Customer Reviews

Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is without peer, whether you'd like to learn about the EC comics of the 1950's, or if you're already a died in the wool fan who knows EC lore frontwards and backwards. The quality of the production is amazing, given the rather esoteric subject matter. And the second disc contains a wealth of information, additional interviews and the first face-to-face meeting between Al Feldstein and Ray Bradbury. Whatever you do, get this! EC for me, see.

The version of the documentary seen on this DVD is the full and uncut version. A shortened, edited version is seen on the first season DVD set of the HBO "Tales from the Crypt" series.

Also, this 2-disc DVD set includes 3 hours of bonus material, none of which is included on the HBO series DVD.

This documentary is the winner of the CINE Golden Eagle Award, Telly Award and Aurora Award.

Whether you're an original EC Fan-Addict or a second- or third-generation EC enthusiast, Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television is a film that should be at the top of your want list.

Chip Selby's obvious labor of love brought me right back to those glorious days of the 1950s when I would haunt the neighborhood candy store every Tuesday, awaiting the arrival of the latest EC comics.

Using EC artwork, hundreds of EC comic covers, and numerous clips from movie and TV series, the video flashes through the viewer's mind with colorful 3-D graphics to tell the whole story of the rise and fall of the greatest comic-book company that ever was.

Rare stills and film footage of EC founder Max Gaines and his son Bill Gaines give the viewer an "inside" peek at the origins of the New-Trend era. Complementing this rich visual tapestry of EC are numerous, insightful interviews with EC artists, comic-book historians and noted EC fans, including: Jack Davis, Al Williamson, Jack Kamen, colorist Marie Severin, Bob Overstreet, horror directors George Romero and John Carpenter, and Russ Cochran.

Actual footage of Bill Gaines testifying before a televised U.S. Senate subcommittee is priceless. Also included in the more than three hours of bonus material is a roundtable discussion between EC editor and artist Al Feldstein and famed science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. This fascinating discourse - moderated by comic-book historian Jerry Weist - is alone worth the price of admission.

Don't miss this one, folks!

John Q. Public is a perfect example of why Amazon should screen "customer" reviews. It's quite obvious that he never watched this documentary; if he thought EC comics and the HBO "Tales from the Crypt" series were "second rate," then why did he buy and watch this DVD in the first place? It is equally obvious from his other reviews that the sole purpose of his existence is to bash others (apparently he has it in for comic books - perhaps he had a traumatic experience reading Donald Duck as a kid).

As the editorial reviews attest, this documentary is hardly "cheaply done." Rather than "giving comics a bad name," this show shines a spotlight one of the most influential comic book companies of all time, and examines the controversy over horror comic books in the 1950s. Like the EC Comics themselves, this documentary is visually innovative, using vibrant montages and spectacular visual effects to highlight the original comic artwork. It is an exceptional program and highly recommended for fans of the original comic books, the later HBO television series, pop culture or even history buffs.

Wonderful History of EC comics and the Pre-Code Horror Genre of Comic books prior to the Implementation of the Comics Code Authority in 1955. An absolute must for the afficionado of EC comics. Highly Recommend this DVD in conjuction with Grant Geissman's new book Foul Play. AAA+

If you are a died in the wool EC fan then the body of this set, the hour long documentary on EC, isn't going to tell you much that you don't already know. But having said that, it's still great to watch. The bonuses are the real value of this set. Mr. Selby has created a document that can proudly stand on any bookshelf with the likes of the fanzines Squa Tront, Spa Fon, the books Tales of Terror, Foul Play and the The EC Library! If you aren't a hardcore Fan-addict, then this dvd may just make you one. By all means buy this set and support the effort of Mr. Selby....you'll be glad you did!

The best single documentary on the origin of EC comics and the influence of their publications in movies and television. Make sure you're getting the 2 disc set for all the extras! There are some excellent interviews with some of the original writers and artists included, even Ray Bradbury is interviewed about the story ideas they "borrowed" from him and eventually came to an amicable agreement to use more with permission. My only negative criticism would be that there was no interview with William Gaines the inventor and master mind behind the horror, crime, science fiction/fantasy comics and Mad magazine. This documentary was produced after his death, but there are some excellent archived interviews with him that would have been nice to have been included, perhaps they couldn't get permission to use them. That is the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but I still highly recommend this dvd. For a decent little interview with Gaines check out a nice companion documentary "Comic Book Confidential", which is about the origin and evolution of comic books in general, with a good segment on the censorship of comics in the early 1950's.

If you love EC comics as I do, this is a must for your collection. The video is a loving and thorough tribute to EC. The Al Feldstein/Ray Bradbury discussion alone is worth the purchase price. And, the opportunity to see Bill Gaines' testimony before the Kefauver Committee...priceless. Plus, the interviews with Jack Davis, Al Williamson, Jack Kamen and Marie Severin...what a marvelous package.
BUY THIS VIDEO, all you Ghoulunatics!

Rick Grimes, EC Fan-Addict #2785

This is available with season one of Tales from the Crypt. This is an excellent look into the world of Bill Gaines and how he saved his father's comic book company from bankruptcy by creating the now famous comics like Tales from the Crypt and MAD Magazine.

I've learned so much that I didn't know before I watched this documentary; the genious, the horror, and the controversy. You get interviews with the writers of Tales from the Crypt comics and with now famous legends in horror such as John Carpenter and R.L. Stine.

I recommend that you buy season one of Tales from the Crypt, because this entire documentary is included in the special features

Back in the 1950's, the biggest child-time pass-time was to be reading the latest comic books. Of course, there were the un-imaginitive comics that idiots devoured, like: Superman, Batman, or some other -man/-woman title. However, there were a few children who were way ahead of their time, in the sense that censorship was not relative, and they read what they wanted, when they wanted to. Some of the very best of these schlock books were created by Entertainment Comics (renamed from the "safe" name Educational Comics)or EC for short. And who was the mastermind behind "Tales From The Crypt", "Vault of Horror", and many more SuspenStories? William Gaines. And here is a documentary that is filled with the best of the little known facts and figures about this man, his company, and his life. So, would I recommend this? An affirmitive yes. So, what are you waiting for, go-ahead and buy it already! (Note: The shorter version is also avaliable as a special feature on "Tales From The Crypt" Season One.)