Art Books with Rowan Morrison: EC Horror part 2

In 1977, with the debut of the Complete Weird Science, Russ Cochran began publishing a series of deluxe reprints of the entire EC Library of New Trend (Horror, Suspense, and Crime comics from 1950-1955) as well as New Direction (1955-56) and some of the Pre-Tend comic books. 29 Years later, in 2006, with the release of The Complete Picto-Fiction, the series was finally completed in 2006.

Every issue from every title was presented chronologically in 2 to 5 volumes of smyth-sewn bound hardcover editions. The volumes are all compiled in a handsome hardboard slip case with color printing. Gorgeous. Each page is reproduced directly from the original artwork when possible, which was often thanks to the extensive preservation and storage by Cochran's friend and partner, EC Publisher William Gains. The artwork was presented in oversized black and white, which reveals the details and nuances of the amazing line work of contrast of the art. The stories and editorial essays are printed on crisp art-quality paper stock with the covers for each issues in full color on glossy paper. Each set originally sold for around $100 each, I believe.

Ever the fan of the EC Horror comics (I had been buying the Gladstone and Russ Cochran Publishing newsstand reprints since I was 13 years old), I impulsively sprang on an online auction for a used set of the Complete EC Library edition of The Vault of Horror. No regrets at all on this one. A bit faded (especially volume 3) on the covers, the pages are pristine and for under $150 bucks.

Compiled in the set are all 29 issues (#12-40 (the numbering continued from the previously titled War Against Crime)) of the Vault of Horror, each with cover artwork and one story by Johnny Craig. All the EC Horror Ghoulunatic characters (aka the Cryptkeeper, etc.) are present, and the ultra-talented stable of EC artists are at the top the game. The books are durable for re-reading, and the narratives still pack a punch half a century after being first published. There are even adapted tales from author Ray Bradbury.

As bold and beautify as the black and white reproductions are, I can't help but miss the colors of the original comics. Apparently Russ Cochran agrees because he and Gemstone publishing are currently in the process of printing the hardcover EC Archives again, but this time in full color. My other beef is with the editorial essays from various comic historians. I found these to be a bit over-literate and abstract for my taste. Once again, the new EC Archive books being currently created feature writing from modern creative celebrities like Spielberg, John Carpenter, and George A Romero.

I really can't recommend the entire EC New Trend comics enough. Even the Science-Fiction ones are all right. You can find back issues of the 1990s newsstand reprints of most of these titles for as little as one or two bucks each. Many agree that they are one of the crowning achievements of the medium. And they are gory and violent as all hell.