Posted in: Boom, Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Oni Press | Tagged: ec comics, Hello Darkness

Boom and Oni Compete For Retailer Support For EC and Hello Darkness

Hello Darkness from Boom Studios is going to head-to-head with the revival of EC Comics at Oni Press, both going to FOC today

Bleeding Cool has been tracking Boom Studios' upcoming ongoing, post code horror series Hello Darkness since the publisher started teasing their all-star creator list and the subsequent reveal of how they were all connected. As we approached today's Final Order Cutoff date for Hello Darkness #1, Boom did not slow throwing out greetings in the slightest welcoming a new cover artist and a final lineup to their first issue, ComicsPRO retailers, and even readers.

Earlier this month, Boom unveiled two more open-to-order variant covers for the first issue on their social media accounts. The sketch cover is sure to be a popular one at conventions just based on all of the talent involved in this project, but the other cover by Jeff Dekal may end up being the sleeper collectible in the bunch. Since Boom is not offering any gated incentives on Hello Darkness #1, retailers and speculators will have to guess which one will pop. The main cover by Paolo Rivera will almost certainly be the most common, and with cover artists Jenny Frison and Peach Momoko having massive dedicated fanbases, expect those to be ordered heavily as well. But Dekal has become a collector favorite, in part because of his ultra rare Something Is Killing The Children #8 cover which still sold for $875 earlier this year with another available now for $1,699. Since that early breakout, Dekal has become a regular contributor to incentive covers for Marvel and DC, which routinely sell for over ratio. Will his Hello Darkness #1 cover be underestimated and send collectors chasing on the aftermarket?

Although Boom seems to be focused primarily on attracting readers to this ongoing anthology series with the trailer dropped last week greeting them specifically. The trailer includes advance reviews and pull quotes including one from Zac Thompson, but based on what we're seeing on social media already we predict an avalanche of creator chatter as we near the launch of Hello Darkness.

Bleeding Cool was also the first to point out that Hello Darkness would be going to head-to-head with the revival of EC Comics at Oni Press. Earlier this week, Boom revealed their final creator line up for Hello Darkness #1 adding Robert Hack, A.L. Kaplan, Dave Cook, and David Cousens to their previously announced names. The final creator lineup for the first issue also includes Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera, Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Letizia Cadonici, Steve Orlando, and Sarah Anderson. That stacks rather nicely against Epitaphs From The Abyss #1's Brian Azzarello, Vlad Legostaev, Stephanie Phillips, Phil Hester, J. Holtham, Jorge Fornes, Chris Condon, and Peter Krause. The comparisons are inevitable with both debut issues landing in comic shops on July 25th.

Which is probably why both publishers made a final push with ComicsPRO retailers last week, hosting special back-to-back webinars with special guests. Oni brought President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson, Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn and direct market favorite creators Matt Kindt and Chris Condon, while Boom brought Vice President of Editorial and Creative Strategy Bryce Carlson and book market juggernaut R.L. Stine and webcomic star Sarah Anderson.

Given EC Comics legacy in the direct reassured, strong orders from comic shops seem all but assured, but what does all this mean for the Black Mirror-influenced Hello Darkness? Will we see a big jump in orders today at FOC? Which cover will fans be chasing if they miss preordering today with their local comic store? Expect Bleeding Cool to continue to keep you informed on two of the biggest horror launches of the year.

Hello Darkness #1 and Epitaphs From The Abyss #1 both FOC today Monday, July 1st, 2024.

EC EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 (OF 5) CVR A LEE BERMEJO
(W) Brian Azzarello, Chris Condon, J. Holtham, Stephanie Phillips (A) Jorge Fornes, Phil Hester, Peter Krause (CA) Lee Bermejo
THE MOST NOTORIOUS NAME IN TERROR IS BACK—WITH A VENGEANCE! From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC COMICS returns . . . with its first ALL-NEW series in nearly 70 years! In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the undying EC tradition—as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (FX's The Handmaid's Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by "all-slaughter" artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and more! What the Comics Code Authority couldn't kill has only made it stronger . . . EC COMICS LIVES AGAIN IN EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS! Retail: $4.99 In-Store Date: 7/24/2024

HELLO DARKNESS #1 CVR A RIVERA (MR)
BOOM! STUDIOS
MAY240015
(W) Garth Ennis, James Tynion Iv, Brian Azzarello, Various (A) Becky Cloonan, Werther Dell'Edera, Vanesa R. Del Rey, Various (CA) Paolo Rivera
Horror fans rejoice in cadaverous delight, because Hello Darkness is a brand new monthly anthology series featuring what BOOM! Studios is known for – the best in modern Horror, Fantasy, and Mystery, not to mention the darkest stories yet from an all-star cast of creators! With a spine-tingling lineup of industry legends including Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera, Brian Azzarello, Vanesa R. Del Rey, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, and more, everything from primal fears to modern political horrors will be awakened, in the classic style of Creepy and Eerie and the contemporary chills of Black Mirror. Fans can also expect stunning main covers by Paolo Rivera, variant covers by Jenny Frison on every issue, and a guest artist variant on every issue! In addition, a deadly new Something is Killing the Children story unfolds in the first 6 issues, along with a bone-rattling new serialized tale by Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan for the first 7! In Shops: Jul 24, 2024 SRP: $5.99

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