Seduction of the Innocent books

Updated Dec. 31, 2007.

This is a work in progress, attempting to document all comics pictured or mentioned in Fredric Wertham's anti-comics diatribe Seduction of the Innocent. Somebody else must have done all this years ago, but I have been unable to locate a complete listing of SOTI books, so I'm compiling my own.

Most books I know about are mentioned in Overstreet with one notable exception. Kewpies is not listed in Overstreet, but it is a SOTI book. The three later Black Cat books are not mentioned by Overstreet as SOTI books, but that is understandable because they just provide reprints of SOTI material, published long after the Comics Code was established. There's also Authentic Police Cases #27 which isn't mentioned in Overstreet, and contains a rebound Fugitives from Justice #3.

This list is includes books used in Love & Death, POP, and the investigations by the U.S. Senate and the NY Legislative Committee. Just scroll down the list.

I'm currently looking for any books mentioned or pictured in SOTI. If the condition column is empty, then it's a book I still need.

If you have any information that will help me track down these books I need, or any information to help me complete the list, I'd greatly appreciate it.

E-mail me

  ****SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT*   0    
  A1 GUNS OF FACT & FICTION   13   Used in SOTI, p. 19   VG
  ALL-FAMOUS CRIME   9   Used in SOTI, illo "The wish to hurt..."   G,VG
  ALL-TOP   14   Used in SOTI, illo "Corpses of colored..."   VG/FN
  AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES   3   Used in SOTI, illo from Red Seal #1   VG
  AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES   6   Used in SOTI, illo "An invitation to..."   FN+
  AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES   27   Contains rebound Fugitives from Justice #3   FR
  THE BEST OF HORROR & SCIENCE FI   NN   1990's (?) reprint of SOTI-illo book   VF
  BEWARE   6   Used in SOTI, illo "Children are fi..."   FR/PR
  BEWARE   12   Used in SOTI, p. 388   GD
  BEYOND   27   Used in SOTI, p. 111   VG+
  BLACK CAT COMICS   27   Used in SOTI, p. 193  
  BLACK CAT MYSTERY   36   Used in SOTI, p. 270-271   GD,VG
  BLACK CAT MYSTERY   39   Used in SOTI, p. 386-388   FR
  BLACK CAT   63   No mention in Overstreet   FN
  BLACK CAT   64   No mention in Overstreet   GD
  BLACK CAT   65   No mention in Overstreet   VG
  BLUE BEETLE   54   Used in SOTI, illo "Children call..."   GD
  BLUE BEETLE   56   Used in SOTI, p. 145   VG
  BRENDA STARR VOL 2   4   Used in SOTI, p. 21   VG/FN and CGC4.5
  BUGS BUNNY FOUR COLOR   250   Used in SOTI, p. 309   VG,VG
  CAPTAIN VIDEO   2   Used in SOTI, p. 382   FN
  CHAMBER OF CHILLS   7   Used in SOTI, p. 389   FR
  CLASSICS ILL 010 ROBINSON CRUS   10   Used in SOTI, p. 142   HRN20VG,HRN166F/VF
  CLASSICS ILL 013 DR JEKYLL & M   13   Used in SOTI, p. 143   HRN20VG,HRN28VG,
HRN72FN,HRN169VG/F
  CLASSICS ILL 015 UNCLE TOM'S C   15   Used in SOTI, p. 102, 103   HRN21VG+,HRN89FN
