to.
Voting for Board postions will be held over 7 days from 12:00:00am GMT, November 15 to 11:59:59pm GMT, November 21.
Email Lists
What is the purpose of the GCD discussion lists?
The Grand Comic-Book Database provides multiple e-mail discussion lists for communication among its members so that the community may answer any questions regarding comic books and carry out the functions of the GCD. Each list serves different functions, which have been defined in the GCD List Charters. ?? (not sure if these charters exist)
What are the differences between the lists?
gcd-main
The GCD-Main e-mail discussion list is the key list provided by The Grand Comic-Book Database for use as an indexing resource for the project.
Postings considered on-topic for this list include anything directly related to the indexing of comic books for the database such as questions about indexing, missing credits, or creator identification. This list is also used for official GCD business, such as administrative updates, announcements to the membership, Board elections, etc.
gcd-chat
The GCD-Chat e-mail discussion list is where those interested in any form of general comics discussion can meet. On this list all sorts of topics like comic history, industry, marketplace, fandom, collecting, continuity, characters, stories, creators, news, and current events get discussed. This list also allows discussion of any type to take place even if it goes beyond comics.
Sometimes comic conversation on this list may drift into related sister arts (animation, comic strips, movies, TV, etc.). This is not considered off-topic but instead a carry-over of conversation. If the thread removes itself further from its original source, we ask that all efforts be made to change the header. If a discussion is on a topic not about comics we ask that posters include an Off-Topic tag (OT) in the header.
gcd-tech
The GCD-Tech list is an e-mail discussion list whose primary function is to discuss the technical aspects of the Project. Detailed discussion of the GCD data and table files, and what can be done to improve them, may also take place here. Postings considered on-topic for this list include the more technical aspects of the Project such as database design, hardware and software specifications, or feature beta testing. The archives of the list are viewable at http://groups.google.com/group/gcd-tech.
gcd-canada, gcd-deutschland, gcd-france, gcd-italia, gcd-norge, gcd-sverige and gcd-uk
These are specific e-mail discussion lists for the countries named in the list titles. Each one's primary function is to help list members from these nations to index for the GCD. General discussions about issues related to comics in these countries are also allowed. Please make all efforts to e-mail in the native language of each list.
gcd-editor
The GCD-Editor list is for the editors of the GCD to discuss indexing and other topics directly related to the inputting and correcting of data. This list is by invitation only.
gcd-senior
The GCD-Senior list is for the Senior Editors of the GCD to discuss and develop the rules and regulations governing the inputting of data. This list is by invitation only.
gcd-board
The GCD-Board e-mail list is for discussion of Board policy and votes. This list is by invitation only, though the archives are viewable by anybody at http://groups.google.com/group/gcd-board.
gcd-error
Receiving email from the Error List is by invitation only, mainly for the Editors. Anyone can contribute to the error list at http://maelstrom.walton.uark.edu/bugzilla. Please see the Error List FAQ for more information.
gcd-contact
The gcd-contact email address can be used for initial contact with the GCD. Anyone can email the list. The address of the list is [email protected].
- In addition to the lists above, which are provided directly by the GCD, there are two other lists that are run independently but are associated with the GCD:
International Comics
The International Comics list is for general discussion of comics of all types from countries other than the USA. It is run through Google Groups. http://groups.google.com/group/InternationalComics.
GCD Yahoo Group
The list is used as a backup in case there are any problems with one of the other GCD lists. You can also use this list to post scans of comic pages to help identify the creators involved.
How do I subscribe/unsubscribe from the e-mail lists?
The Main Email Lists
The main email lists are managed through google groups at http://groups.google.com/.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the e-mail lists, visit http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?lnk=srgmt&q=grand+comics+database and chose the list you would like to subscribe to. Click on the "sign in and apply for membership" link or the "contact the owner" link and follow the instructions from there.
International Comics
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the International Comics e-mail list, visit http://groups.google.com/group/InternationalComics. Click on the "sign in and apply for membership" link or the "contact the owner" link and follow the instructions from there.
The GCD Yahoo Group
We also have a Yahoo list that serves as a backup to our lists at Google.
