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EC Cruel Universe Vol. 1
Book #1 of EC Cruel Universe
By Corinna Bechko and Chris Condon
Illustrated by Kano and Dan McDaid
Published by Oni Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Compelled to OBLIVION, driven to ENTROPY, all life in our cosmos can only end in one place: COMPLETE ANNIHILATION! For the first time in 70 years, the limitless fury of EC Comics rages back to life to shred the very fabric of the universe itself—and wrench bizarre tales of time and space into our dimensional plane! Our guides across this riveting introduction to a cosmic maelstrom of strange extraterrestrial entities, malevolent scientists, and terrifying technological catastrophe? Learn to fear the void with the irradiated imaginations of writers Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One), Christopher Cantwell (Thanos), Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), Stephanie Phillips (Phoenix), Ben H. Winters (The Last Policeman), and more as they collide with the wondrously destructive visions of artists Jonathan Case (Green River Killer), Kano (Gotham Central), David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Alison Sampson (Department of Truth), Artyom Topilin (I Hate This Place), Caitlin Yarsky (Black Hammer: Reborn), and many more! The unpredictable return of EC Comics continues here with the quantum comics event of the millennium! Galaxies will collapse. Space-time will be distorted. And your very will to exist, too, shall be broken. . . . Just remember: It’s all in the name of SCIENCE! Collecting Cruel Universe #1–5.
About The Illustrators
Kano is the pseudonym of Spanish comic book artist Jose Ángel Cano López. Kano began his career at the age of 13, editing Spanish-language comics fanzines. At 15, he was already doing layouts and design work for Planeta-DeAgostini. Kano is a founding member of the Spanish magazine about comics, Krazy Comics, as well as the Phoenix Studio, which provided design, illustration, and publishing services and was eventually merged with Camaleón Ediciones, a publishing house that Kano worked for in his early days. He has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics. He worked on a long run of Action Comics, including the “Emperor Joker” storyline, as well as Gotham Central and Swamp Thing. He worked on Daredevil, Iron Fist, Man Thing, and Beta Ray Bill Godhunter for Marvel, as well as others.
Dan McDaid is a comics writer and artist based in Scotland. He started out writing and drawing adventures for the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who Magazine, and he has since gone on to well-received runs on properties as diverse as Big Trouble in Little China, Judge Dredd, and Firefly. Following acclaimed work on TKO’s pulp blockbuster The Fearsome Dr. Fang, McDaid drew the swashbuckling horror Sea Dogs for Joe Hill's Hill House imprint and DC Comics. His most recent project is the self-penned title, sci-fi mystery DEGA published by Oni Press.
Product Details
- Publisher: Oni Press (July 1, 2025)
- Length: 176 pages
- ISBN13: 9781637157862
Raves and Reviews
“Now, like the ghosts and zombies who haunted many of its pages, EC is back from the beyond [...] with the same radical spirit as their predecessors.”
– LA Review of Books
“Reviving the Entertaining Comics brand, Cruel Universe could have merely cashed in on the nostalgia of the brand's legacy in the world of horror in sci-fi, but the experience goes above and beyond expectation to deliver tales of terror that feel both timeless and incredibly contemporary. From a twist of fate using a black hole to time travel to the true cost of being an intergalactic gladiator, [Cruel Universe] offers up drastically different stories that push the boundaries of technology, science, morality, and mortality. Each story feels like we're watching an all-new episode of Black Mirror, given the overall fresh feeling and modern voice of each story, and while other throwback comics might aim to channel a familiar art style, Cruel Universe doesn't rest on its laurels and, while some of the compositions of the panels might evoke the '50s and '60s style, the overall aesthetic is entirely modern. Oni Press had their work cut out for them with this revival of EC, and not only did they meet expectations, but they completely shattered them."
– Comicbook.com
"Twists, turns, and tantalizing sci-fi storytelling await you in Cruel Universe.... I can safely say the sci-fi side of EC Comics is in great hands with these incredible stories."
– AIPT Comics
“The imagination and talent involved in Cruel Universe makes the anthology an exciting and intriguing read… Cruel Universe is fun, shocking, and contains moments of poignancy that made the original EC titles so dangerous and popular. The possibilities are endless.”
– Monkeys Fighting Robots
“Really well done.”
– Comics Beat
“A welcome throwback to the science-fiction of yesteryear. It contains four tales, each of which is a total banger… Even expecting a twist ending, as in the finest Tales of the Crypt and Twilight Zone episodes, I am not ashamed to say that most of these stories got me… And the art teams are uniformly amazing… The new Golden Age starts here!”
– KABOOOOOM!
“I’m so glad this comic exists. [Cruel Universe] features some great, hard-hitting science fiction stories that will have you guessing until the very end. I particularly loved ‘Solo Shift,’ which might be my favorite anthology story of the year. Oni Press is proving they are indeed the best spot for EC Comics.”
– Comic Frontier
“I’m so glad this comic exists. [Cruel Universe] features some great, hard-hitting science fiction stories that will have you guessing until the very end. I particularly loved ‘Solo Shift,’ which might be my favorite anthology story of the year. Oni Press is proving they are indeed the best spot for EC Comics.”
– Comic Frontier
“It’s a good time to be an EC fan… I’m really excited how they take an EC approach to contemporary times.”
– Dads from the Crypt
“Phenomenal... A truly immersive and captivating reading experience… From mind-bending stories to the intricate artwork, every detail has been carefully crafted to draw us in and keep us on the edge of our seats. … The revival of EC Comics not only has met expectations, but has soared far past them and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. EC Cruel Universe #1 is a grand triumph for Oni Press and a treat to us fans of science fiction. With compelling short stories, amazing artwork and a fresh take on the old school anthologies of older EC Comics, this debut issue sets a new standard for modern comics with classic themes.”
– Capes and Tights
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): EC Cruel Universe Vol. 1
Fixed Layout eBook 9781637157862
