Tales From The Crypt, The Banned Comic Book

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.

Reprints

If you were to check out the series, you might realize that the numbering starts at 20. This is because the comic went through several titles before settling on one, which lasted until its cancellation. The chaos began in March 1947 with the name International Comics. After five issues, it transformed into International Crime Patrol for issue #6 and then simply Crime Patrol from issues #7 to #16. In April/May 1950, it was retitled as The Crypt of Terror with issue #17. This title was short-lived, with only two issues published before the series embraced its iconic name, Tales from the Crypt, starting from issue #20 in October/November 1950.

Published by EC Comics, this bi-monthly horror anthology was the brainchild of Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein. It captivated readers with its chilling stories until its final issue, #46, in February/March 1955.

If you are curious about the series, you can find EC Archive reprints (Affiliate Link), although they are a bit pricey but are worth every penny. It sure as heck beats trying to collect the actual comic books, unless you happen to be a millionaire. Forget trying to find an original at a flea market; those days are gone, thanks to the internet. Trying to find an original anywhere would be like looking for a baby who can do calculus.

Starting in the mid-1960s, Ballantine Books began reprinting selected stories in paperback anthologies. Fast forward to 1979, when a set of five black-and-white hardbacks was released as part of The Complete EC Library. These editions offered a comprehensive look at the series for dedicated fans.

In the early 1990s, a handful of single issues were reprinted in color, followed by a complete 30-issue run throughout the decade. This collection was eventually bound into six softcover EC Annuals, ensuring that the entire series could be enjoyed by new generations.

By 2007, the series saw a revival with hardcover, re-colored volumes, marking a new era for collectors. Despite some financial hurdles, the project was picked up and completed with the final volumes released in the early 2010s. Most recently, these editions have been reissued as oversized trade paperbacks, providing a modern touch to classic tales.