I’m sure if you’ve read comics for a while you’ve seen the symbol above. It is the seal of approval for the Comics Code Authority. The code was a form of censorship that was created in 1954 in response to questionable content in comic books such as violence and gore in horror comics among other things such as sex. While publishers weren’t required to follow the code, many magazine distributors refused to carry comics that didn’t have the seal on it. In 2001 Marvel comics dropped the code completely to use their own ratings system like the one that DC will be using.
Starting this month DC titles will no longer carry the Comics Code Authority seal and move to their own rating system. I didn’t even know anyone still published comics under the Comics Code. Jim Lee posted this official statement on the official DC blog, The Source:
As of January 2011, DC Comics titles will no longer carry the Comics Code Authority Seal of Approval. In 2011, DC Comics will employ a rating system consistent with that of the rest of the industry, as well as with our digital releases, which already utilize a rating system. As for our Vertigo comic books, they will not utilize the rating system, because they will continue to be labeled as “For Mature Readers”.
Beginning with our April 2011 titles, all DC comic book covers will utilize the following rating system:
E – EVERYONE
Appropriate for readers of all ages. May contain cartoon violence and/or some comic mischief.
T – TEEN
Appropriate for readers age 12 and older. May contain mild violence, language and/or suggestive themes.
T+ – TEEN PLUS
Appropriate for readers age 16 and older. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes.
M – MATURE
Appropriate for readers age 18 and older. May contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes and other content suitable only for older readers.
After doing some research and looking around I found that now there are only two publishers left that still use the Comics Code, Archie and Bongo.