Review
Packed with interviews from genre luminaries including Ray Bradbury, Al Feldstein, George Romero, John Carpenter, Jack Kamen, and Joel Silver, Chip Selby's brilliant doc chronicles the rise of EC's iconic horror comics of the 1950's through their persecution at the hands of Congress and Frederic Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent, and their eventual reappraisal as classics of comic storytelling and eventual translation into the medium of television. The 2-disc DVD set is packed with extras, including an extended director's cut of the film and additional interviews (the roundtable with Bradbury and EC Editor/Artist Al Feldstein is a must-see). --IGN FilmForce
This entertaining documentary examines the rise, fall, and resurgence of horror comics. The program deftly explores the circumstances that led Entertaining Comics (EC) publisher William M. Gaines and artist Al Feldstein to create such gory, darkly funny comic books as Tales from the Crypt and Haunt of Fear. The wildly popular, grisly comics, featuring tales of bloody revenge, caused outraged parents and others to assert that the stories promoted violence and perpetuated juvenile delinquency. Gaines was ultimately forced to discontinue EC in 1954. The briskly edited program bursts with playfully ghastly music, clever sound effects, and iconographic animation. A clever touch finds interviewees appearing with speech bubbles above their heads. Author R. L. Stine and others wax enthusiastic about the influence of these sensational, shocking creations. Including a wealth of extras, this DVD is a must for pop-culture collections. --Booklist, March 1, 2005
This documentary is simply a treasure trove. Full of valuable insights...the show is wonderfully produced and fun to watch.
Product Description
When William M. Gaines took over Entertaining Comics (EC) in 1947, the company was nothing special. That all changed three years later when Gaines and editor Al Feldstein decided to write horror stories. Kids and teens went wild over Feldstein's ghoulish host, the Crypt Keeper, and sales of the books went through the roof. EC's exceptional writing and art would raise the level of comic book storytelling to heights that had never been reached before - or since.
By 1954, however, the company found itself under attack from parents who considered the magazines too violent for children. Critics tried to link horror comics to juvenile delinquency and the U.S. Senate held televised hearings on the matter. The resulting backlash nearly killed the comic book industry. Many publishers banded together and created their own brand of censorship - the Comics Code Authority - which banned horror comics. Gaines was forced to fold the EC line.
But his legendary comics quickly acquired collector's item status, and in the mid-1970's, publisher Russ Cochran began reprinting them in hardcover volumes. The Cochran reprints soon caught the eye of Hollywood mega-producer Joel Silver, himself an EC fan, who created an anthology television series for HBO based on the comic book stories. Tales from the Crypt, and its host, the Crypt Keeper, became pop culture icons.
This documentary tells the story of these famous, controversial and influential comic books. In addition, several authors and film directors, including John Carpenter, George A. Romero, Joel Silver and R.L. Stine, discuss how EC's horror comics inspired their work.
The DVD is packed with more than 3 hours of bonus material, including the first-ever roundtable discussion between EC Editor/Artist Al Feldstein and legendary science fiction author Ray Bradbury (who had many of his short stories adapted by EC), and never-before-seen interviews with several EC artists, including Al Williamson.
