1954's Crime SuspenStories #22 might well be the most infamous and iconic horror comic ever published. Even if the name of that issue doesn't ring a bell, you've no doubt seen the image of a man wielding an ax and holding his wife's severed head. That comic, as much as any other, inspired the anti-comics backlash of the '50s and the creation of the Comics Code Authority, and led to the demise of publisher EC Comics.
Thankfully, EC Comics recently returned from the grave as a new imprint at Oni Press. And it's only fitting that the latest EC Comics release pays tribute to Johnny Craig's much-maligned piece of cover art. IGN can exclusively reveal artist Jay Stephens' cover to Catacomb of Torment #1, part of an ongoing series of classic EC tributes. Check it out below:
For comparison, here's Craig's original cover to Crime SuspenStories #22:
Catacomb of Torment is one of several new EC books launching as part of the imprint's "Summer of Fear" promotion. This horror anthology series features work by John Arcudi, Marguerite Bennett, Dan McDaid, Matt Kindt, David Lapham, & Tonči Zonjić. It'll be joined by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's Blood Type and J. Holtham, Kano, Ann Nocenti, David Rubín, and Greg Smallwood's Cruel Universe 2.
"Our EC Comics line is not only the best-selling line of comics in Oni's near-30-year history, they're also an insanely fun thing to work on," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson in a statement. "So, after exceeding our own already-high expectations with Epitaphs From the Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom last year, we're challenging ourselves to get bolder and bigger – and bloodier! – on all fronts as EC enters the second year of its milestone resurrection."
"Working on EC for the last year has been incredibly inspiring for everyone working on the series – from the team at Oni to our partners building these bite-sized worlds at each level of production," said Oni Press Editor in Chief Sierra Hahn. "It's a real joy to continue bringing these entertaining morality tales to life with the best storytellers in the business. This summer's slate of comics is no exception."
Get a closer look at both Blood Type and Catacomb of Torment in the slideshow gallery below:
Summer of Fear kicks off with the release of Blood Type #1 in June 2025.
For more classic comic book art, check out our picks for the most iconic superhero comic book covers of all time.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
