"Catacomb of Torment Honors Iconic Horror Comic Cover"

1954's Crime SuspenStories #22 stands out as one of the most notorious and iconic horror comics ever produced. You may not recognize the title immediately, but the chilling image of a man wielding an ax and clutching his wife's severed head is unforgettable. This comic played a significant role in sparking the anti-comics movement of the 1950s, leading to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority and ultimately contributing to the downfall of EC Comics.

Fortunately, EC Comics has been resurrected as a new imprint under Oni Press. In a fitting tribute, the latest release honors Johnny Craig's controversial cover art from that infamous issue. IGN is excited to exclusively unveil artist Jay Stephens' cover for Catacomb of Torment #1, which is part of an ongoing series celebrating classic EC Comics. Take a look at the cover below:

Art by Jay Stephens. (Image Credit: Oni Press)

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

Art by Johnny Craig. (Image Credit: EC Comics)

Catacomb of Torment is just one of several new titles launching under the EC Comics imprint as part of the "Summer of Fear" promotion. This horror anthology series showcases the talents of John Arcudi, Marguerite Bennett, Dan McDaid, Matt Kindt, David Lapham, and Tonči Zonjić. Alongside Catacomb of Torment, fans can look forward to Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino's Blood Type and 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 insanely fun thing to work on," said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. "After surpassing our own 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 team at Oni to our partners crafting these compact worlds at every production stage," added Oni Press Editor in Chief Sierra Hahn. "It's a real pleasure 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 selection of the most iconic superhero comic book covers of all time.