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Itch Issue1 Dec 2009
Itch Issue1 Dec 2009
Itch Issue1 Dec 2009
nick name: no, i’m not prince nick name: drips n’ splatters nick name: jon goodman’s
son
fatality: pushing opponents tech specs: 3mb of internal
down a grassy hill memory blood type: gravy
PROPAGANDA
cover stories
BY JON BISHOP
In “Education for Death: The Making of a Nazi” we are introduced to a German boy who is named Hanz. We
Wartoons
witness his education in the Nazi school system. He is converted from an average innocent child to a blood-
thirsty Nazi.This cartoon was an effective representation of how the German youth was trained. Not only did
it give a pretty accurate insight into the way Nazi soldiers were essentially created, but more importantly it
increased the notion that American soldiers were fortunate to be in a better country and to be fighting on the
Disney’s Secret winning team.
Some of America’s favorite cartoon characters including Donald Defensive Tactics
Duck spent time on the front line during World War 2. A more lighthearted and certainly more satirical cartoon was called “Der Fuerhrers Face.” This one was primarily about Donald Duck
Disney’s cartoons for the department of being a Nazi and hating every second of it. Yep, Donald Duck as a Nazi. Throughout this cartoon we get to enjoy a jolly song about
By Creighton Hill defense weren’t entirely focused on cre- Hitler and the life of his Nazi soldiers. One of my favorite lines from the song went something like “When the Fuerhrers says we never
ating anti-axis sentiments. Many of the will be slaves, we heil, we heil, but still we work like slaves! While the Fuerhrer brags, and lies and rants, and raves, we heil, we heil,
cartoons produced were instruc tional and work into our graves!” Now does it get clearer than that? I mean, that message isn’t even hidden slightly. “America good, Nazis
animations intended for soldiers. Soldiers bad” the end.
were more attentive to the cartoons than
poorly filmed instructional videos or This cartoon was thought to be so effective in showing the harsh contrast between the pleasant lifestyle of Americans and how unjustly
confusing illustrations and diagrams. the Nazi party was treating the German people that translated copies were dropped behind enemy lines. Other important Disney cartoons
Title’s including “Defense Against Inva- produced during World War 2 included “The Spirit of ‘43” and “Donald Gets Drafted” in which Donald Duck returns but this time as
sion” which warned of the dangers of an American soldier in boot camp. The cartoon shows Donald suffering the hardships of army training that many young soldiers could
disease from foreign lands and promoted relate to in a humorous but still meaningful way.
immunization for soldiers and “Victory
Through Air Power” which shared strate- Band of Warner Brothers
gic bombing theories, were among a few
of the cartoons produced for instructional Although Disney’s animations might have been the most notable cartoons in the war effort during world war
purposes. two, they weren’t the only ones. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck joined Donald Duck on the front line as well.
The Warner Brothers produced its own wartime cartoons. The most notorious of which being a cartoon called
The work that Disney did to promote “Tokio Jokio.” The cartoon mocked the Japanese people, their army, and their leaders as well as the other
the war efforts was so important that dictators of the axis powers.
when Disney employees were drafted
they actually were given uniforms and The cartoon goes on to take jabs at General Hideki Tojo and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto just to name a few.
sent right back to work instead of over Along with them, Hitler and Mussolini also are targeted. Despite the cruelty these men were known for, the
seas. That’s how influential and helpful cartoon depicts them as silly unthreatening goons. The Japanese dictators are especially embellished with large
these cartoons became to the Department buck teeth and small squinty eyes behind large goofy glasses.
of Defense. Popular Disney characters
were even used as insignias on fighter
I
Now this might seem awfully racist by today’s standards, but you have to keep in mind that this cartoon was released in 1943, a mere
magine for a moment that you’re you wouldn’t suffer through an episode of planes to make them distinguishable in two years after the tragic attack in Pearl Harbor. When you think about that, its easy to see why such a cartoon was created. In fact,
enjoying an episode of the popu- Spongebob Squarepants even if someone paid harsh weather. These insignias would when you imagine how brutal the war was, the flood of propaganda doesn’t seem entirely crazy. For many angry Americans, the nega-
lar children’s series Spongebob you. Regardless of how you might feel about later become morale boosters for the tive sentiments were probably on their minds already.
