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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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)

SS #046 - Luke Cage and Blaxploitation Comics

Shortbox Showcase #46 - We're Just Talking About Cage

Have you missed Uncovering the Bronze Age? Well, then this episode is the one for you! Emily gets her sociology on, as she and Alan talk about the 70's phenomenon of Blaxploitation media. They focus largely on the character of Luke Cage, and what it is about Luke that has made him a popular character to this day.

Special thanks to Stella, Donovan Morgan Grant, and Derek Coward for their contributions to this episode.

Click on the player below to listen to the episode:


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Promo: The Heroes & Hops Podcast

Link: Derek Coward's Comic Book Noise Network
Link: "The Minority Report" episode of Batgirl to Oracle

Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com 

You can follow the network on Twitter @Relatively_Geek and Professor Alan @ProfessorAlan

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

UBA #005.5 - Dear Emily

Uncovering the Bronze Age #005.5  - Dear Emily

Emily empties out her entire feedback bag in this episode, going over listener comments on her first batch of episodes. Much of the feedback involves her Halloween episode (episode #5), featuring her discussion of Dr. Fredric Wertham, Seduction of the Innocent, and the Comics Code.

Click on the player below to listen to the episode:


Right-click to download episode directly

Promo: Parallel Lines: The Tangent Universe Podcast

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UBA #005 - In The Clutches of the Code

Uncovering the Bronze Age #005 -- Uncovering the Code

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

Follow her 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, Super Satruday Short-Lived Shortcase and Noel's blog.

Stephen Lacey: The Fantasticast and Fantastic Flame-On.

Paul Spataro: Back to the Bins.

The Irredeemable Shagg: Firestorn Fan, Fire & Water Podcast and Ultraverse Network.

Shawn Engel: Just One of the Guys, Walking Dead Wednesday, The Vault of Startling Monster Horror Tales of Terror, and Parallel Lines.


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)

UBA #004 - Zany Haney!

Uncovering the Bronze Age #4 -- Welcome to Planet Bob

Following up on a story she covered a few months back with Michael Bradley over on the Superman & Batman podcast, Emily looks at the second story featuring the "Super Sons," Batman Jr. and Superman Jr. Of course it's an imaginary story -- it was written by Bob Haney.

Emily talks about the importance of pacing and character in a mystery story, as well as what Haney has to say about dealing with strangers and aliens. She also does some compare-and-contrast analysis with last episode's Jack Kirby epic. Her conclusions may surprise you.

World's Finest #216, "Little Town with a Big Secret," by Bob Haney, with art by Dick Dillin and Murphy Anderson, DC Comics, cover-dated March, 1973.

Click on the player below to listen to the episode


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The music in the episode includes Mark Snow's "UNKLE" variation on his X-Files theme song, from the X-files: I Want to Believe original soundtrack.

Promo #1: Just One of the Guys
Promo #2: X-Files Truth

Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com

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UBA #003 - Jimmy Olsen #134

The King is Weird.

In episode 3 of Uncovering the Bronze Age, Emily tries to wrap her head around what Jack Kirby did when he arrived at DC Comics in 1970. And it intrigues her. And frustrates her. And confuses her. Mostly, it confuses her.

"The Newsboy Legion" and "The Mountain of Judgment," from Jimmy Olsen #133 and #134, were written and penciled by Jack Kirby, and inked by Vinnie Colletta.


Emily talks about cultures and subcultures, writing the "other," how to not name things, and green speeding mountains!

Promo #1: Superman & Batman
Promo #2: Back to the Bins
 
Send e-mail feedback to relativelygeeky@gmail.com

Next Episode: The Saga of the Super-Sons

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Uncovering the Bronze Age #002

Emily dives back into her coverage of the Bronze Age as she discusses two stories featuring The Dark Knight Detective, and the introduction of two of her favorite Batman antagonists.

"Into the Den of the Death-Dealers," by Dennis O'Neil, Bob Brown, & Dick Giordano, from Detective Comics #411.

AND

"Daughter of the Demon," by Dennis O'Neil, Neal Adams, & Dick Giordano, from Batman #232.

Can Batman topple an international crime ring, headed by a villain with a ridiculous name? Where exactly is Thailayinam? Will Batman be willing to work with the clearly villainous Ras al Ghul to rescue Robin and Talia? And just why is Batman so keen on dressing up as old Asian people!?!  Listen to the episode and find out!

We would love to have your feedback on this episode!

Send e-mail to relativelygeeky@gmail.com

Promo #1: Bailey's Batman Podcast
Promo #2: Flash Pulp
Promo #3: Ace Kilroy

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Uncovering the Bronze Age, Episode #1

Emily makes her first foray into the Bronze Age of Comics with Superman 233: Superman Breaks Loose and the Kryptonite Nevermore Arc.
Denny O'Neil? Team Swanderson? SCIENCE?!
Awesome.

We would love to have your feedback on this episode!
Send e-mail to relativelygeeky@gmail.com

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.

Uncovering the Bronze Age, Episode #0

In this first installment of Uncovering the Bronze Age, meet Emily as she attempts to explains in ten minutes or less her motivation for starting a comic book podcast and her history with both comic books and podcasts. This was the first thing recorded for Relatively Geeky (at 1am on an iPhone, before we even had a domain name) so please be lenient and enjoy this look behind the internet curtain!

Send comments and questions to our e-mail: relativelygeeky@gmail.com.

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Uncovering the Bronze Age, promo

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