ALERT! ALERT! EC Comics Presents CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #1 – The Sadistic Science-Fiction Sensation Returns with Death-Defying New Maxi-Series in August!
EC’s SUMMER OF FEAR from Oni Press Rockets from the Crypt with Creators Charlie Adlard, J. Holtham, Ann Nocenti, David Rubín, Greg Pak & More in Thrilling 40-Page Milestone
COVER A BY LEE BERMEJO
PORTLAND, OR (May 13, 2025) – EC COMICS’ SCI-FI SMASH HIT IS BACK TO DRAW MORE WORLDS INTO THE MAW OF ITS GRAVITATIONAL VORTEX! Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997 – is proud to reveal the star-studded creative lineup behind the next chapter of EC Comics’ SUMMER OF FEAR coming this August in the planetoid-piercing pages of CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #1 – a colossal 40-page milestone beginning AN ALL-NEW AND UNRELENTING 12-ISSUE MAXI-SERIES!
Whether future or past, Earth or a distant world, no man can outrun the infinite singularity within us all: FEAR! Join this doomed expedition into the cold, unforgiving galaxies beyond our own as nihilistic navigators Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), J. Holtham (EC’s Epitaphs from the Abyss), Kano (Immortal Iron Fist), Ann Nocenti (Daredevil), David Rubín (Sherlock Frankenstein), and Greg Pak (Planet Hulk) smash the laws of science . . . and splice the immortal EC Comics genome into a new breed of parasitic extraterrestrial tales with an endless appetite for pain!
Plus, as an added bonus: A nerve-rending science fiction classic from the EC vaults, painstakingly remastered and newly restored to its original coloring!
BEYOND SPACE, BEYOND OBLIVION... There is something vast, unsympathetic, and envious that yearns to consume us all in this CRUEL UNIVERSE! Let’s make it work for it, shall we?
Joining this cursed survey of the outer systems: We welcome cover artists Lee Bermejo (Joker), Tom Fowler (Books of Magic), Albert Monteys (Universe!,), Malachi Ward (Black Hammer: The End), and Liam Sharp (Green Lantern) to contribute their imaginative material to the genetic recombinator as it exports an all-new assortment of covers for CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #1 – in comic book stores galaxywide this August!
But first in June: Ripped from the pages of EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS … EC’s SUMMER OF FEAR begins with a bite in BLOOD TYPE #1! From Hugo Award-nominated writer Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One) and Eisner Award-winning artist Andrea Sorrentino (Gideon Falls), THE FANGS ARE COMING OUT as EC's own blood-splattered, bon vivant vampire rises from her first appearance in EC Comics' bestselling, blockbuster anthology...and into the history-marking, first-ever standalone horror series from the most notorious name in terror!
Then in July: THE SUMMER OF FEAR continues in A BLOODY NEW ONGOING SERIES as we usher THE TORMENTOR – a new horror host with an insatiable interest in human anatomy – into the shadow-strewn halls of EC Comics history! Hold onto your head (if it’s still attached)...because no one escapes CATACOMB OF TORMENT #1! For Her Royal Travesty of Pain's first request: Master storytellers John Arcudi (B.P.R.D.), Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR), David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Dan McDaid (Shazam!), and more each take turns manning the rack and turning the red-hot irons for three all-new and blisteringly brutal tales of mayhem and malice in the undying EC tradition!
For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.
EC CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #1
WRITTEN BY J. HOLTHAM, ANN NOCENTI & GREG PAK
ART BY DAVID RUBÍN, KANO & CHARLIE ADLARD
COVER A BY LEE BERMEJO
COVER B BY TOM FOWLER
GOLD FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY LEE BERMEJO
EC HOMAGE VARIANT (1:10) BY ALBERT MONTEYS
B&W ARTIST EDITION VARIANT (1:20) BY TOM FOWLER
ARCHIVE EDITION (1:50) BY MALACHI WARD
SQUA TRONT VARIANT (1:100) BY LIAM SHARP WITH TOM FOWLER
BLANK SKETCH VARIANT AVAILABLE
ON SALE AUGUST 6th, 2025 | $4.99 | 40 PAGES | FC
FOC: 7/14/2025
EC BLOOD TYPE #1 (of 4)
WRITTEN BY CORINNA BECHKO
ART BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
COVER A BY MIGUEL MERCADO
COVER B BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY MIGUEL MERCADO
EC HOMAGE VARIANT (1:10) BY ALBERT MONTEYS
B&W ARTIST EDITION VARIANT (1:20) BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
ARCHIVE EDITION (1:50) BY PATRICIA MARTIN
HORROR HOST VARIANT (1:100) BY KYLE HOTZ
BLANK SKETCH VARIANT AVAILABLE
ON SALE JUNE 11, 2025 | $4.99 | 40 PAGES | FC
FOC: 5/19/2025
EC CATACOMB OF TORMENT #1
WRITTEN BY JOHN ARCUDI, MARGUERITE BENNETT & MATT KINDT
ART BY DAVID LAPHAM, DAN McDAID & PATRICK PIAZZALUNGA
COVER A BY JORGE FORNÉS
COVER B BY TOM FOWLER
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY JORGE FORNÉS
EC HOMAGE VARIANT (1:10) BY JAY STEPHENS
B&W ARTIST EDITION VARIANT (1:20) BY TOM FOWLER
ARCHIVE EDITION (1:50) BY PATRICIA MARTIN
HORROR HOST VARIANT (1:100) BY DUSTIN WEAVER
BLANK SKETCH VARIANT AVAILABLE
ON SALE JULY 16th, 2025 | $4.99 | 40 PAGES | FC
FOC: 6/23/2025
COVER A BY LEE BERMEJO
COVER B BY TOM FOWLER
GOLD FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY LEE BERMEJO
COVER D BLANK SKETCH VARIANT
EC HOMAGE VARIANT (1:10) BY ALBERT MONTEYS
B&W ARTIST EDITION VARIANT (1:20) BY TOM FOWLER WITH RIAN HUGHES
SQUA TRONT VARIANT (1:100) BY LIAM SHARP WITH TOM FOWLER