cryptofmadness
Crypt Of Madness magazine - Online
A fanzine/magazine about EC, MAD, Creepy/Eerie, and related topics. Featuring Reviews, Articles, Checklists, Lists of upcoming items related to the magazine's covered subjects, Art, and more!!
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SNEAK PEEK: SHUDDER Issue 18 Cover Art!
Posted by Chet Reams
Behold: Here is an early look at the (tentative) front cover to the upcoming issue 18 of SHUDDER magazine! Cover illustrated by the legendary horror comics artist “Sanjulian”!
SHUDDER issue 18 will be in comic stores (and on newsstands) this 2024 Summer season!
Image courtesy Warrant Publishing/via Rich Sala, Warrant Publishing .
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Norman Rockwell Museum to Host “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine” Exhibition
By Chet Reams
The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, USA will hold a MAD magazine focused art exhibit this year from June 8 to October 27. The showing will feature original artwork from Harvey Kurtzman, Al Jaffee, Don Martin, Teresa Burns Parkhurst, Tom Richmond, Angelo Torres, and others.
More info can be found on the official Norman Rockwell Museum’s exhibit webpage here.
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New MAD magazine Book-A-Zine Special Out: "MAD Goes To The Dogs"
By Chet Reams
MAD magazine has just released a new "Special Collector's Edition" reprint collection book-a-zine to retail stores in the USA. The collection features a theme of dogs, cats and other types of common household pets, and is published by SPC Specials!
The front of the edition is a reused artwork from the cover of MAD magazine (USA) issue number 452, illustrated by Mark Stutzman.
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MAD magazine issue #037 Cover Art Revealed!
Posted by Chet Jasper Reams, for Crypt of MADness / Via MAD magazine on Facebook
Cover art by Tom Richmond!
Subscribe to MAD magazine at: https://subscriptions.dccomics.com/mad
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EPITATHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 Cover Art!
Cover illustrated by Lee Bermejo
Image copyright WILLIAM M. GAINES AGENT, INC.
Coming soon from EC Comics and Oni Press !
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MAD magazine Free Comic Book Day 2024 Special Announced By DC Comics (UPDATED April 2024)
By Chet Reams
DC Comics is preparing to issue a special edition of MAD just for Free Comic Book Day this year, 2024.
The promotional text for the special reads as follows: “America’s longest-running satire magazine continues to skewer everything pop culture, this time in comic book size! This Free Comic Book Day special edition of MAD features a wide variety of classic favorites like “Spy vs. Spy”, and “A MAD Look at…” by Sergio Aragonés. Plus, some maniacal mockeries of some of your favorite DC Superheroes, and a whole lot more from the Usual Gang of Idiots. This special edition will surely cure what ails you with a shot of humor in the jugular vein. And it is even cheaper than the usual CHEAP! Because it is FREE! So, you really would be an idiot if you didn’t go out and grab one!”
While the official cover artwork has not been revealed yet, Crypt Of MADness will update this post as soon as it comes out, so check back!
April 23, 2024 Update: The official cover art (with a Superman illustration by Kerry Callen) appears to be posted on Amazon USA (for the Digital Edition/comiXology Edition at least) - so we have updated this post with the image posted below:
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CRUEL UNIVERSE Issue 1 Cover Art!
Art by Greg Smallwood, Image courtesy of EC Comics on X.
Cover illustrated by Greg Smallwood! Cruel Universe drops this Summer 2024 from EC Comics and co-published under Oni Press!!
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EC LIVES… AGAIN: The Return Of EC Comics
By Chet Reams
So folks, it seems that EC Comics is getting back into publishng yet again. You may be asking "Another new volume/series-run of Tales From The Crypt comics? More EC reprint volumes?" The answer is actually something else entirely. EC Comics (@ec-comics) (legally referred to "William M. Gaines Agent, Inc.") and Oni Press (@onipress) are teaming up to produce two brand-new EC Comics comic-book series! Following is the official Press Release (as provided to Crypt of MADness by EC Comics/William M. Gaines Agent, Inc.)!
EC COMICS IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE – AND ALL–NEW PUBLISHING LINE – AT ONI PRESS
The Infamous and Influential Comics Imprint That Redefined Pop Culture Returns with Staggering New Titles and Superstar Creators – Beginning Summer 2024
Seventy years after the creation of the Comics Code Authority irrevocably changed the course of comics history, the most infamous, notorious and controversial comic publisher of all time is set to return from the grave in summer 2024…
Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic fiction for more than 25 years – is proud to announce a brand-new publishing partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. that will see the full-fledged return of EC Comics to comic shop and bookstore shelves worldwide with a slate of all-new series beginning in the summer of 2024.
Beginning with EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 in July and CRUEL UNIVERSE #1 in August – the first official EC Comics series produced in nearly seven decades – Oni’s ambitious EC Comics publishing program will be overseen by Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson and Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn in partnership with Cathy Gaines Mifsud and Corey Mifsud, the daughter and grandson of legendary EC Publisher William M. Gaines and administrators of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc.
