"Catacomb of Torment Honors Classic Horror Comic Cover"

1954's Crime SuspenStories #22 is often hailed as one of the most notorious and iconic horror comics ever published. You may not recognize the issue by name, but the chilling image of a man wielding an ax and holding his wife's severed head is unforgettable. This comic significantly contributed to the anti-comics sentiment of the 1950s, leading to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority and ultimately causing the downfall of EC Comics.

Fortunately, EC Comics has made a comeback under the new imprint at Oni Press. In a fitting tribute, the latest EC Comics release honors Johnny Craig's controversial cover art. IGN is thrilled to exclusively reveal artist Jay Stephens' cover for Catacomb of Torment #1, which is part of an ongoing series celebrating classic EC Comics. Take a look below:

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

Catacomb of Torment is one of several new EC books launching as part of the imprint's "Summer of Fear" campaign. This horror anthology series features contributions from acclaimed creators John Arcudi, Marguerite Bennett, Dan McDaid, Matt Kindt, David Lapham, and Tonči Zonjić. It will be joined by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's Blood Type, as well as J. Holtham, Kano, Ann Nocenti, David Rubín, and Greg Smallwood's Cruel Universe 2.

"Our EC Comics line is not only the best-selling line of comics in Oni's near-30-year history, they're also an incredibly fun project to work on," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. "After surpassing our high expectations with Epitaphs From the Abyss, Cruel Universe, and Cruel Kingdom last year, we're pushing ourselves to be bolder, bigger – and bloodier! – as EC enters its second year of revival."

"Working on EC for the past year has been incredibly inspiring for everyone involved – from the Oni team to our partners crafting these compact worlds at every stage of production," added Oni Press Editor in Chief Sierra Hahn. "It's a true delight to continue bringing these engaging morality tales to life with the best storytellers in the industry. This summer's lineup of comics is no exception."

Get a closer look at both Blood Type and Catacomb of Torment in the slideshow gallery below:

EC Comics' Summer of Fear Preview Gallery

18 Images

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

For more classic comic book art, explore our picks for the most iconic superhero comic book covers of all time.