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The EC Archives: The Vault of Horror #1 cover
Cover: Johnny Craig

The EC Archives: The Vault of Horror #1

Jul 2021 · Dark Horse · 19.99 USD
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“Portrait in Wax!”
About this Collection

This volume collects the first six issues of EC Comics' classic horror series The Vault of Horror, originally published from 1950 to 1951. Featuring the grim and twist-ending tales that defined the genre, the stories are illustrated by legendary artists like Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig, and Graham Ingels, with covers by Johnny Craig. Dark Horse's archival presentation restores the original colors and includes historical essays and commentary from EC experts.

"Portrait in Wax!" from The EC Archives: The Vault of Horror #1 (2021, Dark Horse) delivers a chilling tale of vanity and consequence, rooted in the eerie traditions of Haiti. Written by Al Feldstein and Bill Gaines, with art and inks by Jack Kamen and lettering by Jim Wroten, the story follows George Baker as he commissions a voodoo bust of himself—only to find it begins to age while he remains unchanged. The haunting cover by Johnny Craig perfectly captures the dread of a secret that’s not just hidden, but alive.

writer Al Feldstein · writer Bill Gaines · artist, inker Jack Kamen · letterer Jim Wroten · cover Johnny Craig

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Full credits

artist, inker Jack Kamen
letterer Jim Wroten
cover pencils, inks Johnny Craig

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

On the island of Haiti, George Baker seeks out a certain shop that will make him a voodoo bust of himself. The owner obliges Baker and begins to work on the bust. Later, Baker has a change of heart and wants to cancel the order, but when he arrives again at the shop, the bust is finished and paid for....and as Baker walks out of the shop, it disappears, replaced by a brick wall! Returning home, Baker places the bust on his fireplace mantel.....and as the years go by, the bust begins to age...but not Baker, who remains youthful, and George hates to even look at it any longer. One day, a girl comes to his door, asking the whereabouts of another person, and George directs her down the hall....but secretly, he wants her. Later he discovers that this girl, Jean, is the daughter of one of his older employees, and he flatly tells the man that he wants to marry his daughter. That evening at dinner, George makes his move and she complies.....but, as the years go by and she ages, George does not, and the horrible bust over the fireplace continues to age. Jean hates it and is ready to get rid of it when George walks in, tells her to leave it alone, slapping her for good measure, and calling her an ugly old hag. While he is out for a walk, Jean gets a machette and severs the bust in two, while elsewhere a horrible scream is heard and a Policeman finds the body of George in the park....split down the middle! Back at the Barker home, Jean suddenly notices that the face of the bust now has taken on the youthful appearance of her husband!

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).

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