If you locate any unwritten rule that should be clarified, use the talk page to make a proposal
This Layout Guide is an official guide as to how an in-universe article should be written and structured. Feel free to discuss the Layout Guide on the talk page.
General Considerations
Adding Articles
In-universe articles must contain as much official information as possible, therefore, it is preferred to wait until a proper description of the subject of the article can be written based on the information released about the media it appears in, without using information based on their Marvel comics counterparts, fan fiction, speculation or original research to fill the gaps or lack of information about the subject of these articles.
Empty articles are not allowed, and automatically deleted upon notice. An article is considered as an Empty Article in one of these subjects:
- Actual empty articles, without any kind of content.
- Articles with just an out-of universe sentence such as This Character appeared in this particular movie.
- Articles having only the infobox and/or the headings for the different sections.
- Other articles lacking any kind of in-universe information.
Article Stub
- The article stub template is used when an article is too vague or brief, AND/OR when there is clearly more information that can be added.
- It adds the article to a category where editors can check what articles are in need of improvement.
- If the article has enough information about its subject, and only a specific section within it needs more information, then the "Expand" or "Rewrite" templates should be added to that particular section, highlighting within it the specific need for that section.
Character Pages
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Character" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- Articles should have a quote by, or about, the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article. Within it, always avoid the formulaic "also known as"; when a character assumes a codename, it has to be naturally mentioned at the point of their lives where they became the persona associated with said codename, and not at the beginning of the overview by simply adding with a "also know as" locution.
- Biography
- The main section should be titled Biography for character pages, where information about the character should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- The main section should be divided if the character has recurring appearances, with a sub-section for each relevant event in the character's biography.
- The title of these subsections should never be the name of the film/TV series he appears in, instead, it should be named matching the event it's been described, as these too should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- This section should always be written from the character's point of view, not from the point of view of characters that interact with him/her/it.
- This must be specially considered in case of "mentions". When a character is mentioned, the event that must be highlighted in his article is the mentioned fact, not the mention itself.
- If the character is an alternate counterpart of another, main one, the biography should NOT copy-paste the biography of the main counterpart, even if they shared similar events in their life until a Point of Divergence. Instead, and only if needed for context, an Early Life section should contain summarized information about the prior biography.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- Personality
- Next section should describe the characters personality as seen in his different appearances.
- Powers and Abilities
- This section is often looked over by the Powers and Abilities WikiProjects. If there is a hidden text asking not to edit the section, than follow it. If you think there is a problem, you can either ask a staff member of the WikiProject on their wall, or add a message on the talk page.
- Next section should describe powers and/or abilities possessed by the character, if any.
- Powers and abilities must be formatted as a bulleted list describing each individual power/ability, whose name must be in bold.
- The Superpower Wiki is used as source in order to choose the accurate name for the power portrayed on screen by a character, as sometimes similar powers exist that can be mixed up. (e.g. Donnie Gill's power has only been portrayed as Freezing, and not as Ice Manipulation or Cryokinesis)
- The section may contain certain classifications where applicable.
- For powers based in a physical attribute, such as Strength, Durability or Speed, the power can be classified as Enhanced in case it is beyond its regular human levels but still within human potential, or as Superhuman in case it is beyond human capabilities. (e.g. Enhanced Strength for Steve Rogers, Superhuman Strength for Thor)
Basically, within this wiki's context, Steve Rogers is the primary example of an individual with "Enhanced-level" physical attributes, sometimes capable of superhuman feats within very specific circumstances, but not superhuman in normal circumstances. Individuals with levels akin to Captain America's are also classified as "Enhanced-level". - In case that other, very specific, powers need any classification, they will be tentatively (and relatively) classified first in the List of Powers and Abilities.
- Abilities can be classified as Master level, Expert level or Average level. Average level is not actually listed, with only the terms corresponding to the ability being used to represent that basic level. (e.g. Martial Artist → Expert Martial Artist → Master Martial Artist)
- The List of Powers and Abilities collects the only abilities that can be added to character pages (martial artist, combatant, marksman, acrobat, spy, assassin, tactician, scientist, engineer, physician, businessman, lawyer, hacker, interrogator, investigator, thief and pilot). If a specific ability added to an article does not appear in that list, it must be either reworded or removed. Exceptions extremely notable as a plot point may be allowed by administrators, and highilighted with a hidden note within the article, though they cannot be added to the list.
- For powers based in a physical attribute, such as Strength, Durability or Speed, the power can be classified as Enhanced in case it is beyond its regular human levels but still within human potential, or as Superhuman in case it is beyond human capabilities. (e.g. Enhanced Strength for Steve Rogers, Superhuman Strength for Thor)
- Equipment
- A bulleted list with a small description of the different Weapons and Items and used by the character, and the instance where he used them.
- Every item and weapon must have a link when available, either an internal link for a Marvel Cinematic Universe specific item, or an external link to general Wikipedia for common items, such as firearms.
- Weapons subsection is arranged with regular firearms first, in the same order provided in the List of Firearms article. Other weapons are added following the last firearm in the list.
- A bulleted list with a small description of the different Weapons and Items and used by the character, and the instance where he used them.
