Previously: What's wrong with comic books

Finally, someone is taking on this scourge.

Folks, today I’m sharing a treasure with you. One unearthed by a man that I call “Uncle Frank”, one of the most colourful and interesting people I have met in this industry.

During our time together years ago, he shared a few wild things with me - including the formation of a “direct market” style of comic distribution in Edmonton, and a passing glance at a music career that supposedly nabbed him a gold record.

Of all the things he shared with me, what I have for you today is the wildest.

It is a publication that was put together by “The Alberta Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications”, founded in 1954. As you’ll soon see, this board was founded because “it is deemed advisable and in the public interest to establish a Board to be known as the ADVISORY BOARD ON OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS to study and investigate the question of crime and other objectionable comics and salacious magazines and to recommend effective action to prevent their sale and distribution in the Province".”

Frederick Wertham - the main pusher of this line of thinking in America - is quoted pretty early on in this publication, along with the Canadian Senate and the Governor-General of the time. “Comics” are no laughing matter! Again, wild stuff.

Nothing I can say here will prepare you for what I’m going to show you, so I’m just going to drop the whole thing for you here. Breeze through. Discover the threat we’re facing with these so-called “comics” and their influence. For my part, I’m going to be spending some time digging into what this board tried to accomplish over the years they were active. If I find anything else like this, I will be sharing it with you all.

Feel free to share your favourite bits below. One of mine is where they try to pass off “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” as wholesome alternate content.