What do you think?
Rate this book
EC Archives: Vault of Horror #2
The EC Archives: The Vault Of Horror, Vol. 2
This edition of The EC Archives is The Vault Of Horror Vol. 2, encapsulating completely issues 7 - 12 of this title, with the original stories presented in new, digitally remastered color. Here you will find early terror tales by Johnny Craig, Harvey Kurztman, Wallace Wood, Al Feldstein, Graham Ingels, Jack Kamen, and Jack Davis. (GC Press EC Archives books were never shrink wrapped.)
212 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 20, 2020
Want to know how what kept the spirit of comics thriving between the Golden and Silver age? EC comics is where much of that happened. Bucking the Comics Code Authority they produced amazing art and stories that weren't the cookie cutter versions demanded by the Code Authority. EC kept the spirit of comic storytelling alive. Grab one of these collected editions and see where the master started out or went to after comics changed. Recommended
April 15, 2023
These EC horror comics being reprinted by Dark Horse are just fun reads. They're great if you're in a reading slump because each story is fast paced and short.
November 24, 2024
I think the illustrations were waay better than the stories themselves. I'm 32 now, maybe I'm too old for this stuff to actually be scary.
I picked up this book because I was curious about the EC horror stuff, I think this single volume has sated said curiosity, no need to read any more, although I'm curious about their sci-fi stuff.
I picked up this book because I was curious about the EC horror stuff, I think this single volume has sated said curiosity, no need to read any more, although I'm curious about their sci-fi stuff.
October 26, 2023
I have been on a huge Horror kick this month, what with Hallowe'en coming up and all. There is no better reading this time of year than EC or other '50s Pre-Code Horror. I say this all the time but it bears repeating: EC Comics are pretty much the best comics ever made. EC was the spark that set the imagination of John Carpenter, Stephen King, Wes Craven, and so many more on fire. That impact is apparent in Horror even today and cannot be stated enough times.
The late, great Bhob Stewart's six page commentary was fantastic. Modern day fandom owes a huge debt to people like Stewart. He ran an EC fanzine while they were still an ongoing concern and is among the first wave of fans to legitimize comic books as an artform with their insight. The changes in the way that fans interact has been incredible to watch, but we must never forget those who blazed the trail for fans today.
Some of these stories, such as #18's The Mask Of Horror, have been appropriated over and over so many times that it is almost impossible to pinpoint who stole what from where. Suffice it to say that this certainly predates the episode of The Twilight Zone from season 5, The Masks. The 1990s Tales From The Crypt HBO series adapted many of the stories found in this book, so fans of that series would get a kick out of this.
#19's Reunion! has all of the ingredients that made EC great. The flawless set up and the ironic twist ending, all with superb writing and beautiful artwork. While I love all of the artists in these books, it is a toss up between Jack Kamen and Graham Ingels for my favorite. This stuff holds up really well on the reread. Issues 22 and 23 were rereads since I read them in Vault Of Horror Annual Vol. 3. You can read what I thought of them when I first read them here.
I am not a fan of the recoloring found in these books. I didn't mind it at first but as time has gone on I have become a purist and, some might say, an insufferable snob when it comes to restoration, color choices, paper, and binding. I offer no apologies for this sort of thing, as much of it is subjective. Simply put, if you enjoy the recolored EC Archives, good for you. I can't wait for the day when someone, anyone, produces EC Comics Archives in full color with the original color palette, including the original cover color palette.
The late, great Bhob Stewart's six page commentary was fantastic. Modern day fandom owes a huge debt to people like Stewart. He ran an EC fanzine while they were still an ongoing concern and is among the first wave of fans to legitimize comic books as an artform with their insight. The changes in the way that fans interact has been incredible to watch, but we must never forget those who blazed the trail for fans today.
Some of these stories, such as #18's The Mask Of Horror, have been appropriated over and over so many times that it is almost impossible to pinpoint who stole what from where. Suffice it to say that this certainly predates the episode of The Twilight Zone from season 5, The Masks. The 1990s Tales From The Crypt HBO series adapted many of the stories found in this book, so fans of that series would get a kick out of this.
#19's Reunion! has all of the ingredients that made EC great. The flawless set up and the ironic twist ending, all with superb writing and beautiful artwork. While I love all of the artists in these books, it is a toss up between Jack Kamen and Graham Ingels for my favorite. This stuff holds up really well on the reread. Issues 22 and 23 were rereads since I read them in Vault Of Horror Annual Vol. 3. You can read what I thought of them when I first read them here.
