STARTLING L.B. COLE COVERS

Star Publications, Inc. was founded by artist L.B. Cole and attorney Gerhard Kramer in 1949 and lasted until 1954 after Fredric Wertham included a number of their titles in his book, "Seduction of the Innocent" which became instrumental during the United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency hearings held in April of that year.

The imprint specialized in crime, horror, romance and funny animal titles. Italian illustrator Bruno Premiani was the primary editor, with additional editing by Cole. Premiani would go on to co-create the Doom Patrol and Teen Titans for DC. Some of the artists that contributed work to Star were Frank Frazetta, Joe Kubert, Alvin Hollingsworth and Wallace Wood.

STARTLING TERROR TALES was published from 1952-1954. L.B. Cole drew the covers for the 13-issue run in varying styles. His most remarkable are the ones he created with bright, lurid covers and, along with the electrically-charged titling must have really made these jump off the stands.

DR. WERTHAM ON SCREEN VIOLENCE

"The profusion of brutality, cruelty, torture, sadism and every kind of violence in our movies constitutes a very serious social problem."

- Dr. Fredric Wertham

Does the above quote sound familiar? In 1968, Dr. Fredric Wertham was still at it. After his crusade against comic books led to the Comics Code authority and the virtual dismantling of the industry, he turned his attention to other targets of opportunity.

In this article from the film review magazine TAKE ONE (May-June 1968), he sets his sights on violence in the cinema. His rhetoric hasn't changed much from the last decade-and-a-half, but this time he was firing blanks as his outcry along with that of other critics largely fell on deaf ears.

R.I.P. DR. FREDRIC WERTHAM

While it was recognized here, I don't think much of the industry actually mourned over the death of Dr. Frederic Wertham, scourge of the comic books. This clip is from COMICS SCENE (March 1982).

In the same issue is this obit for the passing of the immortal Wallace Wood.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COMICS

 

This anti-comics screed was published in late 1953/early 1954 by Back to Bible Publishers, Lincoln, Nebraska. Written by Ruth I. Johnson, it's disapproving sentiment regarding comic books is typical of the times, when similar newspaper and magazine articles sprung up like mushrooms across the country.

Ms. Johnson uses quotes from Dr. Fredric Wertham's article, "What Parents Don't Know About Comics" from the November 1953 LADIES' HOME JOURNAL, all infused with religious intonations warning about the dangers of the foul tomes.

Back to the Bible is a still-active international Christian ministry founded in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1939 by Protestant evangelist Theodore H. Epp (January 27, 1907 – October 13, 1985). His "Back to the Bible" syndicated radio show was heard on over 800 radio stations from 1939-1985. It is not known if his radio program discussed comic books or not, but his publishing company was ready to print any number of this 8-page pamphlet to anyone who requested it.

WHAT PARENTS DON'T KNOW ABOUT COMICS

Progressive-minded psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham found a way to spread the word about the evils of comic books, as well as promote his upcoming book, "Seduction of the Innocent" by submitting articles to various magazines, usually those with a high consumer circulation.

The one shown here today is fairly well recycled. It was published in the November 1953 issue of LADIES' HOME JOURNAL.

This scan has made the rounds and it's the best version that I've been able to find without yet making it directly to the source, which I hope to rectify soon. It is also marred by a few inserted text boxes containing quotes from various personages that obscure part of the article's text -- which I'm sure was on purpose.

NOTE: This article is also posted on the "Reference" page accessible from the menu list at the top of this page.

'ZOOMBIES' MARCH BY MOONLIGHT!

St. John's STRANGE TERROR was strange indeed. Comprised of mostly reprints from Golden Age titles from Chesler's Dynamic and Red Seal Comics, these stories miss the mark for being truly "horrifying", but they exemplify the use of mystery, suspense and the supernatural as precursors for what was to come in the next decade. The addition of creepy-looking characters helps put them over the edge of the usual mystery stories of the time.

Don Perlin illustrates the cover and the story, "Zombies March By Moonlight", erroneously (and hilariously) misspelled "Zoombies" on the cover. Perlin worked into the Bronze Age by drawing -- among others -- WEREWOLF AT NIGHT for Marvel. He was also the co-creator of Marvel's Moon Knight. Mr. Perlin passed away just this year at the age of 94.

Rafael Astarita began his career in comics in 1935. He worked for the Chesler and Eisner & Iger Shops and Fiction House, and after World War II drew illustrations for various pulp magazines. In 1949, he was hired as art director for Ned Pines. After working for Avon Comics in the early 1950's, he formed his own advertising agency.

Paul Gattuso worked at Chesler and Red Seal Comics and drew horror strips for Avon and romance strips for Harvey in the 1950's. Gattuso's specialty was drawing crime comics and one of  his panels became infamous when it was included in Dr. Fredric Wertham's SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT with the caption, "Children told me what the man was going to do with the red-hot poker" from CRIME REPORTER #2 (St. John, October 1948).

Al Plastino is best known for his stint drawing SUPERMAN for DC in the 1950's, but he also was the go-to artist to assist Bill Everett and Jack Kirby. He drew CAPTAIN AMERICA for Marvel before he went to National/DC where -- along with working on SUPERMAN until 1968 -- he co-created SUPERGIRL with Otto Binder.

Ralph Mayo drew the story "The Ghost of Castle Karloff" with a tip-of-the-pen to the great horror actor, He was the art director for the Golden Age AC Comics and also worked for Fiction House, Marvel, Lev Gleason and Dell. Note the bondage splash panel that begins the story and panels on the fifth page of the story.

STRANGE TERRORS

Vol. 1 No. 1

June 1952

St. John Publishing Company

Editor: ?

Cover: Don Perlin (illustrating the interior story, "The Ghost of Castle Karloff")

Pages: 36

Cover price: 10 cents

CONTENTS

"Vampires Dance At Dusk"

Script: ?

Art: Rafael Astarita

"Terror Strikes At Randall's Rock"

Script: ?

Art: Paul Gattuso

"Zombies March By Moonlight"

Script: ?

Art: Don Perlin; Abe Simon

"Haunt of the Howling Beast"

Script: ?

Art: Al Plastino

"The Ghost of Castle Karloff"

Script: ?

Art: Ralph Mayo