A Crisis of Innocence

Browse Items (78 total)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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

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.

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.

Horror Comics (BMJ 1954).pdf
Outlines the fact that horror comics seem to actually be geared towards children through the advertisements being used in them. The article also references some of the attempts at censorship that were taking place in England and Scotland at the time.…

Trojan Crime Smashers #8.jpg
Comic cover depicting a police officer shooting a thief.
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