rec.arts.comics.misc

RAC/RACM FAQ

Part 8: RAC Newsgroup Charters

by Carl Henderson
carl.henderson@airmail.net
Based on original FAQs by Francis Uy, Tom Galloway, Paul Estin, et al. 


Notes and comments on the various RAC newsgroup charters are adapted/taken
directly from Greg Morrow's archive of rec.arts.comics newsgroup charters
at http://www.whiterose.org/dr.elmo/faq/charters.html.

These are the official charters of the newsgroups in the rec.arts.comics
hierarchy. In most cases, these are taken directly from the RESULT: posting
that followed the vote that authorized the group's creation.


8-1: REC.ARTS.COMICS.ALTERNATIVE

The purpose of rec.arts.comics.alternative is to provide a forum for the 
discussion of alternative comic books, which follow in the footsteps of the
1960s' underground comics in that they defy the common perceptions that all
comics are for children and that almost all feature four-color superheroes.
Comics which easily fall into genres well-represented by the comic book
industry's mainstream (such as superheroes, science fiction/fantasy/horror,
comics for kids and teens, and comics based on popular movies or
bestsellers) are not considered "alternative" unless they fit the following
description of alternative comic books:

In contrast to over 80% of comic books today, they are not published by the
chief imprint of the biggest mainstream companies (DC, Marvel,Image,
Valiant, Archie and Disney); comic books that you could buy at a
convenience store or a newsstand would not be considered alternative.
Alternative comic books focus on subjects not typically found in comic
books or focus on typical subjects in atypical and innovative ways. These
two qualities are essential. They are additionally most often published in
black and white, in small circulations (roughly less than 10 of the index
currently used by the major distributors), and are published by the smaller
publishers (i.e. are not delineated above). They are normally owned by
their creators and many times even published by them. A majority of these
qualities should be present.

If a comic doesn't obviously belong in any other group, including
rec.arts.comics.alternative, it should be discussed in the RAC.misc group.
If you can't tell if a comic belongs in RAC.alternative, then don't discuss
it there; if you can tell, then discuss away.


8-2: REC.ARTS.COMICS.CREATIVE

This newsgroup welcomes any form of comics-related original fiction and
discussion of the same, including but not limited to stories in the many
established shared universes. Discussion of on-line fiction as a whole is
also welcome provided that it is related to the stories on the newsgroup.
If they choose to write in an existing shared universe, writers are
strongly encouraged to follow the existing continuity and rules of that
universe. "Comics-related" will be interpreted very broadly, as has been
traditional on the newsgroup.

Each posting to rec.arts.comics.creative should include a keyword on the
subject line either designating which shared universe the posting refers to
or marking the general subject of the post (ADMIN, META, MISC, etc.). If a
submitted post does not have a keyword, the moderator will add an
appropriate keyword, but posters are encouraged to add keywords themselves
to save moderation work.

Large binaries, such as artwork, will not be allowed on the newsgroup.
Instead, binaries can be made available in the newsgroup archive (subject
to the discretion of the archivist) and a pointer posted to the newsgroup.
Pointers to Web pages are also welcome, provided the content of the page is
related to the purpose of the group.

Stories using copyrighted or trademarked characters are explicitly not
within the charter of this group and may be rejected unless the author owns
the copyrights and trademarks or has written permission from the owner.
Networking posts (artists seeking writers or writers seeking artists) are
inappropriate in this group and should be sent to appropriate mailing lists
or other groups in the rec.arts.comics.* hierarchy (rec.arts.comics.misc if
there is no other more appropriate group).

[This is not the original charter, but the charter that was voted in when
the group became moderated.]


