"Catacomb of Torment Honors Iconic Horror Comic Cover"

Crime SuspenStories #22 from 1954 holds a notorious place in comic history, often cited as one of the most infamous horror comics ever produced. Even if the title itself doesn't sound familiar, the shocking image of a man wielding an ax and gripping his wife's severed head is unforgettable. This issue played a significant role in sparking the anti-comics backlash of the 1950s, leading to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority and ultimately contributing to the downfall of EC Comics.

Fast forward to today, and EC Comics has been revived as a new imprint under Oni Press. In a fitting homage to the past, the latest EC release honors Johnny Craig's controversial cover art from Crime SuspenStories #22. IGN is thrilled to exclusively unveil artist Jay Stephens' cover for Catacomb of Torment #1, a tribute that's part of an ongoing series celebrating classic EC works. Take a look at the cover below:

For a side-by-side comparison, here's the original cover by Johnny Craig from Crime SuspenStories #22:

Catacomb of Torment is just one of several exciting new titles launching under the EC Comics imprint during the "Summer of Fear" campaign. This horror anthology series boasts contributions from acclaimed creators such as John Arcudi, Marguerite Bennett, Dan McDaid, Matt Kindt, David Lapham, and Tonči Zonjić. Joining Catacomb of Torment are Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's Blood Type, and J. Holtham, Kano, Ann Nocenti, David Rubín, and Greg Smallwood's Cruel Universe 2.

Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our EC Comics line is not only the best-selling line of comics in Oni's near-30-year history, they're also an insanely fun thing to work on. After exceeding our own already-high expectations with Epitaphs From the Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom last year, we're challenging ourselves to get bolder and bigger – and bloodier! – on all fronts as EC enters the second year of its milestone resurrection."

Oni Press Editor in Chief Sierra Hahn added, "Working on EC for the last year has been incredibly inspiring for everyone working on the series – from the team at Oni to our partners building these bite-sized worlds at each level of production. It's a real joy to continue bringing these entertaining morality tales to life with the best storytellers in the business. This summer's slate of comics is no exception."

For a closer look at both Blood Type and Catacomb of Torment, explore the preview gallery below:

EC Comics' Summer of Fear Preview Gallery

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The Summer of Fear campaign kicks off with the release of Blood Type #1 in June 2025.

For more iconic comic book art, don't miss our selection of the most legendary superhero comic book covers of all time.