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Choke Gasp! The Best of 75 Years of EC Comics Sampler
Four free stories from the upcoming Choke Gasp! The Best of 75 Years of EC Comics, a premiere collection of the best stories of EC Comics, curated in a deluxe volume, just in time to celebrate the legendary publisher's 75th anniversary! The full volume, on sale December 18th for both print and digital, features classic stories from the hands of legendary creators Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman, Johnny Craig, Jack Davis, Wally Wood, and more! Included in this sampler are the classic stories Master Race, Taint the Meat . . . It's the Humanity!, Yellow!, and Judgment Day! • Four free classics from EC Comics! • Comics from legendary creators Bernie Krigstein, Jack Davis, Bill Gaines, and Al Feldstein! • Free preview for a deluxe volume with 65 classic tales!
"[EC Comics had] the first intelligent sci-fi comics."–Steven Spielberg
"EC Comics has an indelible impact on me."–George Lucas
"[Tales from the Crypt] was seminal in the history of graphic horror. [. . .] This little comic book was pulp horror at its finest."–John Carpenter
"[EC Comics had] the first intelligent sci-fi comics."–Steven Spielberg
"EC Comics has an indelible impact on me."–George Lucas
"[Tales from the Crypt] was seminal in the history of graphic horror. [. . .] This little comic book was pulp horror at its finest."–John Carpenter
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 11, 2023
The EC (Entertaining Comics) Company was one of the most innovative and influential comics companies in the country... ever. Within a few pages, the creative teams were able to convey stories of varying genres that generally delivered a climactic punch.
In "Choke Gasp!" Dark Horse has effectively collected the objectively Best from their vast library starting in the 1940s to the 50s with no less talent than Johny Craig, Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Graham Ingels, Joe Orlando, John Severin, Al Williamson, Wallace Wood, and a host of others as part of the creative teams. This talent pool worked on the horror, fantasy, science fiction titles which were hosted by the Vault Keeper, the Crypt Keeper, and the Old Witch.
Some of these titles are famous like Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, and Haunt of Fear, but even the lesser-known titles have contributed stories to this compendium. Such as: Impact, Crime SuspenStories, Frontline Combat, and Two-Fisted Tales. Re-reading some of these stories reminded me of how impactful they were.
I STILL remember some of these stories today. I remembered that Stephen King in Danse Macabre tells an EC story about a baseball player with poisoned cleats and his comeuppance. That story is included here in all its gloriously, graphic detail. This has gorgeous, sequential art, and classic horror stories. If you call yourself a horror aficionado, at the very least, check this out!!!
In "Choke Gasp!" Dark Horse has effectively collected the objectively Best from their vast library starting in the 1940s to the 50s with no less talent than Johny Craig, Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Graham Ingels, Joe Orlando, John Severin, Al Williamson, Wallace Wood, and a host of others as part of the creative teams. This talent pool worked on the horror, fantasy, science fiction titles which were hosted by the Vault Keeper, the Crypt Keeper, and the Old Witch.
Some of these titles are famous like Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, and Haunt of Fear, but even the lesser-known titles have contributed stories to this compendium. Such as: Impact, Crime SuspenStories, Frontline Combat, and Two-Fisted Tales. Re-reading some of these stories reminded me of how impactful they were.
I STILL remember some of these stories today. I remembered that Stephen King in Danse Macabre tells an EC story about a baseball player with poisoned cleats and his comeuppance. That story is included here in all its gloriously, graphic detail. This has gorgeous, sequential art, and classic horror stories. If you call yourself a horror aficionado, at the very least, check this out!!!
April 14, 2022
Dark Horse continues to kill it with the re-releases of the EC comics line. This time with a Hardcover sampler best of... most of the lines are represented here Tales From the Crypt , The Vault of Horror, THe Haunt of Fear, Weird Science and ShockSuspence Stories. All favorites from my childhood. I love that they are doing this, and if you have any interest in horror comics this is a good place to start.
December 21, 2024
Well that was fun! This anthology of has some of the best selections from its short run of EC Comics of the late 1940s to the early 1950s. The most famous legacy of EC Comics is the Tales from the Crypt horror television series. As far as the American comic genre goes, this short period was certainly one of its most influential. In addition to horror, stories include science fiction—a remarkable number are adaptations of Ray Bradbury stories, war, crime, and social themes few others would touch with subjects ranging from racism, lynching, and crooked police.
