Editorial Responses to the attacks on comic books The Overstreet Price Guide notes that several Marvel comics have anti-Wertham editorials. However, the scope of Marvel's published defense against the anti-comics attacks goes far beyond what's noted in the Guide. It appears that in most comics for an eight-month period, Marvel included editorial material defending their publications from Dr. Wertham and other critics. There were four different editorials from November, 1948 through June, 1949, one of which responded to Dr. Wertham's accusations directly and referred to him by name. Many people have contributed information to this page. We'd particularly like to thank eBayers The Pillow Queen, Tom Raski (eBay ID: Bronze!), Dick Swan (eBay ID: BigGuysComics) and Adam Anderson (eBay ID: Blissard) who have all contributed multiple times to the information on this page. Editorial #1 First, this editorial appeared in various Marvel books cover dated November, 1948 through January, 1949. Splash page banner Around January, 1949, Marvel started placing this on the splash page of their books, to assure parents of the wholesomeness of Marvel's products. "Editorial Consultant: Jean Thompson, M.D., Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Bureau; Board of Education, New York City". This example comes from All True Crime #31, January, 1949. Editorial #2 Between January and March, 1949, the following editorial appeared in many of Marvel's books. Editorial #3 Between March and May, 1949, this editorial appeared in various Marvel's books. Editorial #4 Finally, from May through July, 1949, this editorial appeared in Marvel's books. Follow-up ads In October, 1949, this house ad (from Nellie #21) further stated the case that Marvel's books were not harmful to kids. updated 12/9/2024 Title   Nov., 1948   Dec., 1948   Jan., 1949   Feb., 1949   Mar., 1949   Apr., 1949   May, 1949   Jun., 1949   Jul., 1949   Notes All True Crime   30 This book contains no editorial.     31 This book contains no editorial.     32 Editorial #2     33 Editorial #3     34 Editorial #4   All Western Winners     2 (Winter 1948) Editorial #1     3 Editorial #2     4 Editorial #3   Title continues as Western Winners       Thanks to Robert Menzies for the All Western Winners #2 info. Amazing Mysteries             Title continued from Sub-Mariner comics, per Overstreet. (?)   32 Editorial #3     33 Editorial #4   Thanks to Robert Menzies for the Amazing Mysteries #32 info. Annie Oakley   4   Last issue                 Awful Oscar               Title continues from Oscar   11 Editorial #4     Best Western               Title continued from Terry Toons or Miss America Magazine?   58 Editorial #4     Blackstone the Magician   Last issue (4) was Sept, 1948, but title is mentioned on later editorial page.                   Blaze Carson   2 Editorial #1     3 Editorial #2     4     Note that the title skipped a month.   5 Editorial #4     Per GCD, issue #4 contains one of the editorials that begins with "A letter to our readers and their parents", which is either Editorial #3 or #4. Blonde Phantom   20     21     22   Title continues as Lovers         Per GCD, issue #21 contains one of the editorials that begins with "A letter to our readers and their parents", which is either Editorial #3 or #4. Per Overstreet, #22 also contains an unspecified anti-Wertham editorial. Captain America   69 This book contains no editorial.     70 It's highly likely that this book contains Editorial #1.     71 Editorial #2     72 Editorial #3     73 Editorial #4   Many thanks to Rich and Sam from  Richie's Comic Cabana in Waterbury, CT for the Cap #69, 71, 72, and 73 info. Cindy Comics     32 Editorial #1     33 Editorial #2     34 Editorial #3     35 Editorial #4     Comedy Comics   4     5 This book contains no editorial.     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3     8 Editorial #4   Mr. Lady Luck kindly contributed the info regarding Comedy Comics #6, 7, and 8. Complete Mystery Stories     3 Editorial #1     4 Editorial #2   Title continues as True Complete Mystery.           