Psychoanalysis (Gemstone)

(Gemstone, 1999-2000)
® and ©2000 William M. Gaines, Agent

A storytelling medium like comics lends itself most readily to tales with action and adventure that can be displayed visually. Stories that are character-driven with an abundance of dialogue are often referred to as “talking heads” comics. Psychoanalysis, originally published by EC in the mid-1950s was the ultimate “talking heads” comic. Characters lie on a psychiatrist’s couch and talk to him. Then he tells them things they have been denying, setting them on the road to good mental health.

The U.S. Senate hearings in the 1950s that prompted the establishment of the Comics Code Authority were especially hard on EC because comics like Vault of Horror and The Haunt of Fear were considered the most offensive. The publisher’s response was a “New Direction” of which this title was an example. Forty years later, Gemstone reprinted this title and collected the four issues into a trade paperback.

— George Haberberger

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