Tag: obscene comic book

Passing out free comic books at a Halloween event got a woman arrested after police deemed the book to be obscene, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

It happened at the annual Trunk or Treat held Thursday, Oct. 30 in Sunset Beach, and complaints from parents prompted the investigation, the Sunset Beach Police Department said in an Oct. 31 news release.

“It appears that a registered participant, not affiliated with the Town of Sunset Beach, distributed comic-style materials containing imagery that is clearly inappropriate for children. We understand how concerning and upsetting these images may be to families,” police said .

“If your child received a comic book, please review it before allowing them to have it. … If you locate any items that appear inappropriate, disturbing, or not consistent with a typical Sunset Beach Trunk or Treat event do not discard it, please contact the Sunset Beach Police Department immediately.”

A photo shared by police revealed one of the comics was an issue of “Grendel Tales: Devil’s Hammer,” about “the lone survivor of a town gruesomely massacred by a band of Grendels.”

Police did not specify what about the books was considered offensive for children.

The investigation resulted in Kathleen Lincoln of Carolina Shores being arrested Oct. 31 and charged with obscene literature and exhibitions, which is a felony, police said.

McClatchy News has reached out to Lincoln for comment.

“We want to be clear, the safety and wellbeing of every child and family who attends our community events will always come first,” police said.

“Trunk or Treat has been one of our favorite community traditions for many years. It’s supposed to be a safe, fun night for families and we are deeply disturbed by this incident. We have always trusted that the registered participants would respect the safety and well-being of our children.”

Lincoln’s arrest has fueled a debate on the police department’s Facebook page, with hundreds of commenters taking opposing sides.

Some noted it was nudity in the graphics that prompted complaints from parents.

“I’m so glad someone else complained. The one my daughter got was okay but the one my son got had half naked women! Thank goodness I checked them before they were allowed to have them,” Kaitlyn Winder wrote on Facebook.

“Half naked women!? Like women in bikinis?” Dade Murphy posted.

“I think as a parent and a grandparent, we can survive this comic book… Our children are definitely exposed to much worse,” Kathleen Sweeney McDonald wrote.

“How can you ‘mistake’ this for children’s material. … That is disgusting content for a child,” Susan Hedrick said.

Sunset Beach is about a 160-mile drive south from Raleigh.