 Federal
Government
Comic Books
Comic books are no longer used as just a vehicle to present a lengthier series
or collection of comic strips. The genre has evolved to include stories had
can be quite long and very serious. Because comics had become such a popular
form of communication in the United States the federal government has chosen
on numerous occasions to use this medium to present information to its citizens.
The types of topics the government has used the comic book format for include:
- Educational pieces to teach children about specific topics such as fire
or poison safety;
- Educational pieces to teach adults new policies and procedures such as
Army training pamphlets on new motor vehicles or guns;
- Pieces for people with low-literacy where the sequential art style of
the comic provides the teaching tool.
Presented here are two bibliographies, one is a collection of citations of
comics produced by the Government Printing Office that are available in a
physical format at the Downtown Library’s Government Documents department.
And the second is a list of government-produced comics available on the Internet.
Neither list is inclusive of everything that is available from the government
in comic book format.
Government
Documents Comic Books
(these comics are included in our government
documents collection -
Ask at the Business, Science & Technology Desk for more information on
them.)
Watch Out . . . Storms Ahead! Owlie Skywarn’s Weather Book
C 55.102:SK 9/4/2004
This 2004 comic produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
Red Cross details different types of severe weather and tips to make it though
those storms.
New Army Equipment Record System
D 101.22:38-750
A training pamphlet produced by the Army in 1962 to teach servicemen and women
about the Army Equipment Record System.
Troubleshooting Equipment in Combat Units
D 101.22:750-22
Produced in 1977, this Army training pamphlet is designed to provide supervisors
and other users with a consolidated, simplified reference on use of troubleshooting
equipment authorized at the organizational maintenance level.
The M561/M792 GAMA Goat: Operation and preventative Maintenance
D 101.22:750-31
This Army training pamphlet from 1979 for the GAMA Goat- what it is, the parts
of it, and tips for its operation.
Preventive Maintenance of Lead-Acid Batteries
D 101.22:750-34
A preventative maintenance training pamphlet produced in 1976 for the Army
to give basic information about batteries and their maintenance.
Fastest Gun in the West
D 101.24:4405
A 1974 training pamphlet introducing the Vulcan (a six-shooter gun) to Army
personnel.
Once Upon a Dime
FR 2.2/2:O 1x/2008
The Federal Reserve has created the mythical island of Mazuma to help children
learn about the development of a modern economy through concepts such as inflation,
barter and money.
Su Familia se Merece los Mejores Alimentos!
HE 20.3152:F 21/3/SPAN.
A 1995 comic produced in Spanish by the National Cancer Institute to teach
the importance of a proper diet.
McGruff’s Surprise Party
HE 20. 8002:M 17
A comic by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns children
of the dangers of alcohol and drugs was produced in 1989.
Got a Minute?
HE 20.8202:M 66
Rachel, Joe, Mike and Rodney overcome peer pressure to avoid
drug used. Learning that anything's possible if you've just got a minute to
sit down and decide what you really want to do.
El Trastorno de Panico
HE 20.8102:P 19/4/SPAN.
Produced in Spanish in 1996 for the National Institute of Mental Health this
comic helps to teach about panic disorders.
Vacation Water-Fun
I 27.2:W 29/20
Produced by the Department of Interior in 1976 this comic details basic rules
to follow around water in order to have a safe and fun vacation.
Mark Trail Tells the Story of a Fish in Trouble
I 49.2:F 52/20
Mark Trail teaches children conservation tips to try and help the stripped
bass population of fish grow in numbers. This comic was produced in 1990 for
the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service.
Adventure of Simon and Mary Nunantuk: The Story of Wildlife Managment
on the Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta
I 49.2:SI 5
The Department of the Interior shows children Simon and Mary learning how
the U.S. and Alaskan fish and wildlife officers protect the bird, fish and
mammal resources of Alaska.
Rex Morgan, M.D. Talks . . . About Your Unborn Child
T 70.2:C 43
A 1980 comic produced by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms to educate the public about the dangers of drinking during
pregnancy.
“Piense Primero en su Hijo Que Esta Por Macer . . . “
Dice el Dr. Rex Morgan
T 70.2:C 43/SPANISH
A 1980 comic produced in Spanish by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to educate the public about the dangers of
drinking during pregnancy.
Story of Safety in the Skies
TD 4.2:SA 1
College Reporter Chip Martin learns what air traffic controllers do at airports
in this comic produced by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The 9 Lives of El Gato, the Cat
Y 3.C 76/3:2 F 51/2
El Gato, the cat, teaches children fire safety tips in this 1983 comic by
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission comic.
The Perils of Pip: Preventing Poisoning
Y 3.C 76/3:2 P 66
This 1978 comic by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission introduces
Pip, The Magic Safety Elephant, as he seeks to keep children safe from poison
hazards.
