Signs of the times…“a comic magazine.” A few years later they were comic books. This was long before “graphic novels.” Or maybe it wasn’t…graphic novels were just more underground in those days.
Calling a magazine a “book” separates the readers from the non-readers.
Other signs of the times… Notice that several comics on the rack have titles like WAR, HATE, KILLER, and SMASH. This strip is, I think, from the Autumn of 1952. Dr. Frederic Wertham, a quack psychologist of the day, was writing articles and giving public lectures in which he blamed “crime comics” for, among other things, juvenile delinquency. He classified the Horror and Superhero genres as Crime comics too. He even targeted humor comics as obstacles to children developing a taste for good literature. Two years later, his book “Seduction of the Innocent” appeared and persuaded many parents of his ideas. Comic books had seen their peak sales during World War II and the industry was in decline anyway, so it didn’t take much to very nearly destroy it. There were even hearings in Congress about the supposed dangers of comic books and the threat of censorship hung over all. In very short order, the Crime and Horror genres vanished more or less completely and more or less overnight, as did most of the Superhero comics. The surviving Superhero, Romance, Western, Humor, and a few other types came under the industry’s own form of self-censorship, the Comics Code, which prevailed for decades before changes in social attitudes toward censorship loosened. Suffice to say, Schulz was doubtless aware of the whole controversy, yet is basically non-judgmental in his portrayal of the comic books shown here.
Adiraiju over 7 years ago
…I may or may not be guilty of doing this. Granted, I have the excuse that they asked for a Bloom County collection anyway, but…
Templo S.U.D. over 7 years ago
what comic magazines would a pianist enjoy?
Yngvar Følling over 7 years ago
Today, I watch the DVD myself before I wrap it for the recipient.
orinoco womble over 7 years ago
Signs of the times…“a comic magazine.” A few years later they were comic books. This was long before “graphic novels.” Or maybe it wasn’t…graphic novels were just more underground in those days.
Calling a magazine a “book” separates the readers from the non-readers.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 7 years ago
Other signs of the times… Notice that several comics on the rack have titles like WAR, HATE, KILLER, and SMASH. This strip is, I think, from the Autumn of 1952. Dr. Frederic Wertham, a quack psychologist of the day, was writing articles and giving public lectures in which he blamed “crime comics” for, among other things, juvenile delinquency. He classified the Horror and Superhero genres as Crime comics too. He even targeted humor comics as obstacles to children developing a taste for good literature. Two years later, his book “Seduction of the Innocent” appeared and persuaded many parents of his ideas. Comic books had seen their peak sales during World War II and the industry was in decline anyway, so it didn’t take much to very nearly destroy it. There were even hearings in Congress about the supposed dangers of comic books and the threat of censorship hung over all. In very short order, the Crime and Horror genres vanished more or less completely and more or less overnight, as did most of the Superhero comics. The surviving Superhero, Romance, Western, Humor, and a few other types came under the industry’s own form of self-censorship, the Comics Code, which prevailed for decades before changes in social attitudes toward censorship loosened. Suffice to say, Schulz was doubtless aware of the whole controversy, yet is basically non-judgmental in his portrayal of the comic books shown here.
Professor W over 7 years ago
Tell you what, C.B., just get Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph for him
Godfreydaniel over 7 years ago
It was always obvious to me that Wertham desperately needed professional help!
ott70 over 7 years ago
Better deliver that gift in “near mint” condition!