Comics
Horror Comics Cause Juvenile Delinquency Dontcha Know!?
Back in the early 1950s, horror and crime comics were largely regarded as morally distasteful, and were thought to be responsible for errant behaviour in youth culture. Many took issue with the subject matter, claiming it was too gruesome and violent for children. The Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency conducted a study that “proved” how horror comics were in part responsible for the misbehaviour of youth during the time (not the post-war environment). As many of you know, the accusations toward the comics industry eventually lead to The Comics Code Authority in 1955 which imposed harsh guidelines on horror comic publisher. After the Code, comics lost a lot of steam. This is something the comics industry never fully recovered from.
While snooping around on YouTube, I came across this “Confidential File” report from 1955, which was supposed to educate parents on the negative effects that horror and crime comics have on children. It’s filled with hilarious reenactments, false interviews, and great one-liners like, “When I was a boy… we never spend an afternoon like this. Reading”. But the sad truth is that many who saw this report took it as fact and it helped to tarnish the reputation of horror comics forever. It not only goes to show the power of the media, but how easily blame can be misdirected.
It’s fascinating to think that video games have undergone similar scrutiny in recent years, though fortunately our society has changed enough to not let it destroy the industry. On another note, it’s bizarre to think that now comics are regarded by the general public as a medium that’s “just for kids”. Take a look at the video and let me know your thoughts.
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Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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