Reflections #03: Wertham, Seduction, and the Code

(Bronze Age) Reflections #03

In the Clutches of the Code (UBA #5, from October 2014)

Professor Alan and Em convene to reflect on one of the network's crowning achievements, episode 5 of Em's late, lamented solo show, Uncovering the Bronze Age. In the introduction, they talk broadly about Em's process in researching and producing the episode. 

Then, they replay the episode in it's entirety, before returning to provide some reflections, 11 years after its original airing.  

If you are unfamiliar with the episode, Em delves into one of the most terrifying, bone-chilling topics known to comic fandom -- Seduction of the Innocent and the Comics Code Authority!

Follow along on the journey through the mind of one of the most infamous names in all of comic book history. What you find may SURPRISE, THRILL, and DISTURB you!

Intellectual analysis and academic criticism abound in this PULSE-POUNDING episode. And prepare for the SHOCKING twist ending that closes out our tale.

How does the episode stand up? How many comments and ideas would Em revise and amend, if preparing the episode anew?

Click on the player below to listen to the episode:


 

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Featuring the Voices of:

Noel Thingvall: Masters of Carpentry

Stephen Lacey: The Fantasticast

Paul Spataro: Back to the Bins.

The Irredeemable Shagg: Fire & Water Podcast

(The late) Shawn Engel: Just One of the Guys

 

Promo: Pop Culture Affidavit

Link: Dr. Carol Tilley's article on Wertham's work 

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CRJ #089 - October 2022

 Professor Alan's Comic Book Reading Journal #089

October 2022

So what comics did Professor Alan read last month? How many were part of #HorrorComicsMonth?  Listen to the episode AND FIND OUT!!!

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Promo: Superman Super Show

Next Episode: What comics did Professor Alan read during November -- how many will be military-themed for #WarComicsMonth? Listen to the next episode, which should be out in early December.

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RGP #043 - Super Blog Team-Up 2022

Super Blog Team-Up 2022

Afterlife with Archie 1 - 6, Archie Comics, cover-dated

All issues written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, with art by Francesco Francavilla.

As part of the SBTU 2022 event, Professor Alan re-presents two episodes from 2014, in which Shawn Engel and Bill Robinson joined Professor Alan to discuss the first 6 issues of the stunning Afterlife with Archie series.
 
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Promo: Two True Freaks

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Check out these blogs and podcasts which are participating in the Super Blog Team-Up 2022 event:

* 51 

Between the Pages

Comics Comics Comics . Blog

Dave's Comic Heroes Blog

Magazines & Monsters

Ed Moore

Mark Radulich

The Source Material Podcast

Superhero Satellite

The Telltale Mind

CRJ #077 - October 2021

Professor Alan's Comic Book Reading Journal #077

October 2021

So what comics did Professor Alan read during October, as the school year is in full swing? How many were from the Hoopla digital app? And how many celebrated #HorrorComicsMonth? Listen to the episode AND FIND OUT!!!

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Promo: Into the Weird

Next Episode: What comics did Professor Alan read during November -- as teaching is back in full swing? Listen to the next episode, which should be out in early December.

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Bronze Age Encore -- In the Clutches of the Code

Below find a re-release of one of our favorite episodes of all time. It's a battle for the ages! It's Em vs. Frederic Wertham! No holds barred!

-------------------------------
Uncovering the Bronze Age #005 (encore) -- Uncovering the Code

Originally released October 31, 2014

This Halloween, Em delves into one of the most terrifying, bone-chilling topics known to comic fandom -- Seduction of the Innocent and the Comics Code Authority!

Follow along on the journey through the mind of one of the most infamous names in all of comic book history. What you find may SURPRISE, THRILL, and DISTURB you!

Intellectual analysis and academic criticism abound in this PULSE-POUNDING episode. And prepare for the SHOCKING twist ending that closes out our tale.

This is the story of Dr. Fredric Wertham ...

