EC Comics is Back With an Ax To Grind in EPITAPHS From The ABYSS #1 – Coming in July from Oni Press!

By Carlos Morales

on April 21, 2024

From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC COMICS returns on July 24th with its first BOLD AND BLOODY NEW series in nearly 70 years! In partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc., Oni Press is proud to reveal the complete line-up of “all-killer” writers, artists, and cover artists behind EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 – a 40-page testament to terror ushering in the full-scale resurrection of comics’ most infamous and influential publishing house…

In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the immortal EC tradition—as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (Night Thrasher, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by “all-slaughter” artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and Vlad Legostaev (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

“Due to the nature of my stories, I’ve been asked about EC Comics since I started in this industry,” said multiple Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello. “Frederick Wertham and his asinine comics code knee-capped us. Thank God — or my grandmother, who didn’t throw out my father’s comics -— that I was able to discover EC in an attic I was forbidden to go in. That subsequent downward spiral has led me to where I am now.”

“I can’t imagine a better time for EC Comics to come back into the world,” said writer J. Holtham. “They’ve always been great at skewering (literally) the worst people in the world. We have a lot of folks who could use a good skewering. And then some.”

“As a reader, I am thrilled EC Comics is returning because the present world is beyond ripe for their brand of subversive horror stories,” said writer Stephanie Phillips. “As a writer, I could not be more excited to carry the legacy of those subversive horror stories into this terrifying world.”

“Every short story that I write, I write with EC Comics in mind,” said writer Chris Condon, “It doesn’t matter what company it’s for or what the story is, it’s the stories of Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Joe Orlando, and the entire EC lineup that I look back to for guidance. The stories that EC Comics published were revolutionary—violent, tragic, hilarious, and timely. They pushed boundaries like no one else dared to, revolutionizing the comics medium into a truly transgressive art form. EC Comics was born in the fraught post-war years of the 20th century and it’s only right that in our tense age of uncertainty that EC Comics returns with the same gleefully deranged energy of its early incarnation. It’s just what the doctor–the one in the blood-stained scrubs holding a rusty butcher knife precariously over his patient’s head–ordered.”

What the Comics Code Authority couldn’t kill has only made it stronger… EC Comics enters the 21st century with a jugular-pounding horror milestone that not only features four self-contained exercises in adrenaline from Brian Azzarello & Vlad Legostaev, Chris Condon & Peter Krause, J. Holtham & Jorge Fornes, and Stephanie Phillips & Phil Hester, and more — but also the first glimpse of EC’s new cast of horror hosts…and a razor-sharp gallery of covers inspired by the eternal artistry of the EC’s infernal legacy with talents including Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, A Vicious Circle), Andrea Sorrentino (Gideon Falls, Batman: The Imposter) with Dave Stewart (Hellboy), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), Rian Hughes (The Multiversity), and Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis)

Cover A by Lee Bermejo

The first in a new series of fully painted, primary covers for the monthly EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS series from the visionary mind of Eisner Award-winning artist Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, Joker, A Vicious Circle).

Issue #1 also available as a wraparound Gold Foil variant.

Cover B by Andrea Sorrentino with Dave Stewart

Spotlighting a different top talent on every issue, this rotating series of secondary covers will soon feature Adam Pollina (X-Force, Rise of Apocalypse), James Stokoe (Orc Stain), and more across future issues of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS.

Issue #1 also available as a wraparound Silver Foil variant.

EC Homage Variant (1:10) by Jay Stephens

The first in a new, continuing line of 1:10 incentive variant covers from Eisner Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning artist Jay Stephens (Dwellings) re-interpreting a different, all-time classic EC cover image across every new EC release from Oni Press – beginning with Stephens’ tribute to Vault of Horror #15 by Johnny Craig.

B&W Artist Edition Variant (1:20) by Andrea Sorrentino with Rian Hughes

The first of a new series of “Artist Edition” variant covers, evoking the spirit of gloriously unedited, unexpurgated original artwork. This collection of covers – engineered to replicate the tactical “paste-up” quality of original artwork by award-winning designer Rian Hughes – will continue with a new installment spotlighting a different piece of black-and-white cover art on every upcoming EC issue from Oni Press.

EC Archive Edition Variant (1:50) by Rian Hughes

The first of a new series of high-end “Archive Edition” variant covers for the ultimate Fan-Addict! Manufactured on ultra-heavy duty with UV spot gloss elements and all-new border artwork honoring the EC legacy by master designer Rian Hughes, this collection of covers will continue with a new installment on every upcoming EC issue from Oni Press – as distinguished by different color-coded treatments and frame artwork on EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS, CRUEL UNIVERSE, and other upcoming series yet to be revealed!

Horror Host Variant (1:100) by Dustin Weaver

A special EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 surprise – featuring a ghastly new face (or three?!) for EC’s ghoulish family of horror hosts from artist and character designer Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis)! To be revealed soon!

IN 2024, EC COMICS LIVE AGAIN! This summer, four-color fear infects a new generation in EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 – coming to comic shops everywhere on July 24th! Then, in August: The next shocking chapter in EC’s long-awaiting resurrection continues in CRUEL UNIVERSE #1 – 40 all-new pages of cosmic oblivion, atomic entropy, and galactic annihilation featuring a star-spanning cast of talents soon to be revealed.

For more information, visit Oni Press online at OniPress.com.

EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1