Your Guide To Oni Press’ EC Comics Revival

It was only a matter of time before someone decided to publish new EC Comics. A creative powerhouse in the late 1940s and into the mid-50s, EC Comics crafted progressive, controversial, and visually stunning comics. So it’s no surprise Oni Press has revived the name for new comic anthologies 70 years later.

Discover everything you need to know about the EC Comics revival in this guide. You’ll learn all about the comics, the creators involved, and how this new line differs from the classic comics, so you can easily dive into reading.

What is Oni Press doing with EC Comics?

Oni Press has entered into a published partnership with the William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. – the rights owners to the EC Comics name and material. This will see a slate of new EC Comics in comic book shops and bookstores.

Who was EC Comics?

Known as “Educational Comics” at the time, EC Comics was founded by Max Gaines in 1944 as a shell company of All-American Publications. However, it splintered into its own publisher the following year when All-American merged with DC Comics. As the name suggests, Educational Comics published comics about science, history, and the Bible – marketing them to schools, churches, and families.

However, this would drastically change after a boating accident killed Max Gaines in 1947. His son, William Gaines, inherited the publisher. And with this direction, new, more mature titles were introduced in 1949-1950. (EC Comics also became known as “Entertaining Comics”.) These comic book anthologies focused on horror, suspense, war, science fiction, and crime. These comics would push the boundaries of the time with controversial content, progressive themes, and biting satire. These were so forward-focused that they’re still celebrated 70 years later.

Unfortunately, this legendary run would not last for long. A double whammy of Dr. Fredric Wertham, who led a moral panic on the content in comics, published Seduction of the Innocent and a 1954 congressional hearing on juvenile delinquency painted comics in a poor light. This resulted in the introduction of the Comics Code Authority, a guideline for self-censorship for comic book publishing. This took a lot of bite out of EC Comics. In the end, they decided to focus on publishing Mad Magazine instead.

During their short time, EC Comics published anthology titles such as Tales from the Crypt, Weird Fantasy, Frontline Combat, Weird Science, Two-Fisted Tales, Crime SuspenStories, and many others.

EC Comics material has been reprinted many times throughout the decades, with Dark Horse Comics and Fantagraphics reprinting stories in different formats.

Capturing the spirit of EC Comics through a modern lens

So, how do these new EC Comics differ from the original run? Oni Press president and publisher Hunter Gorinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn discussed this with AIPT Comics. For them, it’s about capturing the spirit of EC Comics without it being a pastiche. An approach that’s more “what would an EC comic in the Modern Age be like?” instead of replicating what came before. Gorinson goes even further by saying:

“We would consider this to be a failure if we simply did a retro-obsessed, nostalgia-facing ‘all the stories have to be set in 1954.’ Or, we’re going to try and do our best to find artists that draw exactly like Graham Ingels and Johnny Craig and Reed Crandall…”

That being said, some distinctly visual elements of EC Comics will be present in this new generation of comics. The most notable are the covers, which follow the same template as the originals by dedicating the top-third to the title. It wouldn’t be EC Comics without it.

Additionally, the original lettering has been recreated and will be used in these new comics.

The EC Comics of the 1950s drilled in on anxieties of the post-World War II and Cold War eras. While some of the themes are just as relevant today, the new comics will focus on tackling the anxieties of now. As mentioned earlier, the comics are less concerned about being retro-obsessed and aiming to be a natural evolution.

What comics will be part of the new EC Comics?

Find details below for the comic series part of the revived EC Comics line. Where possible, I’ll include the list of stories in each issue and the creative teams as well.

Epitaphs From The Abyss

Epitaphs From The Abyss is a horror anthology in the vein of classic EC titles Tales From The Crypt and Vault of Horror.

Those series had horror hosts in The Old Witch, The Vault Keeper, and The Crypt Keeper. Each introduced the stories and added additional flavour to each issue. Epitaphs From Abyss will continue that tradition with new hosts, as designed by artist Dustin Weaver. These are Grave-Digger, the Tormentor, and the Grim Inquisitor. Check them out below.

Epitaphs From The Abyss was announced as a five-issue series but strong orders meant that Oni Press expanded it to twelve.

Find out more details about the stories and creators featured in each below. Discover even more in our Epitaphs of the Abyss Volume 1 review.

