CRYPT OF COVERS THE COMPLETE EC COVERS COMPENDIUM

Here, for the first time, in a deluxe two-volume collection, is the best compilation of the covers from EC Comics. From the company’s earliest days of its earnest Picture Stories titles to its kiddie, Western, and romance titles of the 1940s, through the heyday of such titles as Tales From the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Weird Science, Shock SuspenStories, Crime SuspenStories, Two-Fisted Tales, and Piracy, through its “New Direction” and “Picto-Fiction” period with titles such as Aces High, Extra, Impact, Terror Illustrated, and Confessions Illustrated — they’re all here! These covers were drawn by the greatest array of artistic talent ever assembled at one comic book company (excepting Fantagraphics, of course). Their names are legend — Craig, Crandall, Davis, Evans, Feldstein, Frazetta, Ingels, Kamen, Krigstein, Kurtzman, Orlando, Severin, Torres, Williamson, and Wood. And most of these covers are colored by the equally legendary Marie Severin. Each of the hundreds of full-color covers is lovingly scanned from pristine original comics and presented in a lush, oversize format to show off with spectacular precision every meticulous line, brushstroke, and nuance of chromatographic splendor. But it doesn’t end there. This unique collection also showcases alternate covers, original artwork, paperback covers — even unpublished, “what if” covers by EC “grand old man” Angelo Torres that have never seen print before. The Crypt of Covers: The Complete EC Covers Compendium takes you on a curated tour of the history of EC Comics through its cover art from start to finish, guided by EC expert Grant Geissman. Each cover in this stunning collection is worthy of gallery or museum display.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs