Show i r Publishers Say j 1 Crime Crims rime r C Comics Comics' mi mAas s I Are for Adults f I 1 NEW YORK Controversy between between between be be- tween the Detroit Police department a i which recently banned crime comic books five of which have since been banned by the Indianapolis olis police and the publishers of these books rages with undiminished fury Both sides are standing firm firmin in their convictions Interviewed individually these comic book publishers without exception exception ex ex- ex- ex claimed that their particular particular lar books were less objectionable than others banned None denied that there are comic books that are obscene inflammatory tory vulgar vulgar vulgar gar inartistic or all four Several basing their self-defense self on freedom of the press declared that because their books dealt with true crimes they are harmless that they are written for adults and that the publisher is not responsible for the welfare of children who happen happen happen hap hap- pen to read his books Crime comic books publishers said have been brought out in quantity quantity quantity quan quan- only in the last two years simply simply sim sine ply to satisfy the appetites of ex- ex GIs We do it by formula not malice one said bluntly A cop a killer a gun and a girl Cause of Investigation Prosecutor James N N. McNally of Detroit interviewed by telephone I said that his comic book investigation tion began when the police were seeking to stop the sale of a toy gun used in fake hold ups We found he said that the manufacturer manufacturer manufacturer manu manu- advertised in comic books Wj Yle e. e began looking into of I books and and nd em ent up banning the 36 m mi i our censor bureau found most ob ob- The two distributing companies handling them willingly agreed that these books would no longer be sold We therefore plan no criminal action against the publishers pub pub- II lishers The day after McNally's action Mayor Al Feeney of Indianapolis banned 5 of books his special investigator had rounded up He received the promise of cooperation from local distributors One Asks for Hearing r I So far Mr McNally said only one publisher has nas asked for a hear hear- ing That is the National Comics group publishers of Gangbuster Comics which is temporarily removed removed removed re re- re- re moved from the banned list pending a hearing As for the public weve we've had nothing but praise from hundreds hundreds hundreds hun hun- of citizens all over the coun coun- try In New York the American Civil Liberties union announced that it had communicated with Detroit's police commissioner Harry S S. Toy I objecting to the police office setting setting setting set set- setI I ting itself up as censor and guardian guardian guardian guar guar- guari i dian of public morals I II I Were glad Jack Liebowitz of the National Comics group which i publishes 30 other books said that I something is being done to apprise those publishers who are not cognizant cognizant cog cog- of their responsibility that I things cant can't go on unchecked But ButI I we feel that our book was mistakenly mistakenly I enly banned in Detroit as it is in I II Indianapolis although were we're willing willingto I to make changes John Byrne editor of Wings Comics Jumbo Comics and Fight Comics which have been banned felt that his bo books s represent represent j sent in 1948 what Nick Carter and andI I Tom Swift used to represent but buti i added We dont don't edit our magazines magaI magazines maga maga- for children I |