The History of EC Comics

In 1947, Bill Gaines inherited EC Comics, a new venture founded by his legendary father M. C. Gaines. Over the next eight years, Bill Gaines and a "whos who" of the era, including Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman, and Wally Wood, reinvented the comic book with titles like Tales from the Crypt, Crime SuspenStories, Weird Science, and MAD. EC delighted in publishing gory, morbid horror and crime comics that had snap, ironic endings but also pioneered the first true-to-life war comics, the first "real" science-fiction stories, and a series of tales about then-taboo subjects like racism, bigotry, vigilantism, drug addiction, police corruption, and anti-Semitism. However, they were eventually caught up by various 1950s guardians of morality, who were convinced that EC's often over-the-top content was causing juvenile delinquency. TASCHEN presents the full, fascinating story of this fabled company, written and expertly curated by EC-authority Grant Geissman.

Format: Hardback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 09 April 2022
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

In 1947, Bill Gaines inherited EC Comics, a new venture founded by his legendary father, M. C. Gaines. During his tenure at All-American Comics, M. C. Gaines played a pivotal role in the birth of the comic book as we know it today. He introduced iconic characters such as Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to the world. Under Bill Gaines' leadership, a group of influential individuals, including Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman, and Wally Wood, embarked on a transformative journey. They reinvented the concept of the comic book with titles like Tales from the Crypt, Crime SuspenStories, Weird Science, and MAD. EC Comics delighted in publishing gory, morbid horror and crime comics that had sharp, ironic endings. However, they also pioneered the first true-to-life war comics, the first "real" science-fiction stories, and a series of tales that tackled then-taboo subjects like racism, bigotry, vigilantism, drug addiction, police corruption, and anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, their success was short-lived. In the 1950s, a group of moral guardians became concerned about the over-the-top content of EC Comics, believing that it was contributing to juvenile delinquency. After a thorough inquiry, EC Comics faced closure. Despite its demise, EC Comics remains a legendary and influential company. TASCHEN has published a comprehensive book that tells the full story of this fabled company, written and expertly curated by EC-authority Grant Geissman. The Gaines family archives have provided more than 100 rarities that have never been seen before, making this book a treasure trove for even the most die-hard EC Fan-Addicts. The book features more than 1,000 illustrations, including the rarest and most notorious covers, interior pages, and panels, photos, vintage original art, and much more. This is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of comic books and the impact of EC Comics on the industry.

Weight: 6016g
Dimension: 329 x 471 x 80 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836549769