TheEC Archives are an ongoing series of American hardcover collections of full-colorcomic book reprints ofEC Comics, published byRuss Cochran andGemstone Publishing from 2006 to 2008, and then continued by Cochran andGrant Geissman's GC imprint (2011–2012), and finally taken over byDark Horse in 2013.
The output ofBill Gaines'EC Comics line in the 1940s and 1950s is one of the most critically acclaimed of the pre-Comics Code comics publishers (and one of the major casualties of the Comics Code). SuchEC Comics titles asTales from the Crypt,The Vault of Horror andWeird 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 withNostalgia Press'sEC Horror Comics Of The 1950s tome (1971), followed by publisher Cochran's sixEC Portfolios (1971–1977), but primarily because of hisComplete EC Library, printing all of the 'New Trend' comic titles (although missing the unique stories from the three3-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 theMad 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 andGemstone Publishing also produced 295 differentfull-color individual issue reproductions of all the "New Trend' (exceptMad) and 'New Direction' EC Comics, and subsequently 63EC 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 theEC Annuals 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 variousAnnuals, which could vary from copy to copy.
In 2006, Gemstone began producing a more durable series of hardback reprint collections designed by Michael Kronenberg. Similar to theDC Archives andMarvel Masterworks series, theEC Archives superseded Cochran's original annotatedComplete EC Library (of black-and-white stories) by reprinting sequential compilations of EC titles in a full-color, hardback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 earlierComplete EC Library and the laterEC Archives:
A few years ago, with the support and encouragement ofSteve Geppi and with the permission of the Gaines Estate, I started on a new format: the EC Archives. These are slightly smaller hardcover books (smaller than the EC Library volumes but larger than the original ten-cent comic books), and because of increased demand and the availability of cheaper color printing in China, the EC Archives books were full color, with new color in an infinite palette now being possible with the advances in technology.[1]
Each book reprints six issues, for a total of 24 stories. The original coloring by EC's coloristMarie Severin was used as a guide fordigital re-coloring by Jamison Services, a color separation company inWest Plains, Missouri, the hometown of publisher Cochran. Allen Jamison and Jamison Services had previously done coloring for theDC Archives.[2] Also contributing to the project at Cochran's West Plains office were operations manager Angela Meyer and production artist Chris Rock.[3] 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".[4] He later added:
Technology changes. We are now able to color these comics with an infinite palette, and to reproduce the artists' linework much more clearly. If these new computer generated color techniques had been available in the 1950s, I think Bill Gaines would have used it because it makes the EC work even more beautiful. So the EC material has been printed three different ways: with the old color, as originally published back in the 1950s, without any color, as it was drawn by the EC artists (the EC Library), and with the best color we can do with modern technology (the EC Archives). It has been my experience that the most dedicated EC fans are not satisfied to have them reprinted only one, or two, ways. They want them all. Those fans will have the old comics in the EC Annuals, the black and white art in the EC Library, and the best color we can produce in the EC Archives. There's room there for everyone.[5]
Along with the original EC advertisements, editorials and letters pages, the books also feature an introduction by Grant Geissman and forewords byJohn Carpenter,Joe Dante,Paul Levitz,George Lucas,Steven Spielberg,R. L. Stine, Jerry Weist and others. The entirety of theNew Trend andNew Direction comics are 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 andGrant Geissman, 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 byDark Horse Comics, who announced plans to resume it with the release ofTales from the Crypt Volume 4 in October 2013.[6]
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 (a new publication required a new postal permit, while an existing publication that just changed its name could use its existing permit).[7] Because of this, many comics featured inThe EC Archives series do not start with #1.War Against Crime was replaced byThe Vault of Horror and so numbering forThe Vault of Horror begins with issue #13. Similarly,Crime Patrol was replaced withThe Crypt of Terror for issue #17. By issue #20, the title changed again to the familiarTales from the Crypt.The Crypt of Terror is not considered a separate series and is included inTales from the Crypt Volume 1.
The Haunt of Fear, Weird Science, and Weird Fantasy initially started with issues #15, #12, and #13, respectively. However, due to a request from the Post Office, their issue numbering was reset a few issues later. This reset began with The Haunt of Fear #4, Weird Science #5, and Weird Fantasy #6. As a result, there are several comics within those series that share the same issue number. For instance, The Haunt of Fear #15 was first published in 1950 as the inaugural issue of the series, while a second comic, also titled The Haunt of Fear #15, was published in 1952 and marked the 15th issue in the series according to the reset numbering.