“As my father said, ‘Only in the bounds of good taste!’ and I’m so excited to exhibit EC's good taste with Oni Press, who have distinguished themselves with both an award-winning library of comics and graphic novels and a passionate understanding of EC’s singular role in shaping comics history,” said Cathy Gaines Mifsud, President of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc.
“EC Comics is no stranger to a good comeback story! We’re thrilled to make this return with Oni Press and usher the classic EC sensibilities into the modern world,” said Corey Mifsud, Executive Director of William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. “It’s always been our dream to one day bring the fearless creative spirit of EC to a new generation. Working hand-in-hand with Oni’s award-winning team and a sensational cast of creators, it’s a pleasure to – at long last – shepherd EC into the 21st century with all-new series and stories.”
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.
“Seventy years ago, EC Comics redefined what comics could be with shocking, confrontational and brilliantly crafted stories that challenged the existential issues at the center of American life – censorship, racism, sexism, nuclear proliferation, and more. Today, those battles continue in alarming and pernicious new ways.,” said Oni Press Editor-in-Chief, Sierra Hahn. “What better time to resurrect the undying spirit of EC Comics – one of the most entertaining, subversive, and influential publishers of all time – with an all-star cast of storytellers to examine today’s society through the lens that William Gaines and his legendary collaborators have left us.”
Founded by M.C. "Max" Gaines – often cited as one of the original creators of the comic book format – as “Educational Comics” in 1944, EC spearheaded a watershed evolution in the craft, quality, and power of the comics medium under Max's son, William M. Gaines, following the elder Gaines’ sudden death in 1947. Rechristening his father’s creation as “Entertaining Comics,” publisher, editor, and writer William M. Gaines recruited one of the most legendary creative stables in the history of the comics medium – including future Eisner Hall of Fame inductees Johnny Craig, Reed Crandall, Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Frank Frazetta, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando, John Severin, Marie Severin, Al Williamson, Wally Wood, and many more – to oversee the creation of a revolutionary slate of new series that would soon grow to include TALES FROM THE CRYPT, MAD MAGAZINE, WEIRD SCIENCE, TWO-FISTED TALES, and more.
Widely celebrated for fearlessly confrontational stories that were as creatively innovative as they were culturally subversive – confronting racial and gender inequality, militarism, and environmental degradation in ways that would anticipate both the burgeoning counterculture and Civil Rights movements – EC’s urge to probe the darkness lurking beyond the edges of post-war America though tales of horror, science fiction, humor, and war earned the company millions of readers … and established a new high watermark for one of the first definitively American artforms: the comic book.
However, EC’s reign at the forefront of the American comic book industry – a period during which it eclipsed Marvel, DC, and Archie with sales of 10 million comics per year – would come crashing down in 1954 as an anti-comics moral panic swept America, inspiring book burnings, police surveillance, and a Congressional investigation that would see William M. Gaines’ testimony broadcast live in households across the country. This pro-censorship movement soon culminated in the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a sanitizing regulatory group whose guidelines were specifically tailored to remove EC’s comics from newsstands. EC’s final comics – until now – were published in 1956, and the hugely popular MAD was re-formatted as a magazine to escape Code scrutiny. Even so, the untimely death of EC could not erase the company’s far-reaching impact, having already inspired a young generation of readers – including John Carpenter, Guillermo del Toro, Matt Groening, James Gunn, George Lucas, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, The Ramones, George Romero, Steven Spielberg, and hundreds more – who have cited EC’s iconoclastic brand of storytelling as a deep and primordial influence.
“There are few things more sacred to the canon of comic book history – and global pop culture – than EC Comics. The company’s audaciously inspired sensibilities have continuously echoed through nearly all facets of entertainment – like pieces of shrapnel embedded in American imagination,” said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. “It’s both a huge honor and immense responsibility to be entrusted to work alongside the Gaines family in inhabiting EC’s indomitable spirit for a new generation. At a moment when we find ourselves confronting the same reactionary forces – injustice, inequality, and of course, censorship – that EC challenged head-on, we intend to write a new and powerful chapter that honors and expands one of the most important legacies the comic book medium has ever produced.”
Oni Press’ first two new EC titles – EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS and CRUEL UNIVERSE, a pair of horror and science anthologies in the classic EC mold – will debut in July and August 2024, respectively, before the publisher introduces more series in genres and formats that will expand the scope and scale of the EC publishing line in ways never before attempted.
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Happy Birthday Frank Frazetta!
Artist Frank Frazetta was born on February 9 of 1928. To celebrate the anniversary of his birthdate, here is some of Frazetta’s artwork:
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EC Fan-Addict Fanzine issue #6 cover reveal!
Releasing June 2024 from Fantagraphics Books. ( @fantagraphics ) Image provided by Grant Geissman!
