Seduction of the Innocent, published in 1954 by psychiatrist Dr. Frederic Wertham was one of the most impactful events in comic book history, leading to censorship in comics and the establishment of the Comics Code Authority This category lists issues that were referenced in the book with Wertham's reasons for why comic books were damaging to the youth of America
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Howdy Doody #6
Dell
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: insulting racial depictions
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: insulting racial depictions
Haunt of Fear #19
EC
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a gruesome baseball game played with dismembered body parts including the catcher's chest plate appearing to be naked breasts
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a gruesome baseball game played with dismembered body parts including the catcher's chest plate appearing to be naked breasts
Haunt of Fear #3 (17)
EC
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Crypt of Terror, Vault of Horror and Haunt of Fear
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a character receives incompetent advice from a psychologist which leads to his death
Origin of Crypt of Terror, Vault of Horror and Haunt of Fear
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a character receives incompetent advice from a psychologist which leads to his death
Harvey Comics Library #1
Harvey
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Iconic story ‘Teen-Age Dope Slaves’
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: adolescent drug use brought to the attention of the public led to lurid publications devoted to the subject
Iconic story ‘Teen-Age Dope Slaves’
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: adolescent drug use brought to the attention of the public led to lurid publications devoted to the subject
Fugitives From Justice #3
St. John
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: sexual innuendo, reprint of Authentic Police Cases #6
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: sexual innuendo, reprint of Authentic Police Cases #6
Jon Juan #1
Toby
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: inappropriate wording characterizing the hero as a "superlover"
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: inappropriate wording characterizing the hero as a "superlover"
Frontline Combat #4
EC
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham uses this book as an example of creators using a pseudonym to publish objectionable material
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham uses this book as an example of creators using a pseudonym to publish objectionable material
Frontier Romances #1
Avon
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man spanking a woman, bent over his knee
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man spanking a woman, bent over his knee
Famous Crimes #7
Fox
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: story about a hero who robbed a bank and shot five men to death
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: story about a hero who robbed a bank and shot five men to death
Famous Crimes #3
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: excessive violence/electric chair panels
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: excessive violence/electric chair panels
Exposed #7
D.S.
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham considers a diagram explaining how to lock the inside of a window from outside 'a diagram for housebreakers'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham considers a diagram explaining how to lock the inside of a window from outside 'a diagram for housebreakers'
Eerie Adventures #1
Ziff-Davis
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a legal battle between Eerie and Eerie Adventures led to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent, to believe the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a legal battle between Eerie and Eerie Adventures led to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent, to believe the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children
Exposed #6
D.S.
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham considers a panel that diagrams a killer's plan offers instructions on 'how to prepare an alibi'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham considers a panel that diagrams a killer's plan offers instructions on 'how to prepare an alibi'
Dynamic Comics #17
Chesler Dynamic
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a woman wearing a skirt has one leg fastened to a chair and the other raised and tied to a box as a man approaches her with a hot poker
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a woman wearing a skirt has one leg fastened to a chair and the other raised and tied to a box as a man approaches her with a hot poker
Dagar Desert Hawk #21
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the hero displays racism after throwing bombs and a man from a plane while yelling 'bombs and bums away'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the hero displays racism after throwing bombs and a man from a plane while yelling 'bombs and bums away'
Dagar Desert Hawk #19
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: erotic hanging
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: erotic hanging
Crimes By Women #10
Fox
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: instructs girls on how to avoid making mistakes when committing a crime
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: instructs girls on how to avoid making mistakes when committing a crime
Crimes By Women #3
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: cover art depicting women engaged in a gunfight with police
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: cover art depicting women engaged in a gunfight with police
Crime Suspenstories #20
EC
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Crime Suspenstories #19
EC
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man pours the poison used to kill his wife down the drain and avoids being charged for murder
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man pours the poison used to kill his wife down the drain and avoids being charged for murder
Crime Does Not Pay #63
Lev Gleason
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: gratuitous violence
Reprinted from True Crime Comics #2
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: gratuitous violence
Reprinted from True Crime Comics #2
Crime Detective Comics #9
Hillman
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham is parodied on the cover, tied to a chair with tape over his mouth
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham is parodied on the cover, tied to a chair with tape over his mouth
Crime Can't Win #10
Marvel
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: examples of how to commit multiple crimes
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: examples of how to commit multiple crimes
Crime Smashers #1
Trojan
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a milkman stumbles upon a woman who has been 'raped and murdered' according to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a milkman stumbles upon a woman who has been 'raped and murdered' according to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent
Crime Reporter #2
St. John
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a woman wearing a skirt has one leg fastened to a chair and the other, raised and tied to a box as a man approaches her with a hot poker
Reprint of Dynamic Comics #17
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a woman wearing a skirt has one leg fastened to a chair and the other, raised and tied to a box as a man approaches her with a hot poker
Reprint of Dynamic Comics #17
Crime Files #5
Pines
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a seventeen-year old girl seduces a man, robs then kills him
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a seventeen-year old girl seduces a man, robs then kills him
Crime Does Not Pay #64
Lev Gleason
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham criticizes the publisher of this issue who displayed the comics code logo but did not adhere to the rule that no blood is to be shown
