Type

This is the definition of Type for the Current Online Interface. Future versions of the Interface should be built using the info at Type for Future Implementation, which is a somewhat different list of Types.

• Required
• Type defines the general sort of item of a sequence that is being indexed.
• Use most applicable one from the drop-down in the Online Interface, or (if indexing offline) from the following list.
• Story, Cover, Text Article and Text Story entries must be included when indexing a comic, all others are optional
  • Story - A standard comic strip sequence
  • Cover - The front cover, always the first sequence indexed. If a comic comes in multiple versions with different covers they should be indexed as a single comic with two or more cover sequences. (Use Cover Reprint (on interior page) for reprints of covers inside the book)
  • Text Article - A written factual article, which may or may not have illustrations
  • Text Story - A prose story, which may or may not have illustrations
• The following types of entries are optional but encouraged.
  • Activity - Any puzzle, crossword, paper doll, game, plans for building models, collecting, etc. that urge reader activity or interaction
  • Advertisement - Advertisement for non-comic products. (Use Promo (by the publisher) for advertisements for other comics)
  • Backcovers - Was used for back cover of a comic book. NO LONGER USED. For wraparound covers, give the cover a page count of 2. For a back cover that is hyping the content of the book, choose Promo (by the publisher). If only artwork appears on the back cover of a comic that is not part of a wraparound cover, it should be indexed as Pinup
  • Biography (non-fictional) - A special type of text article biography, either of the creators of the comic or someone else
  • Cartoon - NEW
  • Cover Reprint (on interior page) - An interior reprint (with or without text) of the cover to another book, such as in a cover gallery or chapter breaks in a reprint edition. (Use Cover if the reprint is used on the front cover of another comic)
  • Credits - Use for any pages with text about the physical content of the comic/book itself, for example listing the creators of the work inside the comic, title pages, statements of ownership
  • Filler - A comic strip which is not a regular part of the periodical. Often only a page or less long.
  • Foreward, Introduction, preface, afterward - Use for any pages with text about the story content of the comic/book itself, for example Forewards, Afterwards, Dedications. (Use Recap for summaries of previous issues, use Letters for pages with letters from readers)
  • Insert or dust jacket- (was just Insert) A non-comic item inserted in, attached to or packaged with a book, such as 3-D glasses, poster, trading cards, buttons
  • Letters page - Letters of comment or letter column. May also include Fan Art.
  • Public Service Announcement - (was PSA) This is usually an advertisement or an editorial promoting awareness of a worthy cause or group.
  • Photo Story - A story in which photos replace most or all of the artwork (also known as fumetti throughout the world)
  • Illustration - (was Pinup). A page of art, where text is minimal, but not part of a story (a story splash page, for instance, does not count as a separate illustration sequence)
  • Character Profile - A prose article (with or without illustrations) giving character or story setting background information (such as in DC's Who's Who or Marvel's Official Handbooks)
  • Promo (by the publisher) - Any house ad, subscription offer, or other material designed to boost interest in other comics. This could be used to designate a preview, introductory teaser strip, editor's soapbox, etc. 'Promo' covers all of these. Relegate details to the Synopsis field.
  • Recap - A sequence such as a "The story so far..." page designed to summarize previous stories while being obviously distinct from the current story

• Note not all of these types of items need be indexed, though it is preferred to do so in order to get a full index of the contents of a comic. In the past, the GCD has said that, in particular, ads, promos and letter pages normally need not be included. These are usually included only if something noteworthy appears (for example, the Captain Tootsie ads by C. C. Beck).

(end of definition for the current OI)

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Definition reworded by Peter Croome, November 27, 2009 to account for the new OI.

Current Schema: Stories table, Type field

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