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I remember being a little kid and watching the Tales From The Crypt show, which was wildly inappropriate for my age. It often had bizarre and gory story lines with surprise endings. Before each story, they would show the cover of a comic book, and I used to wonder…. was Tales From The Crypt really a comic?
Yes, the Tales From The Crypt comic is very real and has a rich history behind it. Early covers were crafted by legends like Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig, and Wally Wood, with the later covers (1952–55) being masterfully executed by Jack Davis. The contributing interior artists were a who’s who of the comic art world: Feldstein, Craig, Wood, Davis, George Evans, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, Harvey Kurtzman, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, Bernard Krigstein, Will Elder, Fred Peters, and Howard Larsen.
The Comic Code Authority, known for its strict regulatory rules, had publisher EC Comics under fire for blame of juvenile delinquency. And by that I mean they thought that kids were going to shoot each other in the face because they saw it happen in a comic book, that sort of thing. The man behind the comic, Bill Gaines, explains it really well in a documentary called Comic Book Confidential. The Comic Code Authority banned comics from having titles or themes like death or crypt, causing this comic series to end.
Crypt Keeper
The Tales From The Crypt comic series, which became a movie in 1972 and a television show in the 90s, is legendary. The storyteller known as The Crypt Keeper is witty and fun. The Crypt-Keeper was the iconic host of the comic series Tales from the Crypt. This ghoulish character didn’t work alone; he shared the spotlight with two other eerie hosts, the Vault-Keeper and the Old Witch. Each issue offered a delightful mix of horror tales, with the Crypt-Keeper typically narrating two stories while his co-hosts contributed their own chilling accounts.
In his early comic appearances, the Crypt-Keeper was a menacing figure, shrouded in shadow and mystery. Over time, he transformed into a more humorous character, delivering pun-filled commentary that added a playful twist to the terrifying tales. This comedic evolution made him a beloved figure, balancing horror with a touch of irreverent fun.
The Crypt-Keeper’s stories often featured him as a character, inviting readers into his macabre world. Memorable tales like “The Lower Berth” reveal the peculiar circumstances of his birth, while “While the Cat’s Away” provides a tour of his eerie abode.
Beyond the comics, the Crypt-Keeper’s influence extended to other media. He was brought to life on the big screen in the 1972 film and gained further fame in the 1989 television series, voiced by John Kassir. Each adaptation maintained his essence, showcasing his unique blend of horror and humor.
The character exists in the comics as well, but not as a dead corpse puppet like when it was on TV. What is bizarre is that there was even a cartoon show for kids based on the more graphic version of the show. The logic of this decision escapes me. It might be because kids are always wishing that they were a few years older, and whatever adults are interested in, they want to be as well.
Diving into the Horror Elements
The stories within Tales From The Crypt are a masterclass in blending horror, suspense, and supernatural themes. Take, for instance, the chilling tale of Freddy, who cheats death by having his organs replaced with those from younger men—a gruesome ritual that requires stealing from corpses. The tension escalates as his time dwindles before needing another life-saving operation.
Then there’s the gripping mystery of a detective who finds an unidentifiable body hidden in a hotel room, setting the stage for a suspenseful investigation. Or consider Ralph, who fears he’s become a werewolf after an eerie incident in Europe—a classic supernatural horror that keeps you guessing until the full moon reveals the truth.
Revenge takes a terrifying turn when a surgeon, scorned by love, cuts off his rival’s hand, only for it to seemingly become animated. This story weaves horror with the supernatural in an unforgettable way.
Other stories explore psychological horror, like Marian Mander’s descent into madness after her son’s death, where the lines between reality and insanity blur. There’s also the tale of a woman who witnesses a murder and is silenced in an asylum, adding layers of suspense and danger.
Folklore Stories
The Tales from the Crypt series features several intriguing adaptations and retellings of classic horror and folklore tales. These stories often take iconic characters and legendary narratives, and twist them with fresh perspectives and chilling plots.
One notable adaptation can be found in Issue 34, released in February/March 1953. This story invites readers to become the protagonist, stepping into the shoes of Frankenstein’s notorious monster. The narrative flips the traditional tale, offering a unique perspective that explores themes of identity and humanity.