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this list, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grandcomicsdata/
or send an e-mail to:
If you are unable to subscribe, e-mail the GCD contact e-mail address.
How do I switch to digest mode or otherwise change my preferences on the Google Groups lists?
1. Look at the bottom of any message from the list. Click on the link next to the words "For more options...".
2. a. If you are already signed in to google groups you will see a link on the right called "Edit my memberships". It's under "About the group" but above the group info box. Click on it and go to step 6.
2. b. If you see a page that says "You must be signed in.." then click the link in the main panel that says "Sign in to Google Groups" and go on to the next step.
3. a. If you have any sort of Google account associated with the email address *that the list sends email to*, try to log in with that. If it works you'll see the "Edit my memberships" link from step 2. a. Click that and go to step 6.
3. b. If you do not have an account, click "Create an Account Now". It's a bold link on the left side below the login section. This does NOT create a gmail account or convert your email system to gmail or anything like that.
4. Type in the email address that *the list sends email to.* This is very important. You must register under the email address the list is using. Choose a password. You probably want to uncheck the "Enable Web History" box unless you like Google snooping around in your browsing habits. Finish filling out the form and click the "I accept, create my account" button.
5. I don't remember what screen you get next. You may need to wait for Google to email you at that address and then reply to confirm that you own it. After that you should be able to log in. If you can't figure out any other way, go back to the link from step one and you should now be able to log in directly. Then you should see the "Edit my memberships" link from step 2. a. Click it.
6. You will now see a page giving you several options, including Digest Mode as well as Abridged Mode (sends a summary that you can then then decide whether to click through to the web version or not). You will also have the option to only read on the web.
7. Once you've registered and logged in once, you can visit the links for each mailing list and make the changes. You do not need to separately log in for each list.
What is the proper etiquette for the discussion lists?
Posters are encouraged to focus discussion on the topics outlined earlier in this FAQ. Please mark those posts that do NOT relate to the list charter with an off-topic (OT) tag in the subject line, and try not to drag out the discussion beyond any reasonable length of time. Posters are also expected to keep the subject line current as a courtesy to others.
All lists are non-moderated, so there is no censorship of any topic of conversation. However, we ask that the rules of common civility always be used in discussions. Part of maintaining your civility is not launching personal attacks against others whose opinion you may not agree with. If you do not care for a particular conversation, please use the delete button in your e-mail rather than voicing your displeasure to the group as a whole.
Whom do I contact for problems with the mailing list(s)?
If you are having trouble getting through to one of the lists, use the contact the owner link on the appropriate list's main page or use the GCD contact e-mail address. If you can get through to the lists and have some other problem, feel free to ask the list itself. We have a number of members who have excellent computer knowledge and can probably assist you.
Do any of the discussion lists keep public archives? Where can I check them out?
Archives of the discussion lists provided by the GCD exist. Anyone can view the archives of gcd-board and gcd-tech. Only members can view the archives of gcd-canada, gcd-chat, gcd-contact, gcd-deutschland, gcd-editor, gcd-error, gcd-france, gcd-italia, gcd-main, gcd-norge, gcd-senior, gcd-sverige and gcd-uk. The archives are available throught the main page on google groups for each list.
If you do not want one of your messages to be publicly accessible, contact the GCD contact e-mail address and request that the message be blocked from view. Please clearly identify the message and provide reason(s) for requesting the block.
I want to post an image to better explain a question. How can I accomplish this?
The main GCD lists currently allow attachments. Or a member of the lists can use the pictures section of the google group to post an image.
You may also put the image on a web page and include a link to the web page in an e-mail to one of the regular GCD discussion groups. Doing a search on Google for Free Image Hosting will bring up a number of sites that can host an image for free.
What were the "Genre Wars"?
The Genre Wars is a nickname many long time members have for a rather heated and ugly discussion about the addition of a genre field to the GCD format. The details of this incident are no longer important, but it remains an example of how we do NOT want discussions to go in the future on the GCD lists. All discussions, no matter how heated, should remain civil. At no point should they degenerate into name-calling and other ugliness.