[gschienke]

Dell Comics never joined the Comics Code.

Link to the comment: 1330 - Brain Boy 1

[Robb_K]

Dell Comics never joined the Comics Code.

Not surprising.  Dell's standards were much more strict than almost all of the publishers that did join that group.  Their own "Dell Comics Pledge To Parents" more or less intimated that point.

[SuperScrounge]

Dell was the number 1 comic book company when the Comics Code was formed by 'lesser companies', they were powerful enough to not be forced into the code and their general standards and popular titles meant that no retailer was going to pass up stocking Dell (and later Gold Key) for not having a Code seal.

According to Comic Book Artist #22 during the Kefauver comic book hearings, they basically said, "We have nothing to do with that filth."

[misappear]

I can't think of a more "parent friendly" comic company than Dell, extending into Gold Key.  They excelled at providing wholesome material.  But calling other publishers' product filth isn't/wasn't necessary.  What the general public never seems/seemed to get is that comic book product has such a vast potential for communicating to audiences of countless age and lifestyle leanings. 

Even today, comics specialty stores feature kid products in dangerously close proximity to some very adult material.  In 2025 USA, I would caution greater vigilance in product display.  Remember that in the Friendly Frank's store case which rocked the industry, the offending materials were behind the counter.