8-3: REC.ARTS.COMICS.DC.LSH

For posts about the Legion of Super-Heroes in all its incarnations and its
related characters and situations. rec.arts.comics.dc.lsh


8-4: REC.ARTS.COMICS.DC.UNIVERSE

rec.arts.comics.dc.universe is for posts about the shared universe of
characters published by DC Comics, insofar as no more appropriate group or
subgroup exists. It is not for the discussion of comic books which happen
to be published by DC Comics but which are not set in this shared universe
nor feature characters from this shared universe. In particular, licensed
comics such as Star Trek, Bugs Bunny, Judge Dredd, and Babylon 5; comics
from companies such as Milestone which use DC Comics marketing and
distribution resources; and comics from special DC Comics imprints such as
Paradox Press and Vertigo are topics to be redirected to
rec.arts.comics.misc or other appropriate groups when these comics do not
explicitly occur in the DC Universe.

To facilitate discussion, the use of Subject: line keywords is encouraged.


8-5: REC.ARTS.COMICS.DC.VERTIGO

For posts concerning comic books published by the Vertigo imprint of DC
Comics. rec.arts.comics.dc.vertigo


8-6: REC.ARTS.COMICS.ELFQUEST

rec.arts.comics.elfquest is for posts about the world and characters of
Elfquest comics.


8-7: REC.ARTS.COMICS.EUROPEAN

This unmoderated newsgroup will provide a forum for discussing: All comics
which are produced in Europe, intended for the European market and/or
created by European creators. Excluded are those comics which are reprints
of American or other non-European comics. Excluded are also for sale or
wanted posts. A special case is the United Kingdom. While UK comics (e.g.
2000 A.D.) will be discussed in this newsgroup, titles published directly
for the American market (Watchmen, From Hell) are excluded, as is the
output of a publisher like Marvel UK, which is a European subsidiary of an
American publisher and has more in common with American comics.


8-8: REC.ARTS.COMICS.INFO

This group is basically modeled after the rec.arts.startrek.info newsgroup.
It is for posts of an informative nature. Reviews, convention
announcements, and other information from the comic book world would find
their home in this group. It is intended to be a non-discussion, all signal
informative group. 

* Reviews submitted to r.a.c.info can be from any of the r.a.c.* discussion 
* groups, but it is asked of the poster that s/he split up the review into 
* articles that pertain to only one of the discussion groups so that 
* followups can be correctly directed. Reviews or opinions of a single 
* title should be seriously considered before posting, unless said single 
* review is from a larger review that was split into parts.

[The "starred" section of the rac.info charter has been superceded by the
creation of rec.arts.comics.reveiws. The current rec.arts.comics.info
moderator (Martin Wisse-- moderator@ad-astra.demon.nl) does not accept reviews.]


8-9: REC.ARTS.COMICS.MARKETPLACE

rec.arts.comics.marketplace shall be a forum for the exchange of comics and
comic related items, and is intended to move the forsale and wanted ads out
of rec.arts.comics. As well, by moving this same traffic from
rec.collecting, the entire subject area will become better centralized. The
content of this group will include for sale ads, wanted to buy notices and
free give aways. This newsgroup shall be for personal ads only, not
commercial advertisements.


8-10: REC.ARTS.COMICS.MARVEL.UNIVERSE

rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe is for posts about the shared universe of
characters published by Marvel Comics, insofar as no more appropriate group
or subgroup exists. It is not for comic books which happen to be published
by Marvel Comics but which are not set in this shared universe nor feature
characters from this shared universe. In particular, licensed comics such
as Aladdin and comics from special imprints such as Marvel Music are topics
to be redirected to rec.arts.comics.misc or other appropriate groups when
these comics do not explicitly occur in the Marvel Universe.

Marvel Comics has recently (12-94) acquired Malibu Comics, particularly its
shared superhero "Ultraverse"; further, some Marvel characters are making a
temporary migration to the Ultraverse. Nonetheless, until such time as the
Malibu and Marvel Universes are merged more explicitly, Malibu Comics
topics, particularly the Ultraverse, are more appropriate in
rec.arts.comics.misc. Posts concerning the appearance of Marvel Universe
characters in the Ultraverse may be crossposted between
rec.arts.comics.misc and rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe.

To facilitate discussion, the use of Subject: line keywords is encouraged.

[A poll in 1996 changed the Ultraverse of the charter to make Ultraverse
topics on-topic in rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe.]


