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[[File:Eclogo.jpeg|thumb|Eclogo]] [[file:60_Spring_St_CG_bank_at_Lafayette_jeh.jpg|right|thumb|60_Spring_St_CG_bank_at_Lafayette_jeh]] [[file:EC_Judgementday.jpg|right|thumb|EC_Judgementday]] {{Short description|American comic book publisher}}
{{Infobox company
| name = EC Comics
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
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| type =
| industry = [[Comic book]]
| founded = 1944
| founder = [[Max Gaines]]
| defunct = 1956
| headquarters = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| key_people = [[William Gaines]]
| products = [[Comic books]]
| parent =
| website =
}}

'''EC Comics''' (Entertaining Comics) was an American [[comic book]] publisher. Initially, it was known for its educational and child-oriented stories, but it later became famous for its [[horror]], [[science fiction]], [[war]], [[crime]], and [[satire]] comics. The company was founded by [[Max Gaines]] in 1944 and was later taken over by his son, [[William Gaines]], after Max's death in 1947.

== History ==
EC Comics began as Educational Comics, focusing on educational and child-friendly content. However, after the death of Max Gaines, his son William Gaines took over and shifted the company's focus to more mature themes. This change led to the creation of some of the most influential and controversial comic books of the 1950s.

=== Golden Age of EC Comics ===
Under William Gaines' leadership, EC Comics produced a series of groundbreaking titles that included ''[[Tales from the Crypt (comics)|Tales from the Crypt]]'', ''[[The Haunt of Fear]]'', and ''[[The Vault of Horror]]''. These horror comics were known for their sophisticated storytelling, high-quality artwork, and shocking twist endings. EC also published notable [[science fiction]] titles such as ''[[Weird Science (comics)|Weird Science]]'' and ''[[Weird Fantasy]]'', as well as [[war]] comics like ''[[Two-Fisted Tales]]'' and ''[[Frontline Combat]]''.

=== Controversy and Decline ===
The graphic content of EC's horror and crime comics led to public outcry and scrutiny. This culminated in the [[United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency]] hearings in 1954, where comic books were blamed for contributing to juvenile delinquency. In response to the hearings and the subsequent establishment of the [[Comics Code Authority]], EC Comics was forced to cancel most of its titles.

=== Mad Magazine ===
One of the few EC publications to survive the purge was ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'', which transitioned from a comic book to a magazine format. This change allowed it to bypass the restrictions of the Comics Code Authority. ''Mad'' became a significant success and remains one of the most influential humor publications in American history.

== Legacy ==
Despite its relatively short lifespan, EC Comics left a lasting impact on the comic book industry. Its emphasis on quality storytelling and artwork set a new standard for the medium. Many of its stories have been adapted into other media, including the popular television series ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]''.

== Related Pages ==
* [[Max Gaines]]
* [[William Gaines]]
* [[Tales from the Crypt (comics)]]
* [[Mad (magazine)]]
* [[Comics Code Authority]]
* [[United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency]]

[[Category:Comic book publishing companies]]
[[Category:Defunct comics and manga publishing companies]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1944]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 1956]]
[[Category:Comics by EC Comics]]
[[Category:Golden Age comics titles]]

{{Comics-stub}}

EC Comics - Revision history

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