1950 Capp Satirical Map of China, Japan, and Korea during Korean War

Capp's satirical look at East Asian situation at the outbreak of the Korean War.

The only known example of a c. 1950 Al Capp-inspired map of Korea, China, and Japan, satirizing the Communist Revolution in China and the outbreak of the Korean War. The map illustrates much of East Asia, including all of Japan and Korea, as well as Manchuria, Taiwan, and the eastern parts of communist 'Rad' China. The map employs Capp's satirical kingdom of misfortunates, Lower Slobbovia, to illustrate the deteriorating political situation following the Communist Revolution (1949) and, more specifically, the North Korean invasion of South Korea (1950).

The Map's Message

The map uses Capp's satirical 'Slobbovian' language to illustrate the East Asian political situation c. 1950. An arrow points to Korea - the focus of the map - then enmeshed in the complicated back-and-forth Korean War, with powerful allies supporting both sides (China and Russia supported North Korea and the United Nations supported South Korea). In the Yellow Sea, a hot spot is identified as 'Did Heppen Here', referring to Communist expansion. Another similar zone appears in the East Sea (Sea of Chapan), suggesting that Japan too might fall to the Red Wave. Similarly, another zone in the Pacific, labeled 'Maybe Heppen Over-There', underscores the boundless ambition of the Communist leaders. Red trails leading from Seoul and Shanghai trace the retreat of Americans across the Pacific. In Taiwan (Mordosa), the presence of 'Ganaralissimo Hi-Kan-Shack' (Chiang Kai-shek) and his anti-Communist KMT revolutionaries is noted.

Slobbovia

'Slobbovia' was first introduced four years earlier, on April 4, 1946, by Li'l Abner comic artist Al Capp. The term is generally thought to have been inspired by Russian Siberia, particularly the Jewish Autonomous Oblast of Birobidzhan, which would appear on this map roughly where the large arrow points to an inexplicable table. Slobbovia is traditionally divided into Upper and Lower Slobbovia, but in most cases the focus is on Lower Slobbovia. In Li'l Abner, the unfortunate residents of Lower Slobbovia were perpetually waist-deep in snow, plagued by polar bears, with icicles hanging from every nose. Lower Slobbovians spoke with burlesque pidgin-Russian that abounded in incongruous Yiddish humor. Capp's caricatures of ruthless and corrupt business and political interests were often pitted against those of the pathetic Lower Slobbovians in classic haves-versus-have-nots plotlines. Since that time, 'Lower Slobbovia' entered common parlance to refer to an underdeveloped, socially backward, remote, and impoverished nation-state.

The Korean War

With the support of Communist allies in China and Russia, North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United Nations, particularly the United States, immediately denounced the action and sent forces to assist South Korea. Nonetheless, within the first two months of the conflict, North Korean forces pushed south, seizing control over most of the peninsula. A series of counter-offenses reversed the war and pushed the North Koreans north. Things changed again when China sent in troops. Control of the Korean peninsula continued to seesaw throughout the war, with Seoul captured and liberated four times. Ultimately, on July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, creating the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Technically, the two Koreas are still at war, as no peace treaty was ever signed.

Publication History and Census

While unsigned, this map is comparable to other maps of Slobbovia drawn by Al Capp, particularly in the toponymy and typography. The map may never have been published and appears here as the only known surviving example - a once-in-a-lifetime collecting opportunity.

Condition

Very good. Even overall toning. Some minor spotting and edge wear. Wear on original fold lines. Older, likely original, linen backing.