The ''EC Archives'' are an ongoing series of American hardcover collections of full-color

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

reprints of

EC Comics Entertaining Comics, more commonly known as EC Comics, was an American publisher of comic books, which specialized in horror fiction, crime fiction, satire, military fiction, dark fantasy, and science fiction from the 1940s through the mid-1950 ...

, published by Russ Cochran and

Gemstone Publishing Gemstone Publishing is an American company that publishes comic book price guides. The company was formed by Diamond Comic Distributors President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Geppi in 1994 when he bought Overstreet. Gemstone published licen ...

from 2006 to 2008, and then continued by Cochran and

Grant Geissman Grant Geissman (born April 13, 1953) is an American jazz guitarist and Emmy-nominated composer. He has recorded extensively for several labels since 1976 and played guitar on the theme for ''Monk'' and other TV series. Career Geissman was born i ...

's GC imprint (2011–2012), and finally taken over by Dark Horse in 2013. The output of

Bill Gaines William Maxwell Gaines (; March 1, 1922 – June 3, 1992), was an American publisher and co-editor of EC Comics. Following a shift in EC's direction in 1950, Gaines presided over what became an artistically influential and historically import ...

line in the 1940s and 1950s is one of the most critically acclaimed of the pre-

Comics Code The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. The CCA allowed the comic publishers to self-regulate the content of comic books in the United States. T ...

comics publishers (and one of the major casualties of the Comics Code). Such

titles as ''Tales from the Crypt'', ''The Vault of Horror'' and '' Weird Science'' are known even to people unfamiliar with the source material, due to movie and television adaptations. Numerous reprints throughout the decades have also kept EC alive on book store shelves, starting with Nostalgia Press's ''EC Horror Comics Of The 1950s'' tome (1971), followed by publisher Cochran's six ''EC Portfolio''s (1971–1977), but primarily because of his '' Complete EC Library'', printing all of the 'New Trend' comic titles (although missing the unique stories from the three '' 3-D EC Classics'' issues), as well as all of the 'New Direction' and 'Picto-Fiction' titles, and some of the 'Pre-Trend' title issues, in a series of 18 b&w box sets (19 if you include the fact that the ''Mad'' set was done in both color and b&w editions) containing a total of 66 hardcover books, all shot directly from the original art, mostly published from 1979 to 1996, with the Picto-Fiction box being delayed until 2006. Between 1992 and 2000, Cochran and

also produced 295 different full-color individual issue reproductions of all the "New Trend' (except ''Mad'') and 'New Direction' EC Comics, and subsequently 63 '' EC Annuals'' which glued together titled chronological overstock copies of those individual issues in a new outer wrapper, in a nod to the original unsold-stock content of the ''EC Annual''s of the 50s, although back in the 1950s there was no specification as to what issues may have been contained inside the covers to those various ''Annual''s, which could vary from copy to copy.

Digital recoloring

In 2006, Gemstone began producing a more durable series of hardback reprint collections designed by Michael Kronenberg. Similar to the '' DC Archives'' and '' Marvel Masterworks'' series, the ''EC Archives'' superseded Cochran's original annotated ''Complete EC Library'' (of black-and-white stories) by reprinting sequential compilations of EC titles in a full-color, hardback archival format with new annotations. On January 11, 2011, Cochran looked back on the project, noting the differences between his earlier ''Complete EC Library'' and the later ''EC Archives'': Each book reprints six issues, for a total of 24 stories. The original coloring by EC's colorist

Marie Severin Marie Severin (; August 21, 1929 – August 29, 2018) was an American comics artist and colorist best known for her work for Marvel Comics and the 1950s' EC Comics. She is an inductee of the Will Eisner Comics Hall of Fame and the Harvey Awards ...

was used as a guide for digital re-coloring by Jamison Services, a color separation company in

West Plains, Missouri West Plains is a city in, and the county seat of Howell County, Missouri, United States. The population was 12,184 at the 2020 census. History The history of West Plains can be traced back to 1832, when settler Josiah Howell (after whom Howell ...

