The beginnings of a FAQ:
- Why do I get cover X when it doesn't contain
the hero/villain/object that I asked about?
When I select keywords for the data files, I don't limit myself
to details on the covers. For example, I've tried to include
writer and artist names. Sometimes the cover advertises a "mystery"
guest-star, who (perhaps unfortunately) I reveal by my choice of
keywords.
Of course, another reason for the appearance of cover X might be
a mistake in the data files. See "How do
I improve the data files" for a solution to that one.
- Why does cover X show up as a broken image
icon?
Its thumbnail image is unavailable. One reason could be that the
image hasn't yet been added to Nick Simon's
covers
site. You can check by going to his pages.
If the image is present on
Nick's site then the real cause of the problem is a typo in
my data files. I would really appreciate it if you send me
e-mail informing me of the
problem. Your name will be added to my
"Thanks to People" list.
- How do I found out more about a matching
cover?
Click on its "GCD" link, which will load the details stored
about that issue at the
Grand Comics Database
Project.
- How do I display all the titles for a given
month?
The best way is to visit Nick Simon's
covers
site and view the covers by month.
A hacky solution for the search engine is to select a date and
type a single space into one of the keyword fields. This will
match against most comics (except those with no keywords or a
single keyword with no spaces).
- How do I find a reprint title?
The key keyword is reprint.
Combine that with character
keywords and/or title and date restrictions.
For the slightly more adventuous, you can search for one of
the reprint codes (e.g. asm stands
for the Amazing Spider-Man title). A complete list of
reprint codes can be found in the reprints
table.
- How do I find crossover titles?
Crossover information for an issue is included in {...}'s
in the search result. For details on the format, read the
Crossovers Legend. The IDs
that appear there can be used in a search, combined with
the keyword crossover.
- How do I improve the data
files?
You can check out the data files,
and search for errors or omissions (plenty of them at the moment).
Then, if you're kind, you can send me corrections or new information
by e-mail.Your name will be
added to my
"Thanks to People" list.
- What about the search engine code?
The C code for the search engine
is available (for free!).
If you use it, please acknowledge me at your site, and send me some
e-mail about your work. I'd like to know if the code is proving
useful.
Suggestions for improvements, or actual code enhancements, can be
sent to me by e-mail.Your
name will be added to my
"Thanks to People" list.
- What isn't covered by the search engine?
The search engine hasn't got data on the "Gal" and "Romance"
titles, such as Patsy Walker and Our Love Story.
You'll have to look at Nick's pages directly. Sorry about that.
The Marvel Silver Age
search page.