Months ago, when I interviewed President Hunter Gorinson about the thrilling return of EC comics, there were hints about a third-genre story to be launched as a new book. Well, it’s been revealed today during Oni Press’ “Groundbreaking Comics & Graphic Novels” panel at San Diego Comic-Con that the genre will be the Sword & Sorcery / Dark Fantasy set to debut in EC Comic’s upcoming comic anthology CRUEL KINGDOM.

“With EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 now on store shelves, it’s safe to say the full-blooded return of EC Comics to store shelves worldwide has exceeded even our own aggressive expectations to become Oni Press’ biggest Direct Market launch in a decade,” said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson in a statement originally reported by IGN. “We owe a huge debt of thanks to the fans, creators, and retailers who have supported this righteous resurrection for one of the most iconic and influential publishing houses in the history of the comics medium. It also means the second phase of our ambitious plans to strengthen the scope of our EC publishing program can now be revealed – beginning with a surprise expansion for Epitaphs From the Abyss and continuing into two new releases: this winter’s holiday-themed SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES SPECIAL and EC’s first-ever excursion in dark fantasy, CRUEL KINGDOM, beginning in January!”

“The expansion of the twisted EC Comics universe is a sight to behold with Oni at the helm! As we proudly further our dark endeavors with more issues of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS, we’re ready to enter a new mystical, magical, and malevolent realm with CRUEL KINGDOM,” said Corey Mifsud, Executive Director of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. “Brace yourselves — there’s a lot more EC to come!”

A ghoul with a gaping large jaw approaches a screaming women just inside a window

In just two days, Epitaphs of the Abyss has already sold 65,000 copies in retail stores. Buzz has been around regarding the 70-plus-year return of the EC comics line, so it should to no surprise that audiences want more. Especially, when you consider the all-star talents involved. As a result of these great sales, the Epitaphs from the Abyss anthology is expanding going from its originally announced 5-issue run to a 12-issue yearlong running series. New and ongoing talents for EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS listed include:

new stories for upcoming issues set to feature Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One), Matt Bors (Toxic Avenger),  Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), Matthew Rosenberg (DC Vs. Vampires), Mark Russell (Batman: Dark Age, X-Factor), Tim Seeley (Local Man), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), Joanne Starer (Sirens of the City), Alexandre Tenfengki (The Good Asian), and many more – and continuing with covers by Eisner Award nominee Lee Bermejo (A Vicious Circle, Joker) across all 12 issues – look for more gut-wrenching twists and adrenaline-inducing surprises to come each and every month!

For more information at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Oni will be hosting a panel on Friday, July 26th at 5 pm PT in Room 23ABC for the “EC Comics Lives Again at Oni Press!” presentation. There, heads of EC Hunter Gorinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn, will looks ahead in a chat with creators Jason Aaron (Thor), Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic), J. Holtham (Night Thrasher), Klaus Janson (The Dark Knight Returns), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), and Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker).

If that weren’t enough, there will also now be a 56 page SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES #1 Christmas comic for December 2024 along with the new arrival of CRUEL KINGDOM starting in January. Details on both books below.

a family finds a head in a box on Christmas and are shocked

SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES #1

Cover Art by Darick Robertson | December 2024

THIS CHRISTMAS, TERROR COMES CALLING WITH 56 PAGES OF SHOCKING CHILLS FROM AN ALL-STAR CAST OF EC’S FINEST FIENDS!

This December, Oni Press is proud to present SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES #1 – the FIRST in an ALL-NEW series of extra-sized EC specials colliding tales of horror, science-fiction, and frontline combat in one joyously wrapped, squarebound package … that may be leaking something strange under the Christmas tree… 

Featuring brand-new tales of merry dismemberment and yuletide destruction from writers Jason Aaron (Thor), Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker), and more with artists David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Kano (Gotham Central), and more – plus a newly remastered and authentically restored holiday classic from the EC vaults alongside covers by Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman) and Darick Robertson (The Boys)! 

 

EC Comic's Cruel Kingdom where a knight with a greatsword stands amongst a crowd, a crown hovering over his head

CRUEL KINGDOM #1 

Cover Art by Adam Pollina | January 2025

WHERE ONCE CRUEL UNIVERSE BECKONED… NOW CRUEL KINGDOM SHALL REIGN!

In the aftermath of the science-fiction anthology CRUEL UNIVERSE’s initial five-issue run, Oni Press is proud to unveil a spellbinding new chapter in the distinguished lineage of EC history! Enter: CRUEL KINGDOM – EC’s first-ever dark fantasy anthology conjuring tales of magic, myth, and murder from forbidden realms long before our own.

Debuting in January 2025, CRUEL KINGDOM will feature never-before-seen stories of wizardry and wickedness from sordid scribes Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Dennis Culver (Unstoppable Doom Patrol), Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk), Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode), and more with art from the bloodstained quills of Leomacs (Rogues), and more – plus covers by Adam Pollina (X-Force) and more to yet to revealed! 

Stay tuned for more SDCC ’24 coverage from The Beat.