I am not a fan of the recoloring found in these books. I didn't mind it at first but as time has gone on I have become a purist and, some might say, an insufferable snob when it comes to restoration, color choices, paper, and binding. I offer no apologies for this sort of thing, as much of it is subjective. Simply put, if you enjoy the recolored EC Archives, good for you. I can't wait for the day when someone, anyone, produces EC Comics Archives in full color with the original color palette, including the original cover color palette.
Read
August 14, 2022Thankfully there are publications like the Dark Horse series of EC classics, that bring such memorable horror stories of yesteryear to a brand new audience. As we all know, EC comics, the EC standing for Educational Comics, went out of its way to present stories that were definitely a cut above the average horror tale. They were graphic and violent, and the problem was, some thought they went beyond decency and community standards.
Because of this, EC was forced to tone down its covers and graphic story lines, which did not take away from their powerful voice in conveying what horror was all about. THE VAULT OF HORROR VOLUME 2 features exact reprints of issues 18-23. The colors have been enhanced, making this a true classic comic lovers dream come true. The covers are reproduced as well, giving even more to appreciate about the book.
Each issue had stories that were told the The Vault Keeper, The Crypt Keeper and The Old Witch. Each one was trying to outdo the other with stories meant to frighten and enlighten readers. The majority of stories revolved around abusive spouses, those who cheated on their spouses, making revenge the most common aspect of the stories. There are more than twenty stories here representing the six issues, and if you are a fan of classic horror, then this is a must have.
There are many stand-out stories such as Sink-Hole. It reminds one of dating today where people are not always as they appear. A woman thinks she had found the man of her dreams, but it turned more into a nightmare, as the photo of the man was many years old. He was really a possessive person and although she tried to see past that, he was abusive and cruel. Killing him, she found that sometimes the dead don’t take things lying down.
In A Stitch In Time, the cruel owner of a sewing factory was a very evil boss, not caring about the health or safety of his female workers. Finally they could only take so much, stitching his mouth together and setting fire to the building, while all the thread seemed to come to life and entrap him because of his horrible ways.
Yes, this book has it all, great stories and art, a tribute to six issue from EC’s past that deserve to be appreciated again today.
Because of this, EC was forced to tone down its covers and graphic story lines, which did not take away from their powerful voice in conveying what horror was all about. THE VAULT OF HORROR VOLUME 2 features exact reprints of issues 18-23. The colors have been enhanced, making this a true classic comic lovers dream come true. The covers are reproduced as well, giving even more to appreciate about the book.
Each issue had stories that were told the The Vault Keeper, The Crypt Keeper and The Old Witch. Each one was trying to outdo the other with stories meant to frighten and enlighten readers. The majority of stories revolved around abusive spouses, those who cheated on their spouses, making revenge the most common aspect of the stories. There are more than twenty stories here representing the six issues, and if you are a fan of classic horror, then this is a must have.
There are many stand-out stories such as Sink-Hole. It reminds one of dating today where people are not always as they appear. A woman thinks she had found the man of her dreams, but it turned more into a nightmare, as the photo of the man was many years old. He was really a possessive person and although she tried to see past that, he was abusive and cruel. Killing him, she found that sometimes the dead don’t take things lying down.
In A Stitch In Time, the cruel owner of a sewing factory was a very evil boss, not caring about the health or safety of his female workers. Finally they could only take so much, stitching his mouth together and setting fire to the building, while all the thread seemed to come to life and entrap him because of his horrible ways.
Yes, this book has it all, great stories and art, a tribute to six issue from EC’s past that deserve to be appreciated again today.
December 19, 2024
The stories with a star worth it:
