I realize that criticizing any entertainment ratings system is like shooting fish in a barrel, but I can't resist...
From Dan Didio and Jim Lee's post at The Source:
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 16 and older. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes.
M – MATURE
Appropriate for readers age 18 and older. May contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes and other content suitable only for older readers.
OK...
1. First off,"may contain... comic mischief"--really? Granted, they maintain that this is appropriate for "everyone," but in what world does "comic mischief" even merit mention? Will there be an asterisk if Damian puts a whoopie cushion on Alfred's chair? (This reminds me of one of my kids' animated films, the ratings for which warn of "adventure peril"--whew, that was close, for I'll have no peril in my house, nosiree...)
2. Only teens--a term which now includes 12-year-olds, in DC's own version of grade inflation--can handle "mild violence, language and/or suggestive themes." No language in the "everyone" books, I suppose, just the hilarity of watching the Justice League play charades (one word, starts with j... "justice!"). And heaven forbid the themes in comics suggest anything, which seems such a waste of the newfound creative tool of language. But never fear, young ones, for only four years later, you get to be Teens Plus, when you get access to... more suggestive themes. (Not "more suggestive" themes, just more of them. Sucks to be you.)
3. My word, two years presumably count for a lot--go from 16 to 18 and you're rewarded with "intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes and other content suitable only for older readers." Hot snot, it's All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder time! (Of course, it won't be long before you find out that "T&A" really stands for "themes and allusion"--it's the Revenge of the English Lit Teachers!)
4. And, of course, the irony of rating something like The Rise of Arsenal "mature" is just too delicious for mustard...
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