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Now here’s a pretty cool announcement, as one of the greatest pre-comics code brands is coming back, thanks to Oni Press’ rebirth of EC.
Rise from your grave
We’ve gotta go back for this one… way back to the 1940’s. That was the decade that saw the birth of EC Comics, a brand that’s probably best known for horror, but also published books in the crime, war, fantasy and sci-fi realms. All of that was before the Comics Code as well, the creation of which would eventually make EC’s books more or less impossible to print thanks to its heavy censorship bent.
But times, as they say, change, and now here in 2024 we’ve got some huge news as goes the that famed name. As you see above, that’s a full rebirth that’s been 70 years in the making, and coming at the hands of Oni Press. One of the bigger indie publishers in the US, Oni has recently made a name for itself with the NacelleVerse, and is continuing that roll with EC.
The deal comes in partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc., and will deliver a full collection of new EC titles to shops. The push will start this summer, with Epitaphs from the Abyss #1 in July and Cruel Universe #1 in August. Look for it to be “overseen” by President/Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn on the Oni end, and on the other side of the deal, will be “administrators of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc.”, Cathy Gaines Mifsud, and Corey Mifsud. Who are they? Just the daughter and grandson of EC legend (and son of its creator) William M. Gaines. Pretty nice pedigree? Yeah, we’d say so.
There’s some big time talent on hand for these new books too, all of whom will be set towards two new comics a month for the rebirthed brand, as the plan moves forward.
Edited by Hahn, Oni’s curated line of EC titles – which will include at least two series on a monthly basis from July 2024 onward in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and more – will feature contributions from a rotating cast of high-profile comics talents that includes writers Jason Aaron (Thor, Southern Bastards), Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Rodney Barnes(Killadelphia), Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic), Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun), Christopher Cantwell (Briar), Cecil Castellucci(Shade the Changing Girl), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Joshua Hale Fialkov (The Bunker), J. Holtham (AMC’s The Handmaid’s Tale), Jeff Jensen (HBO’s Watchmen, Green River Killer), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), Sean Lewis (King Spawn), Stephanie Phillips (Grim), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), Zac Thompson (Cemetery Kids Don’t Die), Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker), and more; artists Kano (Gotham Central, Immortal Iron Fist), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), Leomacs (Rogues), Malachi Ward (Black Hammer: The End), Dustin Weaver (Avengers, Paklis), and more; designer Rian Hughes (The Multiversity); alongside covers from Lee Bermejo (A Vicious Circle, Batman: Damned), Greg Smallwood (The Human Target), J.H. Williams III (Sandman: Overture, Promethea), and more to be revealed in the weeks and months ahead.
Oni Press press release
