In the opinion of many dyed-in-the-wool comic book fans, the greatest comic books ever are those published in the 1950s by E.C. Comics under the auspices of publisher Bill Gaines.
Inheriting the company after his father's sudden death, Bill Gaines changed the company's focus from knocking-off
other publishers' successes with western or romance comics to innovating in new genres of horror and science-fiction. Quickly, E.C. Comics' titles like Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror, Weird Science and The Haunt of Fear
became their best-selling titles, embraced by readers for their macabre wit and stunning illustration. Eventually, E.C. Comics ran afoul of a full Senate Subcommittee investigating (but never proving) the link between comic books and juvenile delinquency, but not before winning a legion of fans that still treasure E.C.'s output.
'Foul Play celebrates these fan-favourite creators, profiling the artists of E.C. Comics – a veritable who's who of mid-20th century popular illustration – how they came to work with Bill Gaines and how their careers evolved after
E.C.. Among the comics art legends profiled are Al Feldstien; Harvey Kurtzman; Johnny Craig; Jack Davis; Graham Ingels; Jack Kamen;Wallace Wood; Joe Orlando;Will Elder; John Severin; George Evans; All Williamson;
Reed Crandall; Bernie Krigstein; and more!
'Foul Play' also reprints key E.C. stories featuring these works – a great opportunity to enjoy these classic works at a fraction of the price you'd pay tracking down the original comic books on the collector's market. E.C. Comics' influence on American graphic novels is undeniable, even today. For everyone wanting to understand the special place E.C. holds in the comic book fan's heart – or who just wants to read some real good comics! – 'Foul Play' is the perfect book.