Epitaphs From The Abyss #1 stories:

• “Us Vs. Us” by Brian Azzarello and Vlad Legostaev
• “Killer Spec” by J. Holtham and Jorge Fornes
• “Family Values” by Stephanie Phillips and Phil Hester
• “Senator, Senator” by Chris Condon and Peter Krause

Epitaphs From The Abyss #2 stories:

• “Sounds and Haptics” by Jason Aaron and Jorge Fornes
• “Gray Green Memories” by Tyler Crook
• “Pattern Recognition” by Matt Kindt and Klaus Janson

Epitaphs From The Abyss #3 stories:

• “A Crossroads Repetition” by Chris Condon and Charlie Adlard
• “A Hand In It” by Jay Stephens and Leomacs
• “Blood Oath” by Corinna Bechko and Jonathan Case

Epitaphs From The Abyss #4 stories:

• “Dead From Exposure” by Jay Stephens and David Lapham
• “The Perfect Pearl” by Amy Roy and Claire Roe
• “Under the Influence” by J. Holtham and Leomacs

Epitaphs From The Abyss #5 stories:

• “Forever Home” by Matt Kindt and Leomacs
• “Some Things You Lose, Some Things You Give Away” by Matthew Rosenberg and Kano
• “All-New You” by Joanne Starer and Alexandre Tefenkgi

Epitaphs From The Abyss #6 stories:

• “How Was Your Day?” by Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Crook
• “Writer’s Block” by Tim Seeley and Charlie Adlard
• “Triggers” by J. Holtham and David Lapham

Epitaphs From The Abyss #7 stories:

• “Prohibition” by Cullen Bunn and Andrea Sorrentino
• “A Splice of the Action” by Chris Condon and Valeria Burzo
• “Black Gold Cemetery” by Jordon Thomas and Andrea Mutti

Epitaphs From The Abyss #8 stories:

• “Yellow Smoke” by Stephanie Phillips and Valeria Burzo
• “The Honking” by Brendan Hay, PJ Holden, and John McCrea
• “The Main Character” by Joshua Hale Failkov and Andrea Sorrentino

Epitaphs From The Abyss #9 stories:

• “Exterminators” by Brian Azzarello and David Lapham
• “Heaven is a Rounded Diamond” by Christopher Cantwell and Peter Krause
• “The Rates of Ash Street” by Michael W. Conrad and Christopher Mitten

Epitaphs From The Abyss #10 stories:

• “I Don’t Miss You” by Jeremy Lambert and Valeria Burzo
• “Splinter” by Curt Pires and Brian Level
• “Feed the Right Wolf” by Jeff Jensen and Sami Kivela

Epitaphs From The Abyss #11 stories:

• “Pruning Lessons” by Greg Pak and Dan McDaid
• “Ill Temperance” by Jay Stephens and David Rubin
• “She Consorted with Devils” by Stephanie Phillips and Christopher Mitten

Epitaphs From The Abyss #12 stories:

• “Still the Waves” by Michael W. Conrad and Alison Sampson
• “Help Less” by Matt Kindt and Klaus Janson
• “She Needs Help” by Tyler Crook

Buy Epitaphs From the Abyss from: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Cruel Universe

Cruel Universe is the science fiction anthology of the revived line, similar to classic EC Comics like Weird Fantasy and Weird Science. The series initially ran for five issues between August 2024 and December 2024. It returned for a second volume, titled “Cruel Universe II”, that will run for twelve issues.

Discover more information about each issue, including the creative teams and stories featured below.

Cruel Universe #1 stories:

• “The Champion” by Matt Kindt and Kano
• “Solo Shift” by Corinna Bechko and Caitlin Yarsky
• “Drink Up!” by Chris Condon and Jonathan Case
• “Priceless” by Ben H. Winters and Artyom Topilin

Cruel Universe #2 stories:

• “Organic” by Stephanie Phillips and Riley Rossmo
• “Profit” by Chris Condon and Javier Fernandez
• “Ray Gun” by Christopher Cantwell and David Lapham
• “Homage” by Ben H. Winters and Leomacs

Cruel Universe #3 stories:

• “Automated” by J. Holtham and Kano
• “We Drown on Earth” by Zac Thompson and Dan McDaid
• “The Deleted Man” by Ben H. Winters and Carson Thorn
• “Behave” by Cullen Bunn and David Rubin

Cruel Universe #4 stories:

• “By the Book” by Matt Bors and Daniel Irizarri
• “Doomsday Particle” by Matt Kindt and Alison Sampson
• “Peer Review” by Cecil Castellucci and Andrew Mutti
• “The Hero of Venisu” by Ben H. Winters and Kano

Cruel Universe #5 stories:

• “The Pairing Knife” by Corina Bechko and Leomacs
• “Ink Spot Test” by Cullen Bunn and Peter Krause
• “The Billionaire Trust” by Corina Bechko and Daniel Irizarri

Cruel Universe II #1 stories:

• “In A Strange Land” by J. Holtham and David Rubin
• “Catch & Kill” by Ann Nocenti and Kano
• “The Fittest” by Greg Pak and Charlie Adlard
• “Derelict Ship” by William M. Gaines, Al Feldstein, and Bernard Krigstein [Originally published in Weird Fantasy #22]

