A Crisis of Innocence

Browse Items (78 total)

AmericanJournalOfPsychotherapy1948.pdf
Freudian analysis of violence in reality and comic books by Fredric Wertham's research collaborator. Agrees with the idea that comics inspire children to violence.

Some Facts About Juvenile Delinquency.pdf
A government sanctioned study and educational publication on juvenile delinquency. Notes an 17% increase in youth appearing before juvenile courts between 1948 and 1951.

Zorbaugh - Editorial.pdf
Zorbaugh reprints Sterling North's indictment against comics. He calls for a critical study into the possible social uses of comics.

Gettysburg Times September 13 1955.pdf
Outlines a bill in Pennsylvania, that 11 female members of commerce were hoping to have passed, that would see the publication and distribution of comics to those under the age of 18 as a criminal offence. In breaking this law the offender would be…

Blame Comic Book crop.pdf
Two boys aged 11 and 13 shot a 63 year old farmer while reenacting a story from a comic book. The jury members for the murder case state that violent comics should be banned.

Bridgeport Telegram October 17 1954 crop.jpg
Looks at how crime and horror comic books are effecting youth. It focuses on parents' anger towards the medium, as well as increased levels of juvenile delinquency from children who read comic books weekly.

Abilene Reporter News April 18 1954 crop.jpg
A review of Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent. Provides a brief synopsis of what Wertham was trying to accomplish in his writing.

Lethbridge Herald August 28 1948 crop.pdf
Discusses story of 14 year-old Roy Adams who suffocated and performed an "unnatural sex act" on an 8-year-old girl. The altercation allegedly took place following an argument about ownership of a comic book.

Comic Books Banned crop.jpg
Short piece announcing the banning of 34 American comic books containing horror stories of war themes. Further imports of such magazines will be prohibited.

Medicine Hat Daily News July 21 1948 crop.jpg
A review of an article published by Wertham. Looks to crime comics as the primary cause of juvenile delinquency in the United States.
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