Sprocket Man
Y 3.C 76/3:2 SP 8/994
Another hero of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Sprocket Man,
appears in 1994 and goes forth to teach bike safety to children.
The Story of Banks
FR 2.2/2:B 22/2007
A 2007 comic produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Public
Information Department to introduce concepts of banks and what financial institutions
do for the economy.
The Story of Foreign Trade and Exchange
FR 2.2/2:F 76/2007 x
This comic introduces a basic history of foreign trade and its importance
in the United States economy and defines what foreign exchange is. This was
produced by the Public Information Department of the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York in 2007.
The Story of Inflation
FR 2.2/2:I 3/2007
A 2007 comic produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Public
Information Department to introduces the term inflation, why it happens and
the effect on the economy.
The Story of Monetary Policy
FR 2.2/2:M 29/2007
This comic uses non-technical language and illustrations to explain: the meaning
and purpose of monetary policy, how the Federal Reserve makes monetary policy,
what factors are looked at, and tools of monetary policy. This was produced
by the Public Information Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
in 2007.
Too Much, Too Little: A Trip Back in Time to the Origins of the Federal
Reserve System
FR 2.2/2:T 16/2007 x
A 2007 comic produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Public
Information Department shows how the amount of money in the economy has influence
the course of American history and how the Federal Reserve System helps to
try and regulate the balance.
The Story of the Federal Reserve System
FR 2.2/2:F 31/2007 x
This comic provides an explanation of the Federal Reserve System, how it is
set up and what it does. This was produced by the Public Information Department
of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2007.
The Story of Money
FR 2.2/2:M 30/2007 x
A 2007 comic produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Public
Information Department shows how systems of monetary instruments have developed
over time.
Wishes & Rainbows
FR 2.2/2:W 11/2007 x
Using a comic book format the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston teaches basic
economic principles by presenting a story of a colorless world where colored
flowers become a rare and sought after commodity.
Comic
Book Webliography
(All links will open in a separate
window.
Adobe Acrobat reader is required for some of these documents.)
Sprocket Man: CPSC comics
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS20864
Consumer Product Safety Commission superhero Sprocket Man teaches bicycle
safety.
The Adventures of the Garbage Gremlin: Recycle and Combat
a Life of Grime
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS584
Part of the “Recycle Today” education program produced by the
Environmental Protection Agency in 1995.
Wishes & Rainbows
http://www.bos.frb.org/education/pubs/wishes.pdf
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston teaches basic economic concepts by presenting
a story of a colorless world where colored flowers become a rare and sought
after commodity.
The Future is Now
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS74577
Social Security Administration
A comic produced by the Social Security Administration in 1969 that cover
four scenarios: survivors benefits, having a social security card to get a
first job, Medicare, and disability benefits.
John’s First Job
http://www.ssa.gov/history/comic1.html
A Social Security Administration comic from 1956 that follows John, a recent
college graduate, seeking employment for the first time.
Social Security for Farm Families (chart)
http://www.ssa.gov/history/farmchart56.html
A chart produced in 1956 by the Social Security Administration showing benefits
for farm families illustrated with “comic book” style figures.
A Farm and a Family
http://www.ssa.gov/history/farm56.html
A Social Security Administration comic book produced in 1956 explaining coverage
for farmers.
In Other Peoples’ Homes
http://www.ssa.gov/history/otherhome.html
A1963 comic produced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) showing the
basics of various SSA programs.
Three Who Came Back!
http://www.ssa.gov/history/three65.html
Comic produced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 1965 depicting
three different life scenarios and the SSA’s role in them.
Social Security Factoids
http://www.ssa.gov/history/factoids.html
Comic relating various facts and trivia about social security and the Social
Security Administration, produced in 1965.
9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2006-08/the_911_report.html
This web site allows you to view the first chapter of the 130 page graphic
adaptation of the 9/11 Report.
JFK comic
http://www.ep.tc/jfk/
Comic produced in 1961 by the United States Information Agency to introduce
a new president, John F. Kennedy, to an international audience.
Grenada
http://www.ep.tc/grenada/
A 1984 comic book produced by the Central Intelligence Agency and distributed
on the island of Grenada after an invasion led by forces from the United States.
Military Courtesy
http://www.ep.tc/problems/23/
Produced for the armed forced in the 1950’s this comic covers various
aspects of military courtesy and etiquette.
This is Ann
http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/ann1.htm
Comic produced for the Army in 1943 that introduces Ann, the Anopheles Mosquito,
who will drink your blood and possibly transmit malaria to you. Most notable
is that it is illustrated by Dr. Seuss.
Fantastic Tidal Datums
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/publications/fantastic_tidal_datums.pdf
Comic produced in 1988 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
within the Department of Commerce.
Last Updated: 2/6/2012
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