About this Collection
This volume collects the first six issues of EC Comics' classic horror series, The Vault of Horror, originally published in 1950 and 1951. Featuring the work of legendary creators like Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig, and Graham Ingels, these stories showcase the grim, twist-ending tales and detailed artwork that defined the EC horror line. As part of the EC Archives series, this hardcover edition presents the comics in restored, high-quality color, preserving the original look of the newsprint era.
"Portrait in Wax!" from EC Archives: The Vault of Horror #1 (2007) delivers a chilling tale of vanity and consequence, rooted in the eerie atmosphere of 1950s horror comics. Written by Al Feldstein and Bill Gaines, with haunting art by Jack Kamen and vibrant coloring by Marie Severin, this story follows George Baker, a man who commissions a voodoo bust of himself—only to find it ages while he remains unchanged. The unsettling premise unfolds with quiet dread, as the line between man and sculpture blurs, and the cover by Johnny Craig captures the story’s gothic unease in stark, striking detail.
Contains 24 stories
Portrait in Wax!
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault Keeper (host)Robert [aka Jules Vendette] (artist, death)unnamed art buyerLord James CherringwoodHenry (villain, Robert's friend, death)
The Werewolf Legend
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Pobb's (a butler)Tom Faversham (death)Walter MallorySir Gregory Mallory (villain, a werewolf)Edmund Mallory (villain, a werewolf, flashback)Dennis Mallory (villain, a werewolf, Baron of Munscrief, flashback)Arthur Mallory (villain, a werewolf, flashback)
Horror in the Night
6 pp · Detective-Mystery, Horror-Suspense
Tom HawkinsJimJohn Smith (in flashback, death)Emily Smith (John's wife, in flashback, death)
Terror Train
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
GloriaRalph
The Dead Will Return!
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault Keeper [cameos]
The Curse of Harkley Heath
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Sybil Harkley (death)Hagers (Clayton Harkley's lawyer)Charles Harkley (villain, death)Edgar Harkley (villain, death)
Doctor of Horror
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
Dr. Finch (retiring school Dean, new school Governor)Dr. Cranshaw (death)Professor (later Dean) Alfred LeMonet (villain, death)
Island of Death
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Stephen CraneAlecCount Alvar Cabeza (villain, death)
Voodoo Vengeance!
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault Keeper (host)Caleb Standishantique store ownerSally Standish (death)Don (Sally's lover)
Werewolf
7 pp · Adventure, Horror-Suspense
Reggie and Eric SmytheViktor ZorakEdna and John FarnumJan Bodzla
Rats Have Sharp Teeth!
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
Abner Tucker
The Strange Couple!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper [cameo]
Horror House!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (host)Henry Davidson (writer)Henry's editorreal estate agentTed (Henry’s friend, death)Roger (Henry’s friend, death)Jean (Henry’s friend)
Terror in the Swamp!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Old Witch (cameo)Professor Carl WardMarie WardRobert Colby
Report from the Grave
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (cameo)Warren LakeFred Coombes
Buried Alive!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (cameo)Paulunnamed servantSam [aka "Zobo, the Living Corpse"] (death)Rita (death)
Werewolf Concerto!
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (host)Hubert Antone (villain, a werewolf, hotel manager, death)Madamoiselle Michelin (villain, a vampire, concert pianist)
Fitting Punishment!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper [cameo]Stanley (Flint's nephew, death)Ezra Flint (villain, undertaker)
The Grave Wager
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (cameo)Pirro, the Wax Man
Escape!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Old Witch (cameo)Pete Luger
Terror on the Moors!
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (host)Jim Ryan (American tourist)Andrew Clymore (estate owner, death)Evers (Clymore's servant, death)Clymore's child/beast (villain, death)
Baby -- It's Cold Inside!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Old Witch (cameo)Barton Gordon (new building superintendent)Mr. Font (tenant)Marcus Kingsley (landlord, death)Kingsley's unnamed friend
The Beast of the Full Moon!
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Vault-Keeper (cameo)Andrew KelloggTom KelloggJune (villain, Andrew's fiance)
Voodoo Horror!
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
The Crypt-Keeper (cameo)George Barker
