Buzz
In 1954, psychologist Fredric Wertham authored a provocative book titled Seduction of the Innocent. Contrary to what the title might suggest, it wasn’t a romantic or erotic story. Instead, it was a critical examination of comic books, which Wertham argued posed a serious threat to the mental well-being of young readers. He accused these publications of promoting violence and sexual content, claiming they contributed to juvenile delinquency. When his arguments lacked solid evidence, he manipulated facts to support his claims.
Although his accusations were largely unfounded, they sparked widespread concern among parents, educators, and lawmakers. This led to the comic book industry adopting a self-regulatory approach, with publishers submitting their works for approval by the Comics Code Authority (CCA). The CCA was established in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America to ensure content met specific moral standards.
Interestingly, even after the industry moved away from mandatory compliance with the CCA, major publishers like Marvel Comics and DC Comics chose to continue self-censoring their titles to avoid controversy.
The comics featured on this list were considered too controversial for publication, leading their publishers to censor or alter their content to meet societal expectations.
10. King Conan
In the second issue of Volume 2 of Marvel Comics’ King Conan (2022), a new character named Matoaka is introduced. Her revealing attire—a brass bra, breechcloth, and neck rings—sparked outrage among Native American communities. Critics argued that the portrayal not only sexualized Powhatan’s daughter but also misappropriated Native American culture. Historically, Matoaka was the personal name of Pocahontas, while the latter was a nickname.
Jason Aaron, the comic’s editor, issued a public apology for the depiction of Matoaka. As a gesture of accountability, he pledged to donate his earnings from the controversial issue to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. He also assured readers that the character’s name and design would be revised in future installments, digital versions, and collected editions.
9. DC Giant-Sized Superman
Walmart secured an exclusive deal with DC Comics to distribute reprints of classic stories, including those featured in DC’s Giant-Sized Superman, issues 9 and 10 (2018–2019). However, to align with its customer base, Walmart requested alterations to the original artwork by the late Michael Turner, deeming some of the female characters’ outfits too revealing.
In one instance, Artemis’s thong-style bodysuit, which appeared to be made of latex in an issue of Superman/Batman, was modified to cover her hips, lower buttocks, and upper thighs. Similarly, in a reprint of Supergirl from Krypton, Superman is shown choking Artemis. While the choking scene remained in the censored version, Artemis’s original outfit was altered, with additional material added to cover more of her upper thighs.
8. Heroes in Crisis
While choking scenes were deemed acceptable, the portrayal of a dying villain bleeding on the floor sparked controversy. On the cover of issue 7 of the Heroes in Crisis series (2019), Poison Ivy is depicted lying on a mat, bleeding from her head and a slashed wrist. After the image was leaked online, DC Comics decided to revise the cover, as some critics argued that Poison Ivy’s depiction was overly sexualized.
The exposed cleavage was considered inappropriate, but the bleeding was not. In the revised artwork, Poison Ivy’s costume was extended to cover her chest. Interestingly, her iconic green outfit was changed to blue, and the floor mat was removed. The blood near her head was hidden by her hair, and the blood around her wrist was altered to resemble a red ribbon.
7. Miracleman
The debut issue of Miracleman (2014) underwent revisions after Alan Moore assumed writing responsibilities in 1982, reimagining the protagonist as an antihero entangled in darker storylines. When Marvel Comics acquired the rights in 2009, the editor announced plans to modify the digital version of the comic.
Ultimately, two editions were published: the original and a censored version. The uncensored version, labeled Miracleman: Parental Advisory Edition #1 (2014), was restricted to readers aged 17 and older. The controversy stemmed from a scene featuring a character’s exposed buttocks, which was later covered with underpants in the censored release.
6. Spider-Woman
Milo Manara, a renowned illustrator known for his erotic style, created a variant cover for the 2014 issue of Spider-Woman, issue 1, which depicted the titular character in a sexualized pose. The artwork shows Spider-Woman crouched on her hands and knees, legs spread, as she peers over the edge of a skyscraper, with towering buildings in the background emphasizing the height. Her iconic costume, rendered in soft pastel shades of pink and peach, deviates from the traditional red and gold.
While her posture suggests motion, the nature of the action is open to interpretation. Many interpreted the image as overly suggestive, leading to public outcry. Marvel’s editor-in-chief, Axel Alonso, apologized, clarifying that the variant cover was intended for a limited collector’s edition. Despite the controversy, Marvel chose to retain Manara’s artwork, which was later auctioned to a collector for $37,000.
