PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 (of 5) from Oni Press. Available Wednesday, July 24th, the creative team for this issue features writing from Brian Azzarello, Chris Condon, J. Holtham & Stephanie Phillips, art by Jorge Fornés, Phil Hester, Peter Krause & Vlad Legostaev, colors by Dan Jackson, Michelle Madsen, Marissa Louise & Brittany Peer, with lettering by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 (of 5)
Written by Brian Azzarello, Chris Condon, J. Holtham & Stephanie Phillips
Art by Jorge Fornés, Phil Hester, Peter Krause & Vlad Legostaev
Colors by Dan Jackson, Michelle Madsen, Marissa Louise & Brittany Peer
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Covers & Cover Artists:
Cover A by Lee Bermejo
Cover B by Andrea Sorrentino with Dave Stewart
EC Homage Variant (1:10) by Jay Stephens
B&W Artist Edition Variant (1:20) by Andrea Sorrentino
EC Archive Variant (1:50) by Rian Hughes
Horror Host Variant (1:100) by Dustin Weaver
Foil Cover (Gold) by Lee Bermejo
Foil Cover (Silver) by Andrea Sorrentino with Dave Stewart
Blank Cover Also Available
Format: FC, 40 pages
SRP: $4.99 (STANDARD) | $7.99 (FOIL)
Comic shop release date: 7/24/24
THE MOST NOTORIOUS NAME IN TERROR IS BACK—WITH A VENGEANCE!
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 the 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 (Hulu’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!
Welcome ghosts and ghouls, goblins, and creatures of the night. Cast a wary eye to the sky, for the time of EC Comics once more is nigh. After many a year and many a day, it is time for EC once more to play. The Grave-Digger is here with frights galore that will make you shiver, shake, scream, and more. These stories within, I’m sure you’ll find, will make you go right out of your mind. So gird yourselves, and best beware, because when EC Comics comes to town, you don’t have a prayer.
WRITING:
Delightfuly deadly writing abounds in this first issue. Very much in the vein of the classic tales of yesteryear, full of murder and mayhem. Yet they also provide intriguing commentary on current issues that abound in society, all wrapped up in the same kind of spine-tingling suspense we have come to associate with the EC brand over the years. Take from me dreadful ones, this is one comic that you’ll get a real fright from.
ART:
Epic, intense, and excellent illustrations were the name of the game in the first issue. If the various covers don’t suck you in, the first splash introducing the latest horror host, the Grave-Digger, is sure to get your blood pumping. Something to note is that none of the artists try to copy the legends that helped make EC the towering giant it was. Instead, they stay true to themselves and their distinct styles, working in tandem with the writers to produce stories that will shock and awe everyone who grabs this comic.
COLORS:
Gloriously gruesome colors filled all 40 pages. I loved the use of different hues and tones to produce a color palette that flows from start to finish. There was a tremendous focus on shadows, too, because, since this is a horror comic, you expect shadows. All the better of which to hide of the strange and spooky stuff that haunts the dreams of all humanity. Frightfully good work from each colorist, downright “deadly” if I may say so.
LETTERING:
The letters are where things get a bit squicky, fellow fun seekers. On the one hand, the lettering for all the sounds and murderous mutilations is top-tier. Great visuals and eye-catching colors which help bring the scene to life. But the dialogue is somewhat bland. There’s no real intensity, no creeping feeling that lingered after I finished this first issue. The only exception was the opening page with the Grave-Digger. So be warned, my friends, if you notice the lettering as much as the other elements, it will leave you slightly empty.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT:
After almost 70 years, the brand that helped launch horror comics into the history books is back. EC Comics, home of monsters, murder, and things from another beyond the grave, is making a massive comeback thanks to the good folks over at Oni Press. And I, for one, could not be happier. The chance for a new slew of stories that will have us keeping a light one at night and saying prayers is downright fang-tastic. Make sure to pick up a copy of Epitaphs from the Abyss, dear deadlings, and hold on to your hats because you are in for a world of frights.
PopCultHQ Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
About Oni Press:
Founded in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year history as one of the industry’s most respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels with titles including Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt’s The Sixth Gun, Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer, Ezra Claytan Daniels’ Upgrade Soul, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets trilogy, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global media company, Polarity.
The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group publishes more than 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually, in addition to an extensive list of periodical comics.
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