Comics as Propaganda in WW2 

That intro is fire.

Oh hi, you caught me admiring your new intro.

Damn that intro is baller. Good evening Chris!

Batman: "I don't use guns." Batman when he he sees nazis: "Robin, get the Batglin gun."

THE NEW INTRO HOLY SHIT im so happy for you man look at this show growing you deserve it wowoww so dope very dope intro

During those years Disney created the movie "The Three Caballeros" in an effort to cement the good relationships and potential military alliance with Mexico and Brazil. The movie shows Donald duck making friends with a Mexican rooster and a Brazilian parrot.

Hitler’s face: *exists A large majority of comic book characters: (in Patrick Star’s voice) “AND HERE COMES A GIANT FIST!!”

You missed the oppurtunity to mention the comic "Vater und Sohn", a german comic during ww2 (which was one of the few, if not the only comic that was published in germany during that time). Nazis didn't like comics. "Vater und Sohn" was a comic about a father and his son, and often was suppoded to be funny or wholesome. Erich Ohser, the ceator of this comic, was actually against the nazis, and was only allowed to puplish this comic under another name, E.O. Plauen. Nazis started to use the Father and the Son in Propaganda pictures. Ohser didn't liked the idea, and reflected this in the comics itself, where the Father and the Son were running away from "fans", and they wanted to be left alone. Ohser ended the comic by letting the father and the son fly to the moon, away from the "fans". Ohser was later put into prison, and was supposed to go to a concentration camp. He killed himself in his cell before that happened. Apparently the Nazis found out that Ohser hated them, as they found writings in which he wrote down why he hated them. It was bitter irony, as a friend of Ohser who worked for Goebbels was ordered to find out if these writings were actually created by Ohser. Basically this friend of Ohser was the reason why he was put into the prison.

in Jerry Robinson's book The Comics, a history of comic art, he offers an account by Lee Falk about The Phantom helping the Norwegians during the war. This account was told to Lee Falk by a Norwegian reporter. The Nazis were trying to convince the Norwegians that America had fallen but the Norwegians knew this wasn't true because their newspapers carried the Phantom comic strip which they knew was from America. If America had truly fallen then the Phantom would no longer exist. The Norwegian underground used The Phantom as their password according to the reporter. In one of the Lil Abner dailies Al Capp presents a letter from a serviceman fighting overseas who tells Capp that he appreciates it that Lil Abner isn't in uniform because the guys in uniform want to have entertainment that isn't reminding them that a war is going on which they know all to well about . Bill Mauldin and his Willie and Joe characters from Up Front should be mentioned and how they were doing the opposite of presenting the soldiers life as anything but fun, according to Bill Mauldin, General Patton hated the strip and wanted to have it removed from the military paper Stars and Stripes but General Eisenhower overruled him because the soldiers supported the strips existence.

I love that explanation for why Clark Kent didn't join the military during World War 2.

The term "the Paper Hanger of Berlin" shown on that World's Finest cover is a reference to Hitler, as it was believed that, as a young man, he had worked as a wallpaper hanger for a time. (Whether or not he actually ever held that job is subject of debate amongst historians.) In the film "Patton", the title character remarks to some of his soldiers that he's on his way to Berlin to personally shoot "that paper hanging son of a bitch". (Whether or not the real-life Gen. Patton actually said this, I'm not sure.)

Captain America: *punches Hitler* Dan Garret Blue Beetle: *Portrays Hitler AS THE LITERAL DEVIL and RIPS THE MOUSTACHE OFF HIS FACE!*

RU-vid refuses to recommend your videos to me anymore, but they won't stop me from searching you up! Keep it up, amazing video.

I'm going to miss the classic vibe of the old opening but damn the new animation is sick.

The galling thing is that Jack Kirby had distinguished himself as a great comic artist, but all the US Army could think of him to do was to be an infantry soldier, or be an army scout. He should have been put to work in the Signal Corps in some drawing capacity.

THAT NEW INTRO KICKS ASSES!!!

Chris, have you heard of Jane. Better use that for an updated edition of this episode. Jane was a pornographic comic that was made in Britain during WWII for the British soldiers. Churchill often referred to Jane as “Britain’s secret weapon.”

Speaking of fighting illiteracy in America back in the 1940s eith comics, I know a Czech immigrant, college educated, who worked on her English literacy by reading comics.

Up until very recently, the Army still used a comic called "PS, The Preventive Maintenance Monthly" to help train it's troops on the latest equipment updates. They only just stopped publishing a physical copy last year. Now they use a website psmagazine(dot)army(dot)mil. The cool thing is you can check out all the back issues on there.

I think Batman, Robin and Superman were pelting the Axis leaders with all-American baseballs, not rotting vegetables.

I love old ware time comics and cartoons with their extremely patriotic propaganda. More and more companies seem ashamed of them and want to censor and pretend it didn't exist which I think is a shame. You can't just pretend the past didn't happen and ignore it.

