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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/45087
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/45087
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Comics have an age rating system similar to videogames, but it's not completely standardized.

[Marvel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comics_rating_system) and [DC](https://www.dccomics.com/ratings), the biggest comics producers, have slightly different systems from each other. And here's yet another system for [English language Manga](https://www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-age-ratings-2283001). They're all based mostly on ages but they divide them up differently. 13+, 15+, 16+, etc.

[Comixology](https://www.comixology.com/) (the Amazon-owned digital comic/graphic novel service) has [their own rating system](https://rating-system.fandom.com/wiki/Comixology_comic_rating_system).

For example, my spouse's comic series on Comixology is rated 17+ because it has boobs and butts and frankly shows sex happening, but without showing genitals. His publisher's only restriction was "no erect penises" (which the artist had in fact included in one scene).

This change seems to be the line between "for adults" and "porn." Frankly, I'm glad for the change because it's fairly easy to promote mature works (the level of sex is similar to the TV series _Game of Thrones_) because they're still mainstream, but very hard to promote something people might consider pornography.

My spouse's comic also has a similar sexual content to the popular _Sex Criminals_ comic series. Both are rated 17+ in Comixology but only the latter has the addition:

> This series is rated Adults Only  
> DISCLAIMER: graphic sexuality contenu sexuel explicite

So, no, there isn't a guide to tell you what rating your work would get. Because they're all a bit different. Even in the same place, there may be differences. American movie age ratings are more long-standing and are better standardized, though there are still weirdnesses (come on, an R rating for _The King's Speech_?).

What I can tell you is no comic store or bookstore I've spoken to about carrying my spouse's comic cares at all that it is for adults only. Even our local public library carries _Sex Criminals_ (they now divide the graphic novel section into adult and teens/kids for this very reason) and has told us they'd be glad to carry his books as well.

The only place we're shut out is our local comic con. It's very kids and teen oriented (they support and encourage teen producers, not just consumers). Though there is talk of creating an "after dark" version.

Now, the content of the comic did influence which publisher would take it on (and it very much limited the choice of publisher) and there are some platforms that won't take it. Also, revenue boosters like [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/) don't allow adult material.

Your work would definitely not be for children. Where the cutoff is among the teens (13+? 15? 17?) will depend on the specifics of your content. Visuals are a lot more important than words (young adult novels can have sex scenes) but it's hard to tell where you'd land.

Original score: 5