Polite Dissent

Once again, Wolfie learns the hard way not to move in on Buzzy’s girl. Poor Wolfie. Sure, he’s a jerk, but he has some of the worst luck in comics.

Or does he? I think this scenario was really a plot by Buzzy and Susie:

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was found in Adventure Comics #154 as well as the other DC comics from July 1950. The ad was written by Jack Schiff, with art by Bob Oksner.

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At exactly what point is a joke considered overdone and beaten into the ground? (Is there a committee that votes on stuff like that? Can I get on this committee?)

Another Buzzy public service ad from 1950s DC comics, this one — as the title suggests — is about choosing a career (and you want to be a social worker, right? Oh, c’mon, it’s a great job. Really. Promise. Cross my heart. please?)

If only it were as easy to convince people of your point of view in the real world as it seems to be in Buzzy’s world.

It seems rather ironic that in a public service ad in a comic book, drawing = loafing

The Adventures of Jim Halley: Career Counselor For Hire. How was this never a comic book? If Mr. District Attorney or Sue and Sally Smith, Flying Nurses can be published, then so can this.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was found Adventure Comics #188, and can be found in other DC comics from May 1953. This ad was written by prolific PSA penner Jack Schiff, with art by persistent PSA-partner Win Mortimer.

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Since today is the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin publishing his most famous work, On the Origin of Species, I thought that natural science would be the perfect subject for tonight’s public service ad.

Unsurprisingly, DC comics published no evolution themed PSAs in the ’50s and ’60s. I did manage to find some interesting science PSAs (or more correctly, SCIENCE! PSAs), speculating about the future from a 1950s perspective, but they didn’t really fit the theme I had in mind.

I also came across this Buzzy nature PSA, and I think it’ll do just fine.

As a bonus, the PSA features birds. Sure, they’re no Galapagos finches, but it’s a start.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was found Action Comics #182, and can be found in other DC comics from July 1953. This ad was written by Jack Schiff, with art by Win Mortimer.

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In this public service ad, Binky’s younger Allergy and his friends ponder the future — the far, far distant future — of 1976.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA is found in DC comics from June 1956. The writer, as always, was Jack Schiff. Art by Win Mortimer.

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With Veteran’s Day tomorrow, I looked hard to find a public service ad that discussed veterans. I was truly surprised that with all the public service ads DC produced in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, there don’t seem to be any about veterans — or the armed forces at all. This PSA, from April 1950, was the closest thing I could find because it at least includes a scene set in a veteran’s cemetery.

The PSA’s actual theme is tolerance for all religions — which is certainly a sound concept, but I would’ve liked it better had it acknowledged religions other than Christianity and Judaism — or taken it one step further and at least mentioned other options such as atheism. But I suspect that would have been a little too progressive for a 1950s mainstream comic book.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was found Adventure Comics #151, and can be found in other DC comics from April 1950. This ad was written by Jack Schiff, with art by Al Plastino.

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Buzzy is back, along with his girlfriend Susie and his macrocephalic friend Wolfie in this comic book public service ad. As usual, Wolfie is up to no good — though this time it’s his driving ability that is in question rather than his personal skills.

Knowing Wolfie as well as Buzzy does, why would he think getting in a car with him would be a good idea? Especially since seat belts weren’t a standard feature back in 1953.

Click on the image for the full ad
Doesn’t “jalopy” only have one “p” in it?

This PSA is found in DC comics from September 1953. As with virtually all Buzzy PSAs, this page is written by Jack Schiff with art by Win Mortimer.

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From 1944, this is an untitled wartime public service ad starring Batman and Robin…but mostly Alfred.

Like most PSAs from this era, this ad deals with recycling paper for the war effort.

If you’re not clear why, Alfred explains it well in the ad.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was found in Adventure Comics #91, published in April 1944.

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Buzzy — who seems to be DC comics resident stick-his-nose-in-other-people’s-business do-gooder — takes a moment to remind us all to be kind to our elders.

This is not the first time a comic book public service ad has addressed this issue.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA is found in DC comics from September 1951. It was written by Jack Schiff — of course — with art by Win Mortimer.

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A straight forward public service ad this week, reminding us all to eat a good breakfast every day. I really can’t argue with this: breakfast is an extremely important meal.

I do wonder if Danny skipped lunch too, or I’d think he’d have energy for basketball practice since it generally takes place after school.

I’d also not impressed by Miss Jones’ teaching skills — maybe she skipped breakfast too.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff, with art by Win Mortimer. This PSA was found in various March 1954 editions of DC comics, including Adventure Comics #198, where this ad was obtained.

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Another in the series of “stay in school” public service ads, one of the most common themes seen in the DC PSA campaign of the late ‘40s, ‘50s, and early ‘60s. Unlike later PSAs, where Buzzy is counseling other characters to stay in school, in this case it is Buzzy himself who wants to drop out.