- Facilities
This section requires expansion |
- Relationships
- A list of people the character has relationships to, with the name and the relation that links to them.
- When this list has many entries, it can be divided into Family, Allies and Enemies sub-sections.
- A list of people the character has relationships to, with the name and the relation that links to them.
- Appearances
- A list of appearances of the character.
- A collapsible list template should be added once the list exceeds the number of ten different bullet points.
- Should be sorted in order of In-universe chronology, not historical order of appearance or publication, as these too should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- These are de facto references or sources, but they are listed separately because they are in-universe references.
- Appearances within flashbacks should use the tag "flashback" with a smaller font.
- In case a particular media (a specific movie or TV episode) has different flashbacks, each flashback should be listed in a different bullet point in case another different media (movie, TV episode...) takes place chronologically between those flashbacks.
- Should includes smaller mentions or references in dialogue, narration, or visual appearance, such as archive footage.
- When mentioned, the tag "mentioned" should appear with a smaller font.
- A list of appearances of the character.
- Trivia
- Curiosities about the character, easter eggs, or references to other fictional appearances of the character, specially his Marvel Comics counterpart if he has any.
- Behind the Scenes
- Real-world information about the character, such as casting decissions, descriptions or statements about the characters.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- Link to the gallery and/or the quote collection if any exists, using the adequate template.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, usually the articles for the character in Wikipedia, and the hub/disambiguation page in the Marvel Database, that show the original version of the character from the comics, or the subsequent character adapted into the comics.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category
- Categories should be listed in order
- General Characters Category
- Media Appearances
- Film Appearances
- One-Shot Appearances
- TV series Appearances
- Comics Appearances
- Video Games Appearances
- Physical characteristics
- Species
- Gender
- Hair Color
- Eye Color
- Affiliations
- Every different affiliation must be listed in chronological order
- Occupation
- Profession if different than their affiliation
- Out of Universe Categories
- Heroes / Villains
- Bilingual Characters
- Unnamed Characters
- High Body Count
- Deceased Characters
- Characters Killed By
- Keep in mind that the character needs to make a physical appearance in a media to be categorized as that media's character. If the character is only mentioned by some other character (like Wernher von Braun by Maya Hansen in Iron Man 3) the character should be categorized only by the Mentioned Only Characters category, but not as that media's character. Other categories should be used as usual for these kind of characters.
Items/Weapons/Vehicles
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Item" or "Vehicle" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- History
- The main section should be titled History for item pages, where information about the item should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- Trivia
- Curiosities about the item, easter eggs, or references to other fictional appearances of the item.
- Gallery
- If no separate gallery page exists for the item, a gallery section should be added to the bottom of the page.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- Link to the gallery if it exists, using the adequate template.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category
- Categories should be listed in hierarchy, then order of appearance, and lastly affiliations. (eg. Items, Weapons, Iron Man 2 Items, Iron Man 2 Weapons, The Avengers Items, The Avengers Weapons, S.H.I.E.L.D. Equipment).
- Every article should have at least one category
Organizations/Teams
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Organization" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- The most commonly used logo of the organization shall be used in the infobox. If the organization has no logo, the image which shows most of its members shall be used.
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Organization" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- History
- The main section should be titled History for organization pages, where information about the organization should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- The main section should be divided if the organization has recurring appearances, with a sub-section for each relevant event in the organization's history.
- The title of the these subsections should never be the name of the film/TV series it appears in, instead, it should named matching the event it's been described, as these too should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- Members
This section requires expansion |
To be added
- Relationships
This section requires expansion |
To be added
- Appearances
This section requires expansion |
To be added
- Trivia
- Curiosities about the organization, easter eggs, or references to other fictional appearances of the organization.
- Gallery
- If no separate gallery page exists for the location, a gallery section should be added to the bottom of the page.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- Link to the gallery if it exists, using the adequate template.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have one or two categories. One named after the organization itself (if there are enough articles for this category to be made), and the other is "Organizations" or "Teams" category.
Locations
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Location" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- History
- The main section should be titled History for location pages, where information about the location should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- The main section should be divided if the location has recurring appearances, with a sub-section for each relevant event in the location's history.
- The title of the these subsections should never be the name of the film/TV series it appears in, instead, it should named matching the event it's been described, as these too should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- Trivia
- Curiosities about the location, easter eggs, or references to other fictional appearances of the location.
- Gallery
- If no separate gallery page exists for the location, a gallery section should be added to the bottom of the page.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- Link to the gallery if it exists, using the adequate template.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category.
- Categories should be listed in hierarchy, then order of appearance, and lastly affiliations. (eg. Locations, Countries, Thor: The Dark World Locations).
- Every article should have at least one category.
Alternate Universes
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "Universe" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- For Alternate Universes named using the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki's system, the description will always start with the pattern The '''"Reality Name" Universe''' is.... (e.g. The "Super Soldier Peggy Carter" Universe is...)
- History
- The main section should be titled History for universe pages, where information about the universe should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- The main section should be divided if the universe has recurring appearances, with a sub-section for each relevant event in the universe's history.
