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Example of EC Archives' digital coloring by Jamison Services on a Johnny Craig page: "Terror on the Moors!" in EC Archives: The Vault of Horror (2007), originally in The Vault of Horror #17 (February–March 1951)

The EC Archives are an ongoing series of American hardcover collections of full-color comic book reprints of EC Comics, published by Russ Cochran and Gemstone Publishing from 2006 to 2008, and then continued by Cochran and Grant Geissman's GC imprint (2011–2012), and finally taken over by Dark Horse in 2013.

The output of Bill Gaines' EC Comics line in the 1940s and 1950s is one of the most critically acclaimed of the pre-Comics Code comics publishers (and one of the major casualties of the Comics Code). Such EC Comics titles as Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror and Weird Science are known even to people unfamiliar with the source material, due to movie and television adaptations.

Numerous reprints throughout the decades have also kept EC alive on book store shelves, starting with Nostalgia Press's EC Horror Comics Of The 1950s tome (1971), followed by publisher Cochran's six EC Portfolios (1971–1977), but primarily because of his Complete EC Library, printing all of the 'New Trend' comic titles (although missing the unique stories from the three 3-D EC Classics issues), as well as all of the 'New Direction' and 'Picto-Fiction' titles, and some of the 'Pre-Trend' title issues, in a series of 18 b&w box sets (19 if you include the fact that the Mad set was done in both color and b&w editions) containing a total of 66 hardcover books, all shot directly from the original art, mostly published from 1979 to 1996, with the Picto-Fiction box being delayed until 2006. Between 1992 and 2000, Cochran and Gemstone Publishing also produced 295 different full-color individual issue reproductions of all the "New Trend' (except Mad) and 'New Direction' EC Comics, and subsequently 63 EC Annuals which glued together titled chronological overstock copies of those individual issues in a new outer wrapper, in a nod to the original unsold-stock content of the EC Annuals of the 50s, although back in the 1950s there was no specification as to what issues may have been contained inside the covers to those various Annuals, which could vary from copy to copy.

Digital recoloring

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In 2006, Gemstone began producing a more durable series of hardback reprint collections designed by Michael Kronenberg. Similar to the DC Archives and Marvel Masterworks series, the EC Archives superseded Cochran's original annotated Complete EC Library (of black-and-white stories) by reprinting sequential compilations of EC titles in a full-color, hardback archival format with new annotations. On January 11, 2011, Cochran looked back on the project, noting the differences between his earlier Complete EC Library and the later EC Archives:

A few years ago, with the support and encouragement of Steve Geppi and with the permission of the Gaines Estate, I started on a new format: the EC Archives. These are slightly smaller hardcover books (smaller than the EC Library volumes but larger than the original ten-cent comic books), and because of increased demand and the availability of cheaper color printing in China, the EC Archives books were full color, with new color in an infinite palette now being possible with the advances in technology.[1]

Each book reprints six issues, for a total of 24 stories. The original coloring by EC's colorist Marie Severin was used as a guide for digital re-coloring by Jamison Services, a color separation company in West Plains, Missouri, the hometown of publisher Cochran. Allen Jamison and Jamison Services had previously done coloring for the DC Archives.[2] Also contributing to the project at Cochran's West Plains office were operations manager Angela Meyer and production artist Chris Rock.[3] Crediting Kronenberg as "Art Director/Designer and Color Editor" and Marie Severin for "Colors", Cochran explained the digital upgrade given to Severin's coloring; "Most of the original coloring of these stories is the work of EC colorist Marie Severin, and although all of these stories have been re-colored for this new edition, her style of coloring was followed to retain the integrity of the original EC comic books".[4] He later added:

Technology changes. We are now able to color these comics with an infinite palette, and to reproduce the artists' linework much more clearly. If these new computer generated color techniques had been available in the 1950s, I think Bill Gaines would have used it because it makes the EC work even more beautiful. So the EC material has been printed three different ways: with the old color, as originally published back in the 1950s, without any color, as it was drawn by the EC artists (the EC Library), and with the best color we can do with modern technology (the EC Archives). It has been my experience that the most dedicated EC fans are not satisfied to have them reprinted only one, or two, ways. They want them all. Those fans will have the old comics in the EC Annuals, the black and white art in the EC Library, and the best color we can produce in the EC Archives. There's room there for everyone.[5]

Along with the original EC advertisements, editorials and letters pages, the books also feature an introduction by Grant Geissman and forewords by John Carpenter, Joe Dante, Paul Levitz, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, R. L. Stine, Jerry Weist and others. The entirety of the New Trend and New Direction comics are planned for eventual release.

