NPR's Book of the Day 'Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows' restores a lost chapter of comic book history
May 28, 2025
The rise of horror comics in the 1950s sparked a moral panic that led to censorship, with the Comics Code Authority banning essential elements like vampires and werewolves. Journalist Michael Dean unveils a lost chapter of this era through the anthology, Lost Marvels No. 1: Tower of Shadows. The discussion highlights the unique narrative techniques and cinematic styles that elevate the emotional depth of the stories. Unlike traditional superheroes, Tower of Shadows features flawed characters, illustrating the creative freedom and lasting nostalgia these comics evoke.
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1950s Comics Code Horror Ban
- 1950s horror comics featured gory violence and supernatural elements like vampires and werewolves.
- The Comics Code Authority banned such content to make comics more sanitized and prevent moral panic.
Comic Backlash and Senate Hearings
- Comics in the 1950s faced backlash linking them to juvenile delinquency, culminating in Senate hearings.
- EC Comics were targeted for their horrific stories and are now praised for their artistic mastery.
Cinematic Horror in Comics
- The first story "At the Stroke of Midnight" in Tower of Shadows mixes horror with cinematic comic artistry.
- The story’s couple seeking inheritance gets trapped in a spooky house, reminiscent of Twilight Zone plots.
