Help:Gradings
To make it easier to figure out how prominent a character is in a given issue of a comic book, use this Grading Guide. All Sightings should have a Grade.
Grade 1
Character is the Main Character of the book, he's on the cover or he's the drive of the plot, or shares the story with only one other character.
Examples
Any Aquaman title, Adventure comics with Aquaman as the lead in a story, Team-ups in Brave and the Bold.
Grade 2
Character is a major part of the plot, is part of a team in the plot, or is a guest in another character's book.
NOTE: If the character gets top billing in the story, or shares the top billing with only one other major character, it's Grade 1. If three or more characters share top billing, it's Grade 2. Team-ups that occur in another character's regular title are always Grade 2.
Examples
Aquaman's Justice League appearances, Aquaman in Flash #66.
Grade 3
Character makes an appearance in the book that helps to move the plot along, usually must say a few lines.
Examples
examples: Aquaman in Kingdom Come #2, Aquaman in some Justice League issues.
Grade 4
Character makes a cameo appearance, says something and is more than one panel.
Examples
Aquaman in Guy Gardener #29, Aquaman in Zero Hour Crisis in Time #3
NOTE: The difference between Grade Three and Grade Four is plot. If you remove a Grade Four appearance, the plot will not change, but if you remove a Grade Three appearance something must replace the missing piece.
Grade 5
Character appears: in background, on the cover, in a panel or a few.
Examples
examples: Aquaman in The Golden Age TPB, Aqualad in Tiny Titans #1
Grade 6
Character is mentioned but does not appear, or book has major effect on the Character in specific.
NOTE: If Aquaman appears at all in the book, it is Grade 5, not Grade 6. This Grade is for mentions of him or books that impact his mythos. If there is any visual Aquaman, it's Grade 5.
Examples
for instance: Superman's Death had a major effect on most DC heroes, I'd wager, but not on most heroes in specific, so it would NOT be a Grade 6. Atlantis Chronicles has a major effect on Aquaman, specifically, even though he's not in most of them.
Grade R
Reprint. Whenever possible, add a number grade. For instance, The Aquaman Archives would be graded R1, while the JLA Archives would be graded R2.
