William W. Savage Jr.

Much of the popular culture in the 1930s was escapistrather than addressing current social issues, much of popular entertainment was intended to take people's minds off the economic hardships caused by the Great Depression. Comic books, which emerged in the late 1930s and featured fantastical heroes and stories, became synonymous with escapist entertainment.

In contrast to the complex and controversial issues surrounding the Great Depression, the outbreak of World War II united Americans in opposition to a common enemy. Comic book publishers seized upon the national mood and created heroes, such as Captain America, that reflected the newfound patriotism. Superhero comics changed their focus from crimefighting to war stories, but retained their escapist nature. Allied heroes and Axis villains were almost always portrayed in black and white terms...