Cold War comics about communism

This is a small but interesting collection of privately-published propaganda comics warning Americans about the menace of communism. Most of these date back to the 1950s. These publications are now largely forgotten - but back in their day, they shaped the hearts and minds of a generation more than any dusty political tome ever could.

It goes without saying that the inclusion of a comic book on this page doesn't constitute an endorsement or denouncement of the views presented in the publication. The comics are just fascinating historical curiosa that should be preserved for future generations.

Most of these books were not previously imaged on the internet, so I had to scan them myself (🔍). Others are pieced together from existing scans. Stars (⭐) denote publications that stand out in one way or another and are particularly worth checking out. Finally, the poop badge (💩) stands for "read at your own risk".

Theme 1: Communism Threatens America

America Under Socialism (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: National Research Bureau (1950)
Scan source: Comics With Problems (ep.tc/problems)

A tale of factory workers led astray by entitlements and promises of job security. Culminates in a communist takeover of the industry, food rationing, executions, and all that. One of several attempts to drive a wedge between union labor and socialist movements in the US, presumably in recognition of the natural affinity of the two. The story starts off strong, but gets a bit less coherent toward the end. Extremely rare and with a remarkable cover. The artwork is otherwise pretty simple, with dialogue-heavy panels here and there.

How Stalin Hopes We Will Destroy America (click to view) ⭐⭐

Publisher: Pictorial Media, Inc. (1951)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A rather unorthodox take on the subject matter: it posits that the communists' overarching goal is not to seize power or corrupt the youth, but to debase our own currency and thus destroy our way of life. Some parallels to "Your Fight's on the Home Front!" (discussed later on). The artwork is nice and the narrative is done pretty well. Very rare, not previously imaged online.

If the Devil Would Talk (click to view)

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1950)
Scan source: Comic Book Plus (comicbookplus.com)

A lengthy critique of secularism. Communism and the Soviet regime are not mentioned per se; it's the devil himself who's pulling the strings. That said, the message is clear: godlessness brings about tyrants who wish to control every aspect of your life. Clean, expressive artwork that's several notches above "Blood is the Harvest" (another 1950 comic book by the same publisher). The story itself could be more gripping. Another rarity with only a handful copies known.

Is This Tomorrow: America Under Communism! (click to view) ⭐⭐

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1947)
Scan source: Comic Book Plus (comicbookplus.com)

A bombastic tale of a vast Soviet conspiracy to enslave America, told as it unfolds. A pretty breathtaking narrative, told far more skillfully than in most other anti-communist comic books of the era. A real page-turner! Simple, clean illustrations by Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame. Many parallels to contemporary conservative talking points. Zombie-like communists on the cover. The main villain is strikingly similar to the antagonist in "America Under Socialism".

Labor Is a Partner (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1949)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

Similarly to "America Under Socialism", this lengthy, well-drawn comic book questions the concept of an inherent class struggle between labor and capital. More of a polemic than a story, but it's done pretty well. Notable for taking jabs both at communists and at the capitalists who "confuse something good with the evil of communism". Exceedingly rare, not previously imaged online.

The Christophers (click to view)

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1951)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A self-titled pamphlet published by a nascent US-based Catholic organization. The pamphlet's primary purpose is to explain the group's philosophy; that said, the book uses the spectre of communism (and godlessness) as a prominent narrative element. Some parallels to "If the Devil Would Talk". Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler make appearances; so does Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, and emperor Nero. Fairly decent artwork with some meme-worthy panels. Not previously imaged online.

The Plot to Steal the World (click to view) 💩

Publisher: Work & Unity Group (1948)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A cautionary tale of a global communist conspiracy to infiltrate the American workforce. Another attempt to drive a wedge between union labor and socialists. Fairly stereotypical, done better in "America Under Socialism" and "Is This Tomorrow"; one new element is the inclusion of several (clumsy) defenses of capital. Communists appear ugly and disfigured; one of the bad guys has glowing red eyes. Leans too heavily on metaphors. Features real-life J. Edgar Hoover. Not previously imaged online.

The Sad Case of Waiting-Room Willie (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: American Visuals Corporation (1949)
Scan source: US National Archives / Harry S. Truman Library (archives.gov)

A comic book comissioned by the Baltimore City Medical Society. It doesn't feature any "real" communists; instead, it's a call to action against socialized medicine. It presents the case of "Waiting-Room Willie", an everyman who votes for "socialistic" policies, only to come to his senses when an ailment strikes. Drawn by Will Eisner, a noted American illustrator. Very rare. The scans ended up in the presidential records as an attachment to this letter sent in 1950.