  CLASSICS ILL 043 GREAT EXPECTA   43   Used in SOTI, p. 311   FR
  CLASSICS ILL 044 MYSTERIES OF   44   Used in SOTI, p. 323   HRN44FR/GD,HRN62G/VG,
HRN78FN+
  CLASSICS ILL 050 ADVENTURES OF   50   Used in SOTI, p. 37   HRN51FN,HRN169VF
  CLASSICS ILL 055 SILAS MARNER   55   Used in SOTI, p. 311, 312   HRN55VG/FN,HRN75GD,
HRN97VG,HRN97VF,
HRN165FR,HRN166VF,
HRN167VG
  CLASSICS ILL 068 JULIUS CAESAR   68   Used in SOTI, p. 36, 37   HRN70VG,HRN70VG/FN
  CRIME AND PUNISHMENT   2   It appears that this is not a SOTI book   FR
  CRIME AND PUNISHMENT   3   Used in SOTI, p. 112   FN
  CRIME AND PUNISHMENT   59   Used in SOTI, illo "What comic-book..."   VG
  CRIME CAN'T WIN   10   Possible use in SOTI, p. 161   FR
  CRIME CLINIC   3   Used in SOTI, p. 18   GD,VG
  CRIME DETECTIVE   9   Used in SOTI, pg 16 & "Caricature of..."   FN
  CRIME DOES NOT PAY   63   Issues 63, 64- Possible use in SOTI   VG,VG
  CRIME DOES NOT PAY   64   Possible use in SOTI, p. 306   VG
  CRIME FILES   5   Used in SOTI, p. 4 (text)   FN
  CRIME REPORTER   2   Used in SOTI: illo "Children told..."   FR/GD,CGC 7.5 VF-
  CRIME SMASHERS   1   Used in SOTI, p. 19,20 & illo "A girl..."   VG+
  CRIME SUSPENSTORIES   19   Used in SOTI, p. 235   F/VF
  CRIME SUSPENSTORIES   20   Cover used in SOTI, illo "Cover of..."   GD
  CRIMES BY WOMEN   3   Used in SOTI, p. 234  
  CRIMES BY WOMEN   10   Used in SOTI, p. 72   VG
  DAGAR, DESERT HAWK   19   Used in SOTI, p. 180 (Tangi)   VG+
  DAGAR, DESERT HAWK   21   "Bombs & Bums Away" panel in "Flood   GD
  DYNAMIC COMICS   17   Used in SOTI, illo "The children..."   FR/GD
  EERIE ADVENTURES   1   Used in SOTI   F/VF
  EXPOSED   6   Used in SOTI, illo "How to prepare..."   VG/F,F+
  EXPOSED   7   Used in SOTI, illo' "Diagram for house..."   F/VF
  FAMOUS CRIMES   3   Injury-to-eye story used in SOTI, p   VG+
  FAMOUS CRIMES   7   "Tarzan, the Wyoming Killer" used i   FR
  FIRST LOVE ILLUSTRATED   35   Used in SOTI, illo "The title of th   VG,VG
  FRONTIER ROMANCES   1   Used in SOTI, p. 180 (General refer   VG-
  FRONTIER ROMANCES   1   IW Reprint, reprints original #1   FN
  FRONTLINE COMBAT   4   Used in SOTI, p. 257   FN
  FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE   3   Reprints panel from Authentic Polic   G,VG,VG
  GHOUL TALES   4   Reprints story from Weird Mysteries #7 w/ new title   VF
  GIANT COMICS EDITION   4   Crime comics  
  HARVEY COMICS LIBRARY   1   Teen-Age Dope Slaves as exposed by  
  HAUNT OF FEAR   17   Used in SOTI, p. 43  
  HAUNT OF FEAR   19   Used in SOTI, illo "A comic book..."   VG
  HAUNT OF FEAR   23   Used in SOTI, p. 241  
  HOPALONG CASSIDY   5   "Mad Barber" story mentioned in SOTI   FN
  HOPALONG CASSIDY & MAD BARBER   NN   Used in SOTI, pp. 308,309  
  HOWDY DOODY   6   Used in SOTI, p. 309   G/VG,VG
  HUNTED   13   Used in SOTI, p. 42 & illo "Treating..."   VG+
  IDEAL, A CLASICL COMIC JOAN OF   3   Used in SOTI, p. 308 'Boer War'   FN
  INSIDE CRIME   2   Used in SOTI, p. 182, 183   VG
