Comic Books and Graphic Resources at The New York Public Library: American Comics Self-Censorship Comics Code (1950's)

In 1954, psychiatrist Fredric Wertham published Seduction of the Innocent, in which he criticized comic books as damaging to youth and warned how they would increase juvenile delinquency. 

At the time, there were already growing tensions and concerns about comic books and their influence on adolescents and juvenile delinquency. Parents became alarmed and the book drew attention from the media and the government.  

In an effort to allow comic publishers to self-regulate, the U.S. comic book industry established the Comics Magazine Association of America which later instituted the Comics Code Authority, an alternative to government regulation. 

This history may be found in the sources below. Additionally, a catalog search under the subject heading "Comic books, strips, etc. -- Moral and ethical aspects", will provide further results. 

• American Civil Liberties Union.Censorship of comic books: a statement in opposition on civil liberties grounds. New York: American Civil Liberties Union. Call Number: *XMB-2063 CL 139 
• United States. Congress. Senate. Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Juvenile delinquency; a compilation of information and suggestions submitted to the Special Senate Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate commerce relative to the incidence of juvenile delinquency in the United States and the possible influence thereon of so-called crime comic books during the period 1945 to 1950. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off.  Call Number: SB p.v. 902
• Comics Magazine Association of America. Facts about code-approved comics magazines. [New York, 196-?] Call number: MDC p.v. 88
• Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency - Interim Report of the Committee on the judiciary pursuant to S. Res. 89 and S. Res 190 - A Part of the Investigation of Juvenile Delinquency in the United States.