The Story Behind Your Liberty! (click to view)

Publisher: National Association of Manufacturers (1952)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A simplistic retelling of the revolutionary history of the US. Stalin crops up on the last page, in a manner somewhat similar to "Fight for Freedom" (a pamphlet from the same publisher released several years prior). Short and not particularly memorable. Dynamic artwork is the strongest aspect of the book. Not previously imaged online.

Watch Out for Big Talk (click to view)

Publisher: National Association of Manufacturers (1950)
Scan source: Comic Book Plus (comicbookplus.com)

Another cautionary tale about entitlements; it pulls no punches, with Hitler cropping up by the time you get to page 3. This worker-centric booklet appeals to the spirit of free enterprise and contrasts it with the horrors of planned economies. A well-done production by Dan Barry, a noted cartoonist of Flash Gordon fame.

Your Fight's on the Home Front! / Inflation is Your Fight! (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: National Association of Manufacturers (1951)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

Notionally a warning against inflation. Communism is not explicitly featured, but heavily implied; the villains are regulation and entitlements. A remarkable publication, in part because of how its prescriptions differ from the views of modern-day fiscal conservatives. Excellent artwork, once again by Dan Barry. Not previously imaged online. See this dedicated page for more.

Theme 2: Communist Atrocities Abroad

America Menaced! (click to view)

Publisher: Vital Publications (1950)
Scan source: Rutgers University Libraries (njdigitalhighway.org)

Nicely drawn but unlikely to sweep you off your feet. This comic book tries to contrast the liberties enjoyed in the United States with a vision of life under communism. It suffers from being too abstract; are we looking at Russia, at Nazi Germany, or at alt-history America? And why does it change focus halfway through, pivoting to how "big business saves women's lives"? We'll never know. Check out "Double Talk" (below) for a more grounded, Soviet-tinted take on the same theme.

Blood is the Harvest (click to view)

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1950)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A true story of Pavlik Morozov, a kid who ratted out his parents to the secret police and became a state-sanctioned martyr of the Soviet Union. A unique slow-burn comic, powerful cover art. The remaining artwork is rather bland, with a limited color palette and little dynamism: everyone is just standing there. Deserves a 💩 rating for artwork and a ⭐ for its unusual subject matter. Let's just say it cancels out.

Very rare, only a handful copies known. Not previously imaged on the internet. Also see this dedicated page.

Double Talk (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: Christian Anti-Communism Crusade (1962)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A series of heavy-handed vignettes that contrast the common-sense meaning of certain phrases with their use in the political rhetoric of the Soviet Union. The comic appears to be a refinement of "Two Faces of Communism", an earlier pamphlet by the same publisher (scans below). The artwork is better than the story. Another rarity with no previous scans known.

Fight for Freedom (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: National Association of Manufacturers (1949)
Scan source: Hagley Digital Archives (digital.hagley.org)

Purports to be a general history of struggles for liberty. What makes it unique is that the authors attribute a wide range of societal collapses to socialism: they start in antiquity and continue all the way to modernity. Stalin makes an obligatory appearance toward the end, but the Soviet regime doesn't get nearly as much airtime as in most other books. Top-notch artwork with complex composition and lots of background detail; drawn by Dan Barry.

It's Time For Reason... Not Treason! (click to view)

Publisher: Liberty Lobby (1967)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

An industrialist is considering doing business in Czechoslovakia; he realizes the error of his way when his nephew is killed in Vietnam. A short and middling pamphlet published in response to growing anti-war and pro-Soviet sentiments in the US. The comic itself is in no way scandalous, its publisher - Willis Carto - later gained notoriety for supporting anti-Semitic and white supremacist causes. Hard to find, not previously imaged online.

Journey Into Mystery #80: Propaganda (click to view) 💩

Publisher: Marvel (1962)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A rather turgid story: generic communist villains try to indoctrinate the tribes of Africa, only to be... devoured by the Old Gods. Half a denouncement of communism, half a paranormal horror story. The most notable thing about it was that it was published by Marvel before they embraced the superhero schtick.

