Panic (1954) 1-12

Someone, somewhere, has decided today is International Panic Day.

Why June 18? Why a panic day at all? If anyone really knows, they’re not talking.

Today can be observed in one of two ways. Participants can opt for just what the day calls for and have a full-blown meltdown. Or, just the opposite, relax, compose and be calm.

Rather than put a single face to the non-holiday, we’re going to recognize Bill Gaines, Al Feldstein and the talent behind the bi-monthly Panic comic book.

Gaines is better known as the publisher of MAD Magazine. The younger Gaines was heir to one of the original founders of comic books, Max Gaines. His brainstorm of packaging and selling comic books on newsstands in 1933 led to the industry we know today.

Panic (1954) 1-12

Bill inherited his father’s empire after Max’s untimely death. EC Comics reinvented itself becoming known for publishing horror and crime fiction, satire, military fiction, dark fantasy and science fiction.

A witch hunt neutered the comic book industry in the mid-1950s leading to the end of Bill’s Entertaining Comics line. MAD began as a comic book, running 25 issues, before converting to magazine format and removing it from scrutiny.

So popular was Mad as a comic book, Bill chose to imitate his own product with a clone of sorts. While Harvey Kurtzman oversaw Mad, Panic became Feldstein’s project.

On the eve of a Senate investigation into the comic book industry, Bill allowed the birth of Panic. Its first issue raised more than eyebrows as the parody of The Night Before Christmas caused sale of the title to be banned in the state of Massachusetts.

Another point of contention in the first issue was the depiction of a transvestite. The New York Police raided EC’s offices and arrested Lyle Stuart for the trespass. He was later released and no charges were ever filed.

Panic became one of the many casualties of the day. A Senate Subcommittee led an investigation into the morality of comic books as presented to children. Rather than deal with any subsequent rulings, the industry chose to begin a self-policing campaign of its own courtesy of the Comics Code Authority.

The Code was in effect from 1954 through January of 2011 when Archie Comics discontinued submitting material for approval.

Either seize the day or hide from it; your choice.

If you like, go back in time with us to one of our early posts looking at Panic number one as a Christmas issue.