Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: Comic Books - New
Currently I'm still reading several source books and documents... for a chapter I am writing in an upcoming book. One book that grabbed my eyes just from the cover alone was the above pictured book, 'The Ten-Cent Plague' by David Hajdu! Visions of HoRRoR and MoNSTer comics ran through my head, as I was that kid at one time, although it was a few years after the 'Comic Book Burnings' of the early to mid 1950's! What enticed me to read this whole book in just a few sittings, was that it gave me, the reader, a valuable history lesson in what led up to this 'Plague' and what was done to stop it! Yeah, I've been around long enough to know most of the story, but in this new book, (the hardcover is from 2008), I learned even more, as it was well researched! From the earliest beginnings of the comic books to the first inklings of resentment toward the new format, this book lays out a great foundation on how the comic book detractors laid out their case against the comics. Those publishing the Crime and HoRRoR Comics in the comic book industry themselves first ignorned the warnings signs of the first outward offensive against the 'low brow' comic books. It was only after several of those artists, writers and others creating the comics for the industry were castigated for even working in the industry that the warning signs were finally believed by the publishers of these comic books. Indeed it was those who worked for the industry that were hurt the most when in September of 1954 the Comics Magazine Association of America (CMAA) came into being. Charles F Murphy, the Administrator of the 'Code' actually put more than 'teeth' into the enforcement of the 'Code', and between 1954 and 1956, more than half of the comic books on the newstands disappeared. Indeed, the number of titles published went from approximately 650 to only 250 titles during that time! Of course EC Comics with its' HoRRoR Comics are a major focus of this book. Since Bill Gaines was the major publisher that was on television during the hearings on comic books, it was only natural that any book about this topic would include him and his company. However, there are more stories about other publishers, and comics creators in this book, and enough that are not widely known to lead me to recommend this book. Plus it has an extensive notes and bibliography section for reference. I give it a 9.6 (comic book grading) rating! Whereas I read the hardcover version there is now a Paperback format: 464 pages Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!! ~ Michael
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