BOOM! SPLAT!: Comics and Violence

The culture, distribution, and content of comics were forever changed in 1954 when they were perceived to be lascivious, insidious, and morally corrosive. Thematic and symbolic visual depictions of violence remain central to the comics form, and BOOM! SPLAT! is a resource to scholars and comics enthusiasts who wish to contemplate and confront the permutations, forms, structures, and discourses of violence that have always animated cartoons.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

In 1954, a seismic shift occurred in the world of comics, forever altering their culture, distribution, and content. Long a beloved staple of American reading habits, comic books suddenly found themselves under the scrutiny of concerned parent groups, church leaders, and politicians. The vibrant colors and low-quality pulp pages that had once offered a thrilling escape were now perceived as harboring something lascivious, insidious, and morally corrosive. While concerns about graphic representations of violence had largely faded away following the moral panic of the 1950s, the thematic and symbolic visual depictions of violence remained integral to the comics medium.

Comics and Violence delves into the multifaceted nature of violence, exploring its various manifestations across different mediums. It examines the physical violence enacted between individuals and their surroundings, as well as the formal and structural violence inherent in the comics language itself. The book also explores representations of historical violence, examining how comics have depicted and interpreted significant events from the past. Furthermore, it examines the ways in which violence is read and perceived, considering the impact of visual storytelling on our understanding and interpretation of violent acts.

BOOM! SPLAT! is a groundbreaking collection of fifteen essays written by renowned comics scholars. These essays are organized thematically into four sections: histories of violence, forms of violence, modes and systems of violence, and political and social violence. Within these sections, chapters focus on a wide range of comics and comics creators, including iconic figures such as Steve Ditko, Hulk, X-Men, and the Marvel universe. The book also explores newspaper cartoon strips, postwar graphic novels, revolution, civil rights, trauma, #BlackLivesMatter, and many other relevant topics.

BOOM! SPLAT! serves as a valuable resource for scholars and comics enthusiasts alike. It encourages readers to contemplate and confront the complex issue of violence in comics, fostering a deeper understanding of the medium and its impact on society. Whether you are an academic, a fan, or simply someone interested in exploring the darker aspects of human behavior, this book offers insightful perspectives and thought-provoking discussions.

In conclusion, Comics and Violence is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the multifaceted nature of violence in comics. Through its comprehensive examination of historical, formal, structural, and political and social violence, the book provides a valuable resource for scholars, comics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring the darker corners of human behavior.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496850041