12 Shocking Real-Life Incidents That Affected Comics
7. The Comics Code Authority Refuses To Approve Amazing Spider-man #96-98
Good old Stan the Man - or should he be known as The Codebuster? In 1971 Lee was asked by the U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to create a story that tackled the escalating dangers of drugs. The resulting Green Goblin Reborn! story arc saw Peter helping Harry come down from a bad trip and became the first mainstream comic to depict drug use. Because the Code forbade showing the use of drugs - even in a negative context, - it refused to give the comic its all-important seal of approval. Lee was unmoved, and felt because of the importance of the subject matter that Marvel should go ahead and publish the story without the seal. Fortunately Marvels publisher Martin Goodman agreed with him, and the arc went on to be one of the most significant stories ever published. Furthermore, the success of the story brought about a relaxing of the codes policy towards negative drug use, allowing for legendary stories such as Denny ONeill and Neal Adamss seminal Green Lantern/Green Arrow tale Snowbirds Dont Fly to be told.
As well as the odd article, I apply my "special mind" to scriptwriting for Comics, Films and Games... Oh and I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flow'rs, I put on women's clothing, and hang around in bars.
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