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Fixing Our Wiki Character Pages - New Years Resolution 2011

Hello wiki editors.  We are embarking on a new initiative here at Comic Vine.  The focus of the next month or so is organizing our character wiki pages to follow the new Comic Vine Style Guide.  And I am filling our Task Queue up with character pages that need your help.   Super shout out to POKEYSTEVE who just completed a task for the Catwoman page and added the H2 Section titles properly. 
 
The main fix we need help with is, we need all character pages to start with the following H2 section titles: 
 

Origin

Discuss the origin story of the character in a paragraph. Save the details for the character evolution section. 

Creation 

Talk about the writers and artists who created the character.  If none, then talk about the writer or artist who had a major impact on the character. 
 

Character Evolution 

How has the character changed over the decades?  Don't go into minute detail.  If applicable, use H3 tags and subdivide this section by Golden Age, Silver Age, Modern Age, etc.  See the Wonder Woman or Superman page for examples.   
 
DO NOT write plot summaries in this section, this is not a section to summarize story lines.  

Major Story Arcs

Here is where you write about the super duper major story arcs that define this character.  Link the names of the story arcs to their actual story arc pages.  This is a section to discuss that Spider-Man found his black uniform in the Secret Wars story arc and that the suit went on to become Venom.  BUT it's not a place to summarize Secret Wars in its entirety; that should be done on the actual Secret Wars page.  Don't just list out story arcs either, each paragraph should lead into the next, discussing the story arcs as they all relate to each other.  
 
This is the ONLY section of the article that can have plot summaries.  
 
 
Note:  If one of the above sections absolute does not apply to the character, then leave it out.  The more popular a character is the more certain he/she is to be in need of the above section titles. 
 
So what are you waiting for?  Go ahead and fix up those character pages you've been working on or head to the task queue to earn bonus points!  You can find the task queue under the Help tab at the top of every page.
105 Comments

Comic Vine Wiki Style Guide

Article Sections

The following are H2 section titles for each type of wiki page. Please maintain the same order and spelling for section titles that you see below. Other applicable H2 section titles are, but not limited to, "Powers and Abilities", "Equipment and Weapons", "Alternate Version" and "Other Media".

Character Article

Current Events

  • Firstly, this section is optional, but if you use it then it must come first on the page.
  • No more than one paragraph in length. Approximately 100 words or less.
  • Must cover current events and NOT speculating future events.
  • Must link to issues or volumes or story arcs for even more information.
  • Paragraph can discuss more than one story arc.
  • The purpose of section is to point new readers in the right direction for current story arcs.
  • Keep this section current or remove it.

Example Text:

Currently Superman, in Action Comics, and the other super people are fighting multiple Doomsday's in space, read more in Reign of Doomsday story arc. In the comic book title Superman, Superman continues his walk across America to connect with the common man, but a mysterious foe may be manipulating him. Also, Grant Morrison and George Perez continue to write the relaunch adventures of the Superman titles.

Origin

In narrative form please explain the most popular origin story of the character. Do not write a scene-by-scene retelling. This should be a paragraph.

Creation

Write about the artists/writers who created this character, or who had a significant impact on the characters.

Character Evolution

How has this character changed over the years? Do NOT write plot summaries depicting the story lines of the characters here. This is a section to talk about the character as it applies to our real world.

Major Story Arcs

This is a place to talk about the important storyarcs (or over all story lines) that impact this character. We would prefer you to write plot summaries on the Story Arc page, as this section should really talk about how the character was affected by the major story arcs, and should not be a retelling of the story arcs. See What is a Plot Summary?

Powers and Abilities

This section is meant for all the abilities and power the character might have. It should contain the powers from the main-continuity though. Powers of the alternate versions should go to the Alternate Versions section.

Alternate Versions

Since we don't create multiple pages for every alternate earth and future variation, we suggest a section for all those variants on the main character page.

Other Media

This section is meant for versions of the character outside of the comic books, like movies, video games and television series.

Team Article

Origin

In narrative form please explain the most popular origin story of the character. Do not write a scene-by-scene retelling. This should be a paragraph.

Creation

Write about the artists/writers who created this character, or who had a significant impact on the charcacter.

Team Evolution

This is the place to put the current and past team rosters. Do not just write out a list, but do this in paragraph form. Also discuss how the team has changed over time. Do not write plot summaries here.

