EC Comics’ ‘Psychoanalysis’: A Prophetic Look at Today’s Political Madness

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1955 marked the debut of Psychoanalysis, published by EC Comics under their “New Direction” label in the comic book industry. This series, including Psychoanalysis, represented EC Comics’ response to critics who deemed their comics devoid of merit. These criticisms were largely driven by Dr. Frederic Wertham, a German psychiatrist, who testified at the 1954 senate subcommittee on juvenile delinquency. During this hearing, he successfully persuaded senators and parents that comic books were to blame for delinquent behavior. However, it’s important to note that both delinquents and non-delinquents read comics.

In my perspective, the hearings brought about a significant shift in multiple publishing houses. Faced with the choice between self-censorship or closure, they opted for survival. The EC Comics chose their path to salvation through their New Direction. They managed it successfully, not by delving into Psychoanalysis, but rather with their revolutionary new comic, MAD. It’s ironic that both titles, despite representing opposite extremes of sanity, reside on the same spectrum. While Psychoanalysis symbolized mental wellness and healing, MAD epitomized, even promoted, unrestrained insanity. In the end, Madness triumphed.

As a fellow comics aficionado, Ph.D.-holding doctor with ties to King’s College London and a shared history in Europe-to-New York migration, I find striking similarities between myself and Dr. Wertham. Delving into his groundbreaking work on the psychological impact of comic books, I feel well-equipped, having read every issue of Psychoanalysis, to engage in discussions about the mental health dynamics of individuals I’ve never met—much like those professionals gracing our television screens.

This thought is preoccupying me due to my friends, who appear sane on the surface, yet hold liberal views that may not be immediately apparent. By liberal, I don’t refer to those who are easy to identify by their protest signs or outlandish attire: rainbow hair, unicorn costumes, or faces hidden beneath balaclavas. Instead, I mean those who appear and even sound ordinary, as long as specific topics remain untouched.

In simpler terms, When the names “President Trump”, “Elon Musk”, or others linked to conservatives are brought up, some people seem to be under an extremely powerful hypnotic spell. Their reactions become erratic and extreme, reminiscent of behavior that would lead to permanent exile from cannibal tribes in New Guinea. This is particularly puzzling with one person I know who claims to be a conservative but reacts just like a liberal when it comes to certain influential figures or topics.

In my critique as a moviegoer, I find myself frequently perplexed by individuals who present themselves as straightforward and impartial, yet fail to uphold honesty when discussing sensitive topics close to their hearts. It’s as if they remain oblivious to this inconsistency, even when it’s glaringly apparent. Phrases such as “Trump is Hitler,” “Musk isn’t the President,” or “Trump is a racist” leave me with the unsettling feeling of watching someone plummet from a flaming aircraft, while they believe themselves to be relaxing in their warm bath at home. How can they disregard the reality outside their minds in favor of their inner biases?

In this group, a recent unusual notion has emerged: some believe President Trump aspires not only to be a king but an emperor, similar to Julius Caesar. This is suggested by MAGA supporters attempting to devise means for Trump to serve a third term. It seems they’re concerned about the potential consequences if leadership transitions, given past events that they wish to avoid repeating. This situation bears resemblance to a scene in a movie where characters find themselves questioning, “Were those the silver bullets?

Aiming for a third term for Trump isn’t about celebrating an exceptional man for his accomplishments or showing loyalty to a triumphant leader. It’s more about making sure the danger (communism) is completely eliminated before handing over control to anyone else. We’ve learned from past experiences that not all Republicans can be relied upon. Even our cherished former president Ronald Reagan didn’t achieve as much in his first 30 days as Trump has.

At the heart of the matter lies a situation where liberals are immersed in an information haze spun by misleading media figures. In this mist, truth and falsehoods become intertwined; what should be left becomes right, up becomes down, and the concept of heaven and hell gets blurred. A solution for those caught in this confusion doesn’t involve psychological analysis or presenting evidence. Instead, it requires clearing away the fog. That’s exactly what Trump is attempting to do at present.

By shuttering USAID, Trump has essentially drained the pond of parasitic water-dwelling creatures that thrive in unhealthy environments. These creatures suffer as their habitat becomes inhospitable, yet we’re seeing how murky the waters were all along. USAID funds had been masking much of the media’s murkiness, and now we’re witnessing signs of transparency as the fog begins to clear. Notably, Politico failed to meet its payroll, the BBC has warned of potential service cuts, and some liberal voices are expressing viewpoints that previously seemed unthinkable.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, despite the discomforting flood of untruths that I find troubling, I firmly believe that President Trump and his stellar team are steering the ship in the right direction. I can scarcely conceive of a more expedient approach to addressing our current predicament. Their actions are gathering pace, and soon they’ll be an unstoppable force. The United States will regain its former glory, and then surpass it, like the climax of a triumphant cinematic masterpiece.

As a follower, I’m expressing my belief that traditional talk therapy isn’t sufficient to address the issues our nation faces. Instead, I believe we’ve been given endless talks from our elected officials. What I yearn for is a tangible solution – a ‘chainsaw’, if you will, to cut through the red tape and bring about real change. That’s exactly what I see in action now.

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2025-03-13 23:15