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CONTENT GUIDELINES

Last updated: February 2026

Gutterspace is a marketplace for indie comics of all genres and styles. We believe in creative freedom while maintaining a safe environment for our community. These guidelines help creators understand what content is welcome on the Platform, how to rate their work appropriately, and what is strictly prohibited.

Content Ratings

All comics published on Gutterspace must be assigned a content rating by the creator. Accurate ratings help readers find content appropriate for them and protect younger audiences. Deliberately misrating content is a violation of these guidelines.

All Ages

Suitable for readers of all ages. Content is free of violence beyond mild cartoon action, contains no sexual content, and uses no strong language.

  • No blood, gore, or realistic violence
  • No sexual content or nudity
  • No profanity or slurs
  • No drug or alcohol use depicted positively
  • Themes appropriate for children

Teen (13+)

Suitable for readers aged 13 and older. May contain moderate action violence, mild language, and themes that require some maturity to process.

  • Action violence permitted (no excessive gore or torture)
  • Mild profanity permitted (no slurs or extreme language)
  • Romantic themes permitted, but no explicit sexual content or nudity
  • May include references to drug or alcohol use
  • Themes like death, loss, and conflict are acceptable

Mature (17+)

For readers aged 17 and older. May contain graphic violence, strong language, partial nudity, and intense or disturbing themes.

  • Graphic violence and gore permitted
  • Strong language and profanity permitted
  • Partial nudity and sexual themes permitted (not explicit sexual acts)
  • Drug and alcohol use may be depicted
  • Dark, disturbing, or psychologically intense themes permitted

Explicit (18+)

For adults only. May contain explicit sexual content, extreme violence, full nudity, and other content intended exclusively for adult audiences.

  • Explicit sexual content and full nudity permitted
  • Extreme or graphic violence permitted
  • All language permitted
  • Must still comply with all Prohibited Content rules below
  • Age verification is required to access Explicit-rated content

If we determine that a comic is rated lower than its content warrants, we may adjust the rating or request that the creator update it. Repeated misrating may result in account restrictions.

Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited on Gutterspace regardless of rating level. No content rating makes this material acceptable. Violations result in immediate content removal and may result in permanent account termination.

Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)

Any sexual or sexualized depiction of minors is prohibited with zero tolerance. This includes photographic, illustrated, AI-generated, or any other format. This applies to characters who are minors or who appear to be minors regardless of stated age. Violations are reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and law enforcement.

Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery

Revenge porn, deepfakes, or any intimate imagery of real individuals shared without their explicit consent is prohibited. This includes AI-generated intimate imagery of real people.

Real-World Violence

Content that depicts, promotes, glorifies, or celebrates real acts of violence against identifiable individuals or groups. Fictional violence in comics is permitted at appropriate rating levels, but content that targets real people or real events with the intent to celebrate or incite harm is not.

Hate Speech

Content that attacks, demeans, or incites violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Comics may explore difficult themes including bigotry and discrimination as part of storytelling, but content whose primary purpose is to spread hate is prohibited.

Illegal Activity

Content that promotes, facilitates, or provides instructions for illegal activities, including but not limited to terrorism, drug manufacturing, weapons trafficking, or fraud. Fictional depictions of crime in the context of storytelling are permitted at appropriate rating levels.

Copyright Infringement

Uploading content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others, including unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted comics, characters, or artwork. Fan art and parody exist in a legal gray area. If you do not own or have a license for the characters and worlds in your work, do not publish it on Gutterspace. See our DMCA Policy for takedown procedures.

Reporting & Enforcement

How to Report Content

If you encounter content that violates these guidelines, you can report it in two ways:

  • Use the "Report" button on any comic or comment page
  • Email us at hello@gutterspace.io with a link to the content and a description of the issue

All reports are reviewed by our team. We do not disclose the identity of reporters to the content creator.

Enforcement Actions

When content is found to violate these guidelines, we may take one or more of the following actions depending on the severity:

  • Rating adjustment — We may change a comic's content rating to a more appropriate level
  • Content removal — The violating content is removed from the Platform
  • Warning — The creator receives a formal warning on their account
  • Account restriction — Publishing privileges may be temporarily suspended
  • Account termination — For severe or repeated violations, the creator account is permanently terminated
  • Legal referral — For illegal content (especially CSAM), reports are forwarded to law enforcement

Appeals

If you believe your content was removed in error, you may appeal by emailing hello@gutterspace.io with "Content Appeal" in the subject line. Include the title of the removed content and an explanation of why you believe it complies with these guidelines. Appeals are reviewed within 5 business days.

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