The EC Archives publishing history has been a troubled one. The original run was interrupted after 13 volumes, due to financial difficulties at Gemstone Publishing, in 2008. The line was revived for two more volumes by GC Press LLC, a boutique imprint established by Russ Cochran and Grant Geissman, in 2011 (both volumes carry 2011 copyrights, the year of their printing, though due to the vagaries of distribution, they were not released until January 2012). Most recently, the line has been taken up by Dark Horse Comics, who announced plans to resume it with the release of Tales from the Crypt Volume 4 in October 2013.[6]

EC Archives schedule

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Issue numbering

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In the early 1950s, comic book publishers, seeking to save money on second-class postage permits, frequently changed the titles of their comics, rather than start new ones at #1 (a new publication required a new postal permit, while an existing publication that just changed its name could use its existing permit).[7] Because of this, many comics featured in The EC Archives series do not start with #1. War Against Crime was replaced by The Vault of Horror and so numbering for The Vault of Horror begins with issue #12. Similarly, Crime Patrol was replaced with The Crypt of Terror for issue #17. By issue #20, the title changed again to the familiar Tales from the Crypt. The Crypt of Terror is not considered a separate series and is included in Tales from the Crypt Volume 1.

The Haunt of Fear, Weird Science, and Weird Fantasy initially started with issues #15, #12, and #13, respectively. However, due to a request from the Post Office, their issue numbering was reset a few issues later. This reset began with The Haunt of Fear #4, Weird Science #5, and Weird Fantasy #6. As a result, there are several comics within those series that share the same issue number. For instance, The Haunt of Fear #15 was first published in 1950 as the inaugural issue of the series, while a second comic, also titled The Haunt of Fear #15, was published in 1952 and marked the 15th issue in the series according to the reset numbering.

Following The Haunt of Fear's issue numbering being reset, its previous numbering was instead used for a new title, Two-Fisted Tales. Thus, Two-Fisted Tales begins with issue #18.

The table below uses the original numbering.

