Art as a propaganda tool

Art can be a propaganda tool. Indeed, through a cartoon, an artist can convey messages, it can be interpret in many ways and here, this cartoon is an example of art used for propaganda.

We are submitted to the cover of a comics entitled Captain America n°78 by the cartoonist John Romita and the comic-book writer Stan Lee which was published in September 1954 in the Atlas Comics, a Marvel Comics.

This comics was released during the cold war, which is a period of indirect war between the USA and the USSR which started in 1947 and ended in 1991. It was mainly based on the use of intimidation, propaganda and military intervention in regional conflicts and indirect confrontations because of the balance in nuclear weapons. Indeed, it was a context of tensions during which the two blocs kept on showing off their military equipment as tanks, submarines, spaceships and even atomic missile, such as the H bomb.

The cover of this edition shows us in a way America’s perception of the conflict.

Indeed, in the foreground of this picture, we easily recognize Captain America thanks to his suit in the colors of the United States and his shield, which allows him to protect the world against communism. Moreover, he is masked, with an A on his forehead, standing for ‘America’ and small wings like the Gods messenger Hermes’s ones on each side of his head. Also, the star on his torso refers to the star spangled banner.

He is holding at arm’s length a man that seems to be a soviet soldier as he is wearing a uniform and shows the symbols of USSR : the hammer and the sickle.

Captain America is shown as a supersoldier who uses all the abilities of his body.

Moreover, he is standing on a hillock, which highlights the idea that he is powerful.

Behind him, at the bottom right corner we can see a character wearing on his torso, the communist symbols. He wears a belt and boots that links him to the army. But he doesn’t seem human, his huge, green-colored and hairy body makes him look like a monster. We notice that he doesn’t look like the other enemies, so we can deduce to he must be Captain America’s nemesis.

Besides, he is shooting at him something that looks like thunder.

In fact, he is Electro also known as Ivan Kronov; he was the subject of a soviet military experiment to create a warrior who could eliminate Captain America.

Under the pressure of his feet and the electricity shots, there is someone lying down who appears to be Bucky or James Barnes, Captain America’s sidekick. He is supposed to help Captain America even though he doesn’t have superpowers, he is ingenious.

In the background, behind the captain, we can see the opponent’s troops, a bunch of soldiers, shooting at him, which is a such a coward thing since he’s not facing them.

Although he is attacked by Electro and the troops, the Captain is unbothered and let us believe that he is in control of situation.

Furthermore, the title “Captain America” is topped by the expression “Captain America… Commie smasher”, which means that he is the roadhog of communists.

We can also read “How much suspense and action can you stand?” and “See Captain America defy the communists

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