5. Batman
The debut issue of Batman: Damned (2018–2019), part of DC’s mature Black Label imprint, stunned readers with its depiction of full-frontal nudity. In one panel, Batman is shown from the waist down, his nudity partially obscured by shadows, with only faint lines hinting at his anatomy. The bold artistic choice sparked significant feedback from fans, prompting DC to conclude that nudity, even in adult-oriented comics, was inappropriate for the character.
Subsequent printings and digital versions of the issue were altered to remove any depiction of Batman’s genitals. The revised panel uses shadows to fully conceal his anatomy. DC acknowledged that censoring the image was the right decision, as the nudity did not contribute meaningfully to the story.
4. The Authority
Originally published by WildStorm, which was under AOL/Time Warner’s ownership from 1990 to 2018, The Authority often faced censorship from DC Comics. Writers Mark Millar and artist Frank Quitely introduced characters resembling DC’s iconic figures, leading to frequent revisions or replacements of panels deemed inappropriate.
One notable instance involved Apollo and Midnighter, whose implied gay relationship became explicit in issue 27 when they shared a kiss. DC likely censored this to avoid suggesting a same-gender relationship between Superman and Batman, fearing it might impact sales. Similarly, an image of the Engineer, a counterpart to the Hulk, flipping off her enemy was altered, replacing the middle finger with a British two-finger salute in the printed version.
3. Punisher
When Punisher first appeared in 1974, he was portrayed as a ruthless vigilante who took justice into his own hands. During the late 20th century, his violent methods resonated with audiences amid rising crime rates and widespread drug abuse. As a victim of crime himself, Punisher garnered sympathy. However, as societal values shifted, his brutal tactics and reliance on an M16 rifle made him a controversial figure, especially in an era increasingly critical of gun violence.
In 2021, Marvel attempted to reinvent Punisher by altering his iconic skull logo to resemble a Japanese oni, complete with horns and tusks, and by removing his reliance on firearms. These changes aimed to modernize the character, but fans remain skeptical. Francesco Cacciatore of Screen Rant argues that Marvel’s efforts to make Punisher more palatable overlook the fact that the character, as originally conceived, is fundamentally incompatible with contemporary sensibilities.
2. Dark Knights of Steel
The limited series Dark Knights of Steel (2021–2022), set in an alternate universe, weaves a intricate and tangled narrative. A key subplot involves Superman’s sister, Zala-Jor-El, seeking revenge for the assassination of her father, King Jor-El, orchestrated by Green Man under King Jefferson’s orders. Her vengeance begins with the murder of the king’s son, followed by a rampage that includes the brutal slaughter of the alternate universe’s Metal Men, showcasing her unparalleled ferocity.
One particularly gruesome scene depicts Zala-Jor-El thrusting her arm through Gold, her hand emerging bloodied from his back. To tone down the graphic violence, a sound effect, “RNNGH,” was added to obscure the bloody hand.
A similar approach is used in another panel, where a sound effect masks the sight of a ship’s spar piercing Jefferson’s abdomen. As Ben Sockol notes, Zala-Jor-El, unlike her brother Superman, has no qualms about using extreme violence to achieve her vengeful goals.
1. Batman/Catwoman
The cover of issue 7 of Batman/Catwoman (2021) sparked controversy for its graphic portrayal of Batman’s bloodied face and hands. In the image, Batman stands amidst a chaotic scene, gripping an unconscious riot-gear-clad officer by the collar, his expression filled with rage. Behind him, a heap of battered and unconscious officers creates a stark contrast against Batman’s dark silhouette, with his crimson-stained hands and face adding to the dramatic tension.
Surprisingly, the revised cover appears even more striking than the original. While the composition remains unchanged, the blood on Batman’s face and hands is less extensive, giving the impression of a mask and gloves. This alteration makes his features and hands more visible, emphasizing his humanity rather than portraying him as a faceless, vengeful figure.
In the original artwork, the unconscious officer lifted by Batman and his fellow officers were free of bloodstains. However, the censored version shows the officer and his comrades splattered with blood, highlighting their vulnerability and humanity. This change transforms the image into a more poignant and sympathetic depiction, revealing the human side of both Batman and the fallen officers beneath their iconic attire.