Cruel Universe II #2 stories:

• “I Have An Alien In My Basement” by Dave Wielgosz and Riley Rossmo
• “Ham Radio” by Melissa Flores and Clare Roe
• “For Art’s Sake” by Chris Condon and Sami Kivela

Cruel Universe II #3 stories:

• “Genocide To Go” by Rian Hughes and Anna Readman
• “Pheromone” by Cecil Castellucci and Clare Roe
• “Worth It” by Sarah Gailey and Kano

Cruel Universe II #4 stories:

• “True Believer” by J. Holtham and Brian Level
• “A Helping Hand” by Cecil Castellucci and Andrea Mutti
• “Beat the Clock” by Ryan Haddock and Claire Roe

Cruel Universe II #5 stories:

• “Hope Endures” by Ryan Haddock and Kano
• “Byproduct” by Andrew Wheeler and Andrea Mutti
• “Some Time To Reflect” by Corinna Bechko and Tyler Jenkins

Cruel Universe II #6 stories:

• “Chum” by Maria Ingrande Mora and Fabiana Mascolo
• “Silk” by Corinna Bechko and Kelly Williams
• “Back to Nature” by Greg Pak and Sebastian Cabrol

Cruel Universe II #7 stories:

• “Feature or Bug” by Greg Pak and David Lapham
• “War Machines” by Anthony Mauro and Kano
• “Artifical Insanity” by Amy Roy and Malachi Ward

Cruel Universe II #8 stories:

• “Blackout” by Melissa Flores and Kano
• “Clinical Trial” by Mike Carey and Daniel Gete
• “Puppy Lake” by Jeff Jensen and Lukas Ketner

Cruel Universe II #9-12 (of 12) will be added to this guide when more details are made available.

Buy Cruel Universe on: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Shiver SuspenStories

Shiver SuspenStories are 56-page holiday-themed one-shot anthologies, which will include a blend of horror, science fiction, and war stories.

Oni Press has released Shiver SuspenStories in 2024 and Shiver SuspenStories II in 2025.

Shiver SuspenStories:

• “Checking it Twice” by Hunter Gorinson and Valeria Burzo
• “The Last Ornament” by Jason Aaron by Kano
• “Ghost in the Machine” by Ben H. Winters and Peter Krause
• “Red as Any Blood” by Jay Stephens by David Lapham
• “Curse of the Magi” by George Northly and Caitlin Yarsky
• “Two of a Kind” by Johnny Craig [Originally published in Vault of Horror #26]

Shiver SuspenStories II:

• “Eight Vengeful Nights” by Ben H. Winters and Sami Kivela
• “Mistetoe” by George Northy and Dan McDaid
• “Ginger-Snapped” by Melissa Flores and Leomacs
• “Red Season” by David M. Booher and Lukas Ketner
• “The Execution” by Johnny Craig [Originally published in Crime SuspenStories #12]

Cruel Kingdom

After Cruel Universe’s five-issue run is complete, it will be replaced with Cruel Kingdom – a four-issue dark fantasy anthology.

Cruel Kingdom #1 stories:

• “Blood on the Robo King” by Greg Pak and Leomacs
• “Friendly Visitors” by Al Ewing and Kano
• “Death and Panakes” by Chris Condon and Charlie Adlard
• “The Demon’s Face” by Ben H. Winters and Andrea Mutti
• “A Rare Immunity” by Chris Condon and PJ Holden
• “Hammers of Witches” by Steve Niles and Andrea Mutti

Cruel Kingdom #2 stories:

• “A Rare Immunity” by Chris Condon and PJ Holden
• “Hammer of Witches” by Steve Niles and Andrea Mutti
• “Seat of Power” by Cameron Chittock and David Lapham

Cruel Kingdom #3 stories:

• “Just Desserts” by Matt Bors and Valeria Burzo
• “The Feast of King Arthur” by Christopher Cantwell and Kano
• “Heart of Ice” by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Mutti

Cruel Kingdom #4 stories:

• “Headmistress” by Greg Pak, PJ Holden, and John McCrea
• “What You Wish For” by J. Holtham and Caitlin Yarsky
• “Ye Shall Be Healed” by Ben H. Winters and Brian Level

Buy Cruel Kingdom on: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Blood Type

Written by Corinna Bechko. Art by Andrea Sorrentino.

Blood Type is a very different EC Comic. Instead of an anthology, this miniseries is standalone, with a dedicated creative team and focal character. It focuses on Ada, a vampire readers were first introduced to in the pages of Epitaphs of the Abyss #3, who has just landed on the doorstep of a wealthy Caribbean resort.

