ALL PULP REVIEWS-by Ron Fortier
SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT
By Max Allan Collins
Illustrations by Terry Beatty
Available 19 Feb. 2013
Hard Case Crime
260 pages
What better book to review following our look at a Modesty
Blaise strip collection then one that uses the 1950s anti-comic book witch hunt
as its thinly disguised narrative skeleton. “Seduction of the Innocent,” is the third in a series
starring former stripper and newspaper syndicate owner, Maggie Starr and her
World War II veteran stepson, Jack Starr.
Both appeared in two earlier comics themed mysteries, “A Killing in
Comics,” 2007 and “Strip for Murder,” 2008. Now Collins wraps up the trilogy with a look at the events
that nearly destroyed the American comics industry via the publication of the
original, “Seduction of the Innocent,” by Dr. Fredric Wertham.
For the uninitiated, Wertham (March 20,1895 – November 18,
1981) was a German born American psychiatrist who made a name for himself by
denouncing comics books as a corrupting influence on the children of that
era. Targeting such publishers as
E.C. Comics, he posited the theory that the crime, sex and violence depicted in
those comics were the principle cause of delinquency among juvenile boys. Of course he failed to point out that
the titles he singled out were clearly intended for an adult audience though no
such labeling existed at the time.
His best known book was “Seduction of the Innocent,” and his criticisms
of comic books launched a U.S. Congressional inquiry into the industry and the
creation of the Comics Code.
Of course the book is a sham using only the most gruesome
examples of graphic art to prove a theory that was never corroborated with
traditional scientific sampling.
But the public, already molded by McCarthyism was only too eager to
start comic book burning events in their noble defense of America’s naïve
youth.
Author Collins has no difficult task in imagining a scenario
in which the hated fictional doctor is murdered and then he lines up a half
dozen very plausible suspects, each based loosely on past comic industry
personalities from publishers to writers and artists. And therein lies the fun of this tale for any diehard comic
book fan; guessing who it is Collins is rifting off of as Jack Starr
investigates. As ever, Collins
plays fair and the clues are laid out within the context of the story for all
to see and interpret, mystery fans; the challenge being can we solve it before
Jack and Maggie do?
This new “Seduction of the Innocent,” is by far a whole lot
more entertaining than its predecessors and has the distinction of being Hard
Case Crime’s first ever illustrated novel. Through out the book there are wonderful spot illustrations
provided by the super talented Terry Beatty; all done in the marvelous retro
golden age style of art. They add
a really nice visual element to what is already a fun read. It is hoped that Collins’ legion of
fans will demand yet more of these delicious murder mysteries starring Maggie
& Jack Starr. In a literary
environment overly saturated with dark, somber and depressing cautionary tales
these are truly a breath of fresh air.