  JON JUAN   1   Used in SOTI, p. 38 (Scarce)   FR/GD,FN
  JOURNEY INTO FEAR   15   Used in SOTI, p. 389   VG/FN
  JUNGLE COMICS   98   Used in SOTI, p. 185 & illo "In ordinary..."   VG/BRI,FN
  JUSTICE TRAPS THE GUILTY   13   Used in SOTI, p. 110-111   FN
  JUSTICE TRAPS THE GUILTY   58   Used in SOTI, illo "Treating police cont..."   VG
  KEWPIES   1   Used in SOTI, but not mentioned as such in Overstreet   FR
  KILLERS   1   Mentioned in SOTI, pgs 179, 180   VG
  LAW AGAINST CRIME   3   Used in SOTI, p. 180, 181 & illo "T   FR,VG-
  LAWBREAKERS ALWAYS LOSE   7   Used in SOTI, illo "Comic book philosophy..."   VG
  MARTIN KANE   4   Used in SOTI, p. 160   FR
  MEET CORLISS ARCHER   1   No 1-3 used in Seduction of the Inn  
  MEET CORLISS ARCHER   2   No 1-3 used in Seduction of the Inn  
  MEET CORLISS ARCHER   3   No 1-3 used in Seduction of the Inn   FR/GD
  MURDER INCORPORATED   8   Used in SOTI, p. 160   VG
  MURDER INCORPORATED   9   Possible use in SOTI, p. 145   G/VG
  MY LIFE (AKA MEET CORLISS ARCH   4   Used in SOTI, p. 39  
  MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES   11   Used in SOTI, p. 84   VG
  NIGHTINGALE nn   0   Used in SOTI  
  OUT OF THIS WORLD ADVENTURES   2   No mention in Overstreet   VG
  PERFECT CRIME   11   Used in SOTI, p. 159   GD,GD
  PETER PENNY AND HIS MAGIC DOLL   0   Used in SOTI, pp. 310, 311   VG,VG
  PHANTOM LADY   17   Used in SOTI, illo "Sexual stimulation..."   VG/FN
  PLANET COMICS   53   Used in SOTI, p. 32   VG
  PUBLIC ENEMIES   2   Used in SOTI, p. 95   VG+,F/VF
  REAL CLUE VOL 3   9   Used in SOTI, p. 102   GD,FN,FN
  RED SEAL COMICS   16   Used in SOTI, p. 181, illo "Outside the..."   VG+
  REFORM SCHOOL GIRL nn   NN   Used in SOTI, p. 358, & cover illo   FR/GD,VG+
  RULAH JUNGLE GODDESS   21   Used in SOTI, p. 388, 389   PGX2.0
  RULAH JUNGLE GODDESS   22   Used in SOTI, p. 22, 23   VG+
  SENSATION COMICS   81   Used in SOTI, p. 33, 34   GD
  SHOCK   2   r-Weird Mysteries #7, used in SOTI  
  SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES   4   Used in SOTI, p. 387, 388   FR
  SPOOK   24   Used in SOTI, p. 182, 183 - r/Insid   FR/GD
  STORIES BY FAMOUS AUTHORS ILLU   6   Used in SOTI, p. 22, 143   GD
  STORY OF HARRY S. TRUMAN   NN   Used in SOTI, p. 311   FN
  STRANGE ADVENTURES   39   Used in SOTI, illo "Treating police ..."   G/VG,FN
  STRANGE MYSTERIES   10   Used in SOTI, p. 181   VG,VG
  STRANGE WORLDS   2   Used in SOTI, p. 112 (perhaps Out o   G/VG
  SUPER DUCK   22   Used in SOTI, p. 35, 307, 308   VG
  SUPERBOY   2   Used in SOTI, p. 35-36, 226   FR
  SUPERMAN   55   Used in SOTI, p. 33   FR
  TEGRA JUNGLE EMPRESS   1   Used in SOTI, p. 31   VG,VG/FN
  TERRIFYING TALES   15   Used in SOTI, r/Rulah #22   VG/FN
  TERRORS OF THE JUNGLE   17   Reprints Rulah #21, used in SOTI  
  THING   9   Used in SOTI, p. 388 & illo "Children..."   VG/FN,FN
  TOM MIX WESTERN   9   Used in SOTI, pgs 323-325 (listed t   VG,VG
  TOM MIX WESTERN   10   Not actually a SOTI book   VG
