The Complete EC Library: Frontline Combat (3 Volume Boxed Set)
Edited & written by Harvey Kurtzman. Russ Cochran, 1982. Very Fine. Out of Print. 3 Volume Slipcased set. Published originally by William M. Gaines. Following the success of Two Fisted Tales, launched in the wake of The Korean War, EC began a second war title in 1951. Kurtzman was again in charge, working with his regular line-up of artists, Wally Wood, Jack Davis, John Severin pencils, Will Elder inks, plus Kurtzman's own art & covers on the early issues.

As with Two Fisted, Kurtzman outlined the meticulously researched stories onto a thumbnail chart, indicating the precise layouts to be observed by all. Frontline Combat #9 (with Two Fisted Tales #31 & 35) was intended as a multi part portrayal of the American Civil War. Kurtzman's stories are powerful & haunting. They play out as personal tragedies within the larger, violent & anonymous conflict. The terrible events that unfold are witnessed only by the players & the reader.

Kurtzman's Frontline Combat (with his contribution to Two Fisted Tales) is acclaimed widely to be among the finest Comic published in 1950s America. The stalemating of the war & Kurtzman's increasing involvement with MAD, saw the title cancelled in early 1954. Frontline Combat #15 becoming the final issue. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Black & White 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm)


Special Offer ... Our Price: £300.00 ($450.00) (€345,00)      

The Complete EC Library: MAD (4 Volume Boxed Set) in color
Edited & written by Harvey Kurtzman. Russ Cochran, 1985. 4 Volume Slipcased set in colour. Published originally by William M. Gaines. MAD was the brainchild of Harvey Kurtzman & allowed him a third title to edit. The two war titles (Two Fisted Tales, Frontline Combat) were research intensive, whereas MAD gave Kurtzman free reign for his humorous lampoons.

After poking fun at the various Comic genres, including EC Comics themselves, MAD took on TV, movies, superhero characters, advertising & practically everything that came into view. Lifelong friend & fellow artist Will Elder added the finishing touch, with his wonderfully detailed panels. These are littered with signs, captions, sight gags & seemingly superfluous additions. This culminated in a Special Art issue (#22), where Elder draws the cover in the style of Pablo Picasso.

The other MAD regulars, Wally Wood, Jack Davis & John Severin were soon emulating the Elder style to glorious effect, in their own strips. Al Feldstein & Bill Gaines assembled the infamous MAD #5 whilst Kurtzman was in hospital. Their ironic Publisher Of The Issue, which alluded to drug dealing & pornography, plus violent Kane Keen cover spoof, have also achieved a fond notoriety. MAD remains a perfect blend of humorous story & art; the highlight of Harvey Kurtzman's long and illustrious career.

Due to contractual obligations with the current MAD magazine, this is the only Cochran Library that was published in full colour, throughout. Russ Cochran's subscription customers were able receive a B&W copy if they chose. Consequently these are rare & almost never offered for sale. It should also be noted that the slipcases for the MAD edition were slightly undersized, with the result the volumes are a little more difficult to access for reading. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Full Colour 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm) Occasionally in stock - .

The Complete EC Library: MAD (4 Volume Boxed Set) in black & white
Edited and written by Harvey Kurtzman. Russ Cochran, 1985. 4 Volume Slipcased set in black & white. Published originally by William M. Gaines. MAD was the brainchild of Harvey Kurtzman & allowed him a third title to edit. The two war titles (Two Fisted Tales, Frontline Combat) were research intensively, whereas MAD gave Kurtzman free reign for his humorous lampoons.

After poking fun at the various Comic genres, including EC Comics themselves, MAD took on TV, movies, superhero characters, advertising & practically everything that came into view. Lifelong friend & fellow artist Will Elder added the finishing touch, with his wonderfully detailed panels. These are littered with signs, captions, sight gags & seemingly superfluous additions. This culminated in a Special Art issue (#22), where Elder draws the cover in the style of Pablo Picasso.

The other MAD regulars, Wally Wood, Jack Davis & John Severin were soon emulating the Elder style to glorious effect, in their own strips. Al Feldstein & Bill Gaines assembled the infamous MAD #5 whilst Kurtzman was in hospital.

