You know...that little, postage stamp-shaped seal indicating the comic you are holding has been certified as safe (by someone) for American readers.
For those unaware, the CCA is a relic from the days of Fredrick Wertham, an inept social crusader whose 1954 book, The Seduction of The Innocent, posited that comics encourage juvie crime - a fiction Wertham was later happy to repeat before a US Senate subcommittee along with others suggesting Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were gay lovers, and Wonder Woman a lesbian.
In response, the Senate advocated the comics industry police itself (a move Wertham felt was inadequate), prompting the creation of the CCA in 1954 - the authority of which would be strictly voluntary. However, US comic publishers who refused to carry the CCA seal risked being shunned by comic distributors who refused to move their product without it. As a result, crime and horror-themed EC titles like "Tales From The Crypt" were soon eradicated from the open market, and mainstream comics (primarily DC) reduced to bland, edgeless storytelling for 20 years on.
Due to all of the above, today Fredrick Wertham is regarded by readers and creators alike as the anti-Christ of the comic world - even though his impact on the medium is now erased. Both Marvel and DC (and all its Hollywood franchises) are still under no direct authority to follow CCA guidelines, nor are American indie and GN publishers who today ignore such "voluntary" mandates outright.
Plus, from a business stance, modern comic distributors like Diamond would be idiots to refuse to work with Marvel, DC, Image, et al., strictly due to potential content issues - which have been largely neutralized anyway by an industry ratings system covering both kid and adult audiences - of which the latter make up the bulk of comic consumers. Further still, as many comic creators today feel the age of monthly titles is waning (to be replaced by trade paperbacks and Internet distributions), the CCA becomes even less relevant than it already is.
Therefore, I repeat my standing question - why the hell does the Comics Code Authority still exist?
My answer? It shouldn't. Period.
The CCA is an Edsel rusting in the backyard, overgrown with vines and bird nests - treat it as such and call the junkman.
Riddle me this - What do the CCA and Spidey's Aunt May have in common? Both should have died ages ago.
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