After nearly seven decades since the line was shuttered, EC Comics is getting a new lease on life thanks to Oni Press. The publisher has revealed a few of the big plans it has in store for later this year when EC Comics makes its triumphant return to comic book stands everywhere.
Oni Press made waves when it revealed that it had formed a new partnership with William M. Gaines Agent Inc., a move that will result in EC Comics coming back this summer. Kicking off the new era for EC Comics is horror and science fiction anthology series, Epitaphs From the Abyss and Cruel Universe.
The new EC Comics promises to have two books on the stands from July onward. The line isn’t holding back on talent and will feature notable creators such as Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Cecil Castellucci, Matt Kindt, Malachi Ward, Dustin Weaver, Rian Hughes, Lee Bermejo, and more.
EC Comics is Back With an All-Star Line-Up
During the Golden Age of Comic Books, EC Comics was one of the most popular lines of comic books. The publisher put out anthology books of all sorts of genres such as Weird Fantasy, Weird Science and its most noted production Tales from the Crypt. Unfortunately, EC Comics came under heavy scrutiny after Dr. Frederic Wertham’s critical publication Seduction of the Innocent. EC Comics’ woes only worsened with the development of the Comics Code Authority. Despite publisher William Gaines’ best attempts to fight the CCA, the line eventually shuttered, bringing the heyday of EC Comics to an end.
Despite EC Comics ending several decades ago, reprints have kept interest in the publisher alive for years. While some never thought they’d see the day that EC Comics lived again, Oni Press is going all-out to make sure its revival makes a serious splash. Oni Press’ timing couldn’t be more perfect as anthologies have only become more and more popular in the last few years with books like Creepshow and Ice Cream Man becoming favorites among horror fans. Oni Press knows that now is the perfect time to bring a brand as revered as EC Comics back to life.
Oni Press Comics is Giving EC Comics the Revival It Deserves
EC Comics was an integral part of comic book history that ended far earlier than it deserved to. But Oni Press’ new partnership is righting a historical wrong by both reviving EC Comics for a new generation and uniting some of the hottest talents to give it the comeback of the decade. Can the new line thrive just as its predecessor did so long ago before the Comics Code Authority ended it? One thing’s for certain: Oni Press is going to try its hardest to make sure EC Comics has everything it needs to succeed.
Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 and Cruel Universe #1 are available in July and August 2024 from Oni Press and EC Comics.
