Colossal Features Magazine: “Classic ‘Women in Prison’ Cover”

Prison Break! (1951) #2 Wally Wood cover

During the Golden Age of comic books, which roughly spanned from the late 1930s to the early 1950s, the medium saw a rich exploration of various genres and themes, including crime and romance. Within these genres, sub-genres emerged and are sometimes designated as Classic Covers by CGC, industry-recognized as excellent examples of its kind. These encompassed a wide range, from “Classic ‘fish in face’ covers” and “injury to eye covers” to “Lingerie covers” and “Classic Flag covers.” One of the more peculiar sub-genres that emerged was the “women in prison” theme.

In fact, for a brief period, entire comic series were dedicated to this theme:

• Crimes by Women (Fox) ran for 15 issues from 1948 to 1951.
• Women Outlaws (Fox) had 8 issues between 1948 and 1949.
• Prison Break! (Avon) published 5 issues from 1951 to 1952.

I’ve featured my copy of Colossal Features Magazine #3 from September 1950, with its Wally Wood cover.

The “women in prison” theme extended beyond comics into Hollywood, where films like “Girls on Probation” (1938), “Girls in Chains” (1943), “So Young So Bad” (1950), “Women’s Prison” (1955), and “Reform School Girl” (1957) further explored (or exploited) the concept. These films and comics of the 1940s and 1950s delved into various aspects of incarceration and life behind bars, often featuring female protagonists facing dramatic and sensationalized situations. These works typically blended elements of crime, drama, romance, and, in some cases, exploitation.

“A new whirl for Bugsie” Colossal Features Magazine #3 (1950)

The portrayal of women in prison in these comics was often exaggerated and sensationalized to cater to the tastes of the time. While these themes can appear strange by today’s standards, viewed within the historical context of the medium’s evolution these comics reflect societal attitudes and interests during that era. Some of which included:

1. Sensationalism and Exploitation: Comics of the Golden Age frequently employed sensationalism and exploitation to attract readers. Stories featuring women in prison allowed for the inclusion of titillating and scandalous elements, such as scantily clad women, violence, and intrigue, which helped sell comics.
2. Popularity of Crime Stories: Crime comics were immensely popular during the Golden Age, and prison settings naturally fit within this genre. Writers and publishers were always seeking new angles and settings to explore in their crime stories, and women’s prisons provided a unique backdrop.
3. Social Morality and Conformity: The Golden Age was marked by strict adherence to social norms and morality, and comics often reflected these values. Stories featuring women in prison could serve as cautionary tales, warning against the consequences of deviating from societal norms.
4. Male Readership: The primary target audience for comics during the Golden Age was young boys, and publishers believed that stories involving women in prison would appeal to this demographic’s sense of adventure and curiosity about taboo subjects.
5. Censorship and Regulation: The comic book industry faced increasing scrutiny and regulation during the 1950s, leading to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority in 1954. This code imposed strict guidelines on comic content, including depictions of crime, violence, and sexuality. Before these regulations were in place, comics publishers often pushed boundaries to attract readers, including using women in prison themes.  Subsequently, The Comics Code Authority (CCA) restrictions on comic book content led to a decline in the more explicit and sensational elements found in earlier crime, romance, and horror comics.