Overview
What's This Thread?
The 'Main Picture' this thread refers to is the large image you see on a 'Wiki' ComicVine page. It is also referred to as 'The Overview Picture', or 'Default Image'.
So where the main image is low quality, years out of date, and needs changing then this is the place to ask!
This is NOT a place to post random images found on Google. This is a tool for Viners to help each other.
When Can I Change The Main Picture?
Viners with less than 5,000 points can ask for help here. While Viners with over 5,000 can help by making the changes.
What Qualifies As A Main Picture?
A Few Rules
Its common sense, really. You need a good quality, current & iconic image. However, if you're still not sure, then here are some rules to follow:Good Quality
Simple enough, if a scan is covered is blurry, has pixelated JPEG Artefacts scattered all over it, or has a page-crease down the middle of it, then it isn't a good quality image. We want ComicVine to look professional, so a good quality image is the best place to start!Size & Proportions Really DO Matter
The image selected is automatically re-sized to fit the box on the 'Wiki' page. That's 300 Pixels wide. So if the image you want is too narrow, then it will appear stretched! That's just nasty! It's best to have a large image, so it wont appear pixelated. Likewise, if the image is letterbox-shaped (like a widescreen TV), the you end up with a long, but very short picture. Try to aim for something square-to-comic shaped.
Current Appearances
We want to see a current version of the character. Therefore, if Spider-Man is currently wearing the black costume, then that should be seen in the Main Picture. However... 'Quality' over-rides 'Current', and 'Current' doesn't mean 'last seen image of them'.Main Continuity
Marvel has many What Ifs & DC has it's Elseworlds... but we don't want to see them! Stay inside main continuity! We don't want Ultimate Wolverine, or Earth 2 Superman; we want the main iconic character that everyone instantly thinks of.In Costume
Iconic is the key! There are very few characters who are instantly recognisable without their costumes on. Many artists make their characters look the same, so the only way to distinguish one female superhero from another is by her costume. We want Wolverine in his Wolverine outfit. Cyclops with his Ruby Quartz Visor, and Batman with his cowl!
Be Accurate
For an individual character, there should only be that character in the picture. Solo members will be lost in a teams picture. So be accurate!Clean Images
No art with speech bubbles, sound effects, panel lines, partial titles, tags or similar visual-litter. Most major characters have a clean current image of them. The ONLY time we'll accept visual-litter is if it is the only image available.Comic Art Only
No fan art, game art or TV stills. It MUST be official comic art. The only exception is if there's isn't any comic art.Creator Pages
These should only feature photographs of the creators. However, comic art will be acceptable ONLY if there isn't a photo available.How Do I Request A Different Image?
Before You Make Your Request
The image must already be inside the gallery of that Character, Team, Creator, etc. If it isn't in a relevant gallery, then it can't be turned into the default. For help on how to add images, check out xerox-kitty's 'Unofficial' Guide To Using The Galleries.
When requesting an image, don't just describe the picture. Provide the link to that specific image. Not to the Wiki Page, but to the image itself. It makes it easier for us to find that image.
Inserting the image here does NOT help. You can insert it as well as a link, but on it's own it is useless. We NEED the link!
So here's a good example of how to request a change of image:
Don't Abuse Your Privileges!
What NOT To Do When You've Got Over 5,000 Points
Don't abuse it or the possibility to change image will be removed again. The minimal amount of Points will be raised if the system is abused!Don't push your personal bias onto ComicVine
Accept it, the Punisher IS Franken-Castle. No matter what, you should NOT change his Main Picture to one of Tim Bradstreet's covers. Seriously, this is a cat & mouse game that you WONT win.Similarly, Dazzler hasn't worn her disco catsuit & rollerskates in nearly 30 years. Do DON'T user the silver clad disco diva look.
Likewise, Angel hasn't had blue skin with soft-white feathers for several years. Therefore it is not suitable to make that he's default Main Picture. His Main Picture has been changed to this image, because someone prefers it to the current X-Force incarnation. He doesn't look like this any more...
So STOP abusing your points! Accept the change in character & move on.
Don't Abuse 'Current' Appearances/Edit Team Pictures For Solo Characters
It is not acceptable to change the Main Picture everytime a character appears in a new issue! We want quality, not the latest scrappy cameo.This has been done a few times, and became a problem especially during Blackest Night. The sheer amount of characters who had been turned into Black Lanterns was incredible, but many of those minor characters only received a small cameo at the back of a group image. Don't crop it out! It doesn't look good to see severed limbs floating around. If a character was turned into a Black Lantern, that doesn't mean it is the best image to use for that character!
Remember, we want Quality, not Quantity.
Don't Add Your Latest Upload
We know it's fun & exciting yo add new pictures. But the latest image you've uploaded isn't necessarily the best image for the job. However, a LOT of people get carried away & use the latest image they've just uploaded. Be honest with yourself. Only use it if it really is the best picture for the Wiki Page.Wiki Ban
If you abuse the ability to change the Main Picture, then you will receive official warnings from Moderators. If you continue to abuse this privilege, then you WILL receive a Wiki Ban. That will prevent you from adding pictures to galleries, making edits in the Wiki Pages, and (of course) from altering the Main Picture.Contributors
This post has been edited by zero edge, fesak & xerox-kitty. Therefore, these are Moderator approved rules.
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