Comics Code Authority

Approved by the Comics Code Authority

The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was an American regulatory body that was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America (CMAA). The CCA was established to self-regulate the content of comic books in the United States. The creation of the CCA was a response to public concern over the content of comic books, which some believed contributed to juvenile delinquency.

History

The CCA was created following a series of Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency hearings in 1954, which were heavily influenced by the publication of Seduction of the Innocent, a book by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. Wertham's book argued that comic books were a negative form of popular literature and a serious cause of juvenile delinquency. In response to the public outcry and the threat of government regulation, the comic book industry created the CCA to self-regulate the content of comic books.

Code of Conduct

The CCA developed a strict code of conduct that comic book publishers had to adhere to if they wanted their books to carry the CCA seal of approval. The code prohibited the depiction of excessive violence, gore, drug use, and sexual content. It also required that good must always triumph over evil, and that authority figures such as police officers and government officials must always be portrayed in a positive light.

Impact on the Industry

The CCA had a significant impact on the comic book industry. Many publishers went out of business because they could not comply with the CCA's stringent guidelines. Others, such as EC Comics, were forced to change their content drastically. The CCA's influence began to wane in the 1970s as publishers started to push back against the restrictions. By the 2000s, most major publishers had abandoned the CCA, and it was officially defunct by 2011.

Criticism

The CCA was criticized for its censorship and for stifling creativity within the comic book industry. Critics argued that the CCA's guidelines were overly restrictive and that they limited the types of stories that could be told in comic books. The CCA was also seen as a way for the major comic book publishers to maintain a monopoly over the industry by making it difficult for smaller publishers to compete.

Legacy

Despite its controversial nature, the CCA played a significant role in shaping the comic book industry. It established a standard for content that influenced the development of comic books for decades. The CCA's legacy can still be seen in the way that comic books are rated and regulated today.

See Also

• Seduction of the Innocent
• Fredric Wertham
• EC Comics
• Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency
• Comics Magazine Association of America