Crime SuspenStories #22 from 1954 remains one of the most notorious and legendary horror comics ever created. Though the title might not sound familiar, its shocking cover image – depicting an axe-wielding man holding his wife's severed head – has become indelible in pop culture. This landmark issue played a pivotal role in sparking the 1950s anti-comics crusade, leading to the Comics Code Authority's creation and ultimately contributing to EC Comics' downfall.

Now, in a remarkable comeback, EC Comics has been resurrected as a new imprint under Oni Press. In perfect tribute to Johnny Craig's controversial original cover art, IGN exclusively reveals artist Jay Stephens' homage for Catacomb of Torment #1 – part of a special series celebrating EC's classic covers. See the stunning artwork below:

For comparison, here's Johnny Craig's original cover from Crime SuspenStories #22:

Catacomb of Torment leads EC Comics' "Summer of Fear" initiative, joining newly announced titles Blood Type by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino, and Cruel Universe 2 by J. Holtham, Kano, Ann Nocenti, David Rubín, and Greg Smallwood. The horror anthology features contributions from acclaimed creators including John Arcudi, Marguerite Bennett, and David Lapham.

"Our revived EC line has become Oni's most successful imprint in nearly 30 years," stated Oni Press President Hunter Gorinson. "After surpassing expectations with last year's Epitaphs From the Abyss series, we're pushing boundaries further – bolder concepts, bigger scares, and yes, more bloodshed – as EC enters its second year of rebirth."

Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn added: "Collaborating on EC's revival has been creatively exhilarating for our entire team. Continuing this legacy with today's finest storytellers while honoring those classic moralistic horror tales remains an absolute privilege."

EC Comics' Summer of Fear Preview Gallery

The Summer of Fear event launches in June 2025 with Blood Type #1. For more iconic comic art, explore our ranking of history's most memorable superhero covers.