- The title of the these subsections should never be the name of the film/TV series it appears in, instead, it should named matching the event it's been described, as these too should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- Residents
- A list of notable residents from the reality.
- Landmarks
- A list of notable locations and landmarks presented in the reality.
- Trivia
- Curiosities about the universe, easter eggs, or references to other fictional appearances of the universe.
- Behind the Scenes
- Real-world information about the universe, such as inspirations, descriptions or statements about the reality.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- Link to the gallery if it exists, using the adequate template.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category.
- For these articles, at least the category Universes applies.
- Every article should have at least one category.
Wars
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate "War" template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- History
- The main section should be titled History for war pages, where information about the event should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- This main section should be divided into the different events or battles that take place within the war, using a title that links to the that event specific page.
- Only official information should be added in this section, avoiding information from other media, and speculation, even author, cast or crew's speculation.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category.
- In this case, the category "Wars" is the only one that should be applied.
- Every article should have at least one category.
Events
- Infobox Template
- Every article should begin with an adequate template, that will appear at the right side of the article. Every known entrance into this template should be filled, avoiding speculation.
- Quote
- A quote about the main subject of the article.
- Description
- The beginning of the article, before the first section, should be a (relatively) small general description about the topic of the article.
- Background
- A recap of the previous events that belong to the same War as the main event of the article, or that have directly lead to it.
- This section should be divided into the different events or battles described, using a title that links to the that event specific page.
- A recap of the previous events that belong to the same War as the main event of the article, or that have directly lead to it.
- Battle
- The main section should usually with the type of event used in the article's name. The information about the event should be written with an in-universe point of view.
- Aftermath
- A recap of subsequent events that are directly caused or influenced by the main event of the article.
- References
- A list of the referenced media in the main sections of the article.
- External Links
- Section called "External Links" even if there is currently only one link.
- Links to other official sources, mainly pages in the general Wikipedia, and the Marvel Wiki.
- Categories
- Every article should have at least one category.
- In this case, the category "Events" is the only one that should be applied.
- Every article should have at least one category.
Hubs
Characters
- Primary Versions
- The Primary version should always be the versions from the MCU's Earth-616 universe. If there is not Earth-616 then it should be the most important version (the one with the title); e.g. Deadpool, Professor X or Wolverine. If there is no version with the specific title, then all Variants should share the primary version unless they need to be split by canon status, then the official canon version should go first.
- Primary versions should also always have "
{{Hub Main}}
".
- Imposters and Duplicates
- Any Earth-616 imposters or duplicates "Unnamed Skulls, Actors, Recreations, Etc." should go in a section called "Imposters and Duplicates".
- Imposters and Duplicates should also always have "
{{Hub Alternate}}
".
- Variants
- All Variants that have the Alternate Universe tag should go in a section below titled "Variants". This should be in a tier order of live action, animation, video games, comics and books. Within the tiers, it should be ordered by universe appearance order. They should also be accompanied by their universe designation. If there is no designation, then they should be accompanied by their media; e.g. Avengers: Damage Control. However, in some cases where media may pertain to multiple universes, then "Character's Name's Reality" is more appropriate.
- Variants should also always have "
{{Hub Alternate}}
".
- Other Variants
- The last section is for all Variants listed under the Non-Canon category. They should go in a section titled "Other Variants". This should be in a tier order of live action, animation, primary video games, web browser video games, comics and books. Within the tiers, it should be ordered by universe appearance order. They should also be accompanied by their universe designation. If there is no designation, then they should be accompanied by their media; e.g. Iron Man: The Junior Novel. However, in some cases where media may pertain to multiple universes, then "Character's Name's Reality" is more appropriate.
- Other Variants should also always have "
{{Hub Alternate}}
".
Events and Organizations
- Primary Versions
- The Primary version should always be the versions from the MCU's Earth-616 universe. If there is not Earth-616 then it should be the most important version. If there is no version with the specific title, then all Variants should share the primary version unless they need to be split by canon status, then the official canon version should go first.
- Primary versions should also always have "
{{Hub Main}}
" or "{{Hub Width}}
" when it is a wide image.
- Alternate Versions
- All alternate versions that have the Alternate Universe tag should go in a section below titled "Alternate Versions". This should be in a tier order of live action, animation, video games, comics and books. Within the tiers, it should be ordered by universe appearance order. They should also be accompanied by their universe designation. If there is no designation, then they should be accompanied by their media; e.g. Avengers: Damage Control.
- Alternate Versions should also always have "
{{Hub Screenshot}}" or "{{Hub Logo}}
".
- Other Versions
- The last section is for all Versions listed under the Non-Canon category. They should go in a section titled "Other Versions". This should be in a tier order of live action, animation, primary video games, web browser video games, comics and books. Within the tiers, it should be ordered by universe appearance order. They should also be accompanied by their universe designation. If there is no designation, then they should be accompanied by their media; e.g. Iron Man: The Junior Novel.
- Other Variants should also always have "
{{Hub Screenshot}}" or "{{Hub Logo}}
".
- All Hub photos should always match their article's photo; e.g. if the Avengers page uses a certain photo for the infobox, that should be reflected on the Hub.