As for the “what about us” hyperbole (classic) I’m willing to bet my bowler hat that you really have taken it out of context. Come on! Wertham and all these homophobic interpretations clearly say more about the READER. I remember reading the same thing stuff as a kid and never caught sight of em until a certain grown up decided to POINT FINGERS AND MAKE IT CLEAR. No, I’d rather let Wertham sustain his dignity by calling such an itnerpretation reader oriented – like a rorshach test if you may – that says more about the reader than about the author. In these post-modern times, who can’t agree with that? There’s no way any reader can fully establish what the author was trying to say — chances are even the author him/herself has a loose grip on his/her unconscious mind any way, defining a ‘true meaning of a text’ – it’s IMPOSSIBLE. It’s BEYOND REASON. In the end, it’s just plain silly. I’m willing to bet the same hat that there are many other ways to read these classics without adhering to homophobia!

I think what’s weird about the Batman panel above is that the relationship between the two males (without even considering the homoerotic undertones) is able to slip so easily from serious crime fighting to larky punishment games. We 21st century post-modern sophisticates cannot be blamed for wondering what exactly is the intended message in this medium. By the way I think the picture on the wall is an early Lichtenstein (from his blown up comic strip period) obviously Wayne has already developed the ‘camp’ Pop Art sensibilities he would become known for later in his career. How ironic!

He also didn’t consider the era of the comics he provided examples from. For example, he demonized comics printed in the 40s and 50s, or set during WWII that insulted the Japanese and Germans. Even as a Japanese, I found that odd. America was at war, of course the “Japs” were evil.

As T mentions, Wertham was very progressive and liberal. Unfortunately, he expected the static printed word to also progress and liberate as the time and culture changed.

Theno

Also, for superhero fans the guy was basically responsible for the resurgence of superheroes as a dominant genre.

Just a quick question. How many of you guys have read Seduction of the Innocent?

I’ve tried to find it at a decent price, but for obvious reasons it hasn’t been in print very much since the 1970s, and, ironically, the local library doesn’t have it.

Is there any explanation or acknowledgement in the story of the plane in the background? Or is that a painting hanging on the wall behind them, maybe?

I vote for this being a regular feature!