Considering all the “good old days” and “time of innocence” that revisionists use to describe America in the 1950s, these stories—one would guess the audience was largely pre-to-post-pubescent males—are remarkably honest and not prone to have happy endings. Taken together, these selections provide an interesting insight into the American psyche in the early 50s, when the Korean War, the possibilities of science, and the Cold War dominated public life. It wasn’t as innocent as some memories would have us believe. Actually, that’s not right, what makes most of these comics so good is that it’s obvious the writer treats the reader like a thinking adult.
Like so many good things, EC was driven out of business largely because of the harassment of the reactionary congressional committees that seemed to define much of 1950s America. The publisher figured it just wasn’t worth the effort and decided to focus on another magazine of theirs called Mad. If that doesn't vouch for the quality of EC Comics, I don't know what does.
Lastly, not that I’m an expert in any way, it’s also interesting to compare the comics of American and European, or more precisely, those with Belgian/French roots, which are the ones with which I’m most familiar. I prefer the latter, but as far as American comics go, this is a pretty good anthology.
Considering all the “good old days” and “time of innocence” that revisionists use to describe America in the 1950s, these stories—one would guess the audience was largely pre-to-post-pubescent males—are remarkably honest and not prone to have happy endings. Taken together, these selections provide an interesting insight into the American psyche in the early 50s, when the Korean War, the possibilities of science, and the Cold War dominated public life. It wasn’t as innocent as some memories would have us believe. Actually, that’s not right, what makes most of these comics so good is that it’s obvious the writer treats the reader like a thinking adult.
Like so many good things, EC was driven out of business largely because of the harassment of the reactionary congressional committees that seemed to define much of 1950s America. The publisher figured it just wasn’t worth the effort and decided to focus on another magazine of theirs called Mad. If that doesn't vouch for the quality of EC Comics, I don't know what does.
Lastly, not that I’m an expert in any way, it’s also interesting to compare the comics of American and European, or more precisely, those with Belgian/French roots, which are the ones with which I’m most familiar. I prefer the latter, but as far as American comics go, this is a pretty good anthology.
August 15, 2021
This is a fascinating collection of some of the best EC had to offer, mostly pre-Code. What surprised me was the number of Ray Bradbury adaptations - somehow I'd never run across those in my reading of EC's sci fi titles before, and they are very strong. There are the usual warnings about publications from the mid-20th century (racism, sexism), but also a surprising Holocaust story that, upon reflection, really shouldn't be surprising given the number of Jewish people working at EC and in the comics industry in general. In any event, that's a particularly striking one in a book that's over 500 pages of strikingly good pulpy stories.
April 21, 2020
You forget how good EC Comics were until you reread some of the best stories in a collection such as Choke Gasp! the Best of 75 Years of EC Comics. Some of these stories will haunt you for days. Having only read the Shock Suspenstories and Crime Suspenstories comics, there was quite a bit in Choke Gasp! I hadn't read.
The title 75 years of EC Comics is a bit misleading since the comic book stories contained therein span the years 1950 to 1956.
The title 75 years of EC Comics is a bit misleading since the comic book stories contained therein span the years 1950 to 1956.
June 28, 2024
I am an avid horror fan - the scarier the story, the better. And I have to thank EC Comics for some of the most gruesome fare out there.
Before the USA had the comics code which 'sanitised' stories so that young minds would not be 'corrupted', they had EC comics which celebrated the horrific nature of human existence. Beautifully narrated and exquisitely drawn, these tales of ghoulies and ghosties, of murder and mayhem, of illicit sex and gratuitous violence enchanted twisted weirdos, both young and old. Unfortunately, being born both in the wrong place and time, I couldn't partake of this exquisitely bloody banquet. But now that official morality is dead and buried, EC Comics is bring old skeletons out of the closet. A big salute to them!
This book contains a choice collection. Of course, everyone would have their favourites: some of them would be here, some of them would be missing. Three of my most-loved tales - Yellow, Split Second and Dead Right - are included, but Ray Bradbury's absolute shocker The October Game is not. But that's only a minor complaint.
