For a Horror fan, the sights and sounds seen in classic Universal Monster movies such as 1931’s Dracula and Frankenstein, as well as others like 1941’s The Wolfman, are the bedrock of imagination. An iconic era in this realm of dark creation, jump forward to the 1950s, a publisher named EC Comics would become a new form of fascination for fans of the macabre.
While not the first Horror-based comic book published, EC Comics became the leader between 1950 and 1955 with bi-monthly Horror anthology series such as Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, and The Haunt of Fear. Since becoming legendary names that inspired the 1972 film Tales from the Crypt and 1973’s The Vault of Horror, there was also the immensely popular modern-day HBO series Tales from the Crypt, which ran for seven seasons.
This is just a glimpse into the impact EC Comics had on Horror culture; unfortunately, by the latter part of the ‘50s, they ceased to publish any new Horror comics. The end of an era; looking back, this decision could have largely been due to the hit taken from an outcry of concern about Horror comics on children.
A classic case of censorship, thankfully, the EC Comics era was not lost in the sands of time because, through the decades, the original issues have been reprinted. It was all very exciting and educational for new generations who were not around to see an EC Comics Horror issue at their local newsstand. Now, nearly seventy years later, the old brand is being resurrected!
An almost improbable return, independent comic publisher Oni Press has exhumed EC Comics from the grave for brand new issues. Done so in association with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc., the new series kicked off back on July 24th with part one of a series they are calling Epitaphs From The Abyss. Launched with a massive 40-page first-issue introduction, issue two arrived on August 21st, issue three on September 18th, issue four on October 16th, issue five on November 20th, and issue six on December 18th.
All rather expansive in terms of their dive into different types of Horror, the stories arranged by a solid cast of writers are very much in the vein of the classic EC Comics. Ranging from eerie to much more graphic or disturbing plotlines… the illustrations are also absolutely stunning. Presenting Horror imagery, real fans will enjoy it; it is like you are transported back in time to the 1950s, thumbing through one of the original EC Comic titles, but with a modern flair that is not grotesquely obvious.
Now, with issue seven set for release on January 22, 2025, eight on February 19th, and nine on March 19th, it will be interesting to see where everything goes. With this in mind, like any anthology Horror format, there will be some stories that catch your eye more than others. The nature of it all, to say particular portions are weaker than others is a disservice because everyone has a different vision of Horror, what they find interesting, and that is what is so exciting.
In truth, this reboot of EC Comics in the form of Epitaphs From The Abyss by Oni Press is a dream come true. By and large, those who may not be as avid comic readers as much as they are lovers of Horror will enjoy these releases thoroughly. For the youth who beamed with curiosity while watching Tales from the Crypt in the ‘80s and ‘90s, or those whose imaginations were captured by George A. Romero’s 1982 film Creepshow, Cryptic Rock thus far gives the EC Comic’s Epitaphs From The Abyss series from Oni Press 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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