Major Story Arcs

Story Arc, Movie, Volume and Issue Article:

Plot Summary

Please read the What is a Plot Summary? post. Do not re-tell the story. 2-3 paragraphs. Present Tense!

Other H2 tags that are acceptable for the Story Arc page are, but not limited to,

  • Full Plot (this would be a detailed version as opposed to a plot summary.
  • Collected Editions
  • Related Issues
  • Non-U.S. Editions
  • Examples of them in use can be found here and here .

Creator Article

Career

Personal Life

Object, Concept, Location Article

Overview

What NOT to do with H2/H3 tags:

Please keep the spelling and grammar of the H2 tags consistent across the character pages and:

  • Do NOT use the character name in the H2 (e.g. "Alternate Versions of Superman" should just be "Alternate Versions")
  • Never link a H2 or H3 section title
  • Never add bold, underline or italics to an H2 or H3 section title.
  • Do NOT use H2 tags to create sections for story arcs on a character/team page. Major story arcs should be summarized under the H2 "Major Story Arcs". (Please read What is a Plot Summary?)

What is an H3 tag for?

An H3 tag is to make sub sections under the H2 section titles. The same rules of formatting apply to H3, as they do H2, don't hyperlink, bold, underline, italicize an H3 header. Under a character's "Character Evolution" H2 section you might have the following H3 sub sections: "Golden Age", "Silver Age", "Modern Age".

Inserting

Images:

Please add images sparingly to sections and make sure they are appropriate.

  • Please insert images aligned RIGHT, almost always.
  • Remove images without captions.
  • Remove jumbled up images.

Links:

We want our articles to have links in them, but only link the 1st occurrence of a character name, team name, etc in an article.

Wiki guide for foreign comic books

This foreign language section drafted by CV user Aiden Cross.

The wiki of Comicvine isn’t just for American and British comics. We’re striving to become the biggest comic book database and that includes comic books of all countries and languages. While all the descriptions and page content have to be English, the names of the volumes and pages do not and can be any other language. Where possible be sure to use Roman characters (characters that are known in the English language) otherwise people may have problems searching for the subject in the search function.

If you want to add a volume but the same volume already exists under a different foreign name it’s not a problem. Multiple volumes in different languages can exist next to each other. Here’s an example:

http://www.comicvine.com/blade-of-the-immortal/49-9069/

http://www.comicvine.com/limmortale/49-40356/

http://www.comicvine.com/blade-a-lamina-do-imortal/49-40357/

However, what goes for the volumes doesn’t go for the wiki pages. There do not need to be multiple pages of the same character only because of a different foreign name, they can simply be added by writing the name under the ‘alias’ list so it shows up in the search function.

Comicvine encourages all you wiki submitters out there to start submitting those comics from other countries!

Update: 10/21/2012

If the foreign comic has been translated into English or was originally in English and was translated into another language please include the English title in the volume description and a link to the American volume.

Example: VvX: Los Vengadores Vs. La Patrulla-X. Spanish translation of the American series Avengers Vs. X-Men.

The Comicvine database can't handle all foreign characters especially Cyrillic, if every single character in the volume title is in Cyrillic the page will become inaccessible. If the page becomes inaccessible hit your browsers back button and edit the page again to fix it, the volume title should be translated if possible as it must contain at least one non-Cyrillic character to work.

Manga/Manhwa/Manhua

As more manga volumes are being added to the wiki some guidelines have been established for how they should be set up.

English Manga Translated From Other Languages

The original language title should always be included in the volume description, include a link if the original language series is on Comicvine:

Example One: Oh My Goddess!. This series translates the Japanese manga Ā Megami-sama.
Example Two: Fairy Tail. English translation of the Japanese manga Fairy Tail (フェアリーテイル).

Asian Manga

The volume title should be the most well known/used title in its original country either Romanized or in English (the site can't handle most foreign characters) but the original title should be included in the volume description in the following format:

Proper Japanese/Korean/Chinese/Thai Title: Original Language Title (Romanized Title, Alternate/Literal Translation If There Is One)

the English title can also be included:

English Title: The English Title

and if the manga has been translated into English it should include links like so:

Example: Berserk. Translated into English as Berserk by Dark Horse Manga.

Other Manga

Manga released in other countries should be formatted the same as American translated manga and the volume title would be in that countries language.