FollowingThe Haunt of Fear's 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.
| Title | Volume | Reprints | Foreword | First printing | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aces High | 1 | Aces High #1 – 5 | Howard Chaykin | 2017 | Dark Horse | 168 | 978-1-5067-0308-4 |
| Choke Gasp! The Best of 75 Years of EC Comics | 1 | Selections from Various EC Comics | N/A | 2019 | Dark Horse | 528 | 978-1-5067-1584-1 |
| The CompleteMoon Girl | 1 | Moon Girl #1 – 8 | TBA | 2025 | Dark Horse | 368 | 978-1-5067-5032-3 |
| Confessions Illustrated | 1 | Confessions Illustrated #1 – 3 | Alex Segura | 2022 | Dark Horse | 184 | 978-1-5067-1975-7 |
| Crime Illustrated | 1 | Crime Illustrated #1 – 3 | William Malone | 2022 | Dark Horse | 192 | 978-1-5067-1976-4 |
| Crime Patrol | 1 | Crime Patrol #7 – 11 | Brian Michael Bendis | 2022 | Dark Horse | 176 | 978-1-5067-2984-8 |
| Crime SuspenStories | 1 | Crime SuspenStories #1 – 6 | Max Allan Collins | 2008 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-74-5 |
2 | Crime SuspenStories #7 – 12 | Matt Kindt | 2017 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0039-7 | |
3 | Crime SuspenStories #13 – 18 | David Del Valle | 2017 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0240-7 | |
4 | Crime SuspenStories #19 – 27 | Christos Gage | 2019 | Dark Horse | 320 | 978-1-5067-0924-6 | |
| Extra | 1 | Extra #1 – 5 | John Arcudi | 2018 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0184-4 |
| Frontline Combat | 1 | Frontline Combat #1 – 6 | John Benson | 2008 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-60360-014-9 |
2 | Frontline Combat #7 – 11 | Ray Fawkes | 2019 | Dark Horse | 184 | 978-1-5067-0847-8 | |
3 | Frontline Combat #12 – 15 | Dan Madigan | 2021 | Dark Horse | 152 | 978-1-5067-1535-3 | |
| Gunfighter | 1 | Gunfighter #5 – 9 | Jimmy Palmiotti | 2022 | Dark Horse | 176 | 978-1-5067-1977-1 |
| The Haunt of Fear | 1 | The Haunt of Fear #15 – 17 The Haunt of Fear #4 – 6 (with notes byGrant Geissman) | Robert Englund | 2012 | GC Press | 212 | 978-1-60360-015-6 |
2 | The Haunt of Fear #7 – 12 | Tim Sullivan | 2015 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-773-7 | |
3 | The Haunt of Fear #13 – 18 | Cullen Bunn | 2016 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-958-8 | |
4 | The Haunt of Fear #19 – 24 | Rob Zombie | 2017 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0280-3 | |
5 | The Haunt of Fear #25 – 28 | Tom Holland | 2018 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0650-4 | |
| Impact | 1 | Impact #1 – 5 | Steve Ringgenberg | 2020 | Dark Horse | 168 | 978-1-5067-1192-8 |
| Incredible Science Fiction | 1 | Weird Science-Fantasy #27 – 29 Incredible Science Fiction #30 – 33 | Mark Evanier | 2017 | Dark Horse | 232 | 978-1-5067-0309-1 |
| M.D. | 1 | M.D. #1 – 5 | Darren Bousman | 2021 | Dark Horse | 168 | 978-1-5067-0270-4 |
| Modern Love | 1 | Modern Love #1 – 8 | Jacque Nodell | 2019 | Dark Horse | 272 | 978-1-5067-0848-5 |
| Panic | 1 | Panic #1 – 6 | Bob Fingerman | 2016 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-883-3 |
2 | Panic #7 – 12 | Sergio Aragones | 2017 | Dark Horse | 200 | 978-1-5067-0271-1 | |
| Piracy | 1 | Piracy #1 – 7 | Greg Nicotero | 2019 | Dark Horse | 240 | 978-1-5067-0700-6 |
| Psychoanalysis | 1 | Psychoanalysis #1 – 4 | Bob Burden | 2020 | Dark Horse | 136 | 978-1-5067-1193-5 |
| Saddle Justice | 1 | Saddle Justice #3 – 8 | Eric Red | 2021 | Dark Horse | 208 | 978-1-5067-1194-2 |
| Shock Illustrated | 1 | Shock Illustrated #1 – 4 | Steve Niles | 2021 | Dark Horse | 248 | 978-1-5067-1195-9 |
