CGC-certified EC Comics File Copies on the Block at Heritage

Prepare to be amazed! High-grade, pre-Code horror comics, once belonging to EC Comics’ publisher and graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), are available for bidders in an upcoming sale. Bidding is already underway for Heritage Auctions’ EC Comics Showcase Auction, which concludes on November 6, 2025.

These comics once belonged to EC Comics Publisher Max Gaines, who stored away 12 file copies of every EC comic book he published between 1950 and 1955. The collection was ceremoniously brought to market in 1992, only one year before his death. The comics have no distinctive markings, but each was sold with a certificate and they are easily identifiable by their pristine condition.

Click images to enlarge.

Included from this collection is a Crypt of Terror #19 Gaines File Copy graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81011), which marked the final issue under its original title before the legendary “Tales from the Crypt” era began. As the closing chapter of Crypt of Terror, it bridges the early groundwork of EC’s horror legacy with the iconic storytelling and twisted morality tales that would define Tales from the Crypt, making it a cornerstone for fans and collectors seeking a tangible piece of comic book history.

Also included here is a Vault of Horror #18 Gaines File Copy graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81090), which is the highest-graded copy Heritage has offered since 2015. As a late-period Vault of Horror issue, it showcases EC’s blend of macabre storytelling, sharp twists and iconic art, making this near-mint copy both a pristine artifact and a cornerstone for serious EC collectors.

Other CGC-certified Gaines File Copies in this auction include:

• a Crime SuspenStories #7 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81004)
• a Crime SuspenStories #13 graded CGC 9.6 (lot 81008)
• a Crime SuspenStories #17 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81009)
• a Haunt of Fear #17 graded CGC 9.6 (lot 81024)
• a MAD #4 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81042)
• a Shock SuspenStories #13 graded CGC 9.4 (lot 81059)
• a Two-Fisted Tales #18 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81074)
• a Vault of Horror #19 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81091)
• a Vault of Horror #21 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81092)
• a Weird Science-Fantasy #29 graded CGC 9.4 (lot 81135)

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.