Whatever Happened to the F&*@ing CCA?
A great question was raised by Pulp-Head SuperBoy Prime in this thread: Whatever happened to the Comics Code Authority?
We probably all remember the seal on the covers from our youths... For those of you who don't, the CCA functioned similar to the ratings associations for motion pictures, records, games, etc, except with the large difference that they didn't give out ratings: They either approved, or they didn't.
So why don't we see the seal anymore? The very simple reason is, to have a seal from the CCA on your book, you have to submit the book. And nobody submits their books. Seriously.
The sole exceptions are Archie Comics, and DC, and I don't think I've seen the Comics Code seal on any DC book other than a Johnny DC title in a very, very, long time.
The immediate question of course becomes, if the CCA is only approving books that are very obviously for kids anyway, what use is it? None, really; Archie and Johnny DC aren't going to publish objectionable content, as a matter of course; and since no-one knows what the seal is anymore, and it's not a universal standard, it's not an indication to the casual buyer that there's any sort of quality control going on. The CCA Seal is as meaningless to the average consumer as a bar code.
This leads me to two conclusions:
1) Get rid of the CCA forever.
2) Actually implement a comic book rating system.
And oh man, is number 2 a can of worms. I'll certainly weigh in later, but what do you guys think? Get rid of the CCA? Establish a comic book ratings system? A third option?
- Alex
Great Post, Alex
I think we need a CCA to the point were people don't see some guys head laying in a toliet bowl in a comic book [that was shown in an add a few years back for a game in the MK FF book]
Hey, I brought it up, not underware boy!
Please, please. You're both very special, and I love you both equally.
Why thank you.
It Feels Good To Be Loved
With the internet, all rating systems should go the way of the dinosaur. The rating systems attempt to aid neglectful parents, whose role it is to bring up children responsibly. The industries are not set up to aid neglectful parents in this way and they should not attempt to do so.
I think this is an excellent point. The CCA is something that I remember VERY vaguely. If it's not of use, then just retire it all together. But SOME rating system needs to be made. I want my kid to be into Comics, I plan on brainwashing him. But with so many new books out there I need to know what's appropriate for him and what's not.
Guess I'll have to buy it and then read it myself first. But what's to stop him from buying it himself when he can walk to the comic book store?
But I guess it can be a double edged sword too. Cause you always look/read into something more when your not SUPPOSE to have it. Tough call either way.
I totally forgot about the CCA! I mean, I never really cared, but I do remember it. Since I never noticed that it disappeared, I guess I could say that it would be fine to do away with it. Seems superfluous.
However (and I'm not a parent), is there any mechanism in place to keep my (completely fictional) kid from walking into a comic store and buying Preacher?
(if we're getting rid of the CCA can we toss out the MPAA, too? That would be excellent!)