Korea My Home (click to view)

Publisher: Johnstone and Cushing (1950)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A rarity published by an obscure company otherwise known only for non-political giveaways such as "Outboard Fishing: How To Catch More Fish With Your Evinrude Motor". It appears that the comic was commissioned by the US Department of State, and printed mostly in "Asian languages" for distribution overseas; the fact is mentioned in the official Congressional record. As for the plot itself: it's a fairly generic tale of a rural settlement terrorized by communists. Strong parallels to "Blood is the Harvest", except made up. The English-language version is nearly impossible to find.

Men's Adventures #20: Communist! (click to view) 💩

Publisher: Comic Combine Corp. (1953)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

Another low-brow story that ran in "Men's Adventures", one of countless pulp monthlies of the era. It purports to offer a glimpse of the mindset of a communist soldier in North Korea. Another of a small handful of anti-communist publications focused on Asia, but a profoundly disappointing one: it portrays North Koreans as cowardly simpletons. The artwork is mediocre, too. Not previously available online. Some interesting period ads accompany the scans.

Red Victim: The Story of Bishop Walsh (click to view)

Publisher: George Pflaum (1963)
Scan source: Catholic University of America (libraries.catholic.edu)

"Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact" was a long-running series of comic books distributed to private schools across the US. It provided a mix of wholesome humor, basic religious instruction, and practical knowledge. In 1963, the series included a recurring feature titled "Red Victim", telling the largely true story of a Catholic missionary among the (stereotypically savage) tribes of China. The climax is the clergyman's show trial and imprisonment at the hands of the country's newly-minted Maoist government. A slow-burn, low-key tale similar to "Blood is the Harvest". Notable for its focus on Chinese communism. Also see "What About Red China?", below.

The Red Iceberg (click to view)

Publisher: Impact Publications (1960)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

Another text-heavy catalog of the techniques of communist infiltration. Muddied and derivative, although interestingly, told through the prism of real espionage investigations on US soil. What's equally interesting is that the comic doubles as a defense of the House Un-American Activities Committee and J. Edgar Hoover. The cover is fairly remarkable; the remaining artwork is decent but cluttered with too much text. The iceberg trope overstays its welcome. Rare and not previously imaged online.

The Truth Behind the Trial of Cardinal Mindszenty (click to view)

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1949)
Scan source: Comic Book Plus (comicbookplus.com)

A generally true story of a Hungarian clergyman imprisoned for opposing communism. Similarly to "Blood is the Harvest", it takes an intimate approach to the subject matter instead of trying to expose vast conspiracies (although it spends some time deconstructing the motives of the Party). Simple, uninspiring artwork, a notch better than in "Blood is the Harvest". The story is easy to follow. Also compare to "Red Victim".

This Godless Communism (click to view) ⭐⭐

Publisher: George Pflaum (1961)
Scan source: Catholic University of America (libraries.catholic.edu)

Another series of shorts published in the "Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact". After an over-the-top opening episode, the focus is on retelling the history of the USSR. Considerably more engaging and a bit less preachy than the "Red Victim". With above-average artwork and writing, it's definitely worth a skim!

Threat to Freedom (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: Standard Publishing Co. (1965)
Scan source: Comics With Problems (ep.tc/problems)

A fairly comprehensive overview of the history of the Soviet communist regime, from the Bolshevik revolution to the death of Stalin. Longer and better-researched than most, and definitely notable for this reason alone. Simple, clean artwork that gets the point across. Extremely rare.

Topix vol. 10 #11: Zones of Silence (click to view)

Publisher: Catechetical Guild Educational Society (1951)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

"Topix" was a Catholic youth publication similar to "Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact", although leaning more heavily into Biblical themes. In one of their 1951 issues, they ran a story of Hermann Flade - a real-world kid sentenced to death by the communist regime in East Germany for distributing anti-communist leaflets. His sentence was later commuted to fifteen years in prison. The comic is short and not particularly gripping, but it deals with an interesting historical incident.

What About Red China? (click to view)

Publisher: George Pflaum (1962)
Scan source: Catholic University of America (libraries.catholic.edu)

Published in the "Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact" a year before the better-known "Red Victim" (see above), this short story provided a broader historical sketch of Chinese communism and introduced the character of a China-bound missionary that became the focus of the latter story. Fairly well-drawn.

Yalta to Korea (click to view) ⭐

Publisher: Republican National Committee (1952)
Scan source: own collection 🔍

A rare, notable pamphlet published by the Republican Party. Instead of trying to convince the reader that communism is bad, it criticizes the policy of appeasement pursued by the Democratic administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. The campaign's focus worked pretty well, with Eisenhower scoring a decisive victory.