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The EC Archives
The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales Volume 3
Before Two-Fisted Tales burst onto the scene in 1950, war comics were largely unsophisticated, focusing only on action and adventure-wartime propaganda, essentially. But under the editorial direction of Harvey Kurtzman-who also penned the majority of the stories therein-Two-Fisted Tales dared to examine all the horror and madness to be found on the battlefield. Collecting Two-Fisted Tales issues #30-#35 in fully remastered digital color. * Features stories created by comic artists Gene Colan, Johnny Craig, Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, Will Elder, Ric Estrada, George Evans, Joe Kubert, John Severin, and Wally Wood! * Foreword by Joe Kubert!
- GenresComicsGraphic NovelsWar
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 24, 2020
The art talent captured in each issue of the EC Archives always amaze me. Many of the greats of the comic world got their start or polished their careers at EC. These are a visual treat every time. Recommended
February 11, 2018
After World War II, superhero comics went into decline. In response, publisher William Gaines created the "New Direction" comics for EC, focusing on Crime, Horror, Science Fiction, Humor, and War.
His efforts were largely undone when the Comics Code was instituted, but for a time they had the finest illustrations of anything on the comics rack.
Under the art direction of Harvey Kurtzman EC produced many titles including the now infamous "Tales From The Crypt", and "Vault Of Horror"; legendary "Mad" and "Weird Science-Fantasy", and the war comics, "Frontline Combat" and "Two-Fisted Tales".
From Hannibal crossing the Alps to the then recent Korean War, "Two-Fisted Tales" ran the gamut, some issues are entirely devoted to the American Civil War; and while the writing is sometimes less than stellar, the art is phenomenal. Drawing from a pool of talent that included Wally Wood, Jack Davis, Johnny Craig, Gene Colan and John Severin, it's amazing that these artists could put such detail into their drawings considering they were also working on all of the other titles in the EC line! Their workload must've been enormous, and yet their devotion to the craft and to Bill Gaines is evident in every panel.
His efforts were largely undone when the Comics Code was instituted, but for a time they had the finest illustrations of anything on the comics rack.
Under the art direction of Harvey Kurtzman EC produced many titles including the now infamous "Tales From The Crypt", and "Vault Of Horror"; legendary "Mad" and "Weird Science-Fantasy", and the war comics, "Frontline Combat" and "Two-Fisted Tales".
From Hannibal crossing the Alps to the then recent Korean War, "Two-Fisted Tales" ran the gamut, some issues are entirely devoted to the American Civil War; and while the writing is sometimes less than stellar, the art is phenomenal. Drawing from a pool of talent that included Wally Wood, Jack Davis, Johnny Craig, Gene Colan and John Severin, it's amazing that these artists could put such detail into their drawings considering they were also working on all of the other titles in the EC line! Their workload must've been enormous, and yet their devotion to the craft and to Bill Gaines is evident in every panel.
March 1, 2021
Alas, Harvey Kurtzman did not write some of the stories in the latter part of this graphic collection. His replacement, Jerry De Fuccio, is a good writer in the EC tradition, but Kurtzman is a step above the EC tradition and that makes this collection roughly on a par with the first volume and less than the second.
February 20, 2023
Fantastic! With two full issues dedicated to the American Civil War (the first in Frontline 2), this is one of the more ambitious volumes of this groundbreaking series. John Severin keeps getting better, with his stories for "Grant" and "Robert E Lee" being highlights.
Excellent work from Wood: "Knights", a comedic story that seems to anticipate Monty Python (to whom Kurtzman would soon personally introduce Gilliam). "Hannibal" and "Atom Bomb" are as epic as they sound, and "Trial by Arms" is like a slow mo Dark Ages gladiatorial fight.
Jack Davis is solid, as usual. His best story here, though, is one he wrote himself, called "Betsy". Lots of guest contributors: we get "Lost Battalion" from Johnny Craig, in welcome fine form. Reed Crandall shows up near the end for the battle of "Memphis", his style a good fit for history. Gene Colan, Joe Kubert and Ric Estrada have mixed but overall good contributions.
The scope of this is what impresses most, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Beautifully illustrated history.
Excellent work from Wood: "Knights", a comedic story that seems to anticipate Monty Python (to whom Kurtzman would soon personally introduce Gilliam). "Hannibal" and "Atom Bomb" are as epic as they sound, and "Trial by Arms" is like a slow mo Dark Ages gladiatorial fight.
Jack Davis is solid, as usual. His best story here, though, is one he wrote himself, called "Betsy". Lots of guest contributors: we get "Lost Battalion" from Johnny Craig, in welcome fine form. Reed Crandall shows up near the end for the battle of "Memphis", his style a good fit for history. Gene Colan, Joe Kubert and Ric Estrada have mixed but overall good contributions.
The scope of this is what impresses most, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Beautifully illustrated history.
November 27, 2017
I have loved EC comics since I was a kid! Two-fisted Tales can actually teach you a lot about history and it makes it fun to learn. That's probably where I got my first taste of being a history buff is reading these kinds of illustrated novels. But I love everything from DC Comics From the Vault of Terror to Tales from the Crypt to Two-Fisted Tales. They're great reads! I was totally delighted to see that they're available from Amazon to read on my Kindle.
March 23, 2017
The art carries the book
Not having grown up with EC comics,I have no sense of nostalgia for it. While the stories within run the gamut from good to poor, the art by masters like Wally Wood and John Severin, to name a few, carry the book.
Not having grown up with EC comics,I have no sense of nostalgia for it. While the stories within run the gamut from good to poor, the art by masters like Wally Wood and John Severin, to name a few, carry the book.
August 3, 2017
Beautiful artwork in service to (mostly) strong stories that humanize war.
November 19, 2014
War comics aren't my favorites, but most of these stories weren't bad. My only real complaint is that in a lot of the stories (especially the ones from the two Civil War Special Issues) the authors seemed determined to teach history rather than tell compelling stories.
December 7, 2015
Another great volume. Top notch quality from Dark Horse, and a great collection of stories including two civil war specials. EC is known for their horror, but I always get more out of their war and science fiction books.
October 10, 2015
Volume 3 delivered excellent stories focusing on ancient wars and the new.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews