The History of EC comics massive book is available now at Taschen 2 2

[Mmehdy]

I just today received a Email from TASHEN informing me the massive History of EC comics is in stock and available to purchase and ship NOW. Those waiting for Amazon will have to wait till 9/30 for availability. Those who know Grant and his love for EC comics is aware this could be the single greatest book on the history  comic book company ever done. With over 1000 images in a massive 592 pages, this oversized 11.5 by 15.6 book looks amazing, there are 16 sample pages on the Taschen website, but I was able to preview the book on grants I-pad and let me say, in my 50 plus years of collecting..this is the best book ever created on the history of any comic book company period. I have been a EC collector since I first discovered them in the EC paperback reprints of the 1960's, which I read and reread over and over again.I know a lot of us have experienced waiting for the next issue...on the paperbacks it was the same thing..amazement when the next one came out....

 The next major encounter with EC and  books was the Nostalgia press , which I bought when it first came out, I think it was $20 which was a lot of money back then, you could by SF EC's for $10-15 and horror for $7-10. I liked the book so much, I set a goal, get that Master Race story no matter what, which I did and which I sold, and so be that it, as it is for many many of US. That book was great at the time....at the time the book was very impressive, especially for a book devoted to comic art, this was WAY before marvel masterworks etc, I purchased it around 1973/4 ish at Bob Sidebottom's comic book store in San Jose along with some original EC's, it bothered me at the time that I was spending my money on a book that I should of purchased the original issues, but I read that till it was worn out and I bought a replacement.

 I was in college when the Russ Cochran EC Weird Science slipcase box set was released..I did a college paper on it and got A...I will never forget that....Yes prior to that I had purchased some of the Russ's EC Portfolio's and all the Squa ,Spa Fon's but up to that point Nothing was like that box set or had anything been done like that before on that type of grand scale. To me at that point, it was the greatest reprint publication ever done in term of comic book art. Yes it was in black and white but just looking at how that original art was..well amazing.

Next was the color corrected reprints in a smaller format but still very very well done, it gave them a sort of 3-d quality that had never existed before and they were needed to supplement the the Russ black and white volumes.

 So at this point I have owned and read  a complete ec comic book collection less Shock 3 and TTA#1 and in the old days you read them, which I did..carefully, all the paperbacks which were reread over and over, all the Russ Cochran volumes and subsequent reprints and Grants books on EC. So  we all know that as the best book publisher out there, Taschen has superior color and printing and size wise which  cannot be beat by any other publisher. So I was skeptical about buying an ANOTHER book. Boy was I wrong, as I was looking at the preview of the book...my jaw dropped as I was seeing things I had never seen before and I kept repeating myself to him, "how did you find this...he had a bright smile on his face, as he did not want to do a retread book either.

 I am still kicking  myself in the head for coming into the book with a bad attitude...it great to meet and exceed any expectation let alone create a masterpiece, and when book publishing is said and done and over, this book will be remembered as the one best of all time in our comic book world and , which some oversized computer screen could never reproduce like it is there in your lap. Given for all of us and our extra time at home, there is no better way to have this masterpiece make the best use of that.

 A hats off to Grant and Tashen for hitting it out of the park. The first edition is limited to 5K copies and be the one to own..

Edited September 24, 2020 by Mmehdy

[Robot Man]

As you probably know I am one of the biggest EC fans around. Since I was 8 and my uncle gave me a handful of his originals. I have owned a true complete EC collection lacking only the Shock #3 magazine. I have bought all the EC reprints, pbs, fanzines and books on them I could get my hands on. There is just no other company that produced comics of that quality consistency ever. 

I consider myself very good friends with Grant. I have known him longer than I can imagine. We have both visited each other’s collections on numerous occasions. I have contributed to probably all of his fine books. There is no one alive with more connections within EC. Grant knows everybody envolved on a very personal basis. His absolute love for EC and MAD is unparalleled. 

I got to see some of his early work on this book and it was mind blowing. He left no stone unturned. 

Even if you only have a passing interest in EC, I would also highly recommend this. You won’t be disapointed, I guarantee it. 

