''Impact'' was a short-lived

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

series published by EC Comics in 1955 as the first title in its New Direction line.

Overview

The bi-monthly comic, published by Bill Gaines and edited by Al Feldstein, began with an issue cover-dated March–April, 1955. It ran for five issues, ending with the November–December, 1955 issue. The sub-title "Tales Designed to Carry an..." ran above the title ''Impact''. The book was dedicated to stories with shock endings, and was seen as a toned down, Comics Code era version of EC's earlier '' Shock SuspenStories.'' Front covers were by Jack Davis, and the stories were illustrated by Davis, George Evans, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, Joe Orlando,

Reed Crandall Reed Leonard Crandall (February 22, 1917 – September 13, 1982) Reed Crandall
at ...

and Bernard Krigstein. There are two versions of the cover to ''Impact'' #1. One logo is yellow and the other is white. The first issue featured the short story "Master Race", co-plotted by Gaines & Feldstein and illustrated by Krigstein. "Master Race" is one of the first comic book stories about

The Holocaust The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...

, and has been described as the '' Citizen Kane'' of comic books. ''Impact'' was reprinted as part of publisher Russ Cochran's '' Complete EC Library'' in 1988. Between April and August 1999, Cochran (in association with Gemstone Publishing) reprinted all five individual issues. This complete run was later rebound, with covers included, in a single softcover '' EC Annual''. Dark Horse reprinted ''Impact'' as part of the '' EC Archives'' series in 2020.

Issue guide

References

{{EC Comics Comics magazines published in the United States EC Comics publications 1955 comics debuts 1955 comics endings Comics by Carl Wessler Magazines established in 1955 Magazines disestablished in 1955 Drama comics Horror comics Defunct magazines published in the United States 1955 establishments in New York (state)