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The Ten-cent Plague

the Great Comic-book Scare and How It Changed America
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Jan 02, 2010Ubalstecha rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is an outstanding look at the Comics Scare of the 1950s. Author David Hadju explores the hysteria that surround the belief than comics were corrupting the youth of America. Comics were scapegoated for changes that the adults perceived in society, especially in children. Radical methods were used to try and curb the industry, legislation, senate hearings, even book burnings. I couldn't help but be reminded of Tipper Gore's attacking of heavy metal music in the eighties and Jack Thompson's ongoing crusade against video games. Perhaps the best part of this book are the interviews. Hadju is able to track down people who worked in the industry during its hayday. Their words tell of an industry that was aimed at more than just adolescent boys. It was also one that employed women in creative rolls at a time when their options were limited. I listened to this as an audio book and found it easy to follow and very compelling.