Crime Fighters   4     5 Editorial #1     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3     8 Editorial #4   Frankie and Lana     12 Editorial #1     13 Editorial #2     14 Editorial #3     15 Editorial #4     Gay Comics     35     36     37 Editorial #3     38 Editorial #4     Per eBayer ThePillowQueen, #35 contains an editorial, but it's unclear which one. Per eBayer Doyman, issue #37 contains Editorial #3. Per eBayer Bronze!, issue #38 contains Editorial #4. Georgie Comics   19 This book contains no editorial.   Title continues as Georgie and Judy             Title continued from Georgie and Judy   23 Editorial #4   Georgie and Judy     Title continued from Georgie Comics   20 Editorial #1     21 Editorial #2     22 Editorial #3   Title continues as Georgie Comics     Hedy DeVine     30     31 Editorial #2     32 Editorial #3     33 Editorial #4     Per Overstreet, issue #32 contains an unspecified anti-Wertham editorial. Robert Menzies informs us that this is Editorial #3. Thanks, Robert! Human Torch   33     34     35 Editorial #2   Last issue before 1954         Thank you to Robert Menzies for the Human Torch #35 information. Ideal   3 This book contains no editorial.     4 Editorial #1     5 Editorial #2   Last issue         Jeanie   22 This book contains no editorial.     23 This book contains no editorial.     24 Editorial #2     25 Editorial #3     26 Editorial #4   Many thanks to eBayer Adam Anderson (eBay ID: blissard) for providing the data for Jeanie #22. The data for Jeanie #26 comes from GCD. Joker Comics   34 This book contains no editorial.     35 Editorial #1     36 Editorial #2     37 Editorial #3     38 Editorial #4   Thanks to eBayer Adam Anderson (eBay ID: Bilssard) for the Joker #34 and #37 data. Thank you to a generous donation of time and information by Robert Menzies, we know that Joker #38 has Editorial #4. Junior Miss   31 This book contains no editorial.     32 This book contains no editorial.     33 Editorial #2     34 Editorial #3     35 Editorial #4   Thanks to eBayer Adam Anderson (eBay ID: Bilssard) for the Junior Miss #31 data. Dick Swan (eBay ID: BigGuysComics) contributed the Junior Miss #35 data. Justice Comics     7 Editorial #1     8 Editorial #2   This was very unusal at the time. A monthly Marvel book.   9 Editorial #3   10 Editorial #3. This comic went monthly, so the same bimonthly editorial ran twice.   11 Editorial #4   12 Editorial #4   Thanks to Robert Menzies for contributing the Justice #8 and #12 information. Series note: there were additional issues #7/#8/#9 in 1947-48. If you're looking for these, be sure you are getting the correct ones. Kid Colt     3     4 Editorial #2     Note that title skipped a month   5 Editorial #3     6 Editorial #4   Krazy Komics   2 This book contains no editorial.   Last issue                 Lana     3 Editorial #1     4 Editorial #2     5 Editorial #3     6 Editorial #4     Per Tom Raski (eBayer Bronze!), issue #6 contains editorial #4. Dick Swan (eBayer BigGuysComics) indicates that issue 3 contains editorial #1. Lawbreakers Always Lose     5 Editorial #1     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3     8 Editorial #4     Thanks to Robert Menzies for the Lawbreakers Always Lose #5 information. Li'l Willie                 Title continued from Willie   20 Editorial #4   Little Aspirin                   1 Editorial #4   Many thanks to Big Guys Comics (ebay ID: BigGuysComics) who has provided, and continues to provide, lots of information regarding these editorials. Little Lenny                 1 Editorial #4     Little Lizzie                 1 Editorial #4     Lovers             Title continued from Blonde Phantom   23     24   Margie     44 Editorial #1     45 Editorial #2     46 Editorial #3     47     Marvel Mystery Comics     89 Editorial #1     90 Editorial #2     91 Editorial #3     92 Editorial #4     Thank you to Robert Menzies, who contributed the information about Marvel Mystery #90, 91 and 92. Millie the Model     15 Editorial #1     16 Editorial #2     17 Editorial #3     18 Editorial #4     Per Dave Reynolds, issue #18 contains Editorial #4. Mitzi's Boy Friend     5 Editorial #1     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3   Title continues as Mitzi's Romances       Thanks to eBayer Adam Anderson (eBay ID: Blissard) for the Mitzi's Boy Friend #6 data. Mitzi's Romances               Title continued from Mitzi's Boy Friend   8 Editorial #4     My Own Romance         Title continues from My Romance   4 Editorial #3   Note that issues 5 and 6 are dated 1 month apart.   