This is probably because the ad is an early PSA, and the first featuring Buzzy that I am aware of.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff. I’ve seen the art attributed to both Bob Oksner and Graham Place. It looks more like Place’s art to me, particularly when you look at the hands, but this is well before my time and I’m no expert. This PSA was found in DC Comics from October 1949 such as Action Comics #137, where I found this ad.

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With Earth Day in just a few days, this is the perfect time for a nature-themed Public Service Ad. That this ad contains cad-supreme Wolfie is just a bonus. (Plus it features bats. Lots and lots of bats.)

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff, with art by the guy who always draws Buzzy PSAs, artist Win Mortimer. This PSA was found in Adventure Comics #158, but can be found in other DC comics from November 1950.

Another Earth Day PSA
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While I’ve published more public service ads starring Buzzy, DC’s other teen leading man Binky appeared in his share too. This one is about compromising to make things happy at home.

Seems to me that Mom and Pop screwed up, and are using fancy footwork to cover up their mistakes and suggest it’s the kids’ fault. Way to go Mom and Pop! (Once I would have meant that sarcastically, but now as a parent myself I simply stand in awe of their skillful maneuvering).

Binky’s younger brother Allergy has had the wool pulled over his eyes if he thinks his family constitutes a democracy. Another point to Mom and Pop.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff and had art by Bob Oksner, Binky’s regular artist. I came across it in Action Comics #144, but it can be found in other DC comics from May 1950. It was also reprinted as the January 1954 PSA.

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Another Buzzy public service ad, and another “Stay in School” lesson. It’s a common topic in old DC PSAs, though admittedly an important one. This one is better than most; I appreciate the “Don’t Quit When You’re Discouraged” message — I know I’ve fallen prey to that more than once.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff with art by prolific Buzzy PSA artist Win Mortimer. This PSA was found in Action Comics #167, but can be found in other DC comics from October 1954.

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Several common themes resurfaced time and again in DC Comics’ PSA ads. I’ve already mentioned the “stay-in-school” theme as well as the “United Nations” one. A third common theme is the “kids act while adults complain” theme. In these ads, the adults whine and moan and complain, but don’t actually take constructive steps; the kids, on the other hand, always decide to “act for the good of the community” by the end of the page. Today’s ad, “Know Your Community,” is a perfect example of this kind of PSA.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff with art by Win Mortimer, who not only drew all the Buzzy PSAs, but the Binky ones as well. This ad could be found in a variety of December 1953 DC Comics including Action Comics #187, the source of this scan.

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Buzzy’s back for another public service ad, and this time he’s imposing his sense of style and decorum on other students, willing or not. There will be no individuality while Buzzy is around!

Seriously, would you take fashion advice from a guy in a bowtie? (My theory: had Buzzy not intervened, Bob would have gone on to create the original grunge rock sound and made millions of dollars. Instead, he wound up penning songs for Pat Boone. Thanks for nothing, Buzzy!)

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff with art by Win Mortimer, who seemed to be the team of choice for the Buzzy PSAs. This ad could be found in a variety of February 1952 DC Comics including Action Comics #165, Batman #69, and Superboy #18.

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Since tomorrow is election day, I thought this would be a perfect public service ad for the week. I know I’ve run it before — last election day, if memory serves — but I felt it was apropos for tomorrow, especially since one candidate in particular seems a little unclear on that whole first amendment/free speech issue.

Click on the image for the full PSA

Written by Jack Schiff with art by Win Mortimer, this PSA was originally published in January 1953 DC comics including Action Comics #176, Wonder Woman #57, and World’s Finest #62. As was the case with many DC comics PSAs, it was later republished in July 1960 in a such comics as Detective Comics #281, Superboy #82, and Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #18 (where this copy is from).

Other Patriotic PSAs (more or less):
The U.S. Constitution (straightforward PSA about the Constitution)
Airboy and the Constitution (Free Speech and schools, from Airboy )
Are You a Red Dupe? (1950s anti-communist screed)

Buzzy’s back for another public service ad, and if that isn’t enough to get you excited, it’s also another of the “Gee, isn’t school swell” DC comics was so fond of putting out in the 1950s and ’60s.

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by Jack Schiff. Art once again by Win Mortimer, who as far as I can tell, drew all the Buzzy PSAs. This PSA was found in Action Comics #209, but can be found in other DC comics from October 1955 including Batman #97 (featuring “The Ballad of Batman and Robin”*), and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #8 (starring “Jimmy Olsen, Crooner” — maybe there’s a pattern here?).

* The words to the Ballad of Batman and Robin (at least according to the cover):

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Buzzy and Wolfie show up in yet another public service ad, this one from March 1951.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Buzzy, he was basically DC Comic’s answer to Archie, and he had his own comic from 1945 until 1951. He and his pal/rival Wolfie showed up in quite a few PSAs in other DC comics during that time — sort of a combination house ad/PSA. (It could be worse, at least Buzzy managed to steer clear of starring in over-the-top religious comics like Archie.)