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham criticizes the publisher of this issue who displayed the comics code logo but did not adhere to the rule that no blood is to be shown
Justice Traps the Guilty #58
Prize
•
1954
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: violence toward the police
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: violence toward the police
Crime Clinic #3
Ziff-Davis
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a criminal mentors two boys, instructing them to punch a man that they robbed, regardless of his cooperation
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a criminal mentors two boys, instructing them to punch a man that they robbed, regardless of his cooperation
Murder Incorporated #8
Fox
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: teaches the revenue potential in becoming a criminal with a pricing menu for delivering a black eye ($4.00), broken limbs ($10.00) or the 'whole job' ($100+)
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: teaches the revenue potential in becoming a criminal with a pricing menu for delivering a black eye ($4.00), broken limbs ($10.00) or the 'whole job' ($100+)
Zoot Comics #14
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a girl nailed by the wrists to a tree with blood flowing from her wounds
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a girl nailed by the wrists to a tree with blood flowing from her wounds
True Crime Comics #2
Magazine Village
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man threatens to stab a woman in the eye with a syringe and criminals drag two men to their death on a gravel road, optimal for 'erasing faces'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man threatens to stab a woman in the eye with a syringe and criminals drag two men to their death on a gravel road, optimal for 'erasing faces'
Classics Illustrated #43
Gilberton
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham describes the first eight pages of this comic as being gratuitously violent and a poor representation of the source material
HRN stands for Highest Re-order issue Number on back cover - the lower the number the earlier the printing. Generally a first printing will have an HRN that matches the issue number on the front
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham describes the first eight pages of this comic as being gratuitously violent and a poor representation of the source material
HRN stands for Highest Re-order issue Number on back cover - the lower the number the earlier the printing. Generally a first printing will have an HRN that matches the issue number on the front
Crime and Punishment #3
Lev Gleason
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a criminal instructs his partner to punch a man in the eye using brass knuckles and to twist them upon impact
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a criminal instructs his partner to punch a man in the eye using brass knuckles and to twist them upon impact
Underworld #2
D.S.
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a mother teaches her children to kill the police and a man chokes a high school girl to death because she denied him a kiss
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a mother teaches her children to kill the police and a man chokes a high school girl to death because she denied him a kiss
Wild Boy of the Congo #10
St. John
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: on the back cover, a young man 'nude except for a well-filled loin cloth' could cause boys to become 'addicted to the homoerotically-tinged comic book'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: on the back cover, a young man 'nude except for a well-filled loin cloth' could cause boys to become 'addicted to the homoerotically-tinged comic book'
Justice Traps the Guilty #13
Prize
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: after witnessing the beating of an old man, a woman explains how she has become desensitized to witnessing the violence that used to disturb her
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: after witnessing the beating of an old man, a woman explains how she has become desensitized to witnessing the violence that used to disturb her
Strange Adventures #39
DC
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: violence toward the police
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: violence toward the police
First Love Illustrated #35
Harvey
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man viciously slaps a woman yelling, "I'll teach you to do as your told!"
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a man viciously slaps a woman yelling, "I'll teach you to do as your told!"
Nightingale
Once Upon A Time
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes, 'this book is the usual parade of invitation to sadistic perversion, race hatred and violence for violence's sake'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes, 'this book is the usual parade of invitation to sadistic perversion, race hatred and violence for violence's sake'
Public Enemies #2
D.S.
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the main character believes that those who disobey his orders deserve to be killed feels guilty after murdering a deaf man
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the main character believes that those who disobey his orders deserve to be killed feels guilty after murdering a deaf man
Crime and Punishment #2
Lev Gleason
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: provides instructions on how to steal from the blind
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: provides instructions on how to steal from the blind
Superboy #2
DC
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent which led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Superboy usurps American History by being the aid to George Washington in the president's most famous moments
First mention of Smallville
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent which led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Superboy usurps American History by being the aid to George Washington in the president's most famous moments
First mention of Smallville
Captain Video #2
Fawcett
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: morbid fantasies - a story about humans unable to use their legs
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: morbid fantasies - a story about humans unable to use their legs
Out of this World #2
Avon
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham cites poor writing, 'keep those paws to yourself, space-rat,' meant for those who 'find regular reading too hard'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham cites poor writing, 'keep those paws to yourself, space-rat,' meant for those who 'find regular reading too hard'
Authentic Police Cases #3
St. John
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: criminals drain the blood of a woman, reprinted from Red Seal Comics #16
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: criminals drain the blood of a woman, reprinted from Red Seal Comics #16
My Life (Corliss Archer) #4
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: specializes in highly accentuated and protruding breasts in practically every illustration
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: specializes in highly accentuated and protruding breasts in practically every illustration
Brenda Starr Comics #4
Four Star
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the cover 'has nothing to do with medicine and is unmistakably sadistic'
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: the cover 'has nothing to do with medicine and is unmistakably sadistic'
Beware #6
Trojan
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a dead man is depicted with his face frozen in fear as onlookers notice his tongue has been ripped out
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: a dead man is depicted with his face frozen in fear as onlookers notice his tongue has been ripped out
Authentic Police Cases #6
St. John
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: sexual innuendo of a woman speaking to a man saying, "ya ain't gonna shoot anybody with dat rod are ya?"
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: sexual innuendo of a woman speaking to a man saying, "ya ain't gonna shoot anybody with dat rod are ya?"
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