While Welles doesn't explicitly mention a comic strip adaptation of the story during the broadcast, he does make a point of mentioning that the story is "common property" now and has been dramatized in various forms.
This was a strategic move to:
* Downplay the originality of his adaptation: By acknowledging the story's widespread presence in popular culture, he subtly suggests that his version is just another interpretation, further contributing to the believability of the broadcast as a real news event.
* Highlight the universality of the story: By mentioning its previous adaptations (likely including films, stage plays, and even newspaper accounts), he emphasizes that the themes of invasion and societal collapse resonated deeply with audiences.
Although no comic strip adaptation of "The War of the Worlds" existed at the time, Welles likely knew that the story had been adapted into other forms, including popular media, which bolstered his argument that the tale was common knowledge.
It's important to note that the comic strip adaptation of "The War of the Worlds" was actually published after Welles's radio broadcast, further highlighting the impact and influence of his production.