Golden Age Political Comic Books - NO MODERN POLITICS! 2 2

[BOOT]

HOW WE’RE SPENDING YOUR MONEY

 

Sometimes politician used free comic books to communicate with the suckers citizens. They may have thought that a fun and clear comic book presentation would make otherwise dry subject matter palatable to the electorate. Or perhaps they thought that the voters were a bunch of comic book reading .

 

1950 Louisiana Department of Revenue

 

This beautiful example is from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, which used the free comic book format to present it's report for the fiscal year 1949 to 1950. The front cover is signed by W. A. Cooper, Collector of Revenue.

[BOOT]

1953 State of Ohio - Your Treasury Department in Action!

 

This great comic book was produced in 1953 by the Treasury Department of Ohio. The front cover sports the mug of Roger W. Tracy, then Treasurer of State. This fun and informative comic book showed the citizens of Ohio how their state treasury department works. I wonder if the citizens felt like they got their money's worth?

[BOOT]

1950 Pennsylvania Department of Highways

 

John S. Fine was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1950. His administration used this comic book to promote the Pennsylvania Department of Highways and their accomplishments. We take for granted the amazing road systems we enjoy. This reflects an earlier time when highways were truly a major accomplishment.

 

By the way, it does promise that toll bridges in a few years will be free, so if a politician hands you a free comic book, watch what that other hand is doing!

[BOOT]

PUT A COMIC BOOK about HONEST POLITICS in your POCKET

 

These half sized comic books were part of the “Good Government” series produced in the 1950s and 1960s by the National Research Bureau of Chicago, Illinois.

 

The Price You Pay for Graft

This half-size comic book was produced in 1964. It shows how much the average worker’s paycheck is taken from him in the form of taxes and other expenses which pay for waste and graft.

 

This useful and still relevant comic book encourages citizens to learn about politicians, find which ones are honest, and elect good, clean politicians to office to reduce graft and protect all of us!

 

 

The Next Four Years

This comic book encourages voters to think of how their votes can change life for everyone in the future.

 

If Your Kids Could Vote

This clever and thoughtful comic book encourages voters to think of the future effect of their politics on their children’s futures.

 

The Man Who Stole Your Vote

This comic book shows the tragedy that can ensue when people don't exercise their right to vote. The main character’s whole life is changed when “the man who stole his vote” tries to kick him and his family out of their house.

 

This great comic book shows the importance of voting, being involved in politics, and having honest politicians and honest elections!

 

The original full color version was produced in 1952. The light blue and black version is a later reprint featuring the same artwork in two colors.

[BOOT]

HIT PIECES

 

Most political free comic books portrayed their chosen candidates in a noble and positive light, but there some that attacked a candidate’s opponent. These are the attack comic books, or hit pieces!

 

Are You Sure He's Really One of Us?

 

This was produced by Hafer for the Bye Bye Byrd committee in 1982. This attacks West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd for his membership in the Ku Klux Klan, his willingness to raise taxes, and even his lack of residency in the state of West Virginia.

[BOOT]

The Robert Alphonso Taft Story “It's On the Record!”

 

This was produced in 1950 by the Campaign for Joe Ferguson. It portrays Taft as a tool of monied interests, unable to even stand up for America after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. However, Ferguson was an unpopular candidate, and Taft crushed him, despite this snarky comic book.

[BOOT]

Man Against the People - The True Record of Arthur W. Coolidge

 

This blistering piece was produced in 1950 by the Campaign to reelect Paul A. Dever as governor of Massachusetts. Dever defeated Coolidge.

[BOOT]

The Career of a Reactionary in Politics - A Life Story of Christian Archibald Herter

 

This is another hit piece put together by Paul A. Dever, Governor of Massachusetts, this time for his 1952 reelection campaign. This time, the comic didn’t work, and Herter defeated Dever to take the reins of the state.

[BOOT]

STARTLING FACTS!

 

The National Association of Manufacturers published this series of comic books in the 1950s to show how capitalism and business help protect the American way of life. The comic books describe failed socialist and totalitarian experiments in history, and describe how to protect the American way of life from impending communism. They show how strong manufacturing helps preserve our country's freedom and standard of living. Effective comic books – too bad they are so rare!

[BOOT]

HARVEY HELPS!

 

In the 1940s and 1950s, Harvey Comics, later publishers of Casper and Little Dot, produced a series of informational pamphlets for the American military. These promoted American values and showed people how to be good citizens. Some of their messages resound even today!

 

Military Courtesy

This 1952 comic book showed military recruits the basics of military courtesy, including how to salute, how to dress, and how to address others.

 

Steve Canyon in Strictly for the Smart Birds

This 1951 recruitment comic featured Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon in a story with art by Lee Elias.

 

What’s In It For You

This recruitment comic book from 1950 asked readers to consider a future for themselves serving in the military.

[BOOT]

Citizenship Booklets

 

Harvey collected several of their comic books in a nice leather bound hardcover for presentation to the military sponsors. The contents include:

 

The Man Who Wouldn’t Quit

This features a moving story of a man who helps his town and his family face down misfortune. Produced in 1952, this really shows the power of comic books to convey ideas and feeling, with a Frank Capra-like storytelling feel.

 

Kerry Drake in The Case of the Sleeping City

 

Joe Palooka in It’s All in the Family

 

Strong for the People

This is a great general citizenship comic book produced in 1950. Strong for the People was produced by Harvey Comics for the Armed Forces Information and Education Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense. This tells the exciting story of Dave Strong who serves in the Army serving the Armed Forces to protect our freedoms, and who then serves as a politician to defend the rights of citizen.

 

Steve Canyon’s Secret Mission

[BOOT]

Here are a couple late additions...

 

A 1952 comic about voting from the American Heritage Foundation

 

A comic to promote California Senatorial candidate Clinton D. McKinnon, along with a presentation letter from its producer, Sponsored Comics, to Frederick Payne, Governor of Maine.

[rjpb]

Very cool thread. I've at times thought it would be fun to collect political comics, but not enough GGA, decapitation or bondage covers.

 

That comic on the Centennial Congress is amazing! It has to be rare.

[Dr. Love]

Amazing!

 

and what a great and timely idea for this thread

 

for those of you who may not know it, Boot is the most knowledgeable man on the planet when it comes to promos. He could write the book on the subject. And will, apparently!

 

 

[Bo_Hogg]

BOOT, you blow me away with your stuff! I am just trying to keep up!

 

 

[StuporMan]

These are all just amazing. IMHO an overlooked area of comics

[Larryw7]

An amazing and educational thread. You can probably learn more American history here than in a lot of schools.

[buttock]

These are fantastic BOOT. Thanks for sharing. I'm interested to see a second known copy of "Startling Facts about Dictatorship". That has a great center spread.

 

 

Oh, and... Harry Thyng

[Doohickamabob]

An amazing and educational thread. You can probably learn more American history here than in a lot of schools.

There is always more to learn. I still haven't figured out Abraham Lincoln's middle name.

[vaillant]

Rare World War II-era Anti-U.S. Intervention Comic Book

 

This unusual comic book is a collection of cartoons opposing American intervention in the wars in Europe, Asia, and Africa – what we now call World War II. Its title "To enter the wars now reaching in Europe, Asia and Africa would be an act of national folly from which country must be spared!"

 

This was produced by the America First Committee of Chicago. On their national committee sat Henry Ford and Capt. Edward Rickenbacker.

Still loving this one! And the Roosvelt biography is beautiful. A kind of propaganda which would not be done this way, today.