Pulp Empire

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In the 1940s and ’50s, comic books emerged as a popular yet unfiltered form of entertainment in the United States, selling hundreds of millions of copies annually, often filled with violence, racism, and sexual content. This changed dramatically after a 1954 Senate investigation led to a censorship code that nearly destroyed the industry. However, this was not the first instance of government involvement with comics; rather, it highlighted a complex relationship between policymakers and a medium often dismissed by its creators. Paul S. Hirsch reveals the untold story of how the US government both attacked and appropriated comic books during World War II and the Cold War, using them to promote foreign policy and counter global critiques of American racism. During WWII, government agencies collaborated with publishers to incite hatred against the Axis powers while attempting to alleviate racial tensions domestically. As the Cold War progressed and comic book sales soared, the government utilized comics to win support in the decolonizing world through cartoon propaganda. Hirsch’s research draws on previously classified materials, including wartime records and legislative documents, exploring how comics served as both vital expressions of American freedom and unsettling reflections of the national psyche. This work sheds light on the intertwined histories of comic books, foreign policy, and race.