, the hometown of publisher Cochran. Allen Jamison and Jamison Services had previously done coloring for the ''DC Archives''. Also contributing to the project at Cochran's West Plains office were operations manager Angela Meyer and production artist Chris Rock. Crediting Kronenberg as "Art Director/Designer and Color Editor" and Marie Severin for "Colors", Cochran explained the digital upgrade given to Severin's coloring; "Most of the original coloring of these stories is the work of EC colorist Marie Severin, and although all of these stories have been re-colored for this new edition, her style of coloring was followed to retain the integrity of the original EC comic books". He later added: Along with the original EC advertisements, editorials and letters pages, the books also feature introductions by

John Carpenter John Howard Carpenter (born January 16, 1948) is an American filmmaker, actor, and composer. Although he worked in various film genres, he is most commonly associated with horror, action, and science fiction films of the 1970s and 1980s. He ...

, Joe Dante,

Paul Levitz Paul Levitz (; born October 21, 1956) is an American comic book writer, editor and executive. The president of DC Comics from 2002–2009, he worked for the company for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles. Along with publisher Jenette Kahn ...

, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg,

R. L. Stine Robert Lawrence Stine (; born October 8, 1943), sometimes known as Jovial Bob Stine and Eric Affabee, is an American novelist, short story writer, television producer, screenwriter, and executive editor. Stine has been referred to as the "St ...

, Jerry Weist and others. The entirety of the New Trend and New Direction comics were planned for eventual release. ''The EC Archives'' publishing history has been a troubled one. The original run was interrupted after 13 volumes, due to financial difficulties at Gemstone Publishing, in 2008. The line was revived for two more volumes by GC Press LLC, a boutique imprint established by Russ Cochran and

, in 2011 (both volumes carry 2011 copyrights, the year of their printing, though due to the vagaries of distribution, they were not released until January 2012). Most recently, the line has been taken up by

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops know ...

, who announced plans to resume it with the release of ''Tales from the Crypt Volume 4'' in October 2013.Dark Horse to Publish EC Library
Accessed July 28, 2013.

''EC Archives'' schedule

Issue numbering

In the early 1950s, comic book publishers, seeking to save money on second-class postage permits, frequently changed the titles of their comics, rather than start new ones at #1. Because of this, many comics featured in ''The EC Archives'' series do not start with #1. ''War Against Crime'' was replaced by ''The Vault of Horror'' and so numbering for ''The Vault of Horror'' begins with issue #12. Similarly, ''Crime Patrol'' was replaced with ''The Crypt of Terror'' for issue #17. By issue #20, the title changed again to the familiar ''Tales from the Crypt.'' ''The Crypt of Terror'' is not considered a separate series and is included in ''Tales from the Crypt Volume 1''. ''The Haunt of Fear'', ''Weird Science'', and ''Weird Fantasy'' began with issues #15, #12 and #13, respectively, but at the request of the Post Office, their issue numbering was reset a few issues later, beginning with ''The Haunt of Fear'' #4, ''Weird Science'' #5, and ''Weird Fantasy'' #6. Because of this, there are several comics within those series that share the same issue number. For example, ''The Haunt of Fear'' #15 was published in 1950 and was the first issue in the series, while a second comic, also titled ''The Haunt of Fear'' #15, was published in 1952 and was the 15th comic in the series. Following ''The Haunt of Fears issue numbering being reset, its previous numbering was instead used for a new title, ''Two-Fisted Tales.'' Thus, ''Two-Fisted Tales'' begins with issue #18. The table below uses the original numbering.

''EC Archives'' books

Chronological release of ''EC Archives'' Hardcover volumes

*'' Weird Science'' Volume 1 (6 December 2006) *''

Shock SuspenStories ''Shock SuspenStories'' was part of the EC Comics line in the early 1950s. The bi-monthly comic, published by Bill Gaines and edited by Al Feldstein, began with issue 1 in February/March 1952. Over a four-year span, it ran for 18 issues, ending wi ...

