About this Collection
This third volume of The EC Archives collects issues #11–#15 of Shock SuspenStories, the seminal 1950s anthology series from EC Comics. Known for its twist endings and social commentary, these stories by writers and artists like Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig, and Graham Ingels explore crime, horror, and suspense with EC's signature ironic punch. Dark Horse's archival presentation preserves the original comic art and coloring, offering a definitive look at this influential pre-Code series.
"Only Skin-Deep" is a chilling tale from The EC Archives: Shock SuspenStories #3 (2015), showcasing Al Feldstein’s sharp storytelling and Joe Orlando’s masterful art, with inks by Orlando and coloring by Marie Severin. When a diamond-smuggling surgeon uses his medical skills to hide gems in his henchmen, he sets a deadly trap—only to discover the ultimate irony in his own greed. The cover, a striking illustration by Jack Kamen, captures the story’s cold, suspenseful tone.
Contains 24 stories
Only Skin-Deep
8 pp · Crime
Robert Sickles (in flashback, death)Gloria Anders (villain, wife of Charles, death)Charles Anders (villain)
Blood-Brothers
7 pp · Crime
Dr. Falk (coroner)Ella (Sid's wife)Henry Williams (death)Sarah Williams (Henry's wife, death)Mr. Harley (Henry's employer)Jed MartinGeorge (a farmer, flashback)Sid (villain)
Upon Reflection
6 pp · Crime
Joey Berksant (boxer, death)Nicky (Joey's trainer, in flashback)unnamed psychiatristManny Williams (boxer, in flashback, death)Manny's wife (in flashback)Benny (gym trainer)
Squeeze Play
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Cora (Harry's girl, death)SueBeaNanEllaJanetJimmyArnieMelvinHarry [aka Johnny] (villain, death)
The Orphan
8 pp · Crime
Sam Johnson (Lucy's father, death)Millie Johnson (Lucy's mother, death)Aunt Kate (Millie's sister)Steve (Millie's love interest, death)(Lucy Johnson (villain, daughter of Sam and Millie)
The Whipping
7 pp · Crime
Amy (Ed's daughter, death)Ed's wifeLouis MartinezVigilante Society [EdWilliePhilGeorgeother unnamed townspeople] (villains)
You, Murderer
6 pp · Crime
John Storch (TV repairman, Mrs. Galby's lover, death)Mrs. Galby (the Professor's wife)Professor Galby (villain, hypnotist)
As Ye Sow...
7 pp · Crime
Laird Kimball (husband, death)Nora (wife)
Raw Deal
8 pp · Crime
Agnes (nurse)Sally (nurse)Dr. Allen SwansonDr. John PeabodyLinda Bolton (Gregg's wife, in flashback, death)Gregg Bolton (psychiatric ward patient)
The Confidant
7 pp · Crime
Jimmy's priest (death)Jeb Barker's daughter (mention only, death)a mob (villains)Jimmy (villain)
For Cryin' Out Loud!
6 pp · Crime
Millie Belson (death)Marty Bordman [Joe Smith] (villain, embezzler)
Well Trained
7 pp · Crime
Sergeant Tom Gibson (police detective)Mary Gibson (Tom's wife, death)Bill (policeman)Mike Ferris (villain, murderer, death)
...My Brother's Keeper
6 pp · Adventure, Crime
Frank Doran (Siamese twin brother of Mark, death)Mr. Doran (Mark and Frank's father, death, in flashback)Mrs. Doran (Mark and Frank's mother, death, in flashback)Gloria Milgram (in flashback)Alice [Benson] Doran (Frank's wife, death, in flashback)Mark Doran (villain, Siamese twin of Frank, death)
The Hazing
7 pp · Drama
Warren Fuller (student wanting to join a fraternity)Selma Fuller Millstone (Warren's sister)Anders (student)Phil (student)Professor John MillstoneDean Camby
A Kind of Justice
8 pp · Crime
Shirley HansenHelen Hansen (mother)John Hansen (father)Eddie Nichols (vagrant, death)Sheriff Paul Judson (villain)Deputy Russ Ford (villain)
The Pen Is Mightier
7 pp · Crime
Mr. King (grocer)Johnny Harris (newspaper reporter)unnamed newspaper editorKitty (Zach's girl)Eddie Mahler (villain, death)Manny Vaughn (villain, death)Zach Hamlin (villain)Neddo Wallace (villain)Inez (villain, former fiance of Manny)
4-Sided Triangle
8 pp · Horror-Suspense
Abner Hester (farmer, death)Hester Yates (Abner's wife)Annie (retarded servant of the Hesters)
In Character
7 pp · Horror-Suspense
Lawrence B. Maynor (President of Magnus Pictures, death)Don Muller (Bela's agent, death)Marcel Duvall (make-up man, death)Sidney Chase (Treasurer of Magnus Pictures, death)Bela Kardiff (villain, actor)
The Assassin
6 pp · Crime
unnamed actor (death)unnamed assassin (villain)
The Operation
7 pp · Crime
Allie (villain, smuggler, death)Bimmy (villain, smuggler, death)Doc Slater (villain, doctor, death)
Cadillac Fever!
6 pp · Crime
Clyde Wilkes (death)Mrs. Wilkes (death)Mr. EvansJeb WylerSheriff HoytRuthie (villain, Wilke's daughter)
The Trap
8 pp · Crime
Matt Hall (death)Mrs. Brady (cameo)unnamed PolicemanPolice Chief McLainMrs. VincentIrene Hall (villain, Matt's wife)Larry Grover (villain, funeral director)
In the Bag
6 pp · Horror-Suspense
McLeod (Policeman)Sullivan (Policeman)Berger (Policeman)innocent man (death)maniac (villain)
Rundown
6 pp · Crime
Mr. Farrell (gambler, death)George (casino dealer)Joe Harris (villain, killer, death)Marsha Harris (villain, Joe's wife)Wally (villain, Marsha's lover)