Reading these tales, I was struck by how radical they are (even now) - anti-establishment, anti-war, pro-environment and lampooning white supremacy at every possible opportunity. Horror fiction is subversive indeed.
Before the USA had the comics code which 'sanitised' stories so that young minds would not be 'corrupted', they had EC comics which celebrated the horrific nature of human existence. Beautifully narrated and exquisitely drawn, these tales of ghoulies and ghosties, of murder and mayhem, of illicit sex and gratuitous violence enchanted twisted weirdos, both young and old. Unfortunately, being born both in the wrong place and time, I couldn't partake of this exquisitely bloody banquet. But now that official morality is dead and buried, EC Comics is bring old skeletons out of the closet. A big salute to them!
This book contains a choice collection. Of course, everyone would have their favourites: some of them would be here, some of them would be missing. Three of my most-loved tales - Yellow, Split Second and Dead Right - are included, but Ray Bradbury's absolute shocker The October Game is not. But that's only a minor complaint.
Reading these tales, I was struck by how radical they are (even now) - anti-establishment, anti-war, pro-environment and lampooning white supremacy at every possible opportunity. Horror fiction is subversive indeed.
September 9, 2021
A rich collection of a lot (a LOT!) of horror comics, with some suspense, SciFi, and war stories to go along. A handful were adapted from Ray Bradbury's short stories.
This was my first exposure to EC and I was thoroughly entertained. The book is filled to the brim with effective story-twists and lucid visions: the dead rise once more, exerting cruel vengeance on those who wronged them in life; the living prove to be no less vicious in their revenge-taking; villages turn desolate at sundown, for the villagers know there are vampires among them; the radio warns of escaped mental patients; soldiers kill with and without purpose; criminals escape the police, only to find a far worse fate; butchers, faced with wartime austerity, stock their stores with some creative meats; desperate lovers revive their dead spouses, soon coming to regret it; one similarly desperate fellow employs a love potion, guess how that works out for him; overambitious scientists attempt to revive a mummy, and succeed beyond their wildest dreams; a comic-addicted boy dreams up an alien friend, or does he; detectives get caught in their clients' murderous schemes; astronauts descend onto faraway planets, wholly unprepared for what awaits them; time travelers face grave danger when hunting dinosaurs; and so forth...
In spite of their shortness, each story manages to present a convincing world, tell an interesting story, and sometimes even grapple with social issues. Here, less is more.
The drawings illustrating these mad fantasies never disappoint. Each artist has their own distinctive style, and the stories are set up to highlight their strengths - for example, some of these guys could draw zombies in a way that makes you smell their rotten flesh through the page.
Having finished this book, I'm left with a feeling of loss. These works of art were banned by the comic code so that childish stories about guys in spandex suits beating up crooks could dominate the American market instead. What a terrible trade.
This was my first exposure to EC and I was thoroughly entertained. The book is filled to the brim with effective story-twists and lucid visions: the dead rise once more, exerting cruel vengeance on those who wronged them in life; the living prove to be no less vicious in their revenge-taking; villages turn desolate at sundown, for the villagers know there are vampires among them; the radio warns of escaped mental patients; soldiers kill with and without purpose; criminals escape the police, only to find a far worse fate; butchers, faced with wartime austerity, stock their stores with some creative meats; desperate lovers revive their dead spouses, soon coming to regret it; one similarly desperate fellow employs a love potion, guess how that works out for him; overambitious scientists attempt to revive a mummy, and succeed beyond their wildest dreams; a comic-addicted boy dreams up an alien friend, or does he; detectives get caught in their clients' murderous schemes; astronauts descend onto faraway planets, wholly unprepared for what awaits them; time travelers face grave danger when hunting dinosaurs; and so forth...
In spite of their shortness, each story manages to present a convincing world, tell an interesting story, and sometimes even grapple with social issues. Here, less is more.
The drawings illustrating these mad fantasies never disappoint. Each artist has their own distinctive style, and the stories are set up to highlight their strengths - for example, some of these guys could draw zombies in a way that makes you smell their rotten flesh through the page.
Having finished this book, I'm left with a feeling of loss. These works of art were banned by the comic code so that childish stories about guys in spandex suits beating up crooks could dominate the American market instead. What a terrible trade.