'' Volume 1 (6 December 2006) *''

Tales from the Crypt Tales from the Crypt may refer to: * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (album), by American rapper C-Bo * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (comics), published by EC Comics during the 1950s ** ''Tales from the Crypt'' (film), a 1972 Amicus film starring Ralph Ric ...

'' Volume 1 (14 February 2007) *''

Two-Fisted Tales ''Two-Fisted Tales'' is an anthology war comic published bi-monthly by EC Comics in the early 1950s. The title originated in 1950 when Harvey Kurtzman suggested to William Gaines that they publish an adventure comic. Kurtzman became the editor o ...

'' Volume 1 (28 February 2007) *'' Weird Science'' Volume 2 (18 April 2007) *''

'' Volume 2 (30 May 2007) *''

'' Volume 2 (20 June 2007) *''

'' Volume 2 (8 August 2007) *'' The Vault of Horror'' Volume 1 (20 October 2007) *''

Crime SuspenStories ''Crime SuspenStories'' was a bi-monthly anthology crime comic published by EC Comics in the early 1950s. The title first arrived on newsstands with its October/November 1950 issue and ceased publication with its February/March 1955 issue, produc ...

'' Volume 1 (16 January 2008) *'' Weird Science'' Volume 3 (30 July 2008) *''

'' Volume 3 (10 September 2008) *''

Frontline Combat ''Frontline Combat'' is an anthology war comic book written and edited by Harvey Kurtzman and published bi-monthly by EC Comics. The first issue was cover dated July/August, 1951. It ran for 15 issues over three years, and ended with the Januar ...

'' Volume 1 (14 October 2008) *''

The Haunt of Fear ''The Haunt of Fear'' was an American bi-monthly horror comic anthology series published by EC Comics, starting in 1950. Along with '' Tales from the Crypt'' and '' The Vault of Horror'', it formed a trifecta of popular EC horror anthologies. ''T ...

'' Volume 1 (4 January 2012) *'' The Vault of Horror'' Volume 2 (4 January 2012) *''

Tales From The Crypt Tales from the Crypt may refer to: * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (album), by American rapper C-Bo * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (comics), published by EC Comics during the 1950s ** ''Tales from the Crypt'' (film), a 1972 Amicus film starring Ralph Ric ...

'' Volume 4 (30 October 2013) *'' The Vault of Horror'' Volume 3 (5 February 2014) *''

Weird Fantasy ''Weird Fantasy'' is an American dark fantasy and science fiction anthology comic that was part of the EC Comics line in the early 1950s. The companion comic for ''Weird Fantasy'' was '' Weird Science''. Over a four-year span, ''Weird Fantasy'' ra ...

'' Volume 1 (30 April 2014) *''

'' Volume 3 (30 July 2014) *''

'' Volume 5 (29 October 2014) *'' The Vault of Horror'' Volume 4 (28 January 2015) *''

'' Volume 3 (6 May 2015) *'' Weird Science'' Volume 4 (29 July 2015) *'' Haunt of Fear'' Volume 2 (28 October 2015) *''

Panic Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frantic agitation consistent with an animalistic fight-or-flight reactio ...

'' Volume 1 (9 February 2016) *''

'' Volume 3 (7 June 2016) *''

'' Volume 2 (11 October 2016) *''

Crime Suspenstories ''Crime SuspenStories'' was a bi-monthly anthology crime comic published by EC Comics in the early 1950s. The title first arrived on newsstands with its October/November 1950 issue and ceased publication with its February/March 1955 issue, produc ...

'' Volume 2 (3 January 2017) *''

Valor Valor, valour, or valorous may mean: * Courage, a similar meaning * Virtue ethics, roughly "courage in defense of a noble cause" Entertainment * Valor (band), a Christian gospel music group * Valor Kand, a member of the band Christian Death * ' ...

