Course:LIBR548F/Censorship Of Comics and Graphic Novels
Introduction
Comic books and graphic novels, like most forms of entertainment, have a long history of censorship and controversy. The censorship of comics and graphic novels often arises from the fact that comics and graphic novels, due to their illustrative format, are frequently considered only for children, despite the fact that often comics and graphic novels are produced for adults and contain adult subject matter. Surprisingly, beginning in the 1950’s, the main proponent of censorship was the comic and graphic novel industry themselves.
History of Comic and Graphic Novel Censorship
1930’s and 1940’s
This period is often referred to as the birth of the comic book industry. One reason was that comics were often used in wartime propaganda and advertisements. By the end of the 1940’s comics were commonly being viewed by many as material that promoted violence, crime and sex to young people. Censorship of comics became commonplace and included organized public burnings of comic books at high schools.[1]
1950’s
The 1950’s were a pivotal time in censorship for comics after the publication of Dr. Fredric Wertham’s book Seduction of the Innocent in 1953. Seduction of the Innocent, which was widely quoted and publicized, proposed that comic books caused juvenile delinquency. In April and June of 1954, the United States Senate Judiciary Committee began a series of hearings regarding the topic comic books and juvenile delinquency. In response to these hearings, and negative press in general, the comic book publishing industry formed the Comics Magazine Association of America (CMAA) in September 1954. Ninety percent of comic book publishers joined the CMAA [2]. Shortly after formation the CMAA adopted the first version of the Comics Code Authority to self-censor and regulate what the comic book industry published. (See Comics Code Authority below for more detail) As a result of the CCA comic book publishers were forced to cancel many comic series, including EC’s Tales from the Crypt, which is now considered a classic[3].
1960’s/1970’s
In response to the self-censorship measures of the CCA an underground comic movement began in the late 1960’s. The cancelled EC comic line heavily influenced the artists of the underground movement[4]. One comic produced in the underground movement, Zap #4, led to the artists being prosecuted for obscenity. In 1973, Zap #4 was found to be obscene and banned[5]. Though out the 1960’s and 1970’s numerous states prosecuted comic book artists, publishers, distributors and sellers for different types of obscenities. In 1971 Stan Lee, along with Marvel comics, published a three part Spiderman series that dealt with the issues of drug use, which was a banned topic according to the CCA. These issues were the first to be published without CCA approval since it was introduced. This incident led to the first revision of the CCA, which allowed for drug use to be depicted if portrayed in a negative light[6]. In 1978 the first modern graphic novel, A Contract with God by Will Eisner, is published. This begins the common usage of the term “graphic novel”.
1980’s /1990’s
The 1980’s and 1990’s saw a significant growth in comic and graphic novel publishing. Often these new publishers did not seek CCA approval before publishing material, which led to a flourish of prosecutions revolving around “obscene” publications, especially against comic shops[7]. In 1986 the Comics Book Legal Defense Fund was formed to support the defense of one comic shop owner who was prosecuted in Illinois for selling obscene material[8]. The CBLDF won the case and begins its reign as an industry watchdog. This period also saw major publishers, including DC Comics and Marvel, begin publishing adult series, which were published without CCA approval. In 1989 the CCA was again amended to loosen some restrictions to depictions of sex, crime and horror[9].
2000 to Present
Graphic novels and comic books have a huge increase in popularity but censorship continues to be an issue. In 2001 Marvel removed itself from involvement with the CCA and instituted its own ratings system for the content of its publications[10]. As of 2007 only two publishers, DC Comics and Archie Comics, still submit material to be reviewed by the CCA, though DC Comics continues to publish the material that does not meet CCA approval[11]. As comics and graphic novels’ popularity rose dramatically they have become commonplace on the shelves of school and public libraries, though the debate regarding the educational value of this type of material continues. Now that publishers are no longer self-censoring their publication as they have in the past many comics and graphic novels are produced with content that is considered obscene by some. This has led to an increase in demands by library users to have books removed and banned from libraries. This has led to many organizations creating guidelines for how to purchase, display and deal with challenges and censorship attempts on these materials.
Comics Code Authority (CCA)
The Comics Code Authority is the method of self-regulation or self-censorship of the comic and graphic novel industry. The CCA was created by the CMAA as a way of dealing with increasing negative public opinion about comics. The CCA regulated violence, sex, profanity and other undesirable topics with rules and regulations. One example is that comic publishers had to ensure that crime was portrayed in a negative light. Publishers would submit their unpublished material to the CCA who would review it and either deem that it was up to the standards set by the code or return the material to the publisher with instructions on how to change the material to make it appropriate. The CCA has only been revised twice since 1954, once in 1971 and again in 1989.
Censorship of Comics and Graphic Novels Links
National Coalition Against Censorship
Notes
- ↑ Wright, B. (2001) Comic Book Nation. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, p.86.
- ↑ Graphic Novel Resources for Teachers: The Comics Code Authority. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2009, from University of Buffalo Libraries: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/graphicnovels/dev/comicscode.php
- ↑ A Short History of Censorship in Comics. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2009, from Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Website: http://www.cbldf.org/history.shtml
- ↑ A Short History of Censorship in Comics: http://www.cbldf.org/history.shtml
- ↑ A Short History of Censorship in Comics: http://www.cbldf.org/history.shtml
- ↑ Nyberg, A. (1998) Seal Of Approval:The History of the Comics Code. Jackson:University of Mississippi Press, p.139.
- ↑ A Short History of Censorship in Comics: http://www.cbldf.org/history.shtml
- ↑ A Short History of Censorship in Comics: http://www.cbldf.org/history.shtml
- ↑ Nyberg. p.147.
- ↑ Comics Code Authority. Retrieved from Wikipedia on September 23, 2009: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics_Code_Authority#21st_century
- ↑ Comics Code Authority. Retrieved from Wikipedia on September 23, 2009: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics_Code_Authority#21st_century
Recommended Sources
- Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Website http://www.cbldf.org/
An organization formed in 1986 to fight censorship of comics and graphic novels. The website has detailed information on the censorship of comics and graphic novels including legal cases, historical timelines and biographies.
- Nyberg, Amy Kiste. Seal of Approval: The History of the Comics Code. Jackson, Miss: University of Mississippi Press, 1998.
A detailed look at the history of comic book censorship, especially in regards to the Comics Code Authority. Nyberg argues that though beneficial for the comic book industry, the self-regulating comics code is one of the major reasons that comics and graphic novels still struggle to to be considered a legitimate form of expression that is not just for children.
- Wright, Bradford W. Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001.
Wright's book is an examination of the comic and graphic novel format's influence on youth culture in the United States. Comic Book Nation covers the history of the comic book from 1933 to the early 2000's.