KAMENS KALAMITY AND OTHER STORIES

Jack Kamen’s stories for The Vault of Horror, Tales From the Crypt, and The Haunt of Fear favored unnerving creepiness over gruesome shock. With his penchant for deft delineations of scheming women, jealous husbands, murderous love triangles, and not-so-innocent children, Kamen’s pen laid down a precise, sure line that brought each story’s shock ending into sharp relief. This volume features 27 Kamen favorites, drawn at the peak of powers, including:“Kamen’s Kalamity,” our title story, featuring the “true” origin story of the artist himself! When the pressures of drawing his stories, dealing with his editors, and pleasing his wife and kids become too much, comic book artist Jack Kamen loses it, and that night, when the moon is full … “How Green Was My Alley,” the cautionary tale of a traveling salesman who spends every other week at home with his wife. And every other other week at his other home with his other wife! In a grisly finale, echoing the EC shocker “Foul Play,” Kamen leaves nothing to the imagination! “Beauty Rest” How far would you go to win a beauty pageant for the title of “Miss Corpse”? — Well, this contestant is willing to go even further than that! She had the looks, the ambition, and the smoldering sex appeal to play the world’s oldest game and snag the man of her dreams — the rich man of her dreams — but it was never more than “Only Sin Deep.” Then, Kamen switches from horror to horror-humor for all 13 of his classic “Grim Fairy Tales,” revealing the gruesome underpinnings of the classics. You’ll never look at Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, or Little Red Riding Hood and their friends quite the same way again!Plus: seven bonus crime and horror stories by EC short-termers John Alton, Frank Bolle, Leonard Starr, Bill Fraccio, Rudy Palais, and Ed Smalle. Introduction by Thommy Burns.Like every book in the Fantagraphics EC Artists’ Library, Kamen’s Kalamity And Other Stories also features essays and notes by EC experts on these superbly crafted, classic masterpieces.

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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