The CCA in the 50's

[Perry Holley]

I'm looking for various anecdotes from the artists, writers, editors, etc. who worked under the yoke of the Comics Code Authority back in the 50's. Obviously, Gaines and the EC crew have had no small amount of venting on the subject, but I'm morbidly curious as to what other professionals had to suffer through from the CCA when they were at the height of their power.

[Joey Deadcat]

I'd like to see that. Closest thing is the EC Tales Of Terror book - I'm too lazy to drag it out right now but I believe it has thoughts from Feldstein and Gaines(from an old interview). There's a copy of the transcripts from Gaines' testimony before the Kefauver Commission. Have to look thru it again.

[Hintermann]

I'm morbidly curious as to what other professionals had to suffer through from the CCA when they were at the height of their power.

I do not know the specifics, but I have heard that Carl Barks was frequently the victim of CCA's long arm and he was ordered to change some pencilled panels because of unacceptable political satire. Bruce Hamilton's editorials in Gladstone Comics during the mid to late 80s often suggested this.

[T GUy]

Hintermann, I have heard that Carl Barks was frequently the victim of CCA's long arm

Long indeed if it extended to the work of Carl Barks, who was working for Western, who did not sumit their publications to the CCA (either when they were published by Dell or under their Gold Key banner). Any problems of that nature experienced by Barks would be from Western's editorial division.

[Joey Deadcat]

On a somewhat related note is there anyone else who'd like to see a film made on this subject? I'd like to a film made almost along the style of Good Night And Good Luck with the whole senate hearings and Kefauver Commission thing.

[Sir Tim Drake]

You might want to check out Amy Kiste Nyberg's book Seal of Approval: The History of the Comics Code. I don't know if it has exactly the kind of material you're looking for, but it is a standard reference on the Code in general.