But the next generation of comic books descended into the realms of sex, violence and horror. Graphically violent comics, such as one entitled “Crime Does Not Pay,” actually paid their publishers quite well. And as the 1950’s rolled around, comics also began to horrify their youthful readers with titles such as “Tales From the Crypt.”

In many cases, the comics no longer were comical.

The Public Protests

In 1954, Frederic Wertham’s book Seduction of the Innocent indicted the comic-book industry for corrupting youth. Dr. Wertham studied emotionally disturbed children and found that many of them were avid readers of comic books. Concluded Dr. Wertham, “Comic book stories teach violence.”

Some, however, felt that Dr. Wertham’s research did not prove that comics had a bad effect on normal children. Nevertheless, at least in the United States, steps eventually were taken to “police” the comics industry by setting up a code restricting excessive violence and nudity. But have such measures been effective? What are the comics like today?

[Blurb on page 5]

With the beginning of World War II, the next generation of comic books descended into the realms of sex, violence and horror

To sustain the interest of today’s TV saturated youths, comics have had all but to ignore their “codes” and give readers large doses of violence. One issue of Daredevil comics (about a blind superhero who wears a devil costume) was found to be violent in 53 percent of its panels. When Daredevil fights, a realistic, blow-by-blow depiction is drawn, punctuated with ‘sound effects.’ (“Whok,” “Klugg,” “Kangg,” “Chudd,” and “Thwakk,” to name a few.) And since skintight leotards are the standard garb for superheroes, readers can gape at rippling muscles. (Female superheroes are clad no less seductively.) It should be no surprise, then, that advertisers for muscle building and martial-arts courses often pick the comics to display their wares.

[Pictures on page 6]

Some comics devote more than half their contents to violent scenes