'' (7 March 2017) *''

'' Volume 4 (25 April 2017) *''

'' Volume 3 (27 June 2017) *''

Incredible Science Fiction ''Incredible Science Fiction'' was an American science fiction anthology comic published by EC Comics in 1955 and 1956, lasting a total of four issues. Creative team ''Incredible Science Fiction'' ran for four issues, boasting a number of skill ...

'' (22 August 2017) *'' Aces High'' (31 October 2017) *''

'' Volume 2 (26 December 2017) *'' Extra!'' (24 April 2018) *''

'' Volume 3 (26 June 2018) *'' War Against Crime'' Volume 1 (21 August 2018) *''

'' Volume 5 (23 October 2018) *'' The Vault of Horror'' Volume 5 (25 December 2018) *''

Piracy Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...

'' (26 February 2019) *''

'' Volume 4 (23 April 2019) *''

'' Volume 4 (9 July 2019) *''

'' Volume (27 August 2019) *''

'' Volume 2 (22 October 2019) *'' Modern Love'' (24 December 2019) *''

Psychoanalysis PsychoanalysisFrom Greek: + . is a set of theories and therapeutic techniques"What is psychoanalysis? Of course, one is supposed to answer that it is many things — a theory, a research method, a therapy, a body of knowledge. In what might b ...

'' (18 February 2020) *''

Impact Impact may refer to: * Impact (mechanics), a high force or shock (mechanics) over a short time period * Impact, Texas, a town in Taylor County, Texas, US Science and technology * Impact crater, a meteor crater caused by an impact event * Impac ...

'' (14 April 2020) *'' War Against Crime'' Volume 2 (16 June 2020) *'' Shock Illustrated'' (20 April 2021) *'' Saddle Justice'' (15 June 2021) *''MD'' (17 August 2021) *''

'' Volume 3 (16 November 2021) *'' Crime Illustrated'' (11 January 2022) *''

Terror Illustrated ''Terror Illustrated'' was a black-and-white magazine published by EC Comics in late 1955 and early 1956. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, each magazine featured three to five stories. The format alternated blocks of text with several illustrati ...

'' (8 March 2022) *''

Gunfighter Gunfighters, also called gunslingers (), or in the 19th and early 20th centuries gunmen, were individuals in the American Old West who gained a reputation of being dangerous with a gun and participated in gunfights and shootouts. Today, the t ...

'' (19 April 2022) *''

Confessions Illustrated ''Confessions Illustrated'' was a black-and-white magazine published by EC Comics in early 1956. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, each magazine featured three to five stories. The format alternated blocks of text with several illustrations per pag ...

'' (5 July 2022) *''Crime Patrol'' Volume 1 (27 September 2022)

Leather-bound signed and numbered boxed editions

*''The EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 1'' (February 2008) signed by

Al Feldstein Albert Bernard Feldstein ( ; October 24, 1925 – April 29, 2014) was an American writer, editor, and artist, best known for his work at EC Comics and, from 1956 to 1985, as the editor of the satirical magazine '' Mad''. After retiring from ''Mad' ...

, edition of 300 *''The EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 2'' (August 2008) signed by

Al Williamson Alfonso Williamson (March 21, 1931 – June 12, 2010) was an American cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator specializing in adventure, Western, science fiction and fantasy. Born in New York City, he spent much of his early childhood in ...

, edition of 300 *''The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Volume 1'' (October 2009) signed by

, edition of 300 *''The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Volume 2'' (October 2009) signed by

Jack Kamen Jack Kamen (; May 29, 1920 – August 5, 2008) was an American illustrator for books, magazines, comic books and advertising, known for his work illustrating crime, horror, humour, suspense and science fiction stories for EC Comics, for his work in ...

, edition of 300 These four limited editions each came packaged inside a custom clamshell box. with a pair of white gloves for handling of the expensive volumes.

References

External links

Gemstone: EC ArchivesCollectors SocietyCrisis on Infinite Comics''The Vault of Horror'', Volume Two
{{Portal bar, Comics EC Comics Comic book collection books Defunct comics and manga publishing companies Harvey Award winners American comics Crime comics Horror comics Science fiction comics War comics