5 Editorial #3   6 Editorial #4     Thank you to Robert Menzies for contributing the My Own Romances #6 data. My Romance   2 Editorial #1     3 Editorial #2   Title continues as My Own Romance             Namora     3   Last issue               Nellie the Nurse     16 Editorial #1     17 Editorial #2     18 Editorial #3     19 Editorial #4     Many thanks to eBayer BigGuysComics for the Nellie the Nurse #18 and #19 info. Oscar     8 Editorial #1     9 Editorial #2     10 Editorial #3   Title continues as Awful Oscar       Per eBayer ThePillowQueen, issue #8 contains Editorial #1. Per eBayer BigGuysComics, issue #9 contains Editorial #2. Patsy Walker   19 This book contains no editorial.     20 Editorial #1     21 Editorial #2     22 Editorial #3     23 Editorial #4   Thank you to Robert Menzies for contributing the Patsy Walker #22 information. Powerhouse Pepper   5 This book contains no editorial.   Last issue                 Rusty   19         Note title had a hiatus of several months.     20 Editorial #3     21 Editorial #4   Thanks to eBayer BigGuysComics for the Rusty #21 information. Sub-Mariner     29     30     31     32   Overstreet says title continued as Amazing Mysteries #32.   Per GCD, issue #31 has an unspecified editorial. Per GCD, issue #32 has an editorial that starts with "A letter to our readers and their parents", which could be Editoral #3 or #4. Super Rabbit   14   Last issue                 Sun-Girl     3   Last issue               Per GCD, issue #3 contains an unspecified editorial. Based on the date, it's likely this is Editorial #1. Teen Comics   28 This book contains no editorial.     29 Editorial #1     30 Editorial #2     31 Editorial #3     32 Editorial #4   Thanks to eBayer BigGuysComics for the Teen #30 and 32 information. Tessie the Typist     19 Editorial #1     20 Editorial #2     21 Editorial #3     22 Editorial #4     Thanks to eBayer BigGuysComics for the Tessie The Typist #19 information. Tex Morgan     3     4     5 Editorial #3     6 Editorial #4     Tex Taylor   2 This book contains no editorial.     3 This book contains no editorial.     4 Editorial #2     5     6   Per GCD, issue #6 contains one of the editorials that begins with "A letter to our readers and their parents." True Complete Mystery           Title continues from Complete Mystery.   5 Editorial #3     6     Per GCD, issue #6 contains one of the editorials that begins with "A letter to our readers and their parents." Two-Gun Kid     5 Editorial #1     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3     8 Editorial #4     Per David T. Alexander, issue #5 contains Editorial #1. Overstreet suggests that #5 may be the first Marvel anti-Wertham editorial. However, Blaze Carson #2 and My Romance #2 show that at least two editorials were in books with an earlier cover date. Venus     3 Editorial #1     Note the hiatus between issues 3 and 4.     4 Editorial #3     5 Editorial #4     Wacky Duck   Last issue was October, 1948                   Western Winners               Title continued from All Western Winners   5 Editorial #4     Wild Western   4 This book contains no editorial.     5 Editorial #1     6 Editorial #2     7 Editorial #3     8 Editorial #4   Willie     17 Editorial #1     18 Editorial #2     19 Editorial #3   Title continues as Li'l Willie       Misc. Title Issue       ADVENTURES INTO DARKNESS 13   Cannibalism story "The Feast of the Ghouls" cited by T.E. Murphy in June, 1954 Reader's Digest anti-comics article.   CRIME DOES NOT PAY 63   Issues 63, 64- Overstreet states possible use in SOTI. This information is incorrect, although #63 does contain Gleason's code of self-censorship.   HAUNT OF FEAR 27   Vault Keeper pictured reading SOTI. Contains EC's plea to readers, asking them to write to the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency.   JO-JO COMICS 15   Cited by Dr. Wertham in May 29, 1948 Saturday Review of Literature article. Read it! Overstreet erroneously lists the date as 5/47.   JUNGLE COMICS 104   In Camilla story, villain is Dr. Wertham   MISTER MYSTERY 3   Anti-Wertham editorial Read it!   