Tales from the Crypt (comics)
Tales from the Crypt was an American bi-monthly horror comic anthology series published by EC Comics from 1950 to 1955, producing 27 issues (the first issue with the title was #20, previously having been International Comics (#1–5); International Crime Patrol (#6); Crime Patrol (#7–16) and The Crypt of Terror (#17–19) for a total of 46 issues in the series). Along with its sister titles, The Haunt of Fear and The Vault of Horror, Tales from the Crypt was popular, but in the late 1940s and early 1950s comic books came under attack from parents, clergymen, schoolteachers and others who believed the books contributed to illiteracy and juvenile delinquency. In April and June 1954, highly publicized congressional subcommittee hearings on the effects of comic books upon children left the industry shaken. With the subsequent imposition of a highly restrictive Comics Code, EC Comics publisher Bill Gaines cancelled Tales from the Crypt and its two companion horror titles, along with the company's remaining crime and science fiction series in September 1954.
| Tales from the Crypt | |
|---|---|
Cover of Tales from the Crypt #24 Art by Al Feldstein | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | EC Comics |
| Schedule | Bi-monthly |
| Format | Anthology |
| Genre | Horror |
| Publication date | EC Comics: vol. 1 (October/November 1950 – February/March 1955) Papercutz (publisher): vol. 2 (June 2007 – September 2010) Super Genius Comics: vol. 3 (November 2016 – present) |
| No. of issues | (The Crypt of Terror): 3 (vol. 1): 27 (vol. 2): 13 (vol. 3): 2 |
| Main character(s) | The Crypt-Keeper The Old Witch The Vault-Keeper |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | William Gaines Al Feldstein |
Since their demise, all EC Comics titles have been reprinted at various times. Stories from the horror series have been adapted into other media, including a 1972 film and a television series that aired on HBO from 1989 to 1996. The latter spawned two films—Demon Knight (1995) and Bordello of Blood (1996)—as well as a children's animated series, a game show, and a radio series.