Award winning comic fan and scholar James Bacon, a much appreciated contributor to downthetubes, is giving a free talk on the history of banned comics through Ireland’s National Library collections next month.
Taking place at 6.00pm on Thursday 6th August at the National Library of Ireland in Dublin, his talk offers a history of censorship of comics in Ireland, a topic he has kindly covered for us here, and in his book, Irish Conflict in Comics. In particular, James will be reflecting on how the worldwide “Moral Panic” about comics in the 1950s was different in Ireland, where there was active censorship and distrust of foreign publications, and how outrage ignited quickly.
James Bacon shares his investigations using comics and material from the National Library.
Please be aware that this talk may include themes of a sensitive nature and is recommended for ages 16+.
James Bacon is a comic fan and scholar from Dublin whose first book, Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century, Rebellion, Nazi Spies and The Troubles was warmly received. His current work, A Sensual Cesspool of Iniquity, Comics and Censorship in 1950’s Ireland will be published by Limit Break Comics this year.
Previously his work For Steam Men: Myles na gCopaleen and Irish Rail was published in Flann O’Brien and the Nonhuman (Cork University Press).
His research in the National Library of Ireland has helped uncover which comics were banned.
Separate to his research into censorship, he is part of the team publishing the brilliant Journey Planet, Issue 93, Andor: Season Two, co-edited by Allison Hartman Adams, James Bacon, and Chris Garcia, winning the European Science Fiction Society Achievement Award for Best Fanzine! James received the award on behalf of the Journey Planet team at Metropolcon 2026 in Berlin on Sunday 5th July.
• Banned Comics at the National Library of Ireland: A history of censorship of comics in Ireland | 6.00pm – 7.00pm, Thursday 6thAugust 2026, National Library of Ireland, 7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin, D02 P638 | Free but ticketed | Details and Free tickets are available here | Facebook Event Page
• Full details about Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century, Rebellion, Nazi Spies and The Troubles are here on the Limit Breaks website
• Buy Irish Conflict in Comics from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | Amazon.com
• Limit Break Comics is online at limitbreakcomics.com
Head downthetubes for…
• The Leprechaun, and the Irish War on Comics – article by James Bacon
• In Review: Irish Conflict in Comics in the 20th Century – review by David Ferguson
• The Story of “Greann”, Ireland’s First Comic Book – from a veteran of the 1916 Rising – article by James Bacon
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Comics Education News, Comics Studies, Creating Comics, downthetubes News, Events, US Comics
Telling Your Research Story Through Comics – Special Webinar announced by University of California 
SLJTeen Live! ponders future of storytelling today – a comic creators-packed live virtual event
Leave a Reply