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EC Cruel Universe #2
You were an explorer who challenged the farthest reaches of existence. Until your technology failed and you found yourself trapped in the endless void of space, drifting amongst the nebulae, with only one question rattling through your tiny, dying, all-too-human What if the horrors of this reality are too great to comprehend? What if they were NEVER supposed to be explored at all? GOOD THING YOU STILL HAVE THIS COMIC TO KEEP YOU COMPANY, SPACEMAN! Test the boundaries of our cold and unforgiving CRUEL UNIVERSE with four bizarre tales of time and space by eight modern masters of the science-fiction Christopher Cantwell (Thanos, Iron Man) and David Lapham (Stray Bullets); Chris Condon (That Texas Blood) and Javier Rodriguez (Amazing Spider-Man); Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and Riley Rossmo (The Sandman); and a very special surprise from Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker) and Leomacs (Rogues). . . . EC Comics dares you to look into the void and ponder what fate awaits us all! (It’s OBLIVION!)
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2024
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 26, 2024
Ray gun was my favorite out of the bunch.
September 26, 2024
I'm on file for this series at my comic book shop now. An EC revival was right up my alley. Finally starting reading it, actually skipped to issue 2 cuz it had the coolest cover haha. An alright issue, nothing that made me regret my purchase but a little disappointing. Style over substance I'd say. I do like the kinda retro style horror homage though but with a modern spin. The stories get better as the issue goes on.
I will say this truley was a cruel universe geez this stuff gets dark, I thought the original EC's Foul Play was fucked!
Organic- 1/5 It does a great job of making me feel uncomfortable, but I didn't really get the ending? Idk the human meat stories are always a no for me. Anyways doesn't do anything new with that story idea.
Brilliant and Deceived- 2/5 Way too short Frankenstein homage, with a twist?
And the profit said- 3/5 A strong story that kinda leaves a bit to be desired at the end, kinda killed the whole thing.
Ray gun-4/5 the best story, amazing twist, no notes
Anyways excited for next months volume!
I will say this truley was a cruel universe geez this stuff gets dark, I thought the original EC's Foul Play was fucked!
Organic- 1/5 It does a great job of making me feel uncomfortable, but I didn't really get the ending? Idk the human meat stories are always a no for me. Anyways doesn't do anything new with that story idea.
Brilliant and Deceived- 2/5 Way too short Frankenstein homage, with a twist?
And the profit said- 3/5 A strong story that kinda leaves a bit to be desired at the end, kinda killed the whole thing.
Ray gun-4/5 the best story, amazing twist, no notes
Anyways excited for next months volume!
September 6, 2024
3.5
Each issue of the new EC titles improves a little on the last so far. I found the first issue of Epitaphs from the Abyss to be a major disappointment, but #2 was a definite step up in quality, and now the same pattern has emerged in Cruel Universe -- I thought the first issue of this series was better than Epitaphs from the Abyss, and this latest release is now the high point of the EC resurrection. The satire of "Organ1c" actually works (unlike the satire in the first Epitaphs issue) thanks to the clever use of actual talking points juxtaposed with clever artwork and page design. And stories like the two-pager and the closer, "Laser Gun," feel very close to the traditions of EC storytelling. Even the story about the man who sees the future wasn't bad, even though it was my least favorite of the batch. Here's hoping the quality continues to ramp up in the October releases.
Each issue of the new EC titles improves a little on the last so far. I found the first issue of Epitaphs from the Abyss to be a major disappointment, but #2 was a definite step up in quality, and now the same pattern has emerged in Cruel Universe -- I thought the first issue of this series was better than Epitaphs from the Abyss, and this latest release is now the high point of the EC resurrection. The satire of "Organ1c" actually works (unlike the satire in the first Epitaphs issue) thanks to the clever use of actual talking points juxtaposed with clever artwork and page design. And stories like the two-pager and the closer, "Laser Gun," feel very close to the traditions of EC storytelling. Even the story about the man who sees the future wasn't bad, even though it was my least favorite of the batch. Here's hoping the quality continues to ramp up in the October releases.
January 2, 2025
really enjoyed "ray gun" and "the profit said..."
writing in those two was quite well done, and the art stands true
"ray gun" was the strongest overall
"Organic" was just too short for me. One or two more pages of gore would have been a good add. The ending was standard EC humor to bring you into the edition.
"Brilliant and Deceived" was the least strong story in my opinion. However, the one panel where the revived wife says, "I'm—I'm alive. My darling" was brilliant.
writing in those two was quite well done, and the art stands true
"ray gun" was the strongest overall
"Organic" was just too short for me. One or two more pages of gore would have been a good add. The ending was standard EC humor to bring you into the edition.
"Brilliant and Deceived" was the least strong story in my opinion. However, the one panel where the revived wife says, "I'm—I'm alive. My darling" was brilliant.
September 23, 2024
An improvement on the last issue, though I still feel the art is lacking. Organ1c was too on the nose, Brilliant and Deceived was a nice, short, and nasty little number. And the Profit Said... was a little messy. Ray Gun was the clear winner here, having the best art as well. I'll keep reading them I guess!
September 4, 2024
The Cantwell story is fantastic.
September 16, 2024
Worth the purchase for the 'Ray Gun' story alone. I'm loving the return of EC and reading these fun new stories and gruesome artwork!
October 10, 2024
The second issue of the EC science fiction book has solid art, but the stories didn't grab me the way those in the first issue did, they were a little more of a mixed bag this time around.
November 4, 2024
Really enjoyed this second issue the stories were superior to number one in my opinion. The cover art A+ creepy and intriguing.
November 11, 2024
That cover is awesome. Shame it wasn't featured inside. This series continues to be better than the Epitaphs. Some stories are too short, but overall enjoyable enough
September 23, 2025
Not a bad read. Simple but interesting stories~
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews