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EC Comics, the Originators of Terror, is Returning!
From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC COMICS returns on July 24th with its first terrifying, chill-inducing new series in nearly 70 years!
Oni Press is proud to reveal the complete line-up of “all-killer” writers, artists, and cover artists behind 'Epitaphs from the Abyss' #1 – a 40-page testament to terror ushering in the full-scale resurrection of comics’ most infamous and influential publishing house…
In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the immortal EC tradition—as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (Night Thrasher, Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by “all-slaughter” artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and Vlad Legostaev (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Brian Azzarello recounts how he's always wanted to contribute to the legacy of EC Comics:
“Due to the nature of my stories, I've been asked about EC Comics since I started in this industry. Frederick Wertham and his asinine comics code knee-capped us. Thank God — or my grandmother, who didn't throw out my father's comics -— that I was able to discover EC in an attic I was forbidden to go in. That subsequent downward spiral has led me to where I am now.”
Writer J. Holtham added:
“I can't imagine a better time for EC Comics to come back into the world. They've always been great at skewering (literally) the worst people in the world. We have a lot of folks who could use a good skewering. And then some.”
Stephanie Phillips echoed these sentiments:
“As a reader, I am thrilled EC Comics is returning because the present world is beyond ripe for their brand of subversive horror stories. As a writer, I could not be more excited to carry the legacy of those subversive horror stories into this terrifying world.”
With Chris Condon concluding:
“Every short story that I write, I write with EC Comics in mind. It doesn't matter what company it's for or what the story is, it's the stories of Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Joe Orlando, and the entire EC lineup that I look back to for guidance. The stories that EC Comics published were revolutionary—violent, tragic, hilarious, and timely. They pushed boundaries like no one else dared to, revolutionizing the comics medium into a truly transgressive art form. EC Comics was born in the fraught post-war years of the 20th century and it's only right that in our tense age of uncertainty that EC Comics returns with the same gleefully deranged energy of its early incarnation. It's just what the doctor--the one in the blood-stained scrubs holding a rusty butcher knife precariously over his patient's head--ordered.”
EC Comics returning feels like the penultimate middle finger to the Comics Code Authority which tried to bury them. Entering the 21st century with a jugular-pounding horror milestone that not only features four self-contained exercises in adrenaline from Brian Azzarello & Vlad Legostaev, Chris Condon & Peter Krause, J. Holtham & Jorge Fornes, and Stephanie Phillips & Phil Hester, and more — but also the first glimpse of EC’s new cast of horror hosts…and a razor-sharp gallery of covers inspired by the eternal artistry of the EC’s infernal legacy with talents including Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, A Vicious Circle), Andrea Sorrentino (Gideon Falls, Batman: The Imposter) with Dave Stewart (Hellboy), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), Rian Hughes (The Multiversity), and Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis):
The first in a new series of fully painted, primary covers for the monthly 'Epitaphs from the Abyss' series from the visionary mind of Eisner Award-winning artist Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, Joker, A Vicious Circle). Issue #1 is also available as a wraparound Gold Foil variant.
Spotlighting a different top talent on every issue, this rotating series of secondary covers will soon feature Adam Pollina (X-Force, Rise of Apocalypse), James Stokoe (Orc Stain), and more across future issues of 'Epitaphs from the Abyss.' Issue #1 also available as a wraparound Silver Foil variant.
The first in a new, continuing line of 1:10 incentive variant covers from Eisner Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning artist Jay Stephens (Dwellings) re-interpreting a different, all-time classic EC cover image across every new EC release from Oni Press – beginning with Stephens’ tribute to Vault of Horror #15 by Johnny Craig.
The first of a new series of “Artist Edition” variant covers, evoking the spirit of gloriously unedited, unexpurgated original artwork. This collection of covers – engineered to replicate the tactical “paste-up” quality of original artwork by award-winning designer Rian Hughes – will continue with a new installment spotlighting a different piece of black-and-white cover art on every upcoming EC issue from Oni Press.
The first of a new series of high-end “Archive Edition” variant covers for the ultimate Fan-Addict! Manufactured on ultra-heavy duty with UV spot gloss elements and all-new border artwork honoring the EC legacy by master designer Rian Hughes, this collection of covers will continue with a new installment on every upcoming EC issue from Oni Press – as distinguished by different color-coded treatments and frame artwork on 'Epitaphs from the Abyss', 'Cruel Universe', and other upcoming series yet to be revealed!
A special 'Epitaphs from the Abyss' #1 surprise – featuring a ghastly new face (or three?!) for EC’s ghoulish family of horror hosts from artist and character designer Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis) will be revealed soon.
IN 2024, EC COMICS LIVE AGAIN! This summer, four-color fear infects a new generation in 'Epitaphs from the Abyss' #1 – coming to comic shops everywhere on July 24th! Then, in August: The next shocking chapter in EC’s long-awaiting resurrection continues in 'Cruel Universe' #1 – 40 all-new pages of cosmic oblivion, atomic entropy, and galactic annihilation featuring a star-spanning cast of talents soon to be revealed.
EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO, CHRIS CONDON, J. HOLTHAM & STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by JORGE FORNES, PHIL HESTER, PETER KRAUSE & VLAD LEGOSTAEV
Cover A by LEE BERMEJO
Cover B by ANDREA SORRENTINO with DAVE STEWART
Gold Foil Variant by LEE BERMEJO
Silver Foil Variant by ANDREA SORRENTINO with DAVE STEWART
EC Homage Variant (1:10) by JAY STEPHENS
B&W Artist Edition Variant (1:20) by ANDREA SORRENTINO with RIAN HUGHES
EC Archive Variant (1:50) by RIAN HUGHES
Horror Host Variant (1:100) by DUSTIN WEAVER
Blank Cover Also Available
$4.99 (STANDARD) | $7.99 (FOIL) | 40 PAGES | FULL COLOR | ON SALE JULY 24, 2024
Are you looking forward to Epitaphs from the Abyss and this New Line of EC Comics?
Will you be picking up a copy of Epitaphs from the Abyss? What do you think of the covers above?
Let us know in the comments below.
