EC Comics Presents...The Vault of Horror!

By: Johnny Craig, Jack Davis, Jules Feiffer, Al Feldstein, Harry Harrison, Graham Ingels, Jack Kamen, Harvey Kurtzman

Narrated by: Kevin Grevioux, Phil Proctor, Denise Poirier, full cast

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When the history of horror comics was written, one name stood and still stands above the rest: EC Comics. With equal parts suspense, gore, camp, and revenge, the triumvirate of EC’s horror output laid the groundwork for what was to come from many of the genre’s greatest writers and directors.  

Now, AudioComics (a division of Pocket Universe Productions) presents EC’s The Vault of Horror, its stories adapted and presented in an audiorich fully immersive setting complete with a full cast, scoring, and soundscapes. This ghastly grimoire adapts issues #12 to #17 of the classic horror series, with werewolves, vampires, cutthroats, and numerous ne'erdowells!  

Starring Kevin Grevioux (creator of the Underworld film franchise) as the Vault Keeper, and special guests Phil Proctor of the Firesign Theatre and Denise Poirier (MTV’s Æon Flux), this series is going to chill your spine and clam your palms! So put your headphones on and enter the Vault of Horror! It’s a real scream!

©1950, 1951 William M. Gaines Agent Inc. (P)2019 The AudioComics Company

Absolutely AMAZING tribute to EC Comics

I'll admit, I'm biased. I love audio drama, and as far I'm concerned some of the best productions I've heard have been on Audible: "Locke & Key" and "The X-Files" and the "Alien" productions. Just when you think it can't get any better, I hear "EC Comics Presents... The Vault of Horror!" And all I can say is they did Bill Gaines proud.

This production embodies everything I love about the old EC horror titles. The bad guys get theirs in the worst possible way. The creepiness is countered by just the right amount of camp. This is THE audio drama of 2019 and I can't wait for more tales from the terrifying tome that can only be found in... THE VAULT OF HORROR! HAHAHAHAHAH! (Okay, cue thunder and lightning.)

UPDATE (4/29/20): Recently found out that narrator William Dufris, who directed all 24 stories in the first season (assuming this is a first season), has passed away from cancer. Apparently this was one of the last audio dramas he directed. RIP Mr. Dufris. Ya did good.

Good Ghoulish Fun

This is some good old-fashioned b-movie creepshow fun. The stories are good, but what sells it are the performers. Everyone sounds like they’re having a blast. A good choice if you just want to keep Halloween going for just a little more.

A Joyous Tribute to a Classic Genre!!

THE VAULT OF HORROR deserves a vaultful of praise, not only for its delightful, almost whimsical handling of a genre that is chock full of terror but also for it's director, listed as William Dufris, for keeping each episode/chapter authentic and consistent style-wise as he careens from one time period and geographical location to the next. And while the stories themselves are perfect campfire tales in their own way, the real joy of this collection is the way in which the actor's portrayals coalesce into an ensemble of performers who all embrace the style and period feel of these individual stories. While the writers occasionally update the details to include Ubers and cell phones, the performers rarely drift from the campiness and underlying wit of the 1940's Horror Movie or 1950's Comic book writing from which these are derived.

While each tale has it's share of chills, gore and nightmare imagery, they are skillfully played with flair and camp, revealed in such unforgettable characters as the German Scientist, the Eccentric Recluse, the Voodoo Woman, the Gravediggers and Mad Scientists and Dying Uncles and Ne'er-Do-Wells and Monsters. And since each chapter is treated as a new episode, you can binge all 24 stories or treat them like the weekly serials they're written as for a sustained listening experience.

It's hard to choose a favorite story or individual performance as all the stories are great opportunities for the talented cast to have a field day in a wide variety of accents, dialects and larger than life characters. However, some standouts deserve a mention, including the two German scientists searching the Louisiana Bayou, the prison escape story, the terrific kids reminiscent of the Goonies or Stranger Things cast exploring a graveyard, the Frozen Landlord with his Hapless Superintendent and Evil Nurse, the lost travel writer, the Southern graverobber and the penultimate tale in the collection involving a Dorian Grey type Voodoo bust.

Full disclosure: some of the special effects were so jarring or chilling at moments that I hit my brakes a couple of times while driving - a true interactive experience. And this wouldn't be complete without praise for Kevin Grevioux, the host and vault Keeper, whose voice is so deep and whose evil laugh is so classic that you can feel the air move when he speaks.

All in all, this is less a collection of scary stories as a rollicking celebration of and a tribute to the Classic Horror Genre! Bravo for a unique listening experience!!

OMG

William Dufris is a genius. EC Comics is legendary. The combination is sublime. Don't miss this amazing audiobook

Vignettes as fun as the original Tales from the Crypt

I haven’t heard a production so devilish since Fangoria’s Dreadtime Story 1 & 2!

If anyone remembers the original Tales from the Crypt, this collection of tales remind me of the best of the series. It’s very reminiscent of the tension found in Hitchcock movies; the horror of ‘The Thing’, ‘The Fog’; and the drama of pulp crime.

I highly suggest you give it a try.

LOVED!

Scary good fun and brilliantly done!!! The production, narration and whole experience was top notch!

Horrifying, original, exciting!

This is brilliant. What an original, exciting production - I was on the edge of my car seat - had to stop to listen. Heart beat going rapidly. My son felt the same way. I listen to a lot of audiobooks. This is one of the most original. A stunning production!

Get this!

Excellent work all around! Great acting, writing and sound production. A must have addition to your audio drama library!

Fantastic adaptions of EC Comics classics!

Just in time for Halloween comes The Vault of Horror! This fantastic audiobook adapts the first several issues of EC Comics' The Vault of Horror from the 50s! Very well put together with great production values and acting. A must have for horror fans and fans of classic comics!

Fantastic!!!

Deliciously lush little horrors just in time for Halloween. They've modernized classics for the modern age but kept the sensitivity of the old camp alive and well. Great stuff.

Superb cult horror

In perfect commuter-sized chunks you get to enjoy lusciously reenactments of cult comic classics. High production values, great voice work and stories from many times and countries creating a magnificent kaleidoscope of horror.

Spine Chilling Horror

A good selection of scary tales but the deep voiced narrator is so overbearing, he ruins each story at the start & end of each performance. No need for him. These stories stand up for themselves. A big selection for all apetites.

Ok

Stories are not scary or surprising. A bit lame to be honest. Won’t listen again.

Brilliant, Macabre fun !

Classic spooky tales ,brought to life by a wonderful cast .Perfect for Halloween or those dark winter nights .Highly recommended.

Fantastic

Really enjoyed these short stories. all different genres but similaratyle running through them. perfect for my commute on the Central Lines in the mornings.

Well presented and acted, really good host!