  TOP SECRETS   7   Used in SOTI, p. 90 & illo "How to hurt..."   FR,VG/FN
  TRAPPED!   0   Mentioned in SOTI, pp. 256, 350   VF/NM
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 1   2   Used in SOTI, p, 81, 82 plus illo "   GD
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 1   4   Jack Cole c/a   GD
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 2   1   Used in SOTI p. 81, 82 & illo "Dragging..."   FN/VF
  UNDERWORLD   2   Ma Barker story used in SOTI, p. 95   VG+
  WANTED   12   Used in SOTI, p. 277   VG,FN
  WANTED   35   Used in SOTI, p. 160   VG,VG/FN
  WEB OF EVIL   1   Used in SOTI, p. 388   VG
  WEIRD FANTASY   16   Used in SOTI, p. 144  
  WEIRD MYSTERIES   7   Used in SOTI, illo "Indeed", illo "   FR/GD
  WEIRD SCIENCE   19   Used in SOTI, illo "A young girl on..."   GD
  WESTERN ADVENTURES   3   Used in SOTI, p. 30, 31   VG,VG,FN+
  WILD BOY OF THE CONGO vol. 1   10   Used in SOTI, p. 189   F/VF
  WOMEN OUTLAWS   1   Used in SOTI, illo "Giving children..."   VG
  WONDER WOMAN   49   Used in SOTI, p. 234, 236   FN
  X-MAS COMICS   6   Contains rebound Captain Video #1&2  
  YOUR UNITED STATES   nn   Used in SOTI, p. 309, 310   VG/FN,FN
  ZOOT   14   Used in SOTI, p. 104, "One picture..."   FR
  ****PARADE OF PLEASURE****   0    
  ACTION COMICS   168   Used in POP, p. 90  
  ACTION COMICS   176   Used in POP, p. 90  
  ADVENTURE COMICS   189   B&W and color illo in POP  
  ALL-TRUE CRIME   49   Used in POP, p. 79  
  ATOMIC WAR!   4   Used in POP, p. 96 & Illo  
  BATMAN   74   Used in POP, p. 90  
  BATTLE ACTION   5   Used in POP, p. 93, 94  
  BATTLE BRADY   11   Used in POP, p. 95 plus B&W & color   VG/FN
  BEYOND   18   Used in POP, p. 81, 82   VG
  BLACK CAT MYSTERY   33   Used in POP, p. 89  
  BLACKHAWK   61   Used in POP, p. 91  
  BLACKHAWK   62   Used in POP, p. 92 & color illo  
  BLACKHAWK   66   B&W & color illos in POP  
  CANTEEN KATE   3   Used in POP, p. 75  
  CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES   142   Used in POP, p. 92, 96  
  CAPTAIN MARVEL, JR   104   Used in POP, p. 89  
  CLASSICS ILL 089 CRIME & PUNIS   89   Cover illo in POP   HRN89GD
  CLASSICS ILL 099 HAMLET   99   Used in POP, p. 102   HRN98VG,HRN141GD
  CLASSICS ILL 128 MACBETH   128   Used in POP, p. 102  
  COMBAT   10   B&W and color illos in POP  
  COMBAT CASEY   8   Used in POP, p. 94  
  COMBAT KELLY   11   Used in POP, pgs 94, 95 plus color   GD
  COMBAT KELLY   12   Color illo in POP  
  CRIME AND JUSTICE   14   Color illos in POP  
  CRIME AND PUNISHMENT   58   Used in POP, p. 79  
  CRIME DOES NOT PAY   105   Used in POP, p. 84   VG
  CRIME DOES NOT PAY   111   Used in POP, p. 80 & 81  
  CRIME EXPOSED   10   Used in POP, p. 81  
  CRIME EXPOSED   13   Used in POP, p. 81  
  CRIME MUST LOSE!   11   Used in POP, p. 89  
  CRIME SMASHERS   13   Used in POP, p. 79, 80  
  CRIMES BY WOMEN   8   Used in POP  
  DOWN WITH CRIME   3   Used in POP, p. 106  
  DOWN WITH CRIME   6   Used in POP, p. 80  
  FAMOUS FUNNIES   204   Used in POP  
