Comics Age Ratings Guide

The DC Comics Rating System

Introduced in 2011 by DC Comics, this rating system is the one that most publishers use.

The rating system follows as such below:

  • E – EVERYONE– Appropriate for readers of all ages. May contain cartoon violence and/or some comic mischief.
  • T – TEEN– Appropriate for readers age 12 and older. May contain mild violence, language and/or suggestive themes.
  • T+ – TEEN PLUS– Appropriate for readers age 15 and older. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes.
  • M – MATURE– Appropriate for readers age 17 and older. May contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes and other content suitable only for older readers.

 

**2022 UPDATE**

DC Comics seems to be using two systems in tandem at the moment. There’s the above system, which appears on their website, and a more straightforward age-based rating system that appears on the covers.

An example of this is Batman #120, which is rated Teen on the DC Comics website but 13+ on the cover.

The age-based rating is as follows:

  • 13+– Replaces Teen
  • 15+ – Replaces Teen Plus
  • 17+– Mostly reserved for the DC Black Label comics, this replaces the M/Mature rating

As for the all ages graphic novels, it appears that DC has opted to use a reading age, similar to how a traditional book publisher would. For example, on Amazon, the graphic novel Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld has a reading age of 8-12 years.

The Current Marvel Comics Rating System

Marvel has had a few different rating systems over the years (see more about those below). Below is the one that they currently use:

  • ALL AGES– Appropriate for all ages.
  • T– Appropriate for most readers, but parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.
  • T+ TEENS AND UP– Appropriate for teens 13 and above.
  • PARENTAL ADVISORY– Appropriate for 15 and up. Similar to T+, but featuring more mature themes and/or more graphic imagery. Recommended for teen and adult readers.
  • EXPLICIT CONTENT– 18+ years old.