Making sure my money goes to planes and guns sounds like a solid plan.

Interesting you mention comics as being used to combat illiteracy... Back in the 70s, UK, Marvel was reprinting it's catalog in weekly issues. I had a massive argument with my parents regarding the quality of what I was reading. I found a passage from a Hulk story, and wrote it out. I found a Jim Steranko poster and photocopied it, and then presented these two things. The Steranko I passed off as a DaVinci, and the Hulk script as HG Wells... Then I revealed. They didn't like it, but they got the point. Years later, I showed my mother my copy of Peace On Earth... She wept. "Yeah," I said gently. "Comics."

Nah, "the paper hanger" was actually a reference to Hitler who worked as a house painter before his rise to power. Also: what a cool new intro!

Dick Sprang is such a glorious glorious name.

Another wonderful episode, and as a bonus it's always nice to see Bill Finger get credit as Batman co-creator. Thanks Chris!

Wow, this was an amazing episode! It's incredible to see how comic books have played such an important part in our history. Regardless of how someone views propaganda as good or bad, there's no denying the influence comics had at the time. Thanks for this cool episode, it might be one of my favorites now!

Congratulations on the All New-All Different Intro! Great look into the Golden Age as well!

The "Paper Hanger of Berlin" was a reference to Hitler, as he was a painter before World War I, which was mockingly understood to mean that he was a "paper hanger," i.e., he painted house interiors and installed wall paper. This understanding was used to hilariius effect in Mel Brooks' movie, The Producers, when Franz Liebkind, the author of "Springtime for Hitler, (A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden)," was railing against Churchill and declared: "Hitler... now there was a painter! He could paint an entire apartment in ONE afternoon! TWO coats!"

Omg dude that intro alone is awesome.

Incredible video! I thought I knew this era pretty well but I learned a lot here between the information you provide and your insight and analysis.

The spirits in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are called Stands by the way

Found you through Harry's stellar intro (and RU-vid's algorithm to an extent), subscribed for the quality content. I really like how this video doesn't entirely focus on the U.S. side of the WWII comic propaganda. That side of History is severely undocumented. Also, That picture of Superman riding a bomb looks like something that would inspire a young Stanley Kubrick.

I loved the Captain Marvel cover where he rolls up his sleeve

What th- Was that a Harry Partridge cartoon!? *looks down at description* Well I'll be! Very nice!

Love the new intro thank you for answering my question in the live stream

It is awful how bad some depictions are but thinking on the impact they had, trying to imagine a world without them could be grim.

Another good book about military cartoonists (cartoonists who served in the ranks) is "The Comic Art of War" by Christina Knopf. She looks at military cartoonists over the ages, some as far back as the Napoleonoc Wars but the heyday of course was World War Two era stuff like Bill Mauldin. She goes up through the modern age and features comics by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars such as "Terminal Lance" and more.

I hope the "oh, hi!" skits come back...

Chris that intro is awesome. I love Harry Partridge and I'm so happy to see you collaborate with him.

I remember seeing those "How you tell your friend the Chinese from the bloodthirsty Japanese" comics in old issues of Stars and Stripes that my father had, handed down from his father, who'd fought in the Pacific theater. Even as a child (growing up in the 1980s), they made me cringe.

This was a great video. The delay had me worried for a second - so glad it was, apparently, to produce something super thought-out and high-quality!

That new intro is pognificent.

You made me remember an episode of Angel (the Buffy spin off) where at WW2 the U.S. government send him to rescue a submarine, since as a vampire he couldn't drown and was much more resisted to cold and pressure. One member of the crew say that Angel may be a super soldier like Steve Rogers or Captain America, only for the commanding officer to tell him that Steve Rogers is Captain America.

Love the intro, especially the All-Might cameo, very interesting video aswell!

All of your content bleeds care and love, one of the best creators on the platform. Thank you Chris!!!

Love the new intro! Man, you really did your homework! I haven’t seen some of this material since visiting my grandparents (my grandfather was a VFW). And what an evocative subject! Things like this should be discussed more often,as we’ve seen what can happen without historical lessons. Couple of points: I have trouble believing the government ever had a Bureau of Intelligence. Are we sure that isn’t a comic book creation? Proof that propaganda, like any tool, is subject to intent. Wonder if we’ve learned anything since... Comics and other fantasy properties changed to fit a particular narrative? Nawwww, I don’t see see it. Certainly not any MODERN parallels... they’d never do THAT... Keep ‘em flying!

Killer new Intro? Check. My WWII obsession? Check. 10/10 video will watch again drunk

Another great episode. Liked the choice of topic.

Love the new intro, Chris! Given the importance of comics' place in history, it saddens me that the industry is experiencing so many problems and seemingly on the brink. Hopefully comics can recover in some fashion. Thanks Chris!

Your videos feel like a history lecture and I love that. Also that intro was insanely cool

Great intro, and a topic close to my heart. Cheers for new video, and all the best.