| Shock SuspenStories | 1 | Shock SuspenStories #1 – 6 (with notes byRuss Cochran) | Steven Spielberg | 2006 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-57-8 |
2 | Shock SuspenStories #7 – 12 | Dean Kamen | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-70-7 | |
3 | Shock SuspenStories #13 – 18 | Brian Michael Bendis | 2015 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-635-8 | |
| Tales from the Crypt | 1 | The Crypt of Terror #17 – 19 Tales from the Crypt #20 – 22 | John Carpenter | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-55-4 |
2 | Tales from the Crypt #23 – 28 | Joe Dante | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-71-4 | |
3 | Tales from the Crypt #29 – 34 | Robert Overstreet | 2008 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-60360-011-8 | |
4 | Tales from the Crypt #35 – 40 | Russ Cochran | 2013 | Dark Horse | 212 | 978-1-60360-104-7 | |
5 | Tales from the Crypt #41 – 46 | Bruce Campbell | 2014 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-486-6 | |
| Terror Illustrated | 1 | Terror Illustrated #1 – 3 | Mick Garris | 2022 | Dark Horse | 184 | 978-1-5067-1978-8 |
| Two-Fisted Tales | 1 | Two-Fisted Tales #18 – 23 | Steve Geppi | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-56-1 |
2 | Two-Fisted Tales #24 – 29 | Professor Rocco Versaci | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-72-1 | |
3 | Two-Fisted Tales #30 – 35 | Joe Kubert | 2014 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-60360-017-0 | |
4 | Two-Fisted Tales #36 – 41 | Colleen Coover | 2019 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0849-2 | |
| Valor | 1 | Valor #1 – 5 | P. Craig Russell | 2017 | Dark Horse | 168 | 978-1-5067-0159-2 |
| The Vault of Horror | 1 | The Vault of Horror #12 – 17 (with notes by Roger Hill) | R. L. Stine | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-73-8 |
2 | The Vault of Horror #18 – 23 (with notes byBhob Stewart) | John Landis | 2012 | GC Press | 212 | 978-1-60360-103-0 | |
3 | The Vault of Horror #24 – 29 | Mike Richardson | 2014 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-292-3 | |
4 | The Vault of Horror #30 – 35 | Jonathan Maberry | 2015 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-519-1 | |
5 | The Vault of Horror #36 – 40 | Daniel Chabon | 2018 | Dark Horse | 184 | 978-1-5067-0651-1 | |
| War Against Crime | 1 | War Against Crime #1 – 6 | David Lapham | 2018 | Dark Horse | 208 | 978-1-5067-0502-6 |
2 | War Against Crime #7 – 11 | Dean Motter | 2020 | Dark Horse | 176 | 978-1-5067-1196-6 | |
| Weird Fantasy | 1 | Weird Fantasy #13 – 17 Weird Fantasy #6 | Walt Simonson | 2014 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-293-0 |
2 | Weird Fantasy #7 – 12 | Gene Simmons | 2016 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0014-4 | |
3 | Weird Fantasy #13 – 18 | Ron Parker | 2018 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0501-9 | |
4 | Weird Fantasy #19 – 22 Weird Science-Fantasy #25 – 26 | Evan Dorkin | 2019 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-5067-0923-9 | |
| Weird Science | 1 | Weird Science #12 – 15 Weird Science #5 – 6 | George Lucas | 2006 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-58-5 |
2 | Weird Science #7 – 12 | Paul Levitz | 2007 | Gemstone | 212 | 978-1-888472-69-1 | |
3 | Weird Science #13 – 18 | Jerry Weist /Ray Bradbury | 2008 | Gemstone[a] | 212 | 978-1-60360-010-1 | |
4 | Weird Science #19 – 22 Weird Science-Fantasy #23 – 24 | Harlan Ellison | 2015 | Dark Horse | 216 | 978-1-61655-658-7 |
These four limited editions each came packaged inside a custom clamshell box. with a pair of white gloves for handling of the expensive volumes.