February 3, 2020
YES!! The comics I grew up with as a kid! The ones who molded me during my most formative years! Great volume of some of the best horror comics in history. Such a wonderful stroll down memory lane. If you aren't familiar with horror comics, do yourself a favor and read this!
January 2, 2020
Lendo esta compilação de algumas das melhores histórias publicadas nas revistas icónicas da EC Comics, não é difícil de perceber porque é que esta editora foi parar ao centro de um pânico moral. A história é bem conhecida dos fãs do género. Nos anos 50, surgiu uma preocupação desmedida com os efeitos perniciosos que a leitura de histórias de banda desenhada teria sobre a mente das crianças. Que levou a indústria a voluntariamente sanitizar as suas edições, adotando um código de conduta policiado pela Comics Code Authority (na verdade, uma associação de editoras), garantindo que as bandas desenhadas não continham material violento ou pruriente. Os efeitos reais desta medida foram a total infantilização dos comics, a extinção de diversas vertentes do género para se ficar com os super-heróis, teenage romance (como a Archie Comics) ou piadas com animais antropomórficos (pensem Disney). O género horror quase se extinguiu.
Não deixou de haver edição de BD com temas mais polémicos. A Warren Publishing explorou muito bem o filão do horror com títulos clássicos, que usavam um formato de página diferente para escapar à Comics Code Authority. Ou o humor mordaz da Mad Magazine. Mas os comics mantiveram-se num marasmo que só começou a terminar nos anos 90, com as editoras a arriscar apostar em maior profundidade e diversidade, para lá do simplismo dos super heróis clássicos. Já a EC não sobreviveu.
A estética da EC, que diga-se, foi muito replicada mas mal imitada pelos seus concorrentes, esteve no centro das cruzadas lideradas por William Gaines, um psicólogo de capacidade duvidosa que encontrou no pânico moral anti-comics uma oportunidade de carreira. E não lhe foi difícil usar a violência macabra do horror da EC para agitar a opinião pública, que se assustou quando percebeu que as criancinhas estavam a ler bandas desenhadas cheias de cabeças decepadas, monstros deformados, facínoras que sofrem punições irónicas, ou relatos de combate que em vez de mostrar uma visão heróica da guerra, a mostravam como violenta, inútil e devoradora de homens. Os argumentos foram essencialmente aqueles que ouvimos sempre que há pânicos morais com criações culturais e novos media: o efeito negativo sobre o cérebro das crianças e adolescentes destes conteúdos. Soa familiar? É o que se diz hoje dos smartphones, ou se dizia dos videojogos.
Reunidos neste volume estão algumas das melhores histórias da curta mas fulgurante EC. Colige contos retirados de vários dos seus títulos clássicos, entre o terror, a ficção científica, o crime e a guerra. A sua linha condutora é o atrevimento em ir mais além. O horror é visceral e tétrico, o crime mórbido, violento e irónico. A guerra é sangrenta e desoladora. E a ficção científica é inteligente, embora mescle elementos de crime e horror. Para lá dos argumentos excelentes, há o estilo icónico de ilustradores como John Severin, Alex Toth ou Jack Williamson. Ou seja, não são só as histórias, é a mestria estética do grafismo.
Por entre as histórias da antologia, podemos encontrar pérolas como adaptações de contos de Ray Bradbury, ou a pérola que é Master Race, uma à época polémica história sobre o holocausto. Não admira que a EC tivesse sido queimada no fogo carreirista do pânico de Gaines. Atrevia-se a dar a ler histórias sobre futuros fantásticos, deliciar o leitor com horror macabro, ou recordar os horrores reais da História, sem paninhos quentes. Ao contrário de muito do que foi publicado pelos concorrentes, e dos comics clássicos, o trabalho desenvolvido sob a égide da EC aguenta o teste do tempo, lê-se hoje ainda como refrescante, intrigante e provocador.
Não deixou de haver edição de BD com temas mais polémicos. A Warren Publishing explorou muito bem o filão do horror com títulos clássicos, que usavam um formato de página diferente para escapar à Comics Code Authority. Ou o humor mordaz da Mad Magazine. Mas os comics mantiveram-se num marasmo que só começou a terminar nos anos 90, com as editoras a arriscar apostar em maior profundidade e diversidade, para lá do simplismo dos super heróis clássicos. Já a EC não sobreviveu.