Squarepants. The episode starts out this scenario, I think we could all agree that soldiers as well.
like any other with an average sunny its fairly unlikely that Nickelodeon would be Warner Brothers’ popular Looney Tunes also produced a simple little cartoon called “The Ductators” in which Hitler, Mussolini, and
day in Bikini Bottom. Spongebob is on his real keen on producing this episode. In the The work that Disney did to promote Hirohito are all depicted as ducks who come to rule over a flock of geese. It breifly and humorously summarizes Hitler’s rise to power
way to work at the Krusty Krab but instead past though, many wartime animations were the war efforts was so important that along with the other of the axis dictators. In the end the three no-good ducks are beaten up and defeated by the dove of peace. Seems
decides to join Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, and produced by some of the most well-known when Disney employees were drafted kind of hypocritical but the message is clear. Axis powers are the enemy of peace. The more important message of the cartoon comes at
the other characters of the show in the war animation giants including Disney and Warner they actually were given uniforms and the end though, whenever it implores viewers to purchase U.S. savings bonds and stamps. I guess the cartoon worked.
against terrorism. That’s right, Spongebob and Brothers. sent right back to work instead of over
the rest of his nautical friends are heading to seas. That’s how influential and helpful
Iraq to fight Al Qaeda and help hunt the ter- Animation didn’t really gain popularity in the these cartoons became to the Department
rorists. The terrorists of course are depicted as United States until Disney’s first feature Snow of Defense. Popular Disney characters
dirty, turbin-wearing monsters more evil than White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Seeing were even used as insignias on fighter Check out these cartoons for yourself at these youtube links.
Plankton and more vicious than the Flying as how Germany invaded Poland just two planes to make them distinguishable in
Dutchman. Armed to his big toothy smile, the years later (thus effectively starting the second harsh weather. These insignias would “The Ductators” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-SBx6D9zho
friendly yellow Sponge prepares for war and World War) it only makes sense that Mickey later become morale boosters for the
sets an example for all young impressionable Mouse and Donald Duck should have been soldiers as well. “Education for Death:The Making of a Nazi” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU1LHeim_hA
American viewers. He lets them know that ready to do their part to defeat the evil Third
terrorism must be destroyed and they have to Reich. Add to that the fact that the war put a “Der Fuehrers Face” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=iumEGAUceDg
do their part. pretty big strain on old Walt’s overseas market
and you’ll start to get an idea of how Walt “Tokio Jokio” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvA1zphaeTQ
Sounds just a little crazy huh? You might Disney, his employees, and the characters he
even be a little offended. Maybe you’re created entered the war. “The Spirit of ‘43” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr9qpeOjmuQ
downright outraged. Of course, maybe you
have no idea what I’m talking about because “Donald Gets Drafted” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwjeBL01tz0
8 9
by adam blazak
When thinking about propaganda,
chances are images of large
posters, murals, and films come to
mind. Despite the absolutely large In the beginning, there was but one While these superficial stories of
contribution these mediums made superhero, Superman. With “Truth, superheroes may seem childish, the During the 1950’s and 60’s, Men’s
in effective propaganda, a common justice, and the American way,” as his costumed crusaders came to represent Adventure magazines (a variation of
childhood hobby was once served as mantra, it was easy for an infallible America in the eyes of the public. We debated whether the story by Marvel pulp comics) were in increasingly high
an important morale booster in our hero to become immensely popular, were undeniably the good guys and Comics was morally unjust in our post- demand, with as many as 130 separate
country: comic books. especially when he began fighting they the unquestionably bad. It was a 9/11 world. Keep in mind that they’re magazines in print at one time. Stories
Nazis and sinking German U-boats rally of patriotism being influenced by discussing a fictional character whose likely involved our strong, male
Now, before I go any further, I am in with his bare hands. the heroics of the fictional characters. popularity is nowhere near as high as antagonist saving the scantily clad
no way saying that the government Think back to 2001and how image back in the 1940’s or even 1970’s. woman from the clutches of evil. With The striking difference between the
was attempting to brainwash America’s Other patriotic superheroes jumped how excited people would seeing if titles such as: “Swastika Slave Girls in superhero stories of the past and
youth through comic books. The vast on the Allied bandwagon, most Wolverine of the X-men upper cutting There’s no way to deny that these Argentina’s No-Escape Brothel Camp,” these newer adventure stories is that
majority of comics at the time were notably Captain America. Ironically Osama bin Laden. There’s no doubt in characters came to symbolize the “The Incredible Escape of Vietnam ’s in one there is a hero symbolizing the
private companies and writers reacting depicted with blonde hair and blue my mind that issues would sell power and spirit of the American Battered Beauties,” and “Sin Captive spirit of a country and inspiring good,
to the times, some out of moral eyes, Captain America was created out in hours. way. However, the propaganda door of the Red’s Nympho Navy,” one can while the other negatively stereotypes
responsibility, and some for some quick for the sole purpose of fighting Nazis swings both ways, as some of the obviously see where the appeal is another country, instilling a hatred for
cash. The reason that these comics and other Axis powers, which is quite Pop culture buffs may also recall the most popular comics during the Cold intended to lie. Not to mention that a group of people. But regardless of
are still considered propaganda is that evident considering that his debut controversy surrounding Captain War influenced the public with a hate Koreans and Vietnamese were often their intentions, comic books once had
they’re meant to influence an attitude issue depicted him punching Hitler in America being assassinated in 2007. for their enemies rather than a love for depicted as savages and animal-like, in immense influence on American
towards an issue. face on the front cover. TV news shows across the country their country. even to the extent of being cannibals. morale and opinions.
