A Crisis of Innocence

Browse Items (24 total)

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_L7tHhnDw8s/default.jpg
A clip from the 1988 film "Comic Book Confidential." The video features an interview with Dr. Fredric Wertham in which he condemns comics for corrupting children

Wertham Ladies' Home Journal 1953.pdf
A magazine article written by Wertham. He argues that juvenile delinquency is becoming more prevalent and violent due to the popularity of comics with children.

Collier's Horror in the Nursery.pdf
Presents the first publication of Fredric Wertham's findings on comics.

Abilene Reporter News February 11 1957 crop.jpg
Discusses the war on lewd comics that was taking place in the 1950's, in which people found producing or selling "lewd" comic books could be prosecuted.

Syracuse Post Standard May 13 1951 crop.jpg
Explores the New York State Joint Legislative Committee's attempts to censor crime and love comics in 1951. The image features a number of the popular comics of the time laid out on a table.

San Antonio Express And News October 17 1954 crop.jpg
One of many articles that were written by Sigrid Arne on the topic of the backlash against comic books. Looks at how the war on comics was having a profound effect on the popularity of comics.

Gastonia Gazette November 7 1953.pdf
Claims that because little Johnny is reading crime comics, he will one day run over an old lady and leave her to die in the street.

Portage La Prairie Leader April 24 1952 crop.jpg
Looks to schools and parents as being the ones that must take control of a child's reading habits, so as to instill in them a want to read books over comics.

Cedar Rapids Gazette October 17 1954.pdf
States that the public's reading tastes are changing as a result of newspaper coverage of the ongoing crisis. Some comic book publishers and distributors are choosing to self-censor, but this effort is not enough to protect children.

Southtown Economist April 4 1945 crop.pdf
A number of statistics are given about how many children read comic books.
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