When the return of Chaos Comics as a series of omnibus collections via a partnership with Dynamite was announced a few months ago, I predicted it was a license to print money — not really a bold prediction, as Evil Ernie and friends were some of the most popular cult comics of the 90s.
So it’s no surprise that the Kickstarter for an Evil Ernie Omnibus was funded in 66 seconds (get it?) and after a day is nearing $200,000. In fact I see the pledges whirling and updating while I’m writing this!
Created by Brian Pulido and the late Steven Hughes, and mainly published through Chaos Comics, Evil Ernie was a figment of the dark side with a metal-esque appearance. nN fact the more I look at him, the more I wonder if Stranger Things concept artists had Evil Ernie in mind when they created Eddie Munson, because they are two sides of the same coin. Ecept Eddie is good and Ernie is evil…very evil.
It’s a nice package for Ernie fans: three oversized volumes restoring the originals including every solo Evil Ernie and Smiley: The Psychotic Button story from 1991 to 2002. And creator Pulido has gone into the the archives to include all kinds of extras including exclusive facsimile comic reprints, prints, posters, patches, coins, and apparel all right out of the 1990s. There’s also a limited edition reprinting of Evil Ernie: Youth Gone Wild #1 with a new cover by Simon Bisley available as a print, and undoubtedly more.
For over two decades these iconic, trailblazing stories have been locked away. Out of print, hard to find, and a pretty penny. Fans have whispered among the back issue bins, scrambled for overpriced auctions, and collected in groups online to reflect back on how dangerous comic books used to feel. That ends now.
Chaos! Comics struck like lightning in 1993, capturing a unique mix of superhero staples with a horror bent that led to a legion of fiendish fans. It all started with the debut of Evil Ernie #1 a couple years prior. Ernie and the Chaos! energy weren’t just comics, it was a heavy metal way of life. Ernie represented rage, pain, rebellion, and dark humor, all channeled through the hottest medium of the 1990s. Creators Brian Pulido, Steven Hughes, and the rest of the top writers and artists who tackled these characters built a following that get together annually to this day. And now fans can return to that era and step into a new one, with the return of every key Ernie tale!The set is available in three distinct editions, with every volume across them featuring unique cover artwork. The main hardcover set features the full 1,500 pages of terrifying action at the deluxe size, with black trim accents. The first upgrade is the signed set limited to only 666 sets, with a fitting Ernie green, and individually signed by Brian Pulido himself. Then for the ultimate collectors, the Super Deluxe set is also signed, with blazing red, page gilding, a ribbon bookmark, spot-laminated covers, and even more limited at just 333 sets available.
The Kickstarter runs for another 33 days! How much will it rack up by the end? We’ll check back in June!