[AJD]

Thanks for the heads up guys.

https://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/graphic_design/all/01135/facts.the_history_of_ec_comics.htm

[catman76]

Is there anything in there that hasn't been seen before? I have at least two books on EC comics so do i really need this one? For 200 bucks there better be something amazing in there I have't seen before. The preview pages are all images I have seen and just more cover images. I think it's great, but still how many books on EC, DC and Marvel do we need? I want some books on the history of other publishers, like Fox Features for example. Publishers like that are fascinating with all the illegal activity and mob ties and everything. Victor Fox was a nut. I guess we never will get any comprehensive books on anything else ever because no one ever cared and everyone involved is long dead and never were interviewed at all. EC has been obsessed over for 60 years so we know everything already.

Edited September 25, 2020 by catman76

[Robot Man]

There will be a lot of information that has never been published before.

There is probably NO one alive who had better connections to the people who lived and created these books than Grant. He has had privileged access to everyone from Gaines, Feldstein, Kurtzman as well as all the living artists and creators of EC for decades. He has had very tight personal relationships with them. We have had numerous conversations. He has personal photos and full access to their files. You wouldn’t believe the stuff he has. Even Russ Cochran never had this access. It has always been a real labor of love and a true obsecession for him. I would expect a lot of surprises and a ton of new information. 

 

[The Lions Den]

18 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

There will be a lot of information that has never been published before.

There is probably NO one alive who had better connections to the people who lived and created these books than Grant. He has had privileged access to everyone from Gaines, Feldstein, Kurtzman as well as all the living artists and creators of EC for decades. He has had very tight personal relationships with them. We have had numerous conversations. He has personal photos and full access to their files. You wouldn’t believe the stuff he has. Even Russ Cochran never had this access. It has always been a real labor of love and a true obsecession for him. I would expect a lot of surprises and a ton of new information. 

 

[Funnybooks]

I'm sold. Just ordered my copy. Thanks guys.

[adamstrange]

 

13 hours ago, catman76 said:

Is there anything in there that hasn't been seen before? I have at least two books on EC comics so do i really need this one? For 200 bucks there better be something amazing in there I have't seen before. \

I have so many books and articles (literally dozens) about EC that I'm pretty jaded at this point, especially with respect to a $200 13 lb. book!

I'll be interested to hear comments from purchasers.

13 hours ago, catman76 said:

I want some books on the history of other publishers, like Fox Features for example. Publishers like that are fascinating with all the illegal activity and mob ties and everything. Victor Fox was a nut.

 

 

[Chicago Boy]

That’s a MONSTER of a book.  I love Tashen books 

[Mmehdy]

15 hours ago, catman76 said:

Is there anything in there that hasn't been seen before? I have at least two books on EC comics so do i really need this one? For 200 bucks there better be something amazing in there I have't seen before. The preview pages are all images I have seen and just more cover images. I think it's great, but still how many books on EC, DC and Marvel do we need? I want some books on the history of other publishers, like Fox Features for example. Publishers like that are fascinating with all the illegal activity and mob ties and everything. Victor Fox was a nut. I guess we never will get any comprehensive books on anything else ever because no one ever cared and everyone involved is long dead and never were interviewed at all. EC has been obsessed over for 60 years so we know everything already.

that is exactly the issues I had with the Tashen book...until I looked at a preview copy...wortth every dime of $200....lots of new images as well as a ton of new information....I am there with you....but rest assured there will never be another one as this is the best of the best by a mile. The book of year, in the best book category for comics and  in the last ten years by far. 

Edited September 25, 2020 by Mmehdy

[Larryw7]

Can't wait to get my copy.

[Cat-Man_America]

On 9/24/2020 at 9:45 PM, catman76 said:

Is there anything in there that hasn't been seen before? I have at least two books on EC comics so do i really need this one? For 200 bucks there better be something amazing in there I have't seen before. The preview pages are all images I have seen and just more cover images. 

I'm sure that there'll be some material that is new or at least new to most folks, but undoubtably this'll be the best overall packaging and probably the last word on this esteemed line of comics.  As for the $200 price tag, if one does a bit of research, discounts of between 10 and 25 percent were achievable yesterday.  Given that this is a very limited edition, that may or may not be the case today.

On 9/24/2020 at 9:45 PM, catman76 said:

 I want some books on the history of other publishers, like Fox Features for example. Publishers like that are fascinating with all the illegal activity and mob ties and everything. Victor Fox was a nut. I guess we never will get any comprehensive books on anything else ever because no one ever cared and everyone involved is long dead and never were interviewed at all. EC has been obsessed over for 60 years so we know everything already.

