Supergirl Database:Image Policy

The **DC Database** has tons of images - out of all our pages, only a fraction still needs visual representation. In our past, we've gone by a number of different standards, or no standards, which makes our 1,027 images awash with inconsistency. Here's some short ground rules.

## The technical

### Editing

The image should be completely unaltered from the comic.

* Do not remove lettering from balloons or captions.
* Do not obscure or crop out backgrounds.
* Do not change the orientation of the image.

### Naming

 *Main article: Supergirl Database Wiki:Naming Conventions*

* Character names should be generally be "[Codename] [Universe] 0001" (or whatever number is next).
* There's room for variation; if there are multiple people of the same code name, "[Code Name] [Real Name]" or [Code Name] [Team/Organization Name]" are also possible.
* For pages with a universe designation, do not use parentheses, or the full pagename. This upsets the bot if we ever have to move the page.

### Template

 *Main article: Help:Image Template Hub*

* Adding a source is mandatory for any panel, textless cover and screenshot you upload. This is your responsibility as uploader.
* We've got the Image Template to cover this, as well as license and artist credits.

### Size

* The template sets the image width at 300px, so that should be as a minimum - but not a maximum. Don't compress images any further than they need to be.
* Avoid images that are narrower than 300px, unless there is no alternative.

## The practical

### Main image

* The main image should be a recognizable image that represents the character from a historic perspective, not what they happen to look like this month.
* It should portray the image subject, and only the image subject. If there's multiple people in the image, a good image allows the reader to see which is the subject without further research or looking at other images.
* The main image should always match the MainAlias. The main alias is the "most iconic from a historic perspective" alias, much like the main image.
* **DO NOT CHANGE THE MAIN IMAGE WITHOUT DISCUSSION**. There's an Abuse Filter in place specifically to prevent users from changing an existing image. You can bring up suggestions on the talk page, using {{ImageDiscussion}}.
* Pin-up variants by artists who have not done sequential art should be avoided.

### Galleries

* By default, all galleries on DC Database are set to `mode=packed`. Disambiguation pages need the `mode=packed-hover` added, which is repurposed into a style more like the old disambiguation galleries.
* A gallery is meant to visually represent aspects of a character that cannot be conveyed in the main image. Galleries with just one image are pointless. It should have at least images of the main costumed identity/identities, as well as the civilian look.
* This doesn't mean "use every image we have of them", or "use every textless cover from their miniseries". That's what the Character Images category is for.
* What we also don't need is every frame that one character you like is in.
* Iconic scenes, such as origins, deaths, or participation in large events, can also be included in the gallery.