when comic books burned in America

[butters]

caught my eye since i didn't know about this, but a documentary on atm is talking about the history of comic books and so i went for a peek.

https://www.krcu.org/2022-03-15/almost-yesterday-the-burning-of-the-comic-booksIn 1948 Dr. Wertham published a widely read interview in Collier’s Magazine entitled, “Horror in the Nursery.” By the end of 1948 large comic book burnings occurred in such places as Spencer, West Virginia, and Binghamton, New York, -and the movement spread to Cape Girardeau.

in 1949, scouts, parents, church groups rounded up 100s of comics and set them on fire.

This large burning was one of many that emerged across the nation in 1948-49, seeking to eliminate the perceived dangers of the “new” graphic comic books. In the Depression years of the 1930’s, comic books gained widespread popularity, and began to attract criticism for the vivid use of violence.

There was a promotion of fear 'think of the children!' due to violence displayed in comics, strong (evil) women with power, and the promotion of homosexuality as extrapolated from the clingy, shiny suits young men were wearing. Sibling split on sibling, secret stashes of comics led to beatings, cops were suspicious of any men dressing up in those costumes since they had to be homos, right? *vomit*

 

[BluesDriver66]

To be fair the imagery could get a bit rough for parents of young children. Book banning/burning is never the answer though.

https://i0.wp.com/www.printmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2a34d8_c170ee23805142349278687ab0a53443mv2.jpg?resize=600%2C876&ssl=1

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61RLCDNd51L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

 

[Bray123]

The wheels on the school bus grind round and round...

It's a regular reaction by people who belong to ostensibly socialist groups (like the Scouts and Christian Churches) but do not share those values at all. Remember when people were destroying Beatles records because Lennon commented about the popularity of God? Nowadays those same people are offended by similar actions by Islamic Fundamentalists.

 

[butters]

To be fair the imagery could get a bit rough for parents of young children. Book banning/burning is never the answer though.

https://i0.wp.com/www.printmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2a34d8_c170ee23805142349278687ab0a53443mv2.jpg?resize=600%2C876&ssl=1

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61RLCDNd51L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

why on earth would "young children" be looking at A Ray Bradbury 'top horror' adaptation, a graphic novella in effect? Little children wouldn't be; their parents wouldn't buy that for them and i doubt any store owner would have sold that kind of material to tots with their pocket monies. Maybe the odd little kid found an older sibling's stash and created a shock-horror moment for their parents... 9 and upwards, maybe, just like some of them get to watch the kind of horror movies aimed at adults. 13-17 year olds? sure. if they can read the book, they can read a graphic adaptation.