Click on the image for the full ad

This PSA was written by, of course, Jack Schiff. Art was handled by Win Mortimer, who also handled the art on some of the later Buzzy stories (and a few were written by Jack Schiff as well). This PSA was scanned from Action Comics #154 but can also be found is such comics as Detective Comics #169, Superboy #13 and Wonder Woman #46.

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Fed up with always being overshadowed by fellow DC comics hipster Buzzy, Binky finally makes an appearance in a PSA — though he’s basically a passive observer, with Tim and nameless-grocery-delivery-boy getting the attention.

Click on the image to the right for the full ad.

This is at least the second PSA with a “stay in school” theme (the other was “Not Wanted: High School Dropouts“). I guess DC Comics and the National Social Welfare Assembly felt that this was a major problem among comic book readers in the ’50s and ’60s.

This particular PSA is from The Brave and the Bold #20, though it can be found in other DC comics from October 1958. It’s actually the second go around of this PSA, which first appeared in some October 1951 comics. It was printed yet a third time, in November 1966 comics. 15 years off a single PSA — that’s not too shabby. As usual, the script is by Jack Schiff (of course), with Win Mortimer on pencils and inks.

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Another Monday and that means another PSA — and this week’s ad once again contains words of wisdom from our teenage pal Buzzy. Not only that, but it features the return of Buzzy’s macrocephalic friend Wolfie.

Click on the image to the right for the full ad.

This PSA appeared in a handful of DC comics from September 1954 including Adventure Comics #204, Batman #86, Detective Comics #211, Superboy #35, World’s Finest #72 and the debut issue of Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen. Like most Buzzy PSAs, the script was by Jack Schiff with Win Mortimer on the art.

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On today’s Monday PSA, we have a mystery: who swiped the kids’ money?

• Was it Jim? What secrets lurk within that sweater vest?
• Is it the kid in the striped shirt? Will he grow up to be the Goon?
• Is it the Jughead wannabe? Did anyone really wear those hats?
• Will it be one of the other two members of the club? Are they the Andrew Ridgeley and Art Garfunkel of this PSA?
• Maybe it was Buzzy? Why is he hanging around the clubhouse if he’s not a member? And what’s with the bow tie?
• How about the mysterious “Uncle Ned”? Did he really just give Jim $5?

Click on the image above for the full ad.

These mysteries and many more will be answered* if you dare read “Buzzy says ‘Be Sure of Your Facts!’”

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*More or less. Some things will always remain a mystery, like sweater vests and Jughead hats. Personally, I think Jim was a little too forgiving. He should have at least kept the popcorn for himself.

This PSA graciously provided by H of the Comic Treadmill
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I was looking for a good “Get Out the Vote” PSA since tomorrow is election day, but this was the closest I had. Written by Jack Schiff with art by Win Mortimer, this PSA was originally published in January 1953 DC comics includeing Action Comics #176, Wonder Woman #57, and World’s Finest #62. As was the case with many DC comics PSAs, it was later republished in July 1960 in a such comics as Detective Comics #281, Superboy #82, and Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #18 (where this copy is from).

(Now that I think about it, since most comics at the time were targeted at pre-teen and teen-age boys, there really wasn’t much need for a Remember to Vote PSA.)

Click on the image for the full PSA

Other Patriotic PSAs (more or less):
The U.S. Constitution (straightforward PSA about the Constitution.)
Airboy and the Constitution (Free Speech and schools, from the Airboy comic.)
Are You a Red Dupe? (1950s anti-communist screed.)

Tags: comics psa free speech buzzy

This coming Friday is the National Depression Screening Day, where physicians and other providers are urged to take an extra minute or two to screen their patients for depression.

In commemoration of the day, I thought I’d post this PSA from 1950s dealing with mental illness. (Of course, when you read the PSA you’ll realize that the “Deep Dark Secret” they’re referring too is not having a mental illness yourself, but instead having a relative who has a mental illness. I guess that actually having a mental illness is the deeper darker secret. Still, this is a pretty enlightened approach to mental illness for its time.)

Click on the image for the full PSA

I encourage anyone concerned with depression or other mental illness to talk to their primary care physician, health provider, or counselor. Feeling a little down but not sure whether it’s depression or not? I recommend the Zung Questionnaire — it’s not perfect, but I fnd that it gives a good snapshot of how a person is doing.

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I figured I’d showcase a work related PSA today as it’s Labor Day (in the U.S. at least).

Taking a break from his own title, Buzzy and his pal Wolfie swing by several other DC comics in this PSA from November, 1954 (Adventure #206, Detective Comics #213, and Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #2).

Like last week, this PSA was written by Jack Schiff, though the art this time is handled by Win Mortimer.

Discussion Questions:
1. Was it a really good idea for Mr. Green to hire a kid named “Wolfie” in the first place?
2. What will this do to Wolfie and Buzzy’s friendship?
3. Did Mrs. Brown really order the sugar, or is she just taking advantage of Buzzy’s helpful nature?
4. Do you think Mr. Green filed the proper tax forms, or is he planning on paying Buzzy and Wolfie “under the table”?

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