Wertham's Infamous 'Bacterial Warfare' Comic Goes to Auction

A rare piece of comic book history, Terrors of the Jungle #17, is heading to auction, spotlighting a pivotal moment in the medium’s struggle against censorship. This isn't just another pre-Code gem with a striking L.B. Cole cover; it’s a comic explicitly singled out by the notorious Fredric Wertham in his infamous 1954 book, Seduction of the Innocent.

Wertham, the psychiatrist who spearheaded the anti-comics movement, condemned Terrors of the Jungle #17 for its "bacterial warfare" story, "The Silent Death." He controversially claimed the comic instructed children that the U.S. government practiced biological warfare on "colored natives." What makes this truly fascinating is Wertham's misreading of the situation. He believed the story was a contemporary publication during the Korean War era, fueling allegations against the U.S. military—accusations later revealed to be propaganda.

His pronouncements like, "This is not propaganda abroad, but the comic-book industry at home," underscore his deep-seated bias. This auction offers a stark reminder of a time when comics were under fierce attack, and a single issue could become a weapon in a cultural war. For fans of comic history and those interested in the fight for creative freedom, this issue is a significant artifact.