  FIGHT AGAINST CRIME   6   Used in POP, p. 83, 84  
  FIGHT AGAINST CRIME   15   B&W & color illos in POP  
  FIGHT COMICS   78   Used in POP, p. 99  
  FIGHT FOR FREEDOM NN   0   Used in POP, p. 102  
  FOX GIANTS THROBBING LOVE (!!!   0   Used in POP, p. 107  
  GANGSTERS AND GUN MOLLS   3   Used in POP, p. 84, 85  
  HEADLINE COMICS   3   Used in POP, p. 84  
  HORRORS   12   Color illo in POP  
  IS THIS TOMORROW?   1   Used in POP, p. 102   G/VG
  JUMBO COMICS   155   Used in POP, p. 98  
  JUNGLE COMICS   143   143, 145 Used in POP, p. 99  
  JUNGLE COMICS   145   143, 145 Used in POP  
  JUNGLE THRILLS   16   Phantom Lady & Rulah story - reprin  
  KA'A'NGA COMICS   10   Used in POP, p. 99  
  LEAVE IT TO BINKY   29   Used in POP, p. 78  
  MARVEL FAMILY   78   78, 81 Used in POP, p. 92, 93   GD
  MARVEL FAMILY   81   78, 81 Used in POP p. 92, 93  
  MASTER COMICS   132   B&W and color illos in POP  
  MURDER INCORPORATED (1951)   3   Used in POP, p. 81  
  PLANET COMICS   69   Used in POP, p. 101, 102  
  PLASTIC MAN   40   Used in POP, p. 91  
  RANGERS COMICS   63   Used in POP, p. 85, 99  
  SHEENA, QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE   18   Used in POP, p. 98  
  SOLDIER COMICS   8   Illo in POP   GD
  STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES   133   Used in POP, p. 94  
  SUPERMAN   81   Used in POP, p. 88  
  SUZIE COMICS   88   Used in POP, p. 76, 77  
  T-MAN   11   Used in POP, p. 95 & color illo  
  TALES FROM THE CRYPT   31   B&W and color illos in POP   VG+
  TALES FROM THE CRYPT   34   Used in POP, p. 83  
  TERRIFYING TALES   11   Used in POP, p. 99, 100, all Jo-Jo-  
  TERRORS OF THE JUNGLE   21   Used in POP, p. 100 & color illos  
  THRILLING CRIME CASES   47   Used in POP, p. 84  
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 1   2   Used in SOTI, p, 81, 82 plus illo "  
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 1   4   Jack Cole c/a  
  VAULT OF HORROR   23   Used in POP, p. 84  
  VAULT OF HORROR   26   B&W & color illos in POP  
  WAR REPORT   4   Used in POP, p. 94  
  WEIRD SCIENCE   17   Used in POP, p. 81, 82  
  WHIZ COMICS   142   Used in POP, p. 89  
  WINGS COMICS   115   Used in POP, p. 89  
  WONDER WOMAN   50   Used in POP, p. 97  
  WORLD WAR III   2   Used in POP, p. 78 & B&W & color il  
  ****LOVE AND DEATH****   0    
  ALL-AMERICAN WESTERN   103   Mentioned in Love and Death  
  CLAIRE VOYANT   3   Used in Love and Death  
  CRIME MUST PAY THE PENALTY   33   "Dell Fabry- Junk King" drug story  
  DONALD DUCK FOUR COLOR   199   Mentioned in Love and Death  
  FIGHT COMICS   48   Used in Love and Death  
  JEANIE COMICS   16   Used in Love and Death  
  JUMBO COMICS   94   Used in Love and Death   VG/FN
  SADDLE JUSTICE   3   Used in Love and Death  
  UNDERWORLD   4   Used in Love and Death  
  ****SENATE INVESTIGATION****   0    
  CRIME MUST PAY THE PENALTY   3   "Frisco Mary" story used in Senate  
  CRIME SUSPENSTORIES   22   Used in Senate investigation, and in Time article.  
