I think my mom wasn’t pleased when she learned the word “damn” appeared in the copy of THE AVENGERS #181 she bought me to read while on our car trip to a vacation two decades ago, but I’ve got to give her credit: She didn’t respond by throwing it away or burning it, which are the kind of ridiculous lengths parents went to when she was a child of the 1950s.
As detailed by David Hajdu in THE TEN-CENT PLAGUE: THE GREAT COMIC-BOOK SCARE AND HOW IT CHANGED AMERICA, the new medium known as comics were the violent video games of their day: decried and even banned. The only difference between the two is that the controversy practically killed the comics industry, while today’s gaming industry thrives, despite — or perhaps because of — all the flak.
The name Dr. Fredric Wertham should carry as much negative connotation as Joseph McCarthy, because one day, the psychiatrist decided to attack comic books, claiming they were the scourge of our nation and the reason for juvenile crime. Sources? Studies? Basis? He had none. Yet the media lapped it up and parents listened.
I knew things got bad, with congressional hearings and the like that ultimately doomed the likes of TALES OF THE CRYPT and all of EC Comics (save for MAD). But what I didn’t know is how uncomfortably Nazi our country got — especially so soon after World War II — as comic books were set aflame in giant bonfires while kids cried watching. It should shock you; after all, 50 years wasn’t that long ago.
We’re still feeling the fallout. I think this is why comic books are looked down upon today — perhaps just two levels above porn — whereas they’re enjoyed and appreciated in greater numbers among all ages in European and Asian nations. Our society hasn’t gotten past the taint Wertham placed among them, but we’re working at it. Hadju’s book should help — a product of fine-tuned research and passion for the subject.
One of the most telling aspects of THE TEN-CENT PLAGUE isn’t even part of the narrative. It’s an appendix comprised of 14 pages that do nothing more than list the names of those who never got to work in comics again because of all the companies Wertham’s efforts shut down. It’s like a funny-book version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We should be ashamed; Hajdu should be commended. For readers of history involving incredible sociological blunders, this one’s a must. —Rod Lott
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Standing in line with my 11-year-old son at Golden Apple in Los Angeles for the opening of Free Comic Book Day last month, I spotted someone wearing a promotional t-shirt for this book. And it was a cold reminder that, as you pointed out, it all might have never happened. Remember this while standing in line to see “Iron Man” or “The Hulk” this summer. And remember too that it could very easily happen again…if we don’t pay attention.
I just finished this book last week. It was fascinating. I had no idea that comic books had caused such a moral panic at one time. Hadju did an impressive job with the research. Well worth reading.
As a side note, I should point out that the Senate committee that investigated comic books, and ultimately led to the demise of Bill Gaines’ EC comics was the same one that investigated Bettie Page’s bondage photographs. I’m willing to bet Senators were falling all over themselves to get that committee assignment.
You wanna know how I know Wertham wasn’t as bad as McCarthy? Ann Coulter has yet to write a book proclaiming him a hero. Speaking of Wertham, Mark Evanier has some interesting (and a bit counter-intuitive) essays about the man in his book Wertham Was Right! (a controversial title that is made more palatable once Evanier explains what it is that Wertharm was right about–and it wasn’t that these books should be censored). I wonder does Hadju go into how Gaines own drug-fueled testimony ultimately proved as detrimental to his cause as his antagonists? I’m interested in reading the book, but only if its a fair account of the period and not one with outright heroes and villains.
You’ll be pleased to know that Gaines’ 24/7 speed-popping is in full effect.
this looks like a very interesting read …