Their ironic Publisher Of The Issue, which alluded to drug dealing & pornography, plus violent Kane Keen cover spoof, have also achieved a fond notoriety. MAD remains a perfect blend of humorous story & art; the highlight of Harvey Kurtzman's long and illustrious career.

Due to contractual obligations with the current MAD magazine, this is the only Cochran Library that was published in full colour, throughout. Russ Cochran's subscription customers were able receive a B&W copy if they chose. Consequently these are rare & almost never offered for sale. It should also be noted that the slipcases for the MAD edition were slightly undersized, with the result the volumes are a little more difficult to access for reading. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Black & White 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm) Occasionally in stock - .

The Complete EC Library: New Direction Part 1 (4 Volume Boxed Set)
Written & edited by Al Feldstein & Johnny Craig. Russ Cochran, 1985. 4 Volume Slipcased set comprising The Complete EC Library: Aces High, Extra, Piracy & Psychoanalysis. Published originally by William M. Gaines. After the introduction of the Comic Code Authority, all publishers were required to have their Comics approved or risk them remaining undistributed throughout America.

EC held out for a while with their existing titles but in early 1955 launched six brand new titles, Aces High, Extra, Impact, M.D, Psychoanalysis & Valor. They also converted Weird Science Fantasy into Incredible Science Fiction, alongside the extant Piracy & Panic. Aces High, Extra, Piracy & Psychoanalysis form the first part of Cochran's Complete New Direction (21 issues in total).

Of these, Piracy is the most widely regarded, featuring art by Reed Crandall, Al Williamson, Wally Wood & Berni Krigstein.

Aces High gave highly realistic & beautifully drawn renditions of the World War I flying aces (1914-18). These featured the stable line-up of George Evans, Krigstein, Wood & Jack Davis.

M.D & Psychoanalysis were forays into the medical arena, of which the latter is represented here. Illustrated throughout by Jack Kamen, it was also unusual in that it told the progressing stories of four different patients, with conclusions in the fourth & final issue.

Extra was edited & illustrated by Johnny Craig, assisted by John Severin & Reed Crandall.

These stories portrayed in bold style the exploits of news reporters as they journeyed around the globe. Despite their high concept & striking art, none of EC's New-Direction titles survived more than five issues under a restrictive Code & prevalent anti-Comics mood of mid-1950s America. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Black & White 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm) Occasionally in stock - .



and Extra! cover picture!

The Complete EC Library: Shock Suspenstories (3 Volume Boxed Set)
Edited by Al Feldstein, written by Al Feldstein, William M. Gaines & others. Russ Cochran, 1981. Very Fine. 3 Volume Slipcased set. Published originally by William M. Gaines. When Shock SuspenStories appeared in 1951 it was designed as a showcase title with examples of EC's (Entertaining Comics) crime, horror & science fiction stories. The second issue featured a shock story designed to provoke a reaction, In Gratitude. In subsequent issues, these "preachies" as publisher William M. Gaines liked to call them, dealt with race relations, rape, bigotry, hazing & all manner of formerly taboo subject.

These stories lift Shock SuspenStories into the upper echelons of EC's output. Whilst not a horror Comic, two issues of Entertaining Comic's (EC) Crime SuspenStories were the subject of US Senate Committees investigations. The crowbar murder Issue (#23) & its predecessor, the notorious severed head cover. As the investigating Senator Kefauver said at the time “You have blood coming out of her mouth.” After publisher William M. Gaines coy admission, Kefauver continued "There is blood on the axe. I think most adults are shocked by that."

With Russ Cochran's Complete Crime SuspenStories you can enjoy all of these graphic masterpieces, illustrated by Johnny Craig, Jack Kamen, Graham “Ghastly” Ingels, Jack Davis, Reed Crandall & several other top-flight illustrators from the EC stable. There is also an adaptation of a Ray Bradbury short story in issue #9 (The October Game).

