The lurid 1950s comic books were investigated by the U.S. Senate
Long before the Crypt Keeper was on T-shirts and toys, and way before Tales From the Crypt was a creepy 90s TV show, it was a comic book. EC Comics began publishing their acclaimed horror anthology books starting in 1950. A couple of years later, they were facing complaints from parents and an investigation by a U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency on the lurid comics.
On October 26, the L.A.-based performance group Captured Aural Phantasy Theater will bring the shocking worlds to life in their live-read stage show based on the comic book series. The troupe will revisit several stories in a live show at Dynasty Typewriter on October 26, featuring projections, live music, magic and haunting songs just in time for Halloween.
The original Crypt Keeper figure from TV’s Tales From the Crypt in a private collectionCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
The original Tales From the Crypt comics (not to be confused with the TV series featuring famous guest stars like Tom Hanks and Arnold Schwarzenegger) were published by William Gaines, who inherited his dad’s comic book company at age 25. Gaines hired renowned artists like Will Elder, Jack Davis and Frank Frazetta to illustrate tales of the supernatural, comeuppance and revenge, all with outrageous plot twists.
Many pearls were clutched after an article titled “Horror In The Nursery” was published in Collier’s magazine, exposing parents to the monstrous things kids loved reading about. After enduring much grilling, Gaines gave up on the shock horror and turned his attention to shock humor by founding Mad magazine.
Credit: Photo courtesy Captured Aural Phantasy Theater
Gaines’ exploits are at the heart of troupe founder Ben Dickow’s other project, Comic Book Crackdown, a new musical recently staged during Banned Books Week at L.A.’s Central Library. Seventy-plus years after politicians tried to outlaw these comics, book bans haven’t gone away. PEN America reports that A Clockwork Orange was the most banned book in schools this year, in a list that also includes Wicked, A Handmaid’s Tale, and Forever… by Judy Blume.