10 11
Jesse Lenz
The first thing that one likely thinks of when hearing Take a look at the advertisements on the street, we are
the word propaganda is Nazi Germany. It is one of told that if you smoke cigarettes women will find you at-
the premier examples of how propaganda can con- tractive, wearing Calvin Kline underwear will make you
vince people that a lie is truth. Adolf Hitler once said look as sexy as the models on the billboards, and that
“Through clever and constant application of propa- eating a Big Mac will make you happy. If someone had
ganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, walked up and told us these things, we would disregard
and as well the other way round, to consider the most it immediately because we know it to be ridiculous. That
wretched sort of life as paradise”. Joseph Goebbels, is the beauty of propaganda; it makes people come to a
head of Nazi Propaganda, also said, “If you tell a big conclusion without saying it. When people feel that they
enough lie and keep repeating it, people will eventual- came to an idea on their own they will believe it one
ly come to believe it”. History has shown how powerful hundred percent.
art can be when placed in the wrong hands.
Think about this, when was the last time you remember
We all know that the way that Nazi Germany used a company advertising a product itself? Alcohol compa-
propaganda was deceitful, but what about the propa- nies sell the idea of what could happen when you drink,
ganda that we deal with on an everyday basis? What not the drink itself. Car companies sell the status of a
about the propaganda that tells us how to dress, what car, not what the car itself. Cigarette companies sell
to eat, and what to think? What about propaganda you the image of a cigarette smoker, not the tobacco
that is disguised as advertising? Anti-semetic posters itself. There’s a trend here. Subliminally when I think
have been replaced by cigarette advertisements; and, of alcohol I imagine party, pretty girls, and fun. I never
in a way, corporations have become the new Hitlers think, “that drink looks like it has some really amazing
and Stalins of our society. flavor”.
We are bombarded daily with slogans and catch- Is the use of propaganda in our everyday lives just as
phrases that tell us what we should want out of life. wrong as it was when the Nazi’s used it to control Ger-
When advertising crosses the line between showing many? No, of course not. But is it just as effective?
a product and manipulating us to believe we need the
product, it becomes dangerous. No one likes being You bet your ads it is.
told what to think, especially we Americans, but why
do we let companies flood our lives with their mes-
sages? If a graffiti artist writes a message on a wall it
is called graffiti, but if a company pays to write a mes-
sage on a wall it is called advertising.
12 13
DEBATE
His recent choices have tainted his entire
body of work that preceded his Obama
poster. What discredits his work is not the
method in which he creates it, but his con-
Shepard Fairey. tradicting and hypocritical message.
Artist? Thief? Sell-out? Genius?
Art is the ability to communicate an ab-
stract thought to a viewer. It is irrelevant
All this and more as our writers whether or not the artist drafted each work
wage war with words over of art by hand. Many critics say Fairey is
Fairey’s work. discredited as an artist because he uses
images and icons of old propaganda post-
ers in his work instead of creating the
piece with completely original artwork.
The purpose of Fairey’s posters is to make
us question what we see by using known
iconography and images to stir up certain
emotions. It is not to draw attention to the
artist’s ability, but to something bigger and
less superficial.
(Dec. 2-11)