What Comic Books Teach Us About Censorship | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

What Comic Books Teach Us About Censorship

When does "safe" become "too safe"?

119
What Comic Books Teach Us About Censorship
Piotr VaGla Waglowski

I write scary stories once in a while. Even when my fiction isn’t scary, it usually has some darker elements (people killing other people, villains hurting people in creative ways).

I don’t plan for this to happen, it just seems to be the way I write.

I know many people don’t like dark stories and advocate for less violence and offensive content in stories.

I happen to think they’re often right.

There are plenty of movies and book which have dark or offensive content that didn’t add anything to the story.

The problem is, once you get past the obviously offensive, there’s a fine line where a clean story becomes a sterile story.

Sometimes you have to choose between writing a totally clean story (no dark or offensive content whatsoever) and writing something that could be offensive but will make people think.

Let me give an example from comic books.

During the 1950’s, a psychiatrist named Frederic Wertham released a book “Seduction of the Innocent,” which argued that comic books were contributing to juvenile delinquency.

Wertham was highly respected. As Art Spiegelman noted, he was Ralph Ellison’s therapist, he cared deeply about juvenile delinquents and even testified for the defense in Brown vs. The Board of Education.

So people took his claims, supposedly based on careful research, very seriously.

Wertham’s book was so convincing that Congress held a hearing on whether comic books were harming kids.

Under threat of government censorship, American comic book companies created their own censorship board, the Comics Code Authority of America.

From then on, every comic book published had to pass the Comics Code, which included some good restrictions (“nudity in any form is prohibited”) and some ridiculous ones (“no comic magazine shall use the word horror or terror in its title”).

The Comics Code stayed fairly strong from 1954 to the late 60’s, which was good and bed.

On the one hand, comic books from that period are totally family-friendly.

Superman’s worst problems were things like traveling into the future to discover everything turned out fine and no one needed him anymore.

Batman’s struggles became the basis for the campy 1960’s TV show.

Even Spider-Man, created in 1962, was pretty tame.

On the other hand, this cleanliness meant that comic books couldn’t address big social issues.

The comic book story that more or less broke the Comics Code is a perfect example.

In 1970 the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare asked Stan Lee to write a Spider-Man story that showed how damaging drugs could be.

Lee created a story titled “Green Goblin Reborn!” where Spider-Man’s roommate becomes addicted to drugs and suffers an overdose.

The Comics Code Authority refused to approve the story because their rules stated comic books couldn’t mention drugs at all.

Not even if the story was specifically written to show drugs were bad.

Marvel ultimately decided to release the story without the Comics Code Authority’s seal of approval, which worked out fine.

In fact, the Comics Code Authority rewrote their rules so anti-drug comics were acceptable.

Trying to keep unnecessary dark or offensive content out of stories is important. It creates room for all readers to find material they can enjoy.

But sometimes you have to show dark or offensive topics so people know the danger.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179165
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6337
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451872
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22952
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments