This falls under the "I'm surprised it didn't die a decade ago" category. Almost completely unnoticed by everyone, DC and Archie Comics, the last companies using the infamous Comics Code Authority, announced in January they were pulling out, rendering the CCA redundant:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/archie-drops-CCA-in-february-110121.html
This is actually a big deal - the Code has been in place since the mid-1950s. Its creation was one of the reasons why so many comics disappeared in the 1950s (particularly anything from EC Comics without Mad in the title) and why we had to put up with two decades of silliness before DC and Marvel started growing gonads again. The CCA could be credited with the creation of the Batman TV series, since the show reflected the rather campy comics of the time.
On the other hand the CCA could also be credited with forcing writers such as Stan Lee to be more creative - if not subversive - in some of their storytelling, leading to some of the rather progressive stories to be found in the Silver Age Marvels and DCs.
And the CCA is directly responsible for the rise of comix culture in the 1960s and 70s, which gave us cult heroes like Robert Crumb. Not to mention the many independents that arose in the 70s and 80s like Dave Sim's Cerebus.
Frankly, though, the CCA had outlived its usefulness by the end of the 1980s. It's been at least 20 years, perhaps longer, since I last recalled any sort of furore over censorship of comics. And also, as anyone who frequents comic book shops can tell you, kids don't buy comics anymore. Or, at least, kids of the age and temperament that a CCA approval might mean something. Otherwise the CCA was protecting no one against anything.
Marvel launched its own rating system, and DC pulled out the CCA to start its own. I think it's pointless because the people buying those comics don't care because many of them probably grabbed a copy of Lady Death alongside their Spider-Man, and a good chunk of them probably have Watchmen or a few League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books in their collection (or, even worse, Moore's Lost Girls). No one pays attention to the ratings on comic books anymore. It's just a big CYA (cover your...) in case someone with a political point to make (i.e. hunting for votes) decides to create a controversy to get some airtime.
I'm the first to say "good riddance to bad rubbish" when it comes to the CCA's demise. At the same time, though, I recognize the role it played -- however unintentionally -- in history. And I'd like to think its death might finally signify to all remaining doubtors that comics have grown up. A little.
Alex
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/archie-drops-CCA-in-february-110121.html
This is actually a big deal - the Code has been in place since the mid-1950s. Its creation was one of the reasons why so many comics disappeared in the 1950s (particularly anything from EC Comics without Mad in the title) and why we had to put up with two decades of silliness before DC and Marvel started growing gonads again. The CCA could be credited with the creation of the Batman TV series, since the show reflected the rather campy comics of the time.
On the other hand the CCA could also be credited with forcing writers such as Stan Lee to be more creative - if not subversive - in some of their storytelling, leading to some of the rather progressive stories to be found in the Silver Age Marvels and DCs.
And the CCA is directly responsible for the rise of comix culture in the 1960s and 70s, which gave us cult heroes like Robert Crumb. Not to mention the many independents that arose in the 70s and 80s like Dave Sim's Cerebus.
Frankly, though, the CCA had outlived its usefulness by the end of the 1980s. It's been at least 20 years, perhaps longer, since I last recalled any sort of furore over censorship of comics. And also, as anyone who frequents comic book shops can tell you, kids don't buy comics anymore. Or, at least, kids of the age and temperament that a CCA approval might mean something. Otherwise the CCA was protecting no one against anything.
Marvel launched its own rating system, and DC pulled out the CCA to start its own. I think it's pointless because the people buying those comics don't care because many of them probably grabbed a copy of Lady Death alongside their Spider-Man, and a good chunk of them probably have Watchmen or a few League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books in their collection (or, even worse, Moore's Lost Girls). No one pays attention to the ratings on comic books anymore. It's just a big CYA (cover your...) in case someone with a political point to make (i.e. hunting for votes) decides to create a controversy to get some airtime.
I'm the first to say "good riddance to bad rubbish" when it comes to the CCA's demise. At the same time, though, I recognize the role it played -- however unintentionally -- in history. And I'd like to think its death might finally signify to all remaining doubtors that comics have grown up. A little.
Alex
