Hoover vs. Little Al of the FBI

Today's post was written by James Mathis, Archivist with the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives at College Park

In celebration of National Comic Book Day on September 25, this post highlights comics in NARA's FBI records.

The records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Record Group 65 document the many aspects of the history of the premier federal law enforcement agency. From its inception as the small Bureau of Investigation in 1905, through its growth under the directorship of the indomitable and controversial J. Edgar Hoover, the records show the Bureau's work and are organized by type of investigation into "classifications ". Each file classification is assigned a number. For example, Classification 44 contains the records of civil rights investigations, while Classification 100 concerns "domestic security" investigations into alleged subversive organizations and individuals.

Classification 94, formally titled "Research Matters", is unique. This classification does not concern investigations into violations of federal law, but documents the work of the Crime Records Division to present the work of the FBI to the American public. Under the direction of Assistant Director Louis B. Nichols, the number three person at the Bureau and Hoover's de-facto public relations man until his retirement in 1957, the Crime Records Division worked with newspapers, magazines, book publishers, film studios, radio producers, and later television networks on their depictions of the Bureau's work.

Classification 94 file 94-4-3880 shows Hoover and Nichols concerned with how the FBI and its special agents were depicted in the comic book Little Al of the FBI. Published by Ziff-Davis Publishing, Inc, the first issue (numbered 10, for some reason) hit newsstands in November 1950. In 33 action-packed color pages, readers followed the escapades of Special Agent Al "Little Al" Conway, described as "[s]mall in stature, but possessed of the strength of ten." Using his "keen intellect and flying fists," Little Al fought "a ceaseless war against those who would destroy our freedom." In this first issue, he fought a vicious communist agent codenamed "The Beaver" (probably because of his buck teeth and propensity to chomp wood); a gang of "red agents" responsible for murders in Chinatown; and captured "The White Hawk," described as "the most dangerous foreign agent in the world." The issue also included the "true story" of Ma Barker and her sons.

On January 18, 1951, Harry Strong, the Vice President and Circulation Director of Ziff-Davis, sent a letter to Hoover enclosing two copies of Little Al and requesting "Wanted" circulars for publication in subsequent issues. He also told Hoover that Ziff-Davis was "giving serious consideration to a program which would encourage readers to form LITTLE AL OF THE FBI clubs," along with one "offering an award to the youngster who does the most outstanding service in his community for the combating of crime and juvenile delinquency." Strong also offered to visit Hoover to discuss the comic further.^[1]

It appears that Hoover did not take Strong up on his offer. Instead, the letter and copy of Little Al were forwarded to the Crime Records Division. On February 5, 1951, M. A. Jones sent a memo to Nichols concerning Strong's proposal and describing the comic's contents. Jones praised the art and press work, but went on to criticize "the textual material and scenes depicted." The Little Al stories, Jones wrote, "leave a great deal to be desired in scientific accuracy, interpretation of FBI ethics and policy, and jurisdictional considerations." Jones particularly objected to Little Al's assaulting a prisoner "with the tacit approval of his superior." He described the comic as,

[F]ull of action of the "Superman" type on the part of "Little Al," abetted by a rather dull-witted, muscle-man type called "Ox" who is also supposed to be a Special Agent.

He was particularly critical of the Ma Barker story, which Jones said, "contains a number of inaccuracies and is presented in a rather lurid manner." Concluding his discussion of Little Al, he wrote, "In summary, we certainly would not want to be identified in any way with the magazine in its present form."

After describing the Bureau's past relationship with Ziff-Davis and its personnel, stating that "we have had satisfactory relations with their representatives, including Mr. Harry G. Strong," Jones recommended,

That the attached letter be sent to the SAC, New York, instructing him to contact Strong personally or through an Assistant Special Agent in Charge and point out that the Director can't endorse "Little Al of the FBI"; that wanted notices seem inappropriate for a juvenile magazine; that the Director is very much concerned at the use of FBI in the title of the "Little Al" magazine, which is full of scientific, ethical, and factual inaccuracies; and that the pressure of present commitments precludes reviewing their material in advance of publication. Therefore, we must insist that the name of the FBI not be used in this connection.

At the bottom of the memo is "OK. H.," indicating that Hoover read and approved the recommendations.^[2]

The meeting directed in Jones' memo took place on February 13, 1951. On that date, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Edward E. Hargett and another special agent met with Strong and William B. Ziff, chairman of the board of Ziff-Davis Publishing. After hearing the FBI's concerns and objections to the contents of Little Al, both men "advised that since the FBI objected to 'Little Al of the FBI' its further publication would not even be considered and that the second number which is practically on the presses already, will be the last issue of the magazine." Mr. Ziff stated that, while he came up with the title of the comic, "the fact that the magazine was objectionable to the FBI was sufficient to cause its discontinuance."^[3]

Indeed, Little Al of the FBI ended in May 1951 with issue #11. However, Ziff-Davis apparently had other Little Al stories under development. On February 19, 1951, the Special Agent in Charge, New York, sent a memo to Hoover stating that William Ziff "had decided to change the name of 'Little Al of the FBI' to 'Little Al of the Secret Service," with all references to the FBI deleted. The first "Little Al" issue under the new title was published in July, 1951, but after two more issues was discontinued by Ziff-Davis.

The FBI file does not record the United States Secret Service's opinion of Little Al.

^[1] 94-4-3880, serial 185. Series: Classification 94 (Research Matters) Headquarters Case Files (NAID 362237702); Record Group 65: Records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; National Archives at College Park, MD.

^[2] 94-4-3880, serial 183.

^[3] 94-4-3880, serial 189.

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