Catacomb of Torment - The Return of EC Comics

Over at Horror To Culture we’ve frequently shared our love for the classic EC titles from the 1950’s (not the least of which being an entire episode devoted to horror comic books and magazines that can be found here: https://www.horrortoculture.com/horror-to-culture-7/ )With the popular HBO television adaptation of Tales From the Crypt which ran from 1989 – 1996, a new generation of fans were introduced to that old cackling Crypt Keeper, The Vault Keeper, and the Old Witch.

Often imitated but never duplicated throughout the early 1950’s, EC published the premier line of horror and science fiction comic books of the day, with amazing covers by the likes of Wally Wood, Al Williamson, Jack Davis, Johnny Craig and many other notable artists. Over the decades, the EC titles became much sought after collectibles, with some of the most memorable (and horrific) covers ever produced.

Now, nearly 75 years after its initial launch, EC comics is back in a big way with not only a complete collection of affordable EC Archives being published through Dark Horse, but a variety of new titles. Including Epitaphs From The Abyss, Cruel Universe, Shiver SuspenStories, and the brand new limited anthology entitled, Catacomb of Torment.

While the new launch may lack some of the original charm of its 1950’s counterparts, the titles do boast some strikingly cool cover art, with a lot of variants, as well as a trio of brand new horror hosts including the Grave-Digger, The Tormentor, and the Grim Inquisitor who now introduce our various tales of terror.

With so many new titles coming out of EC/Oni, it’s to be expected that the quality might be a little hit and miss. However, the overall consistency of the new EC universe, both in terms of art and story, as well as meeting publishing deadlines, has been pretty great to behold for a fan of classic horror.

There have been other attempts to revive the EC line over the years, perhaps most notably with the publishing company Papercutz, which ran a Tales from the Crypt title for 13 issues starting in 2007. However, while it was nice to see the Crypt Keeper back in action, the interior art never lived up to expectations, and the cover art began suffering by the end of the run.

The latest title, Catacomb of Torment #1 (July 2025), hands the baton over to the The Tormentor as the main host, while Epitaphs from the Abyss (which ran for 12 issues and recently completed its run), was narrated by the Grave-Digger.

While there isn’t necessarily anything new being offered in the Catacomb, it is nice to see a modernization of these stories for new audiences, and that the titles have been successful enough to keep adding more to the roster in the EC Tradition.

Yes, with the EC Archive reprint collection, and the brand new titles coming out every month, it’s a good time to be not only an EC fan, but a horror comic book fan in general! Creepshow has also been putting out some really cool stuff lately, and both Marvel and DC will be offering up some new reprint collections of their horror titles from the 1960’s and 70’s, leading up to Halloween.

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Michael A. Dyer is the host of the HORROR TO CULTURE podcast, vidcast, and website.