Lecture: ‘Comic Books in Turbulent Times (1930–1954)’ by Thierry Priem

Join us on Wednesday 4 November at the Falaise Memorial for a new talk organised as part of the ‘Mercredis de l’Histoire’ series.

On the programme: “Comic books in turbulent times (1930–1954): from the rise of fascism in Europe and the Second World War to the censorship committees” by Thierry Priem.
Trained as a scientist, Thierry Priem has also specialised in the history of the comic strip, on which he has given numerous lectures.

This is where the ‘small history’ (that of the comic strip) intersects with ‘big history’, with the vicissitudes faced by comic strip publications during the Second World War, but also the opportunities that arose for certain authors such as Edgar P. Jacobs. Upon liberation, ostracism befell creators deemed too close to the occupying forces; this was the case with Hergé.
But at the end of the war, comic books were regarded as a risk to young people. In France, this led to the July 1949 law on publications intended for young people, whilst in the United States, it resulted in the establishment of the ‘Comic Code Authority ’ (CCA) in 1954 in the United States, following fierce protests (public book burnings of comics) and the publication of works demonstrating the ‘perversity’ of comics.


Practical information:
✔ Wednesday 4 November at 11.00 am at the Falaise Memorial
✔ Free admission, subject to availability