Click on the player below to listen to the episode 



Right-click to download episode directly 

You may also subscribe to the podcast through iTunes or the RSS Feed.

Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com

Promo: In Country


Featuring the Voices of:

Noel Thingvall: Masters of Carpentry

Stephen Lacey: The Fantasticast

Paul Spataro: Back to the Bins.

The Irredeemable Shagg: Fire & Water Podcast

(The late) Shawn Engel: Just One of the Guys.


Bibliography:

Seduction of the Innocent by Frederick Wertham, MD. Copyright Rhinehart and Co. Inc, 1954

The Comics Code: 1954, SeductionOfTheInnocent.Org

Tales from the Code, CBLDF.org

"Fredric Wertham: Anti-Comics Crusader Who Turned Advocate" by Dwight Decker
(Essay about Wertham and the creation of "The World of Fanzines")

Additional reading:

"Seducing the Innocent: Frederick Wertham and the Falsifications that Helped Condemn Comics." Carol L. Tilley. Information and Culture: A Journal of History, 47 (4). 2012.

The Study of Man: Paul, the Horror comics, and Dr Wertham, Commentary Magazine (1954) (A contemporary article from a father about his son's comic reading habit) 

The Testimony of William Gaines (Transcript: April 22nd, 1954)
(Other transcripts, including Wertham's testimony, also available)

CRJ #053 - October 2019

Professor Alan's Comic Book Reading Journal #053

October 2019

So what comics did Professor Alan read during October? How many were the super-scary Halloween horror types of books? How many were new books, right off the shelves? And how many weee contributed by lovely listeners?

Click on the player below to listen to the episode:

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Promo: Hamilton vs Burr:  A Werewolf Tale

Next Episode: What comics did Professor Alan read during November? Listen to the next episode, which should be available in early December.

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CRJ #017 - October 2016

Professor Alan's Comic Book Reading Journal #017

October 2016

So what comics did Professor Alan read during October? How many were Halloween-related? How many were Archie-related? How many were Supergirl-related? And how many were miscellaneous-related?

Listen to this super-special episode #17 ... and find out!

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Promo: Comics in the Golden Age

Next Episode: What comics did Professor Alan read during November? Find out when that episode comes out in early December.

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or the host @ProfessorAlan

QBP #084 - Phantom Stranger 1

Quarter-Bin Podcast #84

Phantom Stranger #1, DC Comics, cover-dated October 1987.

"The Heart of a Stranger," by Paul Kupperberg, with art by Mike Mignola & P Craig Russell.

Worldwide weather disasters. Tensions in the Middle East. A missing Soviet agent. A cult leader bringing a demon to our world. And appearances by Jimmy Olsen, Commissioner Gordon, and Eclipso! What is the Phantom Stranger going to do, in light of these signs of the times? Listen to the episode and find out!

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Promo: Midnight ... The Podcasting Hour!

Next Episode: Maybe DC Retroactive Wonder Woman the '70s, DC Comics, cover-dated September 2011. Or maybe Mars #1, First Comics, cover-dated January 1984.

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QBP #083 - Phantom Stranger 21

Quarter-Bin Podcast #83

Phantom Stranger #21, DC Comics, cover-dated September/October 1972.

"The Ressurection of Johnny Glory," by Len Wein, with art by Jim Aparo.
and
"Woman of Stone,"by Len Wein, with art by Tony DeZuniga.

What happens when noted Phantom Stranger mega-fan Rob Kelly joins Professor Alan to talk about a real bad dude who sort of survives an execution. And what are Rob's true feelings about Doctor Thirteen? Listen to the episode and find out!

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Promo #1: Mark's Mess
Promo #2: Secret Sagas of the Multiverse

Link: Rob Kelly's Fire & Water Podcast Network
Link: Rob Kelly's blog post about this episode.

Next Episode: Phantom Stranger #1, DC Comics, cover-dated October 1987.

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Source: World's Greatest Comics