The Terrifying Torture Tech of Timely Comics!
As we drift through the peaceful days of the Christmas season, it’s time to pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, sit back in a cozy recliner, and watch the gently falling snow as you contemplate leering, sub-human Axis agents subjecting the assorted girl Fridays and boy sidekicks of World War II superheroes to extravagant torture devices.
That’s right…we’re taking a break from decking the halls to examine the gruesome torture chambers that were a common fixture of World War II comic book covers, particularly those of Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. As everyone knows, the United States focused its full attention on beating the combined aggression of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy following our 1941 entry into WWII. That meant that every aspect of American life was geared toward that end, including the covers of superhero comic books. As a result, the former threats of gangsters or crooked union bosses soon made way for superheroes pounding the stuffing out of depraved (often sub-human) Axis forces and their terrifying array of death machines.
Though human decency (and possibly the Geneva Convention) prevents me from featuring every Nazi gulag gizmo or Japanese doohickey of depravity, the following covers should give you at least some idea of what our costumed champions and their hapless supporting cast members were up against.
WARNING and DISCLAIMER department: If you’re the squeamish type or one of those sensitive souls who feel bad for Guantanamo inmates getting a little water splashed on ‘em, these covers probably aren’t for you. Another thing to keep in mind is that I don’t in any way endorse the racial stereotyping that appeared in WWII era comics, so let’s not go there.
Now, before we get too far into the sadistic specifics, let’s first take a look at Marvel Mystery Comics #28 for the standard features of a comic book torture chamber:
A. A Damsel and/or Sidekick in Distress.
B. Easily identified bad guys, often broken into groups of:
(1) Active torture participants or
(2) A gallery of amused/perplexed/outraged observers.
Extra points for hoods or robes.
C. Conveniently labeled torture devices or harmful substances.
D. A hero breaking in at the last possible moment to stop said
torture devices or harmful substances.
E. Arrogant overlord figure outraged over the hero’s intrusion.
F. Random, poorly-aimed gunfire.
Of course, each cover varied in their use of these common features…and sometimes added variations of their own…