A estética da EC, que diga-se, foi muito replicada mas mal imitada pelos seus concorrentes, esteve no centro das cruzadas lideradas por William Gaines, um psicólogo de capacidade duvidosa que encontrou no pânico moral anti-comics uma oportunidade de carreira. E não lhe foi difícil usar a violência macabra do horror da EC para agitar a opinião pública, que se assustou quando percebeu que as criancinhas estavam a ler bandas desenhadas cheias de cabeças decepadas, monstros deformados, facínoras que sofrem punições irónicas, ou relatos de combate que em vez de mostrar uma visão heróica da guerra, a mostravam como violenta, inútil e devoradora de homens. Os argumentos foram essencialmente aqueles que ouvimos sempre que há pânicos morais com criações culturais e novos media: o efeito negativo sobre o cérebro das crianças e adolescentes destes conteúdos. Soa familiar? É o que se diz hoje dos smartphones, ou se dizia dos videojogos.
Reunidos neste volume estão algumas das melhores histórias da curta mas fulgurante EC. Colige contos retirados de vários dos seus títulos clássicos, entre o terror, a ficção científica, o crime e a guerra. A sua linha condutora é o atrevimento em ir mais além. O horror é visceral e tétrico, o crime mórbido, violento e irónico. A guerra é sangrenta e desoladora. E a ficção científica é inteligente, embora mescle elementos de crime e horror. Para lá dos argumentos excelentes, há o estilo icónico de ilustradores como John Severin, Alex Toth ou Jack Williamson. Ou seja, não são só as histórias, é a mestria estética do grafismo.
Por entre as histórias da antologia, podemos encontrar pérolas como adaptações de contos de Ray Bradbury, ou a pérola que é Master Race, uma à época polémica história sobre o holocausto. Não admira que a EC tivesse sido queimada no fogo carreirista do pânico de Gaines. Atrevia-se a dar a ler histórias sobre futuros fantásticos, deliciar o leitor com horror macabro, ou recordar os horrores reais da História, sem paninhos quentes. Ao contrário de muito do que foi publicado pelos concorrentes, e dos comics clássicos, o trabalho desenvolvido sob a égide da EC aguenta o teste do tempo, lê-se hoje ainda como refrescante, intrigante e provocador.
January 31, 2021
What a great collection of stories from EC Comics! I used to love Tales From the Crypt as a kid. I even got to read comics I haven't read from the EC library like Shock and Suspense. A little bit of horror history right here!
March 29, 2020
A good primer of what EC Comics was and a good starting point for anyone interested in this era of comics.
April 12, 2020
Outstanding collection of greatest hits from all across the incredible output of EC Comics.
August 27, 2022
"Wanna try somethin fun?" A decent sample that is by no means the 'Best of', it's still the best introduction to EC available now. 55 stories is a nice slab, especially for the relatively low cost of this book, although they really skimped on the Wallace Wood section, and could be more informative over all. A real best of would have to be at least four times the length of this book and contain both color and black and white, which is obviously ridiculous, especially since this one did a pretty good job of getting me to buy everything else the EC label ever released. Highly addictive, and no substitute for the rest of it once you're hooked.
October 19, 2022
I watched a really well-researched video about EC Comics that impressed me and I wanted to start somewhere.
I didn't love all the stories, I didn't even read all of them (war stories aren't my thing). But I found some of them really great (I think my fave was "Touch and Go!" about a man who commits murder and is obsessed with the thought of fingerprints left behind. OH! And "The Small Assassin" about a possibly evil baby). I love how the various artists have their own style and they aren't just nameless people following a set pattern like other comic companies.
Cool stuff.
I didn't love all the stories, I didn't even read all of them (war stories aren't my thing). But I found some of them really great (I think my fave was "Touch and Go!" about a man who commits murder and is obsessed with the thought of fingerprints left behind. OH! And "The Small Assassin" about a possibly evil baby). I love how the various artists have their own style and they aren't just nameless people following a set pattern like other comic companies.
Cool stuff.
October 19, 2020
By the time I became aware of EC, it was already too late to be impressed. I'd seen Night of the Living Dead at the age of 9 at a Halloween spook show. Once you've seen that, the horror comics are tame and predictable. That's why this only gets three stars. EC's war comics however, are the tops. Far more entertaining than their horror and thriller comics. The art is mostly brilliant with Wally Wood and John Severin my favorites.