Cover art by George Evans!
#ec fanzines#upcoming releases#January 2024#articles#EC Fan-Addict Fanzine#Roger Hill#Grant Geissman
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MAD magazine issue #36 Cover Art!
(Via MADcoversite)
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New edition of Jack Kirby and Wallace Wood “Sky Masters Of The Space Force” Being Crowdfunded
“Sky Masters of the Space Force - The Complete Sunday Strips in Color
by Jack Kirby & Wallace Wood
Re-introducing this Eisner Award-nominated hardcover in a LARGER DELUXE EDITION! This eye-popping book compiles the scarce and out-of-print complete set of Sky Masters of the Space Force Sunday comics from 1959-1960 by Jack Kirby with masterful inking by Wallace Wood, Dick Ayers and Kirby himself.
Every strip has undergone meticulous remastering back to its vibrant, full-color brilliance thanks to the work of designer/producer Ferran Delgado. But that's not all - discover an array of never-before-seen visionary scrapbook panels, articles by renowned experts, and examples of stunning original art, among other surprises added by the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center for this special brand new edition.
This book marks a historic first publication by Kirby Museum Press and is the first official crowdfunding campaign for a Jack Kirby book. Take advantage of this special event!”
https://zoop.gg/c/skymastersofthespaceforce
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MAD magazine #35 Cover Art Reveal!
MAD magazine cover to the upcoming issue number # 035!
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Roger Hill's Letter to Crypt Of MADness issue #8
By Crypt of MADness Staff and Roger Hill
Following up on our previous post, the late Roger Hill was a supporter of many EC fanzines over the years, and wrote the following "Letter-To-The-Editors" into Crypt of MADness magazine issue #8:
Hi Chet:
Just finished reading issue #6 of TCOM and I must tell you, I enjoyed it very much. It's always interesting when one reads an interview with one's self, mainly because I had forgotten about most of what I said. Short term memory I guess, although I'll never forget most of the EC experiences of my life, and there have been many.
Some quick comments here and there: Interview with artist Jolyon Yates; most interesting. I was not aware of his talents before this. I love his art. Good job Chet. "Remembering Russ Heath" by Jon Gothold was excellent. I've loved Heath's work all my life and have originals by him plus an extensive library of his work. Did you know that during the 1960s and into the 80s, Russ had hundreds of pages/covers of his original art in storage in a New York warehouse, in a wooden crate, hoisted with chains up to the ceiling of the facility? It was there for years until he finally retrieved it and moved to California, at which time he started selling some of it. Thanks Chet for your bio on Bernie Wrightson, absolutely my favorite contemporary comic artist and illustrator. We all miss him greatly.
Hats off to Paul Wardle for his efforts in maintaining three Facebook pages for artists we appreciate, namely Everett Raymond Kinstler, George Evans and Graham Ingels. Great article. The MAD article by Bernd Engel was noteworthy and informative about the changes that took place with the magazine over the past two years. I wasn't aware of all the details and so was happy to see this history explained and recorded here. The EC Horror Library remembrances by Bhob Stewart, I was pretty familiar with having corresponded with Bhob back in those days. I actually used to own his mock-up cover art many years ago which I had bought at a convention somewhere. Later, at the request of Jerry Weist, I gave the art back to Bhob. I assume Thommy may own it now?
I love the PANIC SIX article by Steve Ensor, along with all the great PANIC cover drawings created by the different artists. I plan on commissioning one of these for myself someday, or perhaps creating one myself just for the fun of it. My favorite is the "Walking Dead" by Tony Moore. Wow! I also enjoyed the "Art Madness" section with all the different full-page paintings or drawings.
Overall Chet you put out a pretty cool EC fanzine and I'm glad to hear that you are returning to your original mix of materials instead of the "theme" issues. And I'll be looking forward to the next one with baited breath.
Best,
Roger
We'll miss you Roger Hill!
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IN MEMORIAM: EC Fandom Legend Roger Hill
By Crypt of MADness Staff
Roger Allen Hill, (born October 14, 1948) passed away December 6, 2023.
Roger Hill’s contributions to EC Comics fandom cannot be understated. A comics historian, Hill wrote several books on various comic and pulp artists including Wallace Wood and Matt Fox. Up until Hill’s sudden passing, he was working on a book about American comic book artist Johnny Craig. Hill was publisher of “EC Fan-Addict Fanzine” and had put out five issues to date, with a sixth issue of material still planned as of writing.
Roger was also a co-founder (with Jerry Weist) of long-running EC Comics fanzine series “Squa Tront”. (Squa Tront has had fourteen issues published; the most recent in March of 2022.)
We’ll miss you so much Roger!
Hill’s obituary can be viewed here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/roger-hill-obituary?id=53784802
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MAD Magazine Issue #034 Cover Reveal!
Out October 10th in comic book stores or by mail subscription!
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Jack Davis - EC’s Impact Complete 1-5 post code.
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