Impact (EC Comics)


Impact was a short-lived comic book 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 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, 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 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

#DateStoryStory artist
1March/April 1955Tough CopReed Crandall
1March/April 1955The Diamond PendantGraham Ingels
1March/April 1955The DressGeorge Evans
1March/April 1955Master RaceBernard Krigstein
2May/June 1955Mother Knows BestReed Crandall
2May/June 1955DivorceJack Davis
2May/June 1955The SuitGraham Ingels
2May/June 1955Paid in FullJoe Orlando
3July/Aug 1955Life SentenceReed Crandall
3July/Aug 1955The DebtJack Davis
3July/Aug 1955Totally BlindJack Kamen
3July/Aug 1955The Good FairyGraham Ingels
4Sept/Oct 1955The Lonely OneJack Davis
4Sept/Oct 1955Fall in WinterGraham Ingels
4Sept/Oct 1955The Bitter EndReed Crandall
4Sept/Oct 1955Country DoctorGeorge Evans
5Nov/Dec 1955Heart InterestGeorge Evans
5Nov/Dec 1955The TravelersJoe Orlando
5Nov/Dec 1955The GeneralGraham Ingels
5Nov/Dec 1955So Much MoreBernard Krigstein