Epitaphs from the Abyss

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Oni Press's new "EC" imprint first came to my attention when my retailer gave me a double-sided promotional poster (because I buy all those archival EC reprints published by Dark Horse and Fantagraphics and IDW). I thought it was a good sign that they were attempting to revive EC Comics without resurrecting an actual EC title. This decision indicted to me that they were planning to bring back the spirit of EC Comics, yet do something original with it. My impression was confirmed by publisher Hunter Gorinson's full-page editorial: ""From the earliest stages of this project, we've agreed amonst ourselves that it would be a fool's errand to try and produce a knock-off simulacrum of the original EC titles... Instead, we've challenged ourselves to imagine a world where the Comics Code never unceremoniously amputated EC's publishing line at the end of 1955 and, through that lens, what kind of series and stories EC Comics would be producing foar a new generation of readers eager to disturb and discover in the year 2024."

A new title calls for a new host: the Grave-digger. In the first issue, he introduces four stories: "Killer Spec" (about a "genius" writer whose roommate writes the the perfect movie script); "Senator, Senator" (which "brings dread to the steps of the American Capitol"); "Family Values" (about a streaming gameshow in which a father must choose which of his family to kill or else they all die); and "Us. vs. Us" (about "vaxxers" and "ant-vaxxers" taken to a ridiculous degree). I find myself very much looking forward to next month's Cruel Universe #1.

Recommended.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

I really liked this one too. I think "Family Values" was my favorite story, but they all had a nice punch. I've picked up Cruel Universe, too, and have enjoyed the first story; I haven't had a chance to read the rest yet. 

I've been really getting into anthologies lately, between 2000 AD, Project Cryptid, these two EC books, and some of the DC anthologies. Not every story is a winner, but it's a treat to turn the page and find something all new waiting to be read. 

EC has also announced follow-ups to these books: Cruel Kingdom (a fantasy anthology) and Shiver SuspenStories (a holiday-themed one-shot, the first of a series of specials). 

[Captain Comics]

I finally got to read this, and it was pretty good. I note that they are addressing current issues (abortion, conservative authoritarianism, anti-vaxxers), and from the left side of the political spectrum, as did EC Comics. All well and good, as that is their mandate. 

I said everything I have to say (so far) about the line in general in the Cruel Universe thread.

I will note for the record that the Grave-Digger host isn't all that original. Marvel had a gravedigger nost (named "Digger") in its brief attempt at an original horror-anthology line in the late '60s, specifically Tower of Shadows (before it went reprint, and then became Creatures on the Loose).  Here he is, courtesy Steranko:

I would not be surprised if there weren't other gravedigger hosts that I'm not remembering offhand (because they weren't memorable).

 

[Jeff of Earth-J]

ISSUE #2:

I bought the "clown" cover because I generally buy the main one, but now I'm sorta wishing I would have bought the "nail" one (you know the one I mean). This issue's stories include...

• The tale of a young hoodlum who outlook is shaped by a nail through his skull into his brain
• A post-zombie apocalypse story told from the zombie's POV
• A truly horrific tale of revenge that appeals to my sensibilities

As to Cruel Universe #1, I didn't really get an EC vibe from this book, or its companion, Epitaphs from the Abyss #1. Universe is pretty good IMO, but not great. On the other hand, I'm waaaaay past the horror ignorance of my Wasteland days, and pretty jaded, so that should be taken into account. But also, EC's art was head and shoulders above its competition at the time (and still better than most of today's artists), while Oni's artists are simply competent. They're not bad, but certainly not head and shoulders above the competition, like EC was (and is).

I've been thinking about this since you posted it to the "Cruel Universe" discussion last weekend, Cap. I agree with you, but which artists would you choose to illustrate Epitaphs and Cruel Universe? There just aren't that many EC-caliber artists working these days.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

ISSUE #3: This issue sees the introduction of a new (guest) host: The Tormentor. Maybe she'll take over the upcoming Shiver SuspenStories...? Perhaps it's just because the EC collection Foul Play shipped yesterday, but as I was reading Epitaphs from the Abyss #3 I started to imagine which classic EC artist I would like to see illustrate each story in thius issue. Here's what I came up with.

• "A Hand in It" - This is a darkly humorous tale of a morgue technician who uses a corpse to commit murder: Jack Davis.
• "Blood Type" - A vampire on a lifeboat: "Ghastly" Graham Ingles
• "A Crossroads Repetition" - A scholarly look at the devil in the blues tradition: Joe Orlando.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

ISSUE #4:

• "Dead from Exposure" - The issue kicks off with a story illustrated by David Lapham which would not be out of place in AHOY! Comics' Project: Cryptid.
• "The Perfect Pearl" - The most subtle story this issue is also my favorite.
• Under the Influence" - when an online fitness guru declares, "I'm going to get eveything I deserve!" you just know that she is.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

ISSUE #5:

• "Forever Home" - If I'm reading this one right, a murdered woman's remains are incorporated in the construction of a 3D-printed house. Or maybe it's all in her husband's mind...?
• "Some Things You Lose, Some Things You Give Away" - I have to be honest, this one's "twist" took me by surprise.
• "All-New You" - This one's ending was also surprising... as well as disgusting.