Another captivating retelling appears in Issue 35, dated April/May 1953. Set in the early 1900s, this story weaves a haunting tale about a Hungarian immigrant family suspected of inciting werewolf terror in their community. This plot cleverly blends folklore with societal tensions, reflecting the fears and superstitions of the time.
The Influence of Existing Horror Stories and Films
The chilling tales spun in the pages of “Tales from the Crypt” owe much to the rich tapestry of existing horror narratives from literature and film. This influence stemmed predominantly from the creative process employed by editor Al Feldstein and publisher William Gaines. They often used classic horror stories and films as “springboards” to craft new, engaging content for their readers.
Foundation From Classic Literature
Several stories in the comic book were directly inspired by notable works from the horror genre. For instance, “The Man in Half Moon Street” by Ralph Murphy sparked the idea for “Death Must Come,” and Robert Florey’s The Beast with Five Fingers influenced “The Maestro’s Hand.” Each adapted piece added a fresh twist while preserving the essence of the original.
Famous authors such as H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe contributed, albeit indirectly, to several storylines. “Reflection of Death” took inspiration from Lovecraft’s “The Outsider,” while “The Living Death” echoed Poe’s “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.” John Collier’s imaginative tales also found new life in stories like “Loved to Death.”
Cinematic Inspirations
Cinema, too, played a significant role in shaping the stories featured in “Tales from the Crypt.” For example, Carl Theodor Dreyer’s classic film Vampyr influenced the eerie atmosphere of “Shadow of Death.” These visual adaptations provided vivid inspiration that translated into compelling graphic narratives.
A Brush with Ray Bradbury
Interestingly, the influence extended beyond mere inspiration into direct adaptations following a notable incident with acclaimed author Ray Bradbury. After an unauthorized adaptation of his work, EC Comics, the publisher behind “Tales from the Crypt,” reached an agreement to officially adapt Bradbury’s short stories. This led to authorized versions like “There Was an Old Woman” and “The Handler,” integrating Bradbury’s distinctive storytelling voice into the comic.
Television Adaptation
Not all the stories from the TV show came from the comic Tales From The Crypt. For example, a classic episode starring Demi Moore is called Dead Right. If you were to try to look up the story, you might fight Tales From The Crypt issue 37 with a story that goes by the same title. However, the TV show episode was actually adapted from the comic Shock Suspenstories issue 6. The episode is a classic, and the comic was drawn masterfully by Jack Kamen. The talent of this artist has no bounds, and it’s almost a shame that his work was wasted on a medium that was intended to be read once, and then tossed into a trash can.
Why Tales from the Crypt Comic and Other EC Comics Horror Anthologies Still Influence Modern Horror
The Tales from the Crypt comic wasn’t just a spooky read, it was the flagship of a publishing revolution. As part of the broader EC Comics horror anthology lineup, it helped define the structure and tone of modern horror storytelling, and its fingerprints are still all over today’s media.
Let’s start with the format. EC’s horror anthologies pioneered the twist-ending formula that’s now a staple in everything from Black Mirror to American Horror Story. Each issue delivered compact morality plays wrapped in gore, irony, and poetic justice. That structure of setup, sin, supernatural punishment became the blueprint for horror TV and comics alike.
Then there’s the tone. EC’s horror books walked a tightrope between grotesque and gleeful. The Crypt-Keeper and his fellow GhouLunatics didn’t just introduce stories, they mocked the characters, the readers, and even themselves. That self-aware, pun-laced narration paved the way for horror hosts like Elvira and even Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking antics.
Visually, EC’s artists were decades ahead. Jack Davis, Graham Ingels, and Wally Wood didn’t just draw monsters, they gave them personality. Their work influenced generations of horror illustrators, from Bernie Wrightson to modern indie creators who still chase that gritty, expressive linework.
Even the backlash had impact. The Comics Code Authority may have buried EC’s horror line, but it also turned these books into forbidden fruit. That aura of danger made them cult classics, and their reprints continue to sell to collectors and horror fans alike.
So when you read Tales from the Crypt, you’re not just flipping through a comic. You’re holding the DNA of modern horror, a genre that still owes a blood-soaked debt to EC’s twisted little anthologies.