Graphic novels take alt-comics into the realm of literature

From the Charleston City Paper, here's an article on the history of comic books and just how they evolved since then.

There is something here that I have to question though:

“After the Kefauver Hearings and the front page news of Gaines’ testimony, the comics industry closed ranks on itself to create the Comics Code Authority. This wiped out stories dealing with serious issues and replaced them with talking gorillas.”

Were comics dealing that much with serious issues after WW2? That's something I've never been sure about, although I can certainly say that, since the mid-90s, it's not like they've been dealing with "serious issues" very seriously then either!

Coincidence?