SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On a lively day at Lecho Lopez’s comic shop, his 5-year-old nephew read his first word aloud: “bad.” Ironically, it popped up in a graphic novel. Lopez believes comics have enriched his life, which is why he advocates for repealing an outdated city law from 1949 that restricts comic distribution to kids and teens. Although this law is rarely enforced today, he thinks it should go.
Lopez, who sports a Superman tattoo, said, “It’s a silly law. A lot of good things come from comic books.” Recently, a City Council committee voted unanimously to move forward with the repeal and recognize the third week of September as “Sacramento Comic Book Week.” The ban targets comic books that portray serious crimes, like murder or arson, preventing those stories from reaching anyone under 18.
Historically, fears about comic books blossomed in the mid-20th century. Concerns arose that comics could lead to illiteracy or even spark crime. Various cities implemented regulations to protect youth, but over time, many of these laws fell out of practice. Advocates for the repeal argue that it’s essential to reflect the real benefits of comics, especially amid a recent wave of book bans across the nation.
Local comic book author Eben Burgoon has been a vocal supporter of this repeal. He launched a petition with the belief that comics “speak truth to power.” He added that outdated laws create an environment where harmful practices could threaten the comic medium.
Sacramento has a thriving comic community, evident in events like CrockerCon, which showcases local talent. Sam Helmick, from the American Library Association, echoed the need for change, saying there’s “no good reason” for the ban, highlighting its contradiction to modern First Amendment values.
Jeff Trexler, from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, pointed to historical patterns in U.S. media censorship. He noted that every new medium, whether it be films or comics, faced similar backlash. In fact, a California Supreme Court ruling in 1959 deemed a similar ban unconstitutional due to its broad reach.
While specific research linking comics to violence is scant, psychologist Christopher Ferguson emphasizes that studies on other media forms have not shown any significant rise in aggression or violent behavior among youth.
In discussing the merits of comic books, Lopez shared how they shaped his own life. His mother introduced him to comics at age 9, which helped improve his reading skills, especially as someone with dyslexia. He believes comics can provide positive messages despite containing violence.
“Comics help make imaginative thinkers,” Burgoon stated. “They don’t cause societal harm.”
Overall, the movement to repeal Sacramento’s comic book ban signifies a shift toward recognizing the valuable role of comics as not just entertainment but as a medium that educates, inspires, and nurtures imagination.
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Animation and comics, California, Sacramento, General news, Local News for Apple, Benjamin Morse, Eben Burgoon, U.S. news, Jeff Trexler, Entertainment, Christopher Ferguson
