User blog:Spencerz/Can I Have Your Attention? (All Users Please Read)

I would like to highlight something we've been noticing more and more, and that is the addition of upcoming or unreleased info.

Now, we have many names. Some call us a Wiki, some call us a database, but in a broad sense, we are an encyclopedia. An encyclopedia of all things Marvel. But one thing we are not is a news site. We don't document rumors or the like, and we aren't here to provide up to the minute changes on upcoming releases. As such, I'd like to point out how we handle upcoming info in our various medias.

Comics (and other print media)
So, when it comes to comic issues, and to a lesser extent, novels, TPBs, and handbooks and other reference materials, info should not be added until the issue is released to the public. So that means that info from Random X-Title #70000 should not be added to that issues article, or to any characters, teams, organizations or anything else that appears in that issue, until Random X-Title #70000 is released to the public.

Now surely, some people will think it's a little harsh to put limits on this kind of thing, but we have our reasons. Even if a title makes it to solicitation, it's not safe from being cancelled at the last minute. Some of our more die-hard members may recall the solicited but cancelled Ant-Man MAX limited series, Dr. Doom origins mini-series, Arcade vs. Young Allies and Avengers Academy limited series, the last three issues of All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes, and the final issue of Young Allies Vol 2.

So again, hold off on adding info from upcoming issues until it becomes a newly-released issue.

Films and Television
Now, anyone who follows news about Marvel films surely has noticed that info about the films constantly changes. So you can see why we want users to wait on adding info. No appearance info, and be default, no character/team/organization/item/ect. pages, should be added or created until the film or television show starts filming with casted actors. Much like the solicated comics above, an entertainment site's report of Actor A being cast as Character 9 can change a million times before the film starts filming.

Now, can a character that is filmed be cut from the final project? Yes, it can. But that has happened once that I can find: Hulk's cameo cut from The First Avenger. Honestly, if a major character is casted and his actor/actress paid to perform, they are highly likely not to be cut, so it is safe enough to allow character info to appear after filming begins.

So in short, these are our rules on upcoming info. Follow them, and things will be peachy.