1. Sink-hole. ⭐️
2. Lend me a hand.
3. The mask of horror.
4. Dying to lose weight. ⭐️
5. Southern hospitality.
6. The jellyfish.
7. Daddy lost his head.
8. Reunion.
9. About face.
10. The reluctant vampire.
11. Grandma’s ghost.
12. Revenge is the nuts.
13. One last fling.
14. That’s a croc.
15. Child’s play.
16. Trapped. ⭐️
17. Fountains of youth.
18. The monster in the ice.
19. Gone fishing.
20. What the dog dragged in.
21. A stitch in time.
22. 99% pure horror. ⭐️
23. Dead wait.
24. Staired in horror.
1. Sink-hole. ⭐️
2. Lend me a hand.
3. The mask of horror.
4. Dying to lose weight. ⭐️
5. Southern hospitality.
6. The jellyfish.
7. Daddy lost his head.
8. Reunion.
9. About face.
10. The reluctant vampire.
11. Grandma’s ghost.
12. Revenge is the nuts.
13. One last fling.
14. That’s a croc.
15. Child’s play.
16. Trapped. ⭐️
17. Fountains of youth.
18. The monster in the ice.
19. Gone fishing.
20. What the dog dragged in.
21. A stitch in time.
22. 99% pure horror. ⭐️
23. Dead wait.
24. Staired in horror.
December 27, 2024
Más historias que oscilan entre lo truculento y lo claramente horroroso, varias con un trasfondo moral que con los años transforma su desenlace en predecible. Pero su encanto no envejece, sobre todo al respaldarse en el buen hacer gráfico de gente como Johnny Craig, Jack Davis, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels o Howard Larsen.
November 3, 2018
So far the quality remains consistent. Usually they run out of good ideas after a strong start, but not so far.
May 4, 2023
The heads keep rollin! A very packed volume in what might be the most consistently written period of EC Horror. Lots of stuff happening, especially from the 'B' team: Johnny Craig kicks it off with one of his funniest and best, "Sink Hole", with "Southern Hospitality" just as funny and "A Stitch In Time" also one of his strongest.
Jack Kamen is also of particular note here, as his definitive cycle of child stories begins with three strong entries: "Daddy Lost His Head", the first, "Grandma's Ghost", and "Child's Play", one of his very best. His story "What the Dog Dragged In" is similarly powerful, heartbreaking and chilling at once.
The 'A' team ain't bad, either: Jack Davis' best are "Lend a Hand" (about an evil hand!) and "99.44% Pure Horror" (about evil soap!), plus a couple more that are okay. Ingels is superb throughout. "Dying to Lose Weight" is hilarious and gruesome, "Reunion" is romantic and gruesome, "Revenge is the Nuts" is poetic justice a la vengeful mob, and "Staired In Horror" gorgeously renders a leggy murderess and the old mansion she shouldn't have wanted, closing the book in grand style.
As mentioned, this and the two volumes that chronologically follow, "HOF" vol. 2 and "TFTC" vol. 3, represent the peak of Gaines and Feldstein's writing, at least in terms of quality AND quantity. The quality of their best stories would continue to improve, like the artwork all around, but the comics wouldn't be this consistently written again until towards end (starting "VOH" vol. 4, which again strongly benefits from Johnny Craig's writing), when a team of (actually pretty good) writers stepped in to help out (in addition to Ray Bradbury, who started limited and somewhat overrated contributions right after this).
Jack Kamen is also of particular note here, as his definitive cycle of child stories begins with three strong entries: "Daddy Lost His Head", the first, "Grandma's Ghost", and "Child's Play", one of his very best. His story "What the Dog Dragged In" is similarly powerful, heartbreaking and chilling at once.
The 'A' team ain't bad, either: Jack Davis' best are "Lend a Hand" (about an evil hand!) and "99.44% Pure Horror" (about evil soap!), plus a couple more that are okay. Ingels is superb throughout. "Dying to Lose Weight" is hilarious and gruesome, "Reunion" is romantic and gruesome, "Revenge is the Nuts" is poetic justice a la vengeful mob, and "Staired In Horror" gorgeously renders a leggy murderess and the old mansion she shouldn't have wanted, closing the book in grand style.
As mentioned, this and the two volumes that chronologically follow, "HOF" vol. 2 and "TFTC" vol. 3, represent the peak of Gaines and Feldstein's writing, at least in terms of quality AND quantity. The quality of their best stories would continue to improve, like the artwork all around, but the comics wouldn't be this consistently written again until towards end (starting "VOH" vol. 4, which again strongly benefits from Johnny Craig's writing), when a team of (actually pretty good) writers stepped in to help out (in addition to Ray Bradbury, who started limited and somewhat overrated contributions right after this).
August 23, 2014
Not too much to say about this one. Being volume two, the art is tighter, the stories better and more fearless. Yeah, it's low brow horror, but it's the best damned low brow horror you're going to find in comics.
June 4, 2012
I love the EC Archives, but I must admit this volume is the least memorable.
February 19, 2020
Great art, great stories - nothing more needs be said.
September 26, 2015
This volume includes a fat shaming story so I am sold.
June 10, 2021
Better than the first volume. The stories are a tad better
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews