Comics Outside of Camp Library
During World War II, much of the popular cultural images focused on patriotism and nationalism, by reinforcing Yellow Peril imagery and stereotypes. This is evident in the images of Theodor Geisel’s Dr. Seuss propaganda images and other political cartoons. However, these sentiments are also reflected in the popular comics of the time such as Superman and the others you see below.
Captain Courageous
A figure of "oriental evil" tries to corrupt a Japanese American boy and recruit him to fight the Americans before being defeated by all-American Captain Courageous. The story pans to the boy, Niki, whose parents tell him that he must be a good American by remaining in their internment camp.
Captain Midnight
This comic follows Captain Midnight and his sidekick as they try to capture German-Japanese villain Von Togo. The internees are depicted with derogatory imagery and seen as freeloaders. A grand escape sets a precedent that the Japanese and Japanese Americans are disloyal and hateful. The rest of the comic is about the escape, betrayal, sabotage, and recapture of the escaped Japanese and Japanese American internees.Green Hornet
The cover of Green Hornet portrays in racist language and imagery, the imagined betrayal, violence, and disloyalty of Japanese Americans. It's important to note the little details that are included on this front page. The "PW" on the shoulders of the internees stands for Prisoner of War, which in this case implies that the Japanese Americans are the captured enemy. Additionally the Japanese Americans wear the Rising Sun Flag, suggesting that they are foreign operatives instead of American citizens.Little Joe
The comic strip "Little Joe" follows a sheriff on his search to find escaped Japanese American internees who are described as the "most dangerous prisoners". Little Joe makes racist comments that Japanese American internees get good treatment in the camp, and they are freeloading. Once the escaped internees are found digging ditches, Little Joe remarks that this is the treatment they deserve.
Mr. Mystic
Superman
In this comic series, Superman defeats a Japanese villain, the Sneer, and his henchmen who have infiltrated the Japanese American incarceration camps in order to facilitate a Japanese invasion of the United States.
Superman tours a Japanese American incarceration camp, where there are reports of trouble. Superman discovers a group plotting to escape the camp, and manages to fight them off. To investigate further, Superman poses as a Japanese American internee and goes "undercover" in camp. He joins a group of escapees who take him to a secret meeting house, where he confronts their leader, The Sneer. The Sneer manages to escape Superman's grasp after setting up a booby trap. Superman survives the trap and goes back home to raise awareness of the Japanese threat through newspapers. For his efforts, he is invited to participate in a parade in Chinatown by Chinese Americans. At the parade, the Sneer tries to detonate a bomb, but Superman dismantles it. The Sneer and his henchmen then kidnap Lois Lane from the parade float and attempt to throw her down a well. She is about to drown when Superman rushes in and saves her. The return to the Sneer's secret lair to learn about their plan to take over the United States. Superman stops their plans by intercepting a fleet of submarines and planes.