8-11: REC.ARTS.COMICS.MARVEL.XBOOKS 

This group is for the discussion of those characters, and books that are
part of Marvel Comics' Mutant Universe. Currently the regular Marvel titles
that are part of this Universe are Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, X-Force, X-Factor,
Wolverine, and Excaliber. Discussions on stories pertaining to the Mutant
Universe that appear in anthology titles, such as Marvel Comics presents,
should also be posted in this group. It should be noted that all of the
books mentioned above are Super Hero books, but comprise their own
self-contained discussions that have been a large part of rec.arts.comics
since its creation. These books are also responsible for a consistent level
posting that indicates a need for a separate discussion group within the
hierarchy.

[This is the original charter for rec.arts.comics.xbooks. The charter was
not changed during the rename to rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks.]


8-12: REC.ARTS.COMICS.MISC

This group is basically the group that is currently known as
rec.arts.comics. The idea being that the group will be renamed to
r.a.c.misc and handle comic book discussions that aren't covered by the
charters of the other groups in the rec.arts.comics.* hierarchy


8-13: REC.ARTS.COMICS.OTHER-MEDIA

rec.arts.comics.other-media is for posts about characters created in comics
as portrayed in media other than comics, including animated and live-action
television and movies, radio, prose, music, and toys and other
merchandising. "Casting calls" and posts comparing the comic and non-comic
versions also belong in this group. Superhero-inspired material *not* based
on existing comic book characters is specifically excluded from this group.

Owing to the variety of topics included, the use of Subject: line keywords
will be heavily encouraged.


8-14: REC.ARTS.COMICS.REVIEWS

The purpose of this newsgroup is to review items, materials, and events
normally addressed and discussed within the rec.arts.comics.* hierarchy.
Examples include, but are not limited to:

Comic books, strips, political cartoons, and their compilations
Movie/TV/prose adaptations of comic-book characters and stories
Biographies or histories of characters, pros, and the industry  
rec.arts.comics.creative "issues" or "titles"
Industry-related publications and magazines
Subscription companies and services
Archival/collecting materials
Cataloguing software
Comics conventions

The following policies will apply:

Advertisements, large binaries, SPAM, general announcements, and
discussion/followup posts are not permitted in this group. They will be
rejected. If a post begins with "Re: " then it is treated as a followup and
will be returned.

Posts to the group should begin with a Subject keyword such as REVIEW:,
PREVIEW:, or COLUMN:, which will be chosen by the moderator. The moderator
may add additional keywords as they become necessary. The moderator may add
an appropriate keyword to the subject line if none is provided.

Posts to the group may be crossposted to other discussion groups or to
other appropriate *.reviews groups. Followups should be set to three or
fewer appropriate discussion groups.

Hierarchy-wide pre-approved FAQ posts, such as the rec.arts.comics general
FAQ, will be posted if approved by the .info group. Other FAQ posts (such
as the charter of the group, or a guide to review style) will be approved
at moderator's discretion.


8-15: REC.ARTS.COMICS.STRIPS

rec.arts.comics.strips is for discussion of comic "strips" as opposed to
comic books. The classic form for comic strips is the Funny Pages of
American newspapers, but the group is not limited to discussion of strips
of this form. Other forms such as editorial cartoons, single-panel cartoons
such as by Gary Larson or Charles Addams, strips from less frequent
periodicals such as National Lampoon, etc, are all acceptable. The group
will be unmoderated.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
J. Carl Henderson
carl.henderson@airmail.net

Intro: Introduction / Revision History
Contents: Table of Contents/Acknowledgements
Part 1: The RAC Newsgroups and Posting to Them
Part 2: Comics News and Commentary on the Net
Part 3: Inside the Comic Book Industry
Part 4: Comics Industry Contact Information
Part 5: Comic Book Professionals--And How to Become One
Part 6: Misc. Comic Book Questions
Part 7: Whatever Happened to ___________?
Part 8: RAC Newsgroup Charters

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