EC Cruel Kingdom Vol. 1 by Various Artists
Big thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for making the latest
edition of EC’s revival series available for review, EC Cruel Kingdom Vol. 1. I previously read the Epitaphs from the Abyss and Cruel Universe and thoroughly enjoyed them. Cruel
Kingdom Vol. 1 follows in the same tradition of presenting weird stories
with ironic and shocking endings that often present a sense of cosmic justice. While
Epitaphs from the Abyss is more horror oriented and like Tales from
The Crypt and Cruel Universe dealt with aliens, technology, and
space, Cruel Kingdom focuses on fantasy and fairy tales, although many
of the stories also include elements of sci-fi and horror. Most of the stories
are short and quick to read, and this edition collects 4 issues, each with 4
stories. The artwork for the stories stands out the most. The artwork captures
the horror and shock of EC Comics heyday, while also adding fresh and unique elements.
I also liked the stories too. In particular, there are 2 stories that are based
on popular fairy tales, yet have a bloody twist on them that makes it
particularly entertaining. “Death and Pickaxes,
a take-off on Snow White was
particularly demented, but in a fun way. I kept thinking how great this would
be as a short film. Likewise, “What You Wish For,” based on Cinderella
was also surprising and ironic. “The Feast of King Arthur,” was one of the most
shocking and gory stories as well, and it demonstrates how the authors and
artists working on these comics can take traditions and well-known stories and
make them fresh and new, adding surprising twists to make them feel at home within
the cruel universe of EC. Other stories contain monsters, beasts, knights, and
mercenaries looking to either survive or thrive within this cruel universe.
Stories like “Just Desserts,” “The Seat of Power,” and “A Rare Immunity” highlight
the irony and costs of these quests for survival and success in this universe.
The only drawback with this collection was that it left me wanting more. It
seemed a little shorter than the other EC editions from Oni Press. Regardless,
it’s a great collection that captures the spirit of the original EC comics with
its wicked and cruel endings and bloody and colorful artwork. I also wish that
there was some commentary from the editors or artists in this edition like the
other editions. It would be cool to learn more about what went into creating
this edition—like what the themes are and how they fit with the spirit of the
original EC Comics. Nevertheless, this is a fun and quick read. Highly
recommended!
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