Comics and Conflict: Patriotism and Propaganda from WWII through Operation Iraqi Freedom is a 2014 non‑fiction book authored by American scholar Cord A. Scott and published by the Naval Institute Press. The work examines the role of comic books in the United States as instruments of wartime propaganda and expressions of patriotism, tracing their evolution from World War II through the Iraq War.
Publication details
- Author: Cord A. Scott
- Language: English
- Publisher: Naval Institute Press (United States)
- Publication year: 2014
- Format: Print, 198 pages
- ISBN: 978‑1612514772
- OCLC: 859385275
The book originated from Scott’s 2011 doctoral dissertation, Comics and Conflict: War and Patriotically Themed Comics in American Cultural History. The dissertation was later expanded and revised for publication.
Content overview
Scott argues that American comic books have functioned repeatedly as a medium for disseminating governmental and popular narratives during periods of conflict. By analysing titles such as Captain America, Sgt. Rock, and later post‑9/11 series, the author demonstrates how comics:
- Served as morale‑boosting propaganda during World War II, often depicting Allied forces in idealized terms.
- Reflected shifting cultural attitudes during the Cold War, the Vietnam era, and subsequent conflicts.
- Adapted to contemporary geopolitical contexts, including the post‑9/11 “War on Terror” and the Iraq War, sometimes reinforcing patriotic rhetoric and at other times presenting more critical perspectives.
The study situates comics within broader media and cultural‑history scholarship, emphasizing their visual rhetoric and mass‑audience reach.
Reception
Comics and Conflict received reviews in several academic and professional venues:
- History: Reviews of New Books (2016) highlighted the book’s thorough archival research and contribution to the study of visual propaganda.
- Military Review (2015) noted its value for scholars of military history and cultural studies.
- The American Historical Review (2015) observed that the work closely mirrors Scott’s earlier dissertation, reproducing its structure and language, while still offering a useful synthesis for readers unfamiliar with the dissertation.
- Media, War & Conflict (2018) praised the book’s chronological overview, especially its documentation of the overwhelmingly patriotic tone of U.S. war comics during and immediately after World War II.
Significance
The book is cited as a reference point for interdisciplinary research on the intersection of popular culture, visual media, and warfare. It contributes to the understanding of how entertainment media can both reflect and shape public sentiment during times of conflict.
References
- Scott, Cord A. Comics and Conflict: Patriotism and Propaganda from WWII through Operation Iraqi Freedom. Naval Institute Press, 2014.
- Reviews in History: Reviews of New Books (44 (3): 86–87, 2016); Military Review (95 (5), 2015); The American Historical Review (120 (5): 1919–1920, 2015); Media, War & Conflict (11 (2): 282–286, 2018).