This miniseries ran for four issues.

Blood Type #0 was be released as part of Free Comic Book Day 2025. This gives a preview of the Blood Type series plus reprints some stories from Epitaphs From The Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom.

Buy Blood Type on: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Catacomb of Torment

Catacomb of Torment is the current horror offering as part of the EC Comics revival. This ongoing series began in July 2025 and publishes a new issue monthly.

Catacomb of Torment #1 stories:

• “What’s the Deal With Voodoo?” by John Arcudi and Patrick Piazzalunga
• “Quintana Roo” by Marguerite Bennett and Dan McDaid
• “Garden Variety” by Matt Kindt and David Lapham
• “Halloween” by William M. Gaines, Al Feldstein, and Graham Ingels [Originally published in Shock SuspenStories #2]

Catacomb of Torment #2 stories:

• “Red Blend” by Even Dorkin and Lukas Ketner
• “The Dressmaker” by Jeremy Lambert and Fabiana Mascolo
• “Hostile Architecture” by Matt Bors and Kano

Catacomb of Torment #3 stories:

• “Movie Night at the Marigold Inn” by Ryan Haddock and Sami Kivela
• “Intrusive Thoughts” by Joanne Starer and Christopher Mitten
• “Couples Therapy” by J. Holtham and Valeria Burzo

Catacomb of Torment #4 stories:

• “These Are The Colors That Run” by Patricia A. Jackson and Shawn Martinbrough
• “Mary, Mary, How Does Your Garden Grow?” by Amy Roy and Fabiana Mascolo
• “Whodunnit?” by John Arcudi and Shawn McManus

Catacomb of Torment #5 stories:

• “Necronomicomicon” by Evan Dorkin and Lukas Ketner
• “A Ray of Sunshine” by Paul Tobin and Dan McDaid
• “Tooth and Claw” by Christopher Cantwell and PJ Holden

Catacomb of Torment #6 stories:

• “The Composite Man” by Matt Bors and Claire Roe
• “Making the Cut” by Rachel Werner and Shawn McManus
• “The Filmmaker’s Dilemma” by Dave Baker and Justin Greenwood

Catacomb of Torment #7 stories:

• “Teaching Moment” by Greg Pak and Sami Kivela
• “American Dream” by Sarah Galley and Tom Fowler
• “Smile More” by Meghan Fitzmartin and Eric Battle

Catacomb of Torment #8 stories:

• “The Miniature Painter” by Paul Tobin and Arjuna Susini
• “The Wheel” by Rafael Scavone and Rafael Albuquerque
• “#TR011HUNT3R” by Robert Menegus and Valeria Burzo

Catacomb of Torment #9 stories:

• “Picture Ready” by Joe R. Lansdale and David Lapham
• “Hatewatch” by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Malachi Ward
• “Eternal Youth” by Celeste Bronfman and Felipe Pinto

Buy Blood Type on: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Outlaw Showdown

Outlaw Showdown is a western-themed one-shot that was published in 2025. It features stories of revenge and brutal justice in the wild west.

Outlaw Showdown #1 stories:

• “Cool, Cool Water” by John Arcudi and Sebastian Cabrol
• “Fire in the Hole” by Tony Moore
• “The Cure” by Ann Nocenti and David Lapham
• “Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis [Originally published in Two-Fisted Tales #20]

Buy Outlaw Showdown on: Amazon/Kindle | eBay

Will there be more new EC Comics?

Yes. Oni Press have been adding new comics to the EC Comics line, while keeping the offering makable for readers. Through this, there tends to only be two or three comics released a month. As a result, a new series tends to join the line when another concludes.

As quoted by The Wrap, Hunter Gorinson has mentioned that Oni Press has a “secret roadmap that goes for maybe two or three years into the future of ideas of what we’re going to do.” He goes on to say that not all the series not every title will be an anthology. Additionally, the line will explore other genres, including “some that EC dabbled in, but specifically never devoted titles to independently before.”

This guide will be updated when new titles are announced.

Where can I read the original EC Comics material?

The original EC Comics material has been reprinted many times over the decades. Currently, Dark Horse Comics and Fantagraphics publish reprinted material in different formats.

Dark Horse has the EC Archives line, collecting issues of the classic anthologies in oversized trade paperbacks and hardcovers. The comics have been restored with digital colouring and feature forewards by notable names in comics, Hollywood, and beyond.

Fantagraphics has taken a more artist-led approach to reprinting EC Comics. The EC Artists’ Library collects stories based on artists and themes instead of the chronological approach of the EC Archives. The art has been digitally restored but presented in black and white to highlight the work each artist contributed to the visually stunning comics. These also include contextual essays from comic historians and introductions by notable figures.

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Have your say

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