EC Archives books

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Title Volume Reprints Foreword First printing Publisher Pages ISBN
Aces High
1
 Aces High #1 – 5 Howard Chaykin 2017 Dark Horse 168 978-1-5067-0308-4
Choke Gasp! The Best of 75 Years of EC Comics
1
 Selections from Various EC Comics N/A 2019 Dark Horse 528 978-1-5067-1584-1
Confessions Illustrated
1
 Confessions Illustrated #1 – 3 Alex Segura 2022 Dark Horse 184 978-1-5067-1975-7
Crime Illustrated
1
 Crime Illustrated #1 – 3 William Malone 2022 Dark Horse 192 978-1-5067-1976-4
Crime Patrol
1
 Crime Patrol #7 – 11 Brian Michael Bendis 2022 Dark Horse 176 978-1-5067-2984-8
Crime SuspenStories
1
 Crime SuspenStories #1 – 6 Max Allan Collins 2008 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-74-5
2
 Crime SuspenStories #7 – 12 Matt Kindt 2017 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0039-7
3
 Crime SuspenStories #13 – 18 David Del Valle 2017 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0240-7
4
 Crime SuspenStories #19 – 27 Christos Gage 2019 Dark Horse 320 978-1-5067-0924-6
Extra
1
 Extra #1 – 5 John Arcudi 2018 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0184-4
Frontline Combat
1
 Frontline Combat #1 – 6 John Benson 2008 Gemstone 212 978-1-60360-014-9
2
 Frontline Combat #7 – 11 Ray Fawkes 2019 Dark Horse 184 978-1-5067-0847-8
3
 Frontline Combat #12 – 15 Dan Madigan 2021 Dark Horse 152 978-1-5067-1535-3
Gunfighter
1
 Gunfighter #5 – 9 Jimmy Palmiotti 2022 Dark Horse 176 978-1-5067-1977-1
The Haunt of Fear
1
 The Haunt of Fear #15 – 17
The Haunt of Fear #4 – 6
(with notes by Grant Geissman) 		Robert Englund 2012 GC Press 212 978-1-60360-015-6
2
 The Haunt of Fear #7 – 12 Tim Sullivan 2015 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-773-7
3
 The Haunt of Fear #13 – 18 Cullen Bunn 2016 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-958-8
4
 The Haunt of Fear #19 – 24 Rob Zombie 2017 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0280-3
5
 The Haunt of Fear #25 – 28 Tom Holland 2018 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0650-4
Impact
1
 Impact #1 – 5 Steve Ringgenberg 2020 Dark Horse 168 978-1-5067-1192-8
Incredible Science Fiction
1
 Weird Science-Fantasy #27 – 29
Incredible Science Fiction #30 – 33 		Mark Evanier 2017 Dark Horse 232 978-1-5067-0309-1
M.D.
1
 M.D. #1 – 5 Darren Bousman 2021 Dark Horse 168 978-1-5067-0270-4
Modern Love
1
 Modern Love #1 – 8 Jacque Nodell 2019 Dark Horse 272 978-1-5067-0848-5
Panic
1
 Panic #1 – 6 Bob Fingerman 2016 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-883-3
2
 Panic #7 – 12 Sergio Aragones 2017 Dark Horse 200 978-1-5067-0271-1
Piracy
1
 Piracy #1 – 7 Greg Nicotero 2019 Dark Horse 240 978-1-5067-0700-6
Psychoanalysis
1
 Psychoanalysis #1 – 4 Bob Burden 2020 Dark Horse 136 978-1-5067-1193-5
Saddle Justice
1
 Saddle Justice #3 – 8 Eric Red 2021 Dark Horse 208 978-1-5067-1194-2
Shock Illustrated
1
 Shock Illustrated #1 – 4 Steve Niles 2021 Dark Horse 248 978-1-5067-1195-9
Shock SuspenStories
1
 Shock SuspenStories #1 – 6
(with notes by Russ Cochran) 		Steven Spielberg 2006 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-57-8
2
 Shock SuspenStories #7 – 12 Dean Kamen 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-70-7
3
 Shock SuspenStories #13 – 18 Brian Michael Bendis 2015 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-635-8
Tales from the Crypt
1
 The Crypt of Terror #17 – 19
Tales from the Crypt #20 – 22 		John Carpenter 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-55-4
2
 Tales from the Crypt #23 – 28 Joe Dante 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-71-4
3
 Tales from the Crypt #29 – 34 Robert Overstreet 2008 Gemstone 212 978-1-60360-011-8
4
 Tales from the Crypt #35 – 40 Russ Cochran 2013 Dark Horse 212 978-1-60360-104-7
5
 Tales from the Crypt #41 – 46 Bruce Campbell 2014 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-486-6
Terror Illustrated
1
 Terror Illustrated #1 – 3 Mick Garris 2022 Dark Horse 184 978-1-5067-1978-8
Two-Fisted Tales
1
 Two-Fisted Tales #18 – 23 Steve Geppi 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-56-1
2
 Two-Fisted Tales #24 – 29 Professor Rocco Versaci 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-72-1
3
 Two-Fisted Tales #30 – 35 Joe Kubert 2014 Dark Horse 216 978-1-60360-017-0
4
 Two-Fisted Tales #36 – 41 Colleen Coover 2019 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0849-2
Valor
1
 Valor #1 – 5 P. Craig Russell 2017 Dark Horse 168 978-1-5067-0159-2
The Vault of Horror
1
 The Vault of Horror #12 – 17
(with notes by Roger Hill) 		R. L. Stine 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-73-8
2
 The Vault of Horror #18 – 23
(with notes by Bhob Stewart) 		John Landis 2012 GC Press 212 978-1-60360-103-0
3
 The Vault of Horror #24 – 29 Mike Richardson 2014 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-292-3
4
 The Vault of Horror #30 – 35 Jonathan Maberry 2015 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-519-1
5
 The Vault of Horror #36 – 40 Daniel Chabon 2018 Dark Horse 184 978-1-5067-0651-1
War Against Crime
1
 War Against Crime #1 – 6 David Lapham 2018 Dark Horse 208 978-1-5067-0502-6
2
 War Against Crime #7 – 11 Dean Motter 2020 Dark Horse 176 978-1-5067-1196-6
Weird Fantasy
1
 Weird Fantasy #13 – 17
Weird Fantasy #6 		Walt Simonson 2014 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-293-0
2
 Weird Fantasy #7 – 12 Gene Simmons 2016 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0014-4
3
 Weird Fantasy #13 – 18 Ron Parker 2018 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0501-9
4
 Weird Fantasy #19 – 22
Weird Science-Fantasy #25 – 26 		Evan Dorkin 2019 Dark Horse 216 978-1-5067-0923-9
Weird Science
1
 Weird Science #12 – 15
Weird Science #5 – 6 		George Lucas 2006 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-58-5
2
 Weird Science #7 – 12 Paul Levitz 2007 Gemstone 212 978-1-888472-69-1
3
 Weird Science #13 – 18 Jerry Weist / Ray Bradbury 2008 Gemstone[a] 212 978-1-60360-010-1
4
 Weird Science #19 – 22
Weird Science-Fantasy #23 – 24 		Harlan Ellison 2015 Dark Horse 216 978-1-61655-658-7

Chronological release of EC Archives Hardcover volumes

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Leather-bound signed and numbered boxed editions

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  • The EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 1 (February 2008) signed by Al Feldstein, edition of 300
  • The EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 2 (August 2008) signed by Al Williamson, edition of 300
  • The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Volume 1 (October 2009) signed by Al Feldstein, edition of 300
  • The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories Volume 2 (October 2009) signed by Jack Kamen, edition of 300

These four limited editions each came packaged inside a custom clamshell box. with a pair of white gloves for handling of the expensive volumes.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ A printing defect saw most copies withheld by the publisher for an erroneously missing cover illustration to be inserted.

References

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  1. ^ Russ Cochran Newsletter 19, January 15, 2011.
  2. ^ "Comic Book Database: Allen Jamison". Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  3. ^ "Gemstone Corporate History". Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  4. ^ EC Archives, 2007.
  5. ^ Digital Comic Museum
  6. ^ Dark Horse to Publish EC Library. Accessed July 28, 2013.
  7. ^ Michael C. Weisenburg (February 19, 2020). "America's Postwar Fling with Romance Comics". Brewminate. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
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