80 years after its inception and nearly 70 years after it was killed, EC Comics is coming back from the dead. The legendary horror publisher behind titles such as Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror has been revived thanks to the folks at Oni Press. Thanks to a new partnership, the first new EC Comics titles will be arriving on shelves this summer for the first time since 1956.
The initiative will kick off with Epitaphs from the Abyss #1 in July, with Cruel Universe #1 set to follow in August. These will mark the first new EC Comics titles in nearly seven decades. The publishing program will be overseen by Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn alongside Cathy Gaines Mifsud and Corey Mifsud, the daughter and grandson of EC Publisher William M. Gaines. They are the administrators of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. Cathay Gaines Misfud had this to say about it:
“As my father said, ‘Only in the bounds of good taste!’ and I’m so excited to exhibit EC's good taste with Oni Press, who have distinguished themselves with both an award-winning library of comics and graphic novels and a passionate understanding of EC’s singular role in shaping comics history.”
Oni’s curated line of EC titles will include at least two series on a monthly basis from July 2024 onward. The insane all-star lineup of creators set to contribute to the forthcoming comics includes writers such as Jason Aaron (Thor), Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets), Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia), Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic), Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun), Christopher Cantwell (Briar), Cecil Castellucci (Shade the Changing Girl), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Joshua Hale Fialkov (The Bunker), J. Holtham (The Handmaid’s Tale), Jeff Jensen (Green River Killer), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR), Sean Lewis (King Spawn), Stephanie Phillips (Grim), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), Zac Thompson (Cemetery Kids Don’t Die) and Ben H. Winters (Tracker).
On the artist side we have Kano (Immortal Iron Fist), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), Leomacs (Rogues), Malachi Ward (Black Hammer: The End) and Dustin Weaver (Avengers). The books will also include covers from Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned), Greg Smallwood (The Human Target), J.H. Williams III (Sandman: Overture) and more. Oni Press Editor-in-Chief, Sierra Hahn had this to say:
“Seventy years ago, EC Comics redefined what comics could be with shocking, confrontational and brilliantly crafted stories that challenged the existential issues at the center of American life – censorship, racism, sexism, nuclear proliferation, and more. Today, those battles continue in alarming and pernicious new ways. What better time to resurrect the undying spirit of EC Comics – one of the most entertaining, subversive, and influential publishers of all time – with an all-star cast of storytellers to examine today’s society through the lens that William Gaines and his legendary collaborators have left us.”
Look for Epitaphs from the Abyss #1 on shelves in July and Cruel Universe #1 in August.