February 6, 2025
Simply the best of the best from EC comics past! Several Ray Bradbury comics were included, several excellent “Tales” or “Vault” comics known from the show’s retellings, and some comics from “War Stories” I found surprisingly gripping! If you want to cut out the time, weeding through some of the more mediocre comics to find the gems, this is your easy-way-out!
January 7, 2021
4 high quality stories.
Good color artwork. Cleaned up. The panels display in a modern fashion for easy reading. The stories cover everything from Nazi deathcamps to human cannibalism to robot discrimination. Suitable for teens and adults.
Good color artwork. Cleaned up. The panels display in a modern fashion for easy reading. The stories cover everything from Nazi deathcamps to human cannibalism to robot discrimination. Suitable for teens and adults.
March 29, 2026
Stunned
How can four short illustrated stories, all 60-70 years old, be so intriguing. I am blown away by the storytelling here - different times, different genres - a timeless read.
How can four short illustrated stories, all 60-70 years old, be so intriguing. I am blown away by the storytelling here - different times, different genres - a timeless read.
June 18, 2020
If only the sampler... sampled more. But a great free "taste" of EC, though with one problematic war story, looking at the expectations of fathers toward sons...
October 30, 2020
You cannot go wrong with EC.
June 10, 2024
Buenas historietas. Lástima de recoloreados digitales reguleros.
July 17, 2024
Love 50’s horror comics and EC is the best!
December 16, 2021
I forgot how grotesque some of these stories were. Hard pass.
August 1, 2026
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is an compilation that showcases the brilliance and diversity of EC Comics over the decades. At the same time this comic book captures the essence of what made EC Comics a cornerstone of the industry.
This comic book features a variety of genres, including horror, science fiction, and crime, reflecting the eclectic range that EC was known for. Each story is carefully selected to highlight the unique storytelling and artistic prowess that defined the publisher. The narratives are as engaging today as they were decades ago, with themes that resonate across generations.
Al Feldstein’s contributions stand out for their sharp writing and clever twists. His ability to weave suspense and moral complexity into short stories is evident throughout the collection. Whether exploring the eerie depths of horror or the speculative possibilities of science fiction, Feldstein’s work remains impactful and thought-provoking.
Bernie Krigstein’s artwork is another highlight, showcasing his innovative approach to comic art. His use of dynamic layouts and expressive characters adds depth and intensity to the stories. Krigstein’s ability to convey emotion and tension through his art enhances the overall impact of the narratives, making each panel a visual delight.
This comic book collection is not only a tribute to the stories themselves but also to the groundbreaking artistry that defined EC Comics. The attention to detail in both the writing and the art demonstrates the creative risks and innovations that EC embraced. This boldness is one of the key reasons the publisher’s work remains influential.
The pacing of this comic book is well-balanced, offering a mix of fast-paced tales and slower, more introspective stories. This variety ensures that I personally remained engaged throughout, with each story offering something unique to savor. The transitions between different genres are smooth, highlighting the versatility of EC’s creators.
One of the strengths of this comic book is its ability to evoke nostalgia while still feeling relevant. The themes explored ( such as morality, fear, and human nature) are timeless, allowing readers to connect with the material on multiple levels. The stories challenge us as readers to reflect on societal issues, often through the lens of allegory and metaphor.
Despite its strengths, this comic book might feel uneven to some readers, given the diversity of styles and genres. However, this variety is also one of its charms, offering a comprehensive glimpse into EC’s vast repertoire.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
This comic book is an compilation that showcases the brilliance and diversity of EC Comics over the decades. At the same time this comic book captures the essence of what made EC Comics a cornerstone of the industry.
This comic book features a variety of genres, including horror, science fiction, and crime, reflecting the eclectic range that EC was known for. Each story is carefully selected to highlight the unique storytelling and artistic prowess that defined the publisher. The narratives are as engaging today as they were decades ago, with themes that resonate across generations.
Al Feldstein’s contributions stand out for their sharp writing and clever twists. His ability to weave suspense and moral complexity into short stories is evident throughout the collection. Whether exploring the eerie depths of horror or the speculative possibilities of science fiction, Feldstein’s work remains impactful and thought-provoking.