Non-Asian Original Language Manga

Some countries produce their own manga so in these instances you would not need to include translation information or "Proper X Title:", instead you would add a description saying that it is an original language manga:

Original English-Language (OEL) manga.
Original German-Language (OGL) manga.
Example: Redakai.

Appropriate Headers

Outside the before mentioned headers there are a few other appropriate ones that can be used for manga:

on the volume page an Upcoming Releases H4 can be added to show release dates for upcoming manga, example:

Upcoming Releases
  • Volume 2 - December 4, 2012

and for the individual issues Proper Japanese/Korean/Chinese/Thai Title: can be used as well as Chapter Titles or Story Titles (H2 followed by unordered list), page numbers should not be included but original language names can be used and if available the English and/or Romanized translation.

Manga Tips

  • Pay close attention to covers as they should not be mixed, each language edition gets its own volume.
  • Many Asian manga have multiple editions as they are re-released, often times the editions have a different number of volumes and different contents, the original 27 volume manga may be re-released and condensed into 14 manga. These different editions should not be mixed and would each get their own volume page so make sure you are using the correct covers for the edition you are working on and the correct chapters.
  • Covers that have been photoshopped to include scanner group tags or English translations of cover text should never be used.
  • If you add release dates make sure they are for the right edition.

Specific Guidelines

Story Arc

Story arcs should start with a H2 section title called "Plot Summary". Please read What is a Plot Summary? Please do not go into scene-for-scene detail. Articles should not re-tell the story of the story arc. The article should help readers understand the main points and repercussions of the story arc on the characters involved.

Next, do not type out in a list the comic book issues that are part of the story arc! Remove these typed out lists if you find them. Story arc pages have a section -- below the article -- for attaching the comics. Make sure you fill in the order field too, so people know what order to read the issues in. Do NOT attach trades/graphic novels UNLESS the story only takes place in a trade/graphic novel as opposed to an issue. Only attach the comics that are a must read.

Character / Team

Many people have added super long plot summaries -- that read like transcripts -- under the story arc section of the character/team articles. Firstly, we have story arc pages, so ask yourself if the character page truly needs this section written out on the character page, or is it clearer to move it to the actual story arc page? Secondly, don't list out story arcs as h2 or h3 section titles. Just write about them under the "Major Story Arc" H2 section in paragraph form, and link the name of the story arc to the appropriate page. In general the paragraphs explaining the "Major Story Arcs" should be connected to each other in a linear narrative.

Issues

This is the only article page where we allow you to paste in the plot summary from the official publisher. Our style is to always put this in italic. If you choose to expand on the plot summary, leave the official publisher's plot summary in italic, and any original text you add to the issue page -- that you write yourself -- should NOT be in italic.

Enemies/Friends/Team Pages

These pages are super duper important to us. Check out Jean Grey's enemies for example. Each enemy listed should be accompanied by a unique short paragraph that explains Why/How they are enemies. Don't just leave in the default character description that gets inserted when you add a new character.

-

205 Comments

What is a Plot Summary - Comic Vine Wiki Tutorial

As part of our 2011 effort to improve the quality of the writing in our wiki articles, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what a plot summary is.  We specifically need plot summaries on the story arc  and comic book issue pages of our wiki.  But just what is a plot summary?
 
I googled "what is a plot summary" and found some great answers.  According to Answers.com here is what a plot summary is:

A plot summary is a description of the story in a novel, film or other piece of storytelling. It is not a review and should not contain the opinions of the author. It should contain all the necessary information about the main characters and the unfolding drama to give a complete impression of the twists and turns in the plot, but without confusing the reader with unnecessary detail.

And according to Wikipedia here's what a plot summary is not.  

A plot summary is not a recap. It should not cover every scene and every moment of a story.... Not only should a summary avoid a scene by scene recap, there's no reason why a plot summary has to cover the events of the story in the order they appear (though it is often useful). The point of a summary is not to reproduce the experience—it's to explain the story. If the original is non-linear or experimental in its structure, the article should state that fact in prose, not through regurgitation of the plot.  In fact, for a confusing story, we should assume that some of our readers will look the story up because they didn't understand it. Just repeating what they saw isn't going to help them!

Give that above quote a read or two, because this is something we need to work on here at Comic Vine.  On many of our popular character pages, we've got attempts at plot summaries for major story arcs.  I say attempts because on many pages what we have are not plot summaries, but scene-by-scene retellings of the story.  That sounds more like a transcript and that's not what Comic Vine wants to be about.  Comic Vine's goal is to inform the reader, but it is not a replacement for actually reading the comic books.
  