  CRIME SUSPENSTORIES   23   Used in Senate investigation on juv  
  HAUNT OF FEAR   19   Used in SOTI, illo "A comic book ba   VG
  HAUNT OF FEAR   24   Used in Senate Investigative Report  
  MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES   18   Used in Senate investigative report  
  MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES   20   Used by Wertham in the Senate heari  
  PANIC   1   Used in Senate Investigation hearin  
  SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES   14   Used in Senate Investigation hearin  
  STRANGE TALES   28   Jack Katz story used in Senate Inve  
  TALES FROM THE CRYPT   40   Used in Senate hearings & in Hartfo  
  ****NY LEGIS COMM****   0    
  AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES   6   Used in SOTI, illo "An invitation   FN+
  BLAZE CARSON   3   Used by NY State Legis Comm (injury  
  CHALLENGE OF THE UNKNOWN   6   "Villa of the Vampire" used in NY J  
  CRIME MUST LOSE!   4   Used in Ny Legis Comm documents  
  CRIME PATROL   15   Used in NY Legis Comm  
  EXPOSED   7   Illo in SOTI, "Diagram for housebre  
  HAUNT OF FEAR   17   Used in SOTI, p. 43  
  JUNGLE COMICS   98   Used in SOTI, p. 185 & illo "In ord   VG/BRI
  KILLERS   1   Mentioned in SOTI, pgs 179, 180  
  MARVEL TALES   97   Used in NY State Legislative docume  
  SPIRIT   22   Used by NY Legis Comm  
  TOP SECRETS   7   Used in SOTI, p. 90 & illo "How to   VG
  TRUE CRIME COMICS vol 1   2   Used in SOTI, p, 81, 82 plus illo "  
  WEB OF MYSTERY   19   Reprints Challenge of the Unknown #  
  ****EDITORIALS****   0    
  ALL WESTERN WINNERS   3   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  BLONDE PHANTOM   22   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  CAPTAIN AMERICA   71   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  CINDY COMICS   33   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  CRIMEFIGHTERS   6   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  FRANKIE COMICS   13   Anti-Wertham editorial   VG
  GEORGIE COMICS   21   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  HEDY DEVINE COMICS   32   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  JUNIOR MISS   33   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  JUSTICE COMICS   8   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  KID COLT OUTLAW   4   Anti-wertham editorial  
  LAWBREAKERS ALWAYS LOSE   6   Has editorial defense against charg  
  MARGIE   45   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  MISTER MYSTERY   3   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  MY ROMANCE   2   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  PATSY WALKER   21   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  TEEN COMICS   30   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  TESSIE THE TYPIST   20   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  TEX TAYLOR   4   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  TWO-GUN KID   5   Anti-Wertham editorial (1st?)  
  WEIRD FANTASY   13   Anti-Wertham "Cosmic Correspondence  
  WEIRD MYSTERIES   5   Anti-Wertham column in #5  
  WILD WESTERN   6   Anti-Wertham editorial  
  ****ARTICLES****   0    
  ADVENTURES INTO DARKNESS   13   Cannibalism story cited by TE Murphy in article(s).  
  JO-JO COMICS   15   Cited by Dr. Wertham in 5/47 Saturd  
  SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES   15   Used in 1954 Reader's Digest articl  
  TALES FROM THE CRYPT   40   Used in Senate hearings & in Hartfo  
  VAULT OF HORROR   36   "Pipe Dream" classic opium addict s  
  WEIRD MYSTERIES   8   Used in a '54 Readers Digest anti-c  
  ****OTHER****   0    
  CRIME DOES NOT PAY   63   Issues 63, 64- Possible use in SOTI   VG
  HAUNT OF FEAR   27   Wertham cameo!!!  
  JUNGLE COMICS   104   In Camilla story, villain is Dr. We   VG
  PANIC   3   Senate Subcommittee parody  
  SPIRIT   5   Wertham app.