Great video. I always like to learn more about the impact of comics during certain timeperiods. Also, the new Intro is awesome =)

Ive missed so much over the last few months the new intro is perfect and this topic is one of my faves. I really appreaciate your work Chris you embody a part of my personality and I wouldnt wish it otherwise

Cant wait to tune into this new video. I love you comic tropes.

This is my favourite type of episode. Great work!

DAMN. That intro is awesome, so happy to see this channel grow!!! Also great episode.

I love your golden age videos. Awesome video!

Great topic and brilliantly made. Thank you

I love your comic book history videos! They’ve made me care so much more about this medium. They’re very fascinating!

That is one sick intro, well done Chris!

Glad to see you back. The opening was great! Hope you are well.

Really good episode! This could have been, like, a 7 part series. Great topic!

The reference to Hitler as the "paper-hanger of Berlin" (at about 17:20) was not so much calling him a forger. Rather, Hitler was frequently mocked as having worked hanging wallpaper before the war. The allegation might well have been simply an urban legend, but it was widely believed at the time. In 1937, Chicago's Cardinal George Mundelein famously called Hitler "an Austrian paper hanger." More recently, you might even recall in Mel Brooks's "Springtime for Hitler," the actor portraying Hitler remarking, "I was just a paper hanger, no one more obscurer."

Great video! Thanks for all that you do.

The intro is so good!!! Love your videos

What a great episode! I'm a newer subscriber after I found your video on old comic book ads. Not disappointed!! 😁👍

"Transforming Robots- " Say no more my man, you got me (comic tropes on Bob Budiansky and Simon Furman, I'll have it someday)

You, your channel and your work are true gems. Your videos have been a constant companion as I renovate my house and perform my daily chores, and I am hoping my copy of Lauxor comes in tomorrow so I can read I get home from work. Thank you, you improve my life and that of my wife and son. Rock on.

Instantly recognized Harry's work. A surprising colab, but also a welcome one :)

Another great episode! Very informative!

As always, a video full of knowledge on the comics industry! Also that intro is great!

As a graduate student of International Affairs, I appreciate your book recommendations and the insights presented in this video. Excellent work, as always. Would be interested in also seeing a deeper dive into those comics produced by other powers in WWII, that you touched on. Propaganda comics in other times and on other topics would also be fascinating to see. Also, perhaps surveys of how comics dealt with other events or social issues, in the USA and around the world? Sending encouragement and thanks for all you do. The new intro is great! P.S. If you are ever interested in North Korean comics, a good friend Jacco Zwetsloot, in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the top experts on that very topic and might be a fascinating interview.

Ok, that new intro is amazing! Among the best channel intros I've seen on RU-vid.

Your videos are just getting better & more informative as you go on. Great video. Every time I think I know a subject/creator well you clue me into something new. Looking forward to many more to come! 😊

Great stuff! Love the history videos and the artist deep dives.

New intro is kickass man. Happy late thanksgiving!

Love the topic and Alex Schomburgs covers!

As always, this was so insightful, and pleasant to watch. Well done, man!

Loved the new intro! Keep up the good work!! Your videos are not only interesting but also inspiring. Greetings from Argentina!

I love the new intro. I was just thinking a few weeks back that a new one was due. Good job!

Love the new intro!! Alex Schaumburg - amazing artist, amazing covers.

That intro is so good and keep up the good work as always!

I’m gonna miss the old theme song, but the new intro is just plain awesome. Major props to whoever put that together. Oh, and fantastic episode as always.

This is really good fan-art you had here, Chris!

Killer episode as always. And the new intro is fantastic!

Good to see you're making new videos again. That intro......woosh! The German-American Bund was picked up on in the recent *"Penny Dreadful: City of Angels"* TV series. Big fan from UK.👍😆

That new intro made me grin real wide. Nice video!

Excellent video. Worth remembering also that a lot of comics creators served in the forces in WW2. Kirby, Lee and Eisner are usually mentioned but there were many others. Bert Christman, who drew the Scorchy cartoon strip and was the co-creator of DC's original Sandman, became a US Navy pilot and was killed in action in 1942.

Love the research, examples, and knowledge in this, very impressive and informative. Super interesting! Love it, Chris.

This is what separates you from other comic sites. Your historical insights into comics are stellar. Keep up the good work.

Excellent video Chris !!!

Found your channel for the first time today. Great video ! Subbed :) Really excited to watch your backlog ! Love long-form analysis like this

Really interested in those book recommendations. Great video!

whoaaaaa! I love that new intro. And with the little nod to the old one... too damn awesome.

Great episode! And the new intro is awesome. You can choose any topic you want, Chris, I’ll watch every episode and always learn new things.

Love seeing the new intro in action!

so good!! i love to see the love thats pour to the channel!! the animation is too good congrats

congratulations for the new intro, its great!

Interesting stuff, and the new intro is great!