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“Herb Block’s cartoons during this time critique the nature of totalitarian states and their sometimes violent imposition of authority on their own societies and others. He also voiced the urgent need for international agreement on nuclear arms control.” [1] |
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Herblock had a knack for recognizing what was unclear to most. During this time of mounting pressure, one character served as a mechanism for Herblock to fight for the right of the public to be informed. Mr. Atom demonstrated the effects of politics on the use of the bomb, as well as its consequences for the public.
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"Herb Block's 'Mr. Atom' personification of the atom bomb in many cartoons has reminded readers of the threat of nuclear annihilation. Here, a new international 'atomic clock' developed by using atomic waves to provide a world standard of measurement gives its own reminder, as the great powers fail to reach agreement on the control of atomic energy."
Image and caption courtesy of the Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress
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Click to zoom for Herblock's original work |
“Among less personal characterizations, the one of Mr. Atom -- based on the bomb of the same name -- is a figure that just grew. He wasn’t planned as a continuing character, but after his first appearance he kept muscling into the picture as a warning that he wasn’t going to be permanently on our side alone and that if he weren’t controlled, he could cut loose on the whole world.” |
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Cartoons courtesy of The Herb Block Foundation
Photographs courtesy of Associated Press
Photographs courtesy of Associated Press