Let's look at another quote from that Wikipedia page since they are clearly smarter than me: 

While longer descriptions may appear to provide more data to the reader, a more concise summary may in fact be more informative as it highlights the most important elements. By focusing the reader's attention on the larger structures of a plot, without drowning it in trivial detail, a shorter summary can often help the reader to understand a work much better than an overlong one. Excessively detailed plot summaries may also infringe on copyright and fair-use concerns     

Here are some bullet points to follow when writing plot summaries: 
  • Plot summaries should be in the present tense.     
  • Avoid trivial details.
  • Plot summaries should summarize; explaining only the most important elements of the story.
  • Read what you write out loud -- read it word-for-word like a robot -- before you save it.  
  • Write well.
 
For must see wiki video tips visit Wiki Editing Video Tutorials.  For a tutorial on English punctuation check out How To Use English Punctuation.  For more updates follow me on twitter: @red_lamp
6 Comments

Wiki Editing Tutorials - (Videos)

Over the years you guys have helped turn our comic book database into the most complete and deep comic book wiki/database in the galaxy.   Also, over the years we've changed our tools and added some, like the Task System, and as such, it's about time we updated our video tutorials.  New users can get up-to-speed quickly by watching the tutorials below.   
 

How to Format Wiki Articles

  

Task System 

  
 

Add and Edit a Comic Book Issue

   

Edit Story Arcs 

           

 

For further reading, check out What is a Plot Summary?
29 Comments

Manga Review... Sushi, karaoke, and Tom Pinchuk

I don't know if you've been paying attention to what Comic Vine's very ownTom Pinchuk has been doing over at Anime Vice, but you might want to go check it out.  Not only does he write news here at Comic Vine and Screened, Tom is the the HOST with the most on Anime Vice.   He'll be crushing it with weekly videos attempting to dissect the world of anime and manga.  In the following video he discusses Hyde and Closer.

  Watch more of Tom's editorial videos on Anime Vice here.
2 Comments

25 Most Visited Comic Vine User Blogs

Digging deep into the entrails of our community, I've scooped out some more data for you.  What Comic Vine members have the most viewed blogs?  Well take a look below to see the 25 most read members.   Superficial analysis would lead you to believe this is nothing more than a popularity contest.  But actually, the data below is showing the most influential blog posting moves and shakers on Comic Vine.  Some people spend all their time contributing to the wiki, uploading images, or just jumping into the conversation on other peoples topics.   But for now, let's just focus on the contributions of our blog writers.  Check out community blogs here: Comicvine.com/blogs/

No Caption Provided
22 Comments

Data Porn: Comic Vine October - Most Popular User Profiles

Another month has gone by so let's jump into some lists and bar charts and see what caught the Comic Vine community interests this October. 
 

Most Visited User Profiles

Whether the following users are popular or they just like checking out their own profile, here's a list of the most visited user profiles in the month of October.  Our own Babs (aka Sara Lima) takes the 3rd and 5th spot.  I wonder why?
No Caption Provided

Comic Vine Loves Superheroes 

It's pretty clear Comic Vine is a comic book  website dedicated to superheroes.  Spider-Man, Batman, Superman were the most blogged about characters among our community.  Click to enlarge the smaller images below and you will see that G-Man's article, "Zack Snyder Is Directing Superman", got the conversation started.  And in video, the words out Comic Vine News is hot-t-t, so keep looking for Babs to drop more weekly knowledge on us each Friday!
No Caption Provided


For more posts like this, follow me on Twitter: @red_lamp
22 Comments

Halloween at the office

 You sirs are in for a treat.  A trick-or-treat.  Today I will be live blogging Halloween at the Office!  Let's kick this off with awesome pics of myself as a Boy Scout. 
  
  

 That shirt is 20 years old.
 That shirt is 20 years old.

Drew as Dexter 

I think anyone who knows Drew eventually sees the similarity between him and Dexter.  They look similar, both are exceptionally smart, reserved, quiet and both arecold blooded killers.
         
 Dexter Morgan sans kill kit
 Dexter Morgan sans kill kit

 

  

Melissa the Witch

Melissa is "Senior Director of Marketing and Business Operations for the Northern Branch of Whiskey Media Operations Division".  She's our self proclaimed "office mom". She made us dress up.
Witch or Cher costume, you decide!
Witch or Cher costume, you decide!

