Exclusive Cruel Universe #4 Excerpt Previews Latest EC Comics Stories

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As a long-time comic enthusiast with decades spent poring over panels and immersed in storylines, I can confidently say that the upcoming Cruel Universe #4 from Oni Press is a must-read for any serious fan of the genre. The sheer star power assembled here, with Matt Kindt, Ben H. Winters, Cecil Castellucci, Matt Bors, Alison Sampson, Kieron Dwyer, and more, promises an anthology that will not only challenge but delight.

Upcoming: A special sneak peek from Cruel Universe #4, exclusively available on ComingSoon, hails from the soon-to-be-released EC Comics issue by Oni Press.

In a fresh, conversational style: Comic series #4 of “Cruel Universe” is crafted by seasoned comic creators Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT) and Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker). Joining them are talented artists such as Cecil Castellucci (Shade of the Changing Girl), Matt Bors (Toxic Avengers), Alison Sampson (Hit-Girl), Kano (Gotham Central), and others.

What is Cruel Universe about?

The comic book series, “Cruel Universe,” started back in August with its debut issue and is one of the initial new comic series published this year by EC Comics, which has been rejuvenated by Oni Press. This science fiction anthology presents fresh tales from various parts of the universe.

In four years, on November 6, 2024, you can purchase Issue #4 of Cruel Universe, priced at $4.99. This edition will contain 32 pages. Take a sneak peek at the issue and its covers in the section provided below:

In a unique interview with ComingSoon, author Matt Kindt spoke highly of the past accomplishments of EC Comics and shared his perspectives about collaborating with them on fresh horror tales.

In the early ’90s, I was engrossed in the monthly reprints of EC Comics, making it seem as if I was reading them straight from their original publication. Nothing comparable had ever caught my eye before, and even then, they truly stood out against the backdrop of the comic book landscape. With Valiant, Jim Lee on X-Men, and Image Comics bursting onto the scene, and a flood of superhero books filling up the shelves each week, these EC reprints often felt like an unexpected and stark contrast at the bottom of my stack. However, more often than not, they remained the best reading material available to me.

In a contemporary setting, it’s challenging for me to fully appreciate the initial impact of those ancient stories, as I am not living in their time. However, I believe that in today’s world, there are still things capable of shocking or offending us. But what makes those old tales enduring is the essence I’ve been striving to preserve in my new narratives. The violence and shock are present, but they were never the main focus. There was always a deep emotional core – sorrow and heartbreak – woven into the stories. A subtle undercurrent of sadness and melancholy. These tales serve as warnings, suggesting that there is room for improvement, that life can be better. Therefore, even amidst darkness, violence, and tragic endings, there’s a glimmer of hope.

In my work, horror is more about the mind than the eyes. Therefore, when collaborating with others, I haven’t asked for anything excessively grotesque visually. Instead, the real terror in my EC tales resides in the concepts. It can be challenging to discuss without revealing too much, but a writer or artist’s greatest horror is planting a truly dreadful idea into someone’s mind. Your imagination is often far more terrifying than anything we could present visually. Hitchcock demonstrated this concept brilliantly. I’m not suggesting the suggestion of violence and gore; rather, I’m referring to horrifying IDEAS. Ideas that will linger in your thoughts because you can’t shake them off afterwards. That’s the essence of an EC story.

Recently, I completed an EC tale a week ago and emailed my apologies to the editors together with the manuscript. Initially, I had submitted an outline for the story, but as I started writing, it seemed to take on a life of its own. It veered towards a rather eerie direction that I chose not to steer away from. I simply let it unfold naturally. In certain aspects, it was reminiscent of a traditional haunted house narrative…yet I hadn’t considered it as such until now, and the method certainly had an unexpected twist. However, the execution left much to be desired…it gave me quite a chill. I must admit, even though the concept originated from my mind, it made the whole experience all the more unsettling.

Initially, EC Comics was a significant comic book company known for horror stories, crime dramas, satire, dark fantasy, and more, but it gained the most recognition for its publication of Mad, a humor magazine. Although EC Comics had ceased production of new comics for some time, they continued to release reprints over the years. Notably, Dark Horse Comics published the EC Archives in 2013.

In the summary for Cruel Universe #4, it’s stated that thinking we’re the only intelligent life form in this enormous cosmos is just human overconfidence. Instead, the intriguing query becomes: Who will discover us first? Potential allies who can aid us in our growth and prosperity as part of a larger cosmic community, or hostile forces seeking to exploit Earth, enslave humanity, and annihilate everything we cherish. Are we dwelling in an infinite ocean of possibilities, or a treacherous Cruel Universe? Pondering these thoughts, you’ll find no solace within the pages of our latest chilling edition. Thought-provoking indeed!

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2024-10-30 17:10