PANIC 3   Senate Subcommittee parody   SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES 14   All 4 stories cited by T.E. Murphy in June, 1954 Reader's Digest anti-comics article; classic story "The Orphan" is singled out.   SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES 15   Possible use in T.E. Murphy article   SPEED COMICS 33   Colton Waugh's 1947 book, The Comics focused primarily on comic strips. However, one chapter was devoted to comic books. In that chapter, here's what Waugh had to say about Alex Schomburg's cover to Speed Comics #33. Take a typical comic-book cover of World War II days. Scene, a Jap wireless shack, through whose open door is seen a vessel being dive-bombed and bursting into flames. Which side is that ship on? It isn't obvious. In the foreground a Jap is sending a message under difficulties; he screams, revealing hideous buck-teeth as he sends. A baseball bat swung by a tough youngster has smashed him on the head in a white explosion. Another Jap, with bloody Samurai sword in one hand, spitting gun in the other, has has also been socked by a noble, hooded male in brilliant blue. Meanwhile a blood-red blond man is smashing the power plant with his gloved fists -- Hey! Look out! There's a green Jap splut-sputting him with a machine gun! Yes, but see that blond, teen-age girl crouching on the pink table; she's got a blood-red ax; she's coming down on the Jap's head, or is she? A hideous, shaven crook is leaning through a porthole aiming a blowgun at her -- Yeah, but see that youngster in the blue business suit jabbing a bayoneted rifle at the whole group -- But another jap is reaching at him! Ah, but a gorgeous superwoman with blood-red hair and highly stylized harlequin mask, through which peer blood-white eyes is strangling the Jap with one of her delicate arms, as with the other, she -- oh, well. The layout artist, on completing this page, probably looked hopelessly at it, figured it was a failure. He had used up every inch of available screaming space, yet, there was no block of ice enclosing a glorious, frozen girl about to be sawed in half by a ghoulish hellscientist done up in a whie coat and pince-nez. Probably the editor, looking at this cover, said to himself, "That layout guy Prangle is slipping. We gotta get more action."   SPIRIT   2/27/1949   Wertham appears in the story as Dr. Wolfgang Worry. A middle school music teacher is driven insane by a crime comic he rescues from a bonfire. This was reprinted in the Spirit #5.   STRANGE FANTASY 10   Story "Bloody Mary" cited by T.E. Murphy in June, 1954 Reader's Digest anti-comics article.   TALES FROM THE CRYPT 40   Used in Senate hearings & in Hartford Courant   VAULT OF HORROR 36   "Pipe Dream" classic opium addict story. Story "Twin Bill" Cited by T.E. Murphy in June, 1954 Reader's Digest anti-comics article.   WEIRD FANTASY 13   EC's Anti-Wertham "Cosmic Correspondence"   WEIRD MYSTERIES 5   Anti-Wertham column. Read it!   WEIRD MYSTERIES 8   Story "I Killed Mary" cited by T.E. Murphy in June, 1954 Reader's Digest anti-comics article More Anti-Comics Items In the 1940's and 1950's, comics were under attack by books, articles, and radio talk shows. Since then, there have been sporadic attacks on comics. One such attack was launched in the pages of Seduction of the Innocent Revisited by John Fulce, published in 1990. Both SOTI and SOTI Revisited had authors with strong anti-comics opinions, and both books cited numerous examples of comics the authors felt were harmful. However, that's where the similiarities between the two books end. Whereas SOTI was written by a well-respected psychiatrist who had impeccable research and psychiatric credentials, SOTI Revisited cites as its author's primary credentials the fact that he previously owned a comic book store before becoming a religious crusader. The original Seduction of the Innocent had an enormous impact upon popular culture and nearly killed the comic book industry, but SOTI Revisited had virtually no impact whatsoever on the industry. "Revisited" is mentioned here largely because of its name, and not because the content or influence of the book warrants its inclusion.

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