[Olog-hai]

Films which are too dark for kids the comics were originally written for …

Looks like the author is unfamiliar with the subject matter of the original comics.

As for escapism, that is not uncommon during times of economic uncertainty. The movie theaters were not unprofitable during the Depression.

[MoochPooch]

The movie theaters were not unprofitable during the Depression.

And World War II followed. People need to wake up.

[Genoa]

IKWYM. There was some dark subject matter in the days before the Comics Code Authority was established. Actually, the Silver Age (1960s) comics were pretty tame, and that’s the ultimate source for the movie characters. Good triumphed over evil, and we knew who was who. However, more darkness set in during the later 20th century. Another ruined American institution.