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Johnny Craig - The Crypt of Terror #17 Cover Original Art (EC, 1950).

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Comics Start Price:5,250.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Johnny Craig - The Crypt of Terror #17 Cover Original Art (EC, 1950).
<B>Johnny Craig - The Crypt of Terror #17 Cover Original Art (EC, 1950).</B></I> Certainly one of the most historic pieces of art offered in this sale, this is arguably the first horror cover ever produced by EC. The last two issues of <B>War Against Crime</B></I> and <B>Crime Patrol</B></I> are decidedly EC horror books, but Gaines still hedged his bet; they remained crime comics, if only in title. However, with <B>Crypt of Terror</B></I> #17 and <B>Vault of Horror</B></I> #12, Gaines threw caution (and, some would say, good taste) to the four winds and took the plunge. He let his imagination, and the talents of his artists, run rampant, and comic book history took a dramatic turn. The result was that EC's graphically violent covers and stories sold very well. Of course, this bred myriad imitators, all trying to out-do one another in the grue-and-gore department. Ultimately, psychologists, social reformers and Senator Kefauver's Senate hearings put a stake in the heart of Bill Gaines' horror-based empire. Often imitated but never duplicated, their like has not been seen since. The cover offered here, while not as graphic as later efforts, is one of Craig's finer pieces. The detail is exquisite, particularly the alley cat foraging for its dinner. The art is in Excellent condition measuring 13.5" x 19". All of the type, including the logo, is hand drawn. Significant and masterfully executed, this piece is a must for the serious EC collector. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.