There are several late stories by one of the masters of visual story telling, Berni Krigstein. Whilst Al Williamson's artistry was demonstrated in two stories, the second assisted by Frank Frazetta (Fired! #17). There are also the stark yet oddly beautiful covers of Johnny Craig, which will linger and play in the imagination. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Black & White 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm)

as we may occasionally have this EC Set in stock

The Complete EC Library: Tales From The Crypt (5 Volume Boxed Set)
Edited by Al Feldstein, written by Al Feldstein, William M. Gaines & others. Russ Cochran, 1979. Near Mint. 5 Volume Slipcased set. Published originally by William M. Gaines. The Crypt Keeper's first two appearances were in the closing issues of Crime Patrol (#15 & 16). Issue #17 needed a brand new title to usher in EC' New Trend. It got one with The Crypt Of Terror. After complaints from the establishment, issue #21 witnessed a further change with Tales From The Crypt.

After MAD, this is the name most commonly associated with Entertaining Comics (EC), giving rise to movies & a successful HBO TV series & related products. After early cover by several prominent EC artists, the chores were taken over by Jack Davis, who made The Crypt Keeper his own. He drew all the covers from the thirteenth issue (#29) until the end. As with EC's other horror titles, the three Ghoulunatics (the Old Witch, The Crypt Keeper & The Vault Keeper) would host the various stories with increasing relish & macabre humour the series went on. They remained in full force from 1952 until the end. Lower Berth witnessed the origin of the Crypt Keeper (#33).

There are also adaptations of short stories by one of America's finest writers, Ray Bradbury. The artist line-up varied over the years, with notable early stories from Harvey Kurtzman, Al Feldstein, Wally Wood & Johnny Craig.

Al Williamson supplied a min-period story, with latterday issues enlivened by the likes of Berni Krigstein & Reed Crandall. EC had intended starting a fourth title by resurrecting the moribund Crypt Of Terror. With the Code crackdown upon them, it was hastily changed & released as t he final Tales From The Crypt (#46). Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Books and Slipcase: Near Mint. Hard Cover Part Colour

Occasionally in stock - .

The Complete EC Library: Weird Science (4 Volume Boxed Set)
Edited by Al Feldstein, written by Al Feldstein, William M. Gaines & others. Russ Cochran, 1977. Near Mint. 4 Volume Slipcased set. Published originally by William M. Gaines. This edition was the first of Russ Cochran's EC Library reprints & it is the only one that has been reprinted. First edition copies are devoid of supplementary notes. The second print aligns with all subsequent libraries in that notes were supplied to inform the reader. Some first editions have the notes as a loose-leaf supplement. Publisher William M. Gaines always preferred the science fiction Comics of all his publications. Even though modest sellers, he kept at least one title going from 1950 until the end in 1956.

Weird Science (1950-3) took its numbering from Saddle Romances, hence early issues are numbered #12 through 15, then #6 through 22 (22 issues in total). These Comics present a dystopian view of man & his attempt to visit & colonise space, interact with alien species or live with atomic weapons. They are also imaginative, darkly humorous, despite their pessimism.

From 1952 writer Ray Bradbury's stories were adapted & several are feature here. Add to that some of the most beautiful visions of 1950s science fiction from Al Feldstein, Wally Wood, Al Williamson, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando, Jack Kamen & others. Weird Science (with companion Weird Fantasy) represents the finest science fiction stories ever illustrated. Find out for yourself with this classic high quality reprint anthology. Each book is smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Black & White 10" x 13" (25cm x 33cm)

Impact
Complete EC Library. One of a set of hard cover deluxe volumes reprinting the complete EC comics reproduced from the original artwork. The stories are printed in stunningly detailed b/w with the covers in full colour. The books are smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Part Colour Some copies available - .

MD
Complete EC Library. Mint condition. One of a set of hard cover deluxe volumes reprinting the complete EC comics reproduced from the original artwork. The stories are printed in stunningly detailed b/w with the covers in full colour. The books are smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Part Colour.

Our Price: £25.00 ($37.50) (€28,75)      

Piracy
Complete EC Library. One of a set of hard cover deluxe volumes reprinting the complete EC comics reproduced from the original artwork. The stories are printed in stunningly detailed b/w with the covers in full colour. The books are smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Part Colour

as we may occasionally have this EC Book in stock

Psychoanalysis
Complete EC Library. One of a set of hard cover deluxe volumes reprinting the complete EC comics reproduced from the original artwork. The stories are printed in stunningly detailed b/w with the covers in full colour. The books are smyth sewn and deluxe bound to last a lifetime of re-reading. Hard Cover Part Colour Dust Jacket.

as we may occasionally have this EC Set in stock