 
  
 Ana as Brodyquest.  [edit] OMG go check out the video Ana made in her blog on Tested HERE

 Adrien Brody
 Adrien Brody


Norm as Eagle Scout:  

Oh yah we almost have enough scouts to make a patrol. 

 Norm obviously never got Ironing Merit Badge
 Norm obviously never got Ironing Merit Badge


 

 Internet Steve aka Lemon: 


 Way to go Internet Steve, worst costume award complete.
 Way to go Internet Steve, worst costume award complete.


Vinny Caravella 


 Alternate Reality Vinny.  White T-Shirt and Blue Jeans?  Never!  Pure EVIL.
 Alternate Reality Vinny.  White T-Shirt and Blue Jeans?  Never!  Pure EVIL.

 

Internet Steve UPDATE 

This just in, Lemon aka Internet Steve has updated his costume.  Like a good intern he read the communities comments and scrambled to action.  Check out these daring upgrades. 
  
 Fear the beard.
 Fear the beard.

  

UPDATE! Secret zombie make up session preview.....




  Will Smith

 Mine Craft Dude
 Mine Craft Dude

Sara Lima Bean

 Wonder Woman with pants.  
 Wonder Woman with pants.  

  
Ok dudes, that's all the pics I have.  It's only 5:30 and Will is crazy drunk... if you watched the live show you will know that he had to drink for his segment.  My god this is a crazy place to work.  Lemon Lens of Will will be coming....  "I would like to say, I am alot drunnk..."  direct quote from Will.

There are still some costumes coming.  Follow me on twitter for updates: @red_lamp

Add your office costume photos to the comments below. 
17 Comments

Poor Man's Tested: Air Hog

Do you love Tested.com and radio controlled helicopters? Well so do I, which is why when Will and Norm tested their new Parrot AR Drone I decided it was time to wipe off the dust of my trusty Air Hog!  So on a whim, LemonDaniel and I decided to try our hands at product testing, and boy are we bad it!  What came of it is the very first Poor Man's Tested
 

   
Ok so It seems I need a new Air Hog, I swear this thing flew in awesome circles when I first got it.  Protip: don't let your dogs snatch your Air Hog out of the air if you want it to last.  
 
Follow me on twitter (red_lamp) if you wan to be notified for the next installment of Poor Man's Tested.
2 Comments

Whiskey Media Player Profile: Joey Fameli

Our next behind-the-scenes man of action is a cameraman, a husband, a Gary Coleman and a coffee aficionado, allow me to introduce you to the Italian Stallion, the Pink Power Ranger, "The Standard Def" and "The High Def", his After Effects skills have no defects, the one and the only, Joey Fameli
 
Joey, originally a finance major, now splits most of his attention producing videos for Comicvine and Screened.  Just take a look at his work on "Remake Rematch: Nightmare on Elm Street" or "3 Minute Expert: Who is Spiderwoman?".   Joey was also with the Giantbomb crew at E3 and mans a camera at all our Friday live shows.  Whats more, he is the Whiskey Media barista.
 
I asked Joey to give a little autobiographical write up of what makes Joey Joey, and here's what he wrote:   

I run a lot, snowboard, i cook (i'm a total wop in the kitchen), I make beer, I love gambling and casinos, I love pepperidge farms goldfish, pie over cake, love the Droid phone (regardless of what those jerks at Tested think about it).  Other notable hobbies: video games and writing. Grew up in northern California.


No Caption Provided


    


Facts (supplied by Joey)

  • Favorite Food: Pizza
  • Favorite Beverage: Coffee
  • Whiskey of choice:  Speyside
  • Favorite Movie: Goodfellas
  • Eye Color: Beautiful grey/blue
     

Facts (he wouldn't admit)

  • Joey is nicer than Sean Coonce and Drew Scanlon combined; even if they were waisted on prozac while cuddling puppies.  Impossible, I know!
  • He put regular dish soap into a dishwasher.  Video here.
  

Previous Jobs

  • First job was entertaining kids as a power ranger.
  • Bartender.
  • Worked with Gary Coleman, before he died.
 

 Joey's dog Lucky

        
 
Follow Joey on twitter here: HDJoey  
Follow me if you want more Whiskey Media behind the scenes action like this: red_lamp 
 
Also see Whiskey Media Player Profile: Sean Coonce
4 Comments