In the mid 1950s the U.S. Senate forced comic book publishers to adhere to the guidelines of a Comic Code Authority. The ‘Code’ was brought in to protect America’s youth from what was then deemed disturbingly graphic and blatantly sexual content in comic books.
Post ‘Code’ comic books were produced with quite severe content restrictions. No longer did artists and writers have license to create anything they wished. Artists being artists and writers being writers these talented people soon began looking for creative ways to express themselves beyond the constraints of the ‘Code’. Suggestive art and wordplay was now being covertly added into comics.
Our Sleepy Censors articles will expose many comics that deserve a closer look. Some will be so obvious you’ll think “how’d they let that through” while others will be tamer. We hope all the posts will be entertaining and we encourage your feedback and suggestions of comics you think caught the censors sleeping.
Star Wars #59, Marvel Comics, May 1982
Hold it! Just hold it! I’m sorry but that looks like one giant penis attacking our two heroes. I’m not sure what would make me run faster, a giant worm or a giant penis. I am sure that our guys are being chased by a giant penis, one with some sort of STD at that.
If you look closely enough you’ll note that the artist has very faint hints at a mouth and at eyes but to the keen eyes of the crack team at comicbookdaily.com it’s obviously a penis.
