His work entitled, "The Seduction of the Innocent", caught the attention of the nation. Wertham accused comic books of causing youth corruption and juvenile delinquency. His campaign against comic books came from the results that were based on his work with juvenile delinquents. He reported that comics showed them how to commit crimes and gave them a view of violence and sex that were depicted in comics as something to desire. His campaigns led to the formation of many organizations against the comic book industry. .
In the 40's and 50's, comic books were a popular form of entertainment for both children and adults. The adult readership became very important to the comic book industry, because after World War II, many men took up reading comics in the service. The slim magazines could be read quickly and they were also very easy to luggage around. To appeal more to the adult fanbase, comic book publishers introduced dozens of crime and horror titles after the war, which most often depicted gruesome acts of violence. .
In Seduction of the Innocent, Wertham wrote, "the most subtle and pervading effect of crime comics on children can be summarized in a single phrase: moral disarmament." He argued that readers had to identify with a criminal on the run from the law. Even though the criminal is usually captured or killed at the end, the stories persuade this violent and immoral life outside the law lifestyle. Wertham also had some bones to pick with the "good guys" of the comic books. He wrote, "the superman conceit gives boys and girls the feeling that ruthless gogetting based on strength or the power of weapons or machines is the desirable way to behave." He seemed to have superman embody the ruler of a fascist dictator forming a master race.
He went on to argue that Batman and Wonder Woman promoted homosexuality because they had child sidekicks of the same gender. Wertham also discovered many sadomasochism and other sexualities in crime and adventure comics.