EC Comics (Entertaining Comics) were all published from the late 1940s until around 1956, when the Comics Code Authority whitewashed all comic books to remove all themes of horror and violence. Psychiatrist Fredric Wertham and Senator Estes Kefauver's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency attacked horror comics as causes of the rise in juvenile delinquency and crimes by minors. These comic books were accused of having no redeeming value to society and were effectively banned by the actions of these groups in creating the Comics Code. EC Comics were superior to other comics of the 1950s because of a higher quality of writing and artwork, and they were widely imitated by other comics publishers. The subject matter for EC Comics were horror, science fiction/fantasy, crime stories, war stories, and stories with a social message that generally had a twist or "shock" ending. Each EC Archive volume will reprint six complete issues (24 stories).

Release Dates:
Weird Science Volume 3 - May 30, 2008
Tales From the Crypt Volume 3 - July 10, 2008
Frontline Combat Volume 1 - July 31, 2008
Haunt of Fear Volume 1 - August 30, 2008

Weird Science, originally published in 1950, features science fiction and fantasy stories, flying saucers, aliens, other worlds, space travel, similar to the first science fiction movies of the same period. Volume 1, Issues #1-6, Hardcover, full color, $49.95.

Shock SuspenStories, originally published in 1952, features a mixture of horror, crime, war and social issue-based stories, characterized by ironic "O. Henry" type twist endings, and including the first attempts in the comics medium to teach moral lessons about racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, gang violence, corrupt officials, etc. Volume 1, Issues #1-6, Hardcover, full color, $49.95.

Tales From the Crypt, originally published in 1950, features classic horror stories of vampires, werewolves, ghouls and monsters in the vein of the early Dracula, Frankenstein and Wolf Man movies. This title was EC's best seller, and was the inspiration for several feature films and the HBO series of the same name. Volume 1, Issues #1-6, Hardcover, full color, $49.95.

Two-Fisted Tales, originally published in 1951, features stories of fighting men and war, usually told from the viewpoint of the futility of war. These were really anti-war stories, and were characterized by their historical accuracy in depicting events of the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the (then-current) Korean War. Written and edited by Harvey Kurtzman, the creator of MAD Magazine. MAD was a comic book in the EC line for 23 issues before becoming a magazine. Volume 1, Issues #1-6, Hardcover, full color, $49.95.

THE COMPLETE PICTO-FICTION
NOW AVAILABLE!

The last unseen  art finally sees the light of day! More than 50 years in the making: Gemstone Publishing at long last presents the final component of The Complete EC Library! Seldom seen and highly sought-after for generations, Shock Illustrated, Terror Illustrated, Crime Illustrated and Confessions Illustrated are among the hardest-to-find EC titles. Not only are each of the published issues collected in this deluxe hardcover set, but so are 18 previously unpublished Picto-Fiction stories! Featuring the work of artists Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, George Evans, Graham Ingels, Jack Kamen, Rudy Nappi, Joe Orlando, Bud Parke, Charles Sultan, Angelo Torres, Al Williamson, and Wallace Wood, and writers Robert Bernstein, Al Feldstein, Daniel Keyes, John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Richard Smith. Four HC Volumes in slipcase, $150.

Order at your local comic shop or call toll free (800) 322-7978 to order.

Since its first offerings in 1973, Russ Cochran’s Comic Art Auction has brought to light many of the finest examples of original comic strip and comic book art, including the works of Charles Schulz, Frank Frazetta, Hal Foster, Alex Raymond, Milton Caniff, George Herriman, EC Comics legends such as Wally Wood, Al Williamson, Johnny Craig, George McManus, and many others.

For your catalog or to bid, call (417) 256-2224 or fax (417) 256-5555.

Auctions are now also being held on line!

TALES OF TERROR! – The EC Companion
By Grant Geissman & Fred von Bernewitz

Widely acclaimed as the definitive history of the EC Comics legend, Tales of Terror! is a visual checklist, creator index, guidebook and more! This is the definitive story of EC Comics! Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science, Frontline Combat and all of the other EC titles are included in this comprehensive volume that uncovers the amazing history behind the comics. See the work of creators like Wally Wood, Al Feldstein, Al Williamson, Harvey Kurtzman, Graham Ingels, Bernie Krigstein, and others! Experience the full text of EC publisher Bill Gaines’ testimony to the U.S. Senate! Find out why EC comics continue to influence comic creators and collectors today! Encounter the other events that shaped the comics world for decades to come! Every EC cover is reproduced in full color! Celebrate EC’s "New Trend" with this exhaustively researched and meticulously detailed book! It’s the perfect addition to any comics library and is an absolute "must have" for even the casual EC enthusiast. Co-Published by Gemstone Publishing and Fantagraphics Books!

Available in soft cover and hard cover.