The 10 cent war
Subtitle: comic books, propaganda, and World War II
By: edited by Trischa Goodnow and James J. Kimble
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9781496810304
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; History; National characteristics, American, in literature; Literature and society; Literature and the war; History and criticism; Comic books, strips
Other titles: Ten cent war; Comic books, propaganda, and World War II
Description: "The Allied victory in World War II relied on far more than courageous soldiers. Americans on the home front constantly supported the war effort in the form of factory work, war bond purchases, salvage drives, and morale-rallying efforts. Motivating these men, women, and children to keep doing their bit during the war was among the conflict's most urgent tasks. One of the most overlooked aspects of these efforts involved a surprising initiative--comic book propaganda. Even before Pearl Harbor, the comic book industry enlisted its formidable army of artists, writers, and editors to dramatize the conflict for readers of every age and interest. Comic book superheroes and everyday characters modeled positive behaviors and encouraged readers to keep scrapping. Ultimately those characters proved to be persuasive icons in the war's most colorful and indelible propaganda campaign. The 10 Cent War presents a riveting analysis of how different types of comic books and comic book characters supplied reasons and means to support the war effort. The contributors demonstrate that, free of government control, these appeals produced this overall imperative. The book discusses the role of such major characters as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Uncle Sam along with a host of such minor characters as kid gangs and superhero sidekicks. It even considers novelty and small presses, providing a well-rounded look at the many ways that comic books served as popular propaganda."--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: "Hey soldier! Your slip is showing!": militarism vs. femininity in World War II comic pages and books / Christina M. Knopf; title: Flying tigers and Chinese sidekicks in World War II American comic books / Zou Yizheng; title: Boys on the battlefield: kid combatants as propaganda in World War II-era comic books / Jon Judy and Brad Palmer; title: The Boy Commandos comic book as equipment for living: the comic book form as propaganda / John R. Katsion; title: Uncle Sam wants you: Uncle Sam comic books as World War II propaganda / Travis L. Cox; title: Superman as allegory: examining the isolationist/interventionist dilemma in U.S. foreign policy prior to Pearl Harbor / Trischa Goodnow; title: Racial stereotypes and war propaganda in Captain America / Deborah Clark Vance; title: Tell the whole truth: feminist exception in World War II Wonder Woman / Elliott Sawyer and Derek T. Buescher; title: Debunking Hitler: true comics as counter-propaganda / Steven E. Martin; title: "Everyone can help, young or old, large or small": Novelty Press mobilizes its readers / David E. Wilt; title: War victory adventures: figurative cognition and domestic propaganda in World War II comic books / James J. Kimble; title: Beyond the storylines: even more ways that comic books helped boys and girls help win the war / David E. Wilt.