There is certainly an appetite for information on the plethora of other less prominent publishers of comics from the pre-Code era.  Victor Fox was a notorious cutthroat opportunist known for exploitation.  His story would be a fascinating read.  There are many other smaller publishers who'd be interesting to read more about as well.  In respect to the obsession over EC, that's true to some extent given the popularity of Jerry Weist's celebrated Squa Tront and Russ Cochran's many efforts, but fresh eyes may provide new insights.  

The Vault-Keeper, Crypt-Keeper and Old Witch would never approach this as a grave tribute or a glorified nail in EC's coffin, ...they'd embrace it as a well-urned monument, an as-pyre-rational tome to the publisher's legacy. 

Edited September 26, 2020 by Cat-Man_America

[sacentaur]

3 hours ago, adamstrange said:

I have so many books and articles (literally dozens) about EC that I'm pretty jaded at this point, especially with respect to a $200 13 lb. book.

I'll be interested to hear comments from purchasers.

Taschen puts out quality hefty tomes, but I’m leaning in this direction as well.

[Cat-Man_America]

11 hours ago, sacentaur said:

Taschen puts out quality hefty tomes, but I’m leaning in this direction as well.

There are rumors of a lap-hoist included, but with the amount of misinformation on social media these days I'm not sure how much credence to give it. 

[N e r V]

14 hours ago, adamstrange said:

 

I have so many books and articles (literally dozens) about EC that I'm pretty jaded at this point, especially with respect to a $200 13 lb. book!

I'll be interested to hear comments from purchasers.

 

 

 

On 9/24/2020 at 7:45 PM, catman76 said:

Is there anything in there that hasn't been seen before? I have at least two books on EC comics so do i really need this one? For 200 bucks there better be something amazing in there I have't seen before. The preview pages are all images I have seen and just more cover images. I think it's great, but still how many books on EC, DC and Marvel do we need? I want some books on the history of other publishers, like Fox Features for example. Publishers like that are fascinating with all the illegal activity and mob ties and everything. Victor Fox was a nut. I guess we never will get any comprehensive books on anything else ever because no one ever cared and everyone involved is long dead and never were interviewed at all. EC has been obsessed over for 60 years so we know everything already.

 

11 hours ago, sacentaur said:

Taschen puts out quality hefty tomes, but I’m leaning in this direction as well.

If it improves your decision making process the book can still be had for $147.00 at Walmart if you act quick enough...

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-History-of-EC-Comics-Hardcover-9783836549769/362577673?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=8351&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9031284&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=117089113&wl11=online&wl12=362577673&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxdL1h6GG7AIVkojICh2RMAp7EAQYAiABEgLL8vD_BwE

 

Edited September 26, 2020 by N e r V

[Silver]

The amount of of money we all spend on comics makes the $200 sound like change we found in the couch 🤣

I preordered mine from Amazon a few months ago for $140. Can’t wait to finally see it!

 

 

[ThothAmon]

4 hours ago, N e r V said:

 

 

If it improves your decision making process the book can still be had for $147.00 at Walmart if you act quick enough...

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-History-of-EC-Comics-Hardcover-9783836549769/362577673?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=8351&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9031284&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=117089113&wl11=online&wl12=362577673&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxdL1h6GG7AIVkojICh2RMAp7EAQYAiABEgLL8vD_BwE

 

Thanks. Now 4 left. 

[IngelsFan]

9 hours ago, N e r V said:

 

 

If it improves your decision making process the book can still be had for $147.00 at Walmart if you act quick enough...

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-History-of-EC-Comics-Hardcover-9783836549769/362577673?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=8351&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9031284&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=117089113&wl11=online&wl12=362577673&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxdL1h6GG7AIVkojICh2RMAp7EAQYAiABEgLL8vD_BwE

 

Thanks for the heads up. Now there’s one less!

[N e r V]

48 minutes ago, IngelsFan said:

Thanks for the heads up. Now there’s one less!

 

6 hours ago, ThothAmon said:

Thanks. Now 4 left. 

Glad to help. Looks like it’s back above $200.00 now so at least some of you scored the lower price...

[Cat-Man_America]

48 minutes ago, N e r V said:

 

Glad to help. Looks like it’s back above $200.00 now so at least some of you scored the lower price...

Ordered my copy from a reliable UK vendor several days ago, saving quite a bit through current exchange rates.  The source was almost sold out then (only 7 copies left).  The obvious downside to ordering outside the US is longer wait time and international shipping charges, but still saved close to 30% total on the purchase.  I’d check eBay for online vendors with reputable feedback for discounts before paying full price.  Barring discounts I’d suggest giving the business to your LCS.