Oni Press recently revived the infamous EC Comics brand, and the new line has quickly become a success, with Oni reporting that Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 has sold over 65,000 copies. In light of that success, Oni is growing the EC Comics line heading into 2025.
First, the horror anthology Epitaphs From the Abyss is being expanded from the originally announced 5-issue run to a 12-issue maxi-series. That will carry the series into Summer 2025, at which point the finale will pave the way for a new EC Comics title.
Future issues of Epitaphs From the Abyss will feature stories from Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Matt Bors (Toxic Avenger), 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), and Alexandre Tenfengki (The Good Asian), while Lee Bermejo will continue to provide covers for the series.
Next, Oni will release a holiday-themed anthology special in December 2024 called Shiver Suspenstories #1, featuring a mix of horror, sci-fi, and military action tales. The creators involved include Jason Aaron (Thor), Ben H. Winters (CBS' Tracker), David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Kano (Gotham Central), and cover artists Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman) and Darick Robertson (The Boys).
Finally, Oni has revealed the series that will be replacing the sci-fi anthology Cruel Universe after it ends its 5-issue run. The dark fantasy series Cruel Kingdom will debut in January 2025, featuring stories from 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 Leomacs (Rogues), with covers by Adam Pollina (X-Force).
"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 Hunter Gorinson, Oni Press President & Publisher, in a statement. "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!
Fans can expect to learn more about the future of the EC Comics line at the "EC Comics Lives Again at Oni Press!" panel at San Diego Comic-Con, which is being held on Friday, July 26th at 5 pm PT in Room 23ABC.
For more on the EC Comics line, check out our exclusive previews of Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 and Cruel Universe #1. And you can also see everything coming to the IGN's San Diego Comic-Con 2024 live show.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
