EC ARCHIVES Crime Suspenstories Volume 4

This final volume wraps up the Crime run. It begins with an SOTI story in #19, a classic hanging cover in #20, and yet another decapitation cover that was exhibited in the 1954 Senate investigation. Packed with great artwork. Reed Crandall is in every issue but one, Johnny Craig and Craig Evans in most, even Graham Ingles and Bernie Krigstein are here. Although this was EC's one "crime" title, all it really lacked was the old witches to narrate the stories. There was as much horror and mayhem in here as in any EC title. It was just a tiny bit more down to earth...and that is always the creepiest horror, when its something that could happen in your neighborhood! Or at the house next door. Or in the subway, or a dark street. Love triangles, greed, jealousy, planned murders, chopping up bodies and burying them in secret locations. Writers Al Feldstein and Bill Gaines explored all the classic reasons for homicidal rage or cool, calculated murder. #27, the final issue, is reputed to have had low circulation, as the impending comics code put an end to all crime comics, particularly EC's over-the-top style. New Forward by Christos Gage. Introduction by Grant Geissman. SOTI refers to Dr. Fredric Wertham’s notorious anti-comics book, Seduction of the Innocent, which referenced a number of now classic comics.