Bernie Krigstein’s artwork is another highlight, showcasing his innovative approach to comic art. His use of dynamic layouts and expressive characters adds depth and intensity to the stories. Krigstein’s ability to convey emotion and tension through his art enhances the overall impact of the narratives, making each panel a visual delight.
This comic book collection is not only a tribute to the stories themselves but also to the groundbreaking artistry that defined EC Comics. The attention to detail in both the writing and the art demonstrates the creative risks and innovations that EC embraced. This boldness is one of the key reasons the publisher’s work remains influential.
The pacing of this comic book is well-balanced, offering a mix of fast-paced tales and slower, more introspective stories. This variety ensures that I personally remained engaged throughout, with each story offering something unique to savor. The transitions between different genres are smooth, highlighting the versatility of EC’s creators.
One of the strengths of this comic book is its ability to evoke nostalgia while still feeling relevant. The themes explored ( such as morality, fear, and human nature) are timeless, allowing readers to connect with the material on multiple levels. The stories challenge us as readers to reflect on societal issues, often through the lens of allegory and metaphor.
Despite its strengths, this comic book might feel uneven to some readers, given the diversity of styles and genres. However, this variety is also one of its charms, offering a comprehensive glimpse into EC’s vast repertoire.
April 12, 2023
A great primer on EC comics depending on whether you like the coloring job or not. I didn't mind it at all. I'd still like an ink only version to look at. Al Williamson and Jack Davis get a bit washed out with too much coloring.
The sci-fi stories were fantastic. They adapt a lot of Raymond Bradbury stories (that I have never read before). 50 Girls 50 is literally just a much much better version of the movie Passengers (2016). It took the same premise but has a much darker edge that the movie side-skirts.
The war stories take the cake for me. The Alex Toth one is perhaps my favourite fighter plane story in all of comics. All of Kurtzman's war stories are breathtaking.
The best story in the whole volume is the classic Master Race by Krigstein and Al Feldstein. This deserves its place up there with Maus for its commentary on the holocaust.
My biggest complaint is of course how text-heavy some of the pages can get. It suffers from text boxes that simply describe the content of that comic panel. A lot of the horror stories drag on because of this. The Kurtzman penned stories don't have this issue thankfully.
The sci-fi stories were fantastic. They adapt a lot of Raymond Bradbury stories (that I have never read before). 50 Girls 50 is literally just a much much better version of the movie Passengers (2016). It took the same premise but has a much darker edge that the movie side-skirts.
The war stories take the cake for me. The Alex Toth one is perhaps my favourite fighter plane story in all of comics. All of Kurtzman's war stories are breathtaking.
The best story in the whole volume is the classic Master Race by Krigstein and Al Feldstein. This deserves its place up there with Maus for its commentary on the holocaust.
My biggest complaint is of course how text-heavy some of the pages can get. It suffers from text boxes that simply describe the content of that comic panel. A lot of the horror stories drag on because of this. The Kurtzman penned stories don't have this issue thankfully.
July 22, 2023
I've read many of these comics in black and white in the Fantagraphics collections and was curious to see what they'd be like in color. I think I prefer the black and white if I had to choose, but it's nice to have both now. This big, heavy book includes some of the best stories by each featured artist, making it a good introduction and a bargain.
April 30, 2022
Quickly found myself preferring the Tales from the Crypt stuff, but the other series were fun as well. Book itself isn’t super informational (doesn’t even list publish dates for the comics), but overall a lot of fun.
December 20, 2019
A great 4 story examples of why EC Comics are still great storytelling
a thrilling mystery
a horror story, a world war 2 tale & a future story of social relevance
A great read !
a thrilling mystery
a horror story, a world war 2 tale & a future story of social relevance
A great read !
February 15, 2022
Highly recommended
A wonderful compilation Of E.C. comics from the 1950s. Great artwork and innovative stories from renowned talents such as Ray Bradbury and Harvey Kurtzman.
A wonderful compilation Of E.C. comics from the 1950s. Great artwork and innovative stories from renowned talents such as Ray Bradbury and Harvey Kurtzman.
March 31, 2025
So far the definitive collection of EC stories. Really appreciate the mixture of genres, from horror and science fiction, to crime and war.
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