Problems of CCA

Among the other comics, Crime Suspenstories is one of the comics that influenced the creation of the comics code authority the most. I think the reason why this particular comic influenced the creation of the code is not only due to the violence, crimes and sexuality involved in the story, but also due to the powerful closure that involves the readers’ imagination. For example, the comic really engages the readers by using the text like, “What would you do if you were me and looked like this! Yes… That’s what I’m going to do, too!” (Gaines et al, 102). This speech balloon allows readers to identify with the character and to imagine the following actions that the character will take, such as committing a suicide, becoming a serial killer or even turning himself in. 

However, I find it more problematic if this comic is rewritten so that the evil guy surrenders himself to the police, and he goes through the trials and gets prosecuted. First, this will limit the creation of an effective closure, as the story will be flat with the obvious ending. Next, if the character gets prosecuted and repents himself, I think that the readers will be more emphatic towards the evil person, and the readers will be more understanding of the crimes that the antagonist has committed. On the other hand, if the process of execution is not shown and the story ends open-ended, the readers will more likely feel contempt towards the antagonist and his acts. Therefore, this example points out how the ambiguity of the code makes the code to be self-contradictory.