On July 24th, Oni Press, in partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc., resurrected EC Comics in spectacularly bloody fashion. Tales from the Abyss #1 contains 4 stories that captures the spirit of classic EC Comics. Then, on August 7th, Cruel Universe #1, a collection of science-fiction stories. I had the good fortune of chatting with Hunter Gorinson, President and Publisher at Oni Press, along with two of the creators of one of the tales from the abyss themselves, Chris Condon and Peter Krause. 

My number one takeaway from this interview was both the excitement and reverence all 3 have for EC Comics. It also doesn't hurt that both of these issues are phenomenal and I was blown away by the stories and the storytelling talent on display here. We talk about how this deal developed between the family of William M. Gaines and Oni Press, the staggering influence of EC Comics to this day, and a whole lot more.  

Here's what Oni Press had to say about Epitaphs from the Abyss: 

From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC COMICS returns . . . with its first ALL-NEW series in nearly 70 years!

In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the undying EC tradition-as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (FX's The Handmaid's Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by "all-slaughter" artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and more!

What the Comics Code Authority couldn't kill has only made it stronger . . . EC COMICS LIVES AGAIN IN EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS! 

Here's what Oni Press had to say about Cruel Universe:

Compelled to OBLIVION, driven to ENTROPY, all life in our cosmos can only end in one place: COMPLETE ANNIHILATION! For the first time in 70 years, the limitless fury of EC Comics rages back to life to shred the very fabric of the universe itself-and wrench bizarre tales of time and space into our dimensional plane!

Our guides across this double-sized, 40-page introduction to a cosmic maelstrom of strange extraterrestrial entities, malevolent scientists, and terrifying technological catastrophes? Learn to fear the void with the irradiated imaginations of Hugo Award nominee Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic), rising star Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Eisner Award nominee Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), and Edgar Award winner Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman) as they collide with the wondrously destructive visions of artists Jonathan Case (Green River Killer), Kano (Immortal Iron Fist), Artyom Topilin (I Hate This Place), and Caitlin Yarsky (Black Hammer: Reborn)!

The unpredictable return of EC Comics continues here with the quantum comics event of the millennium! Galaxies will collapse. Space-time will be distorted. And your very will to exist, too, shall be broken . . . Just remember: it's all in the name of SCIENCE!

Our episode sponsors

After the Realm

Don't miss Eisner and Harvey award winning comics creator Michael Avon Oeming's newest crowdfunding project After The Realm. With over 300 pages of material and 22 new pages of story, this graphic novel collects issues 1-5 of this realm trotting dystopian fantasy adventure that follows young ranger Oona Lightfoot's travels and travails trying to find her best friend as the nine realms are torn asunder. 

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