Art by Al Williamson
Art by Al Williamson

Ray Bradbury Science Fiction in EC Comics

Ray Bradbury Science Fiction in EC Comics appeared between March 1951 and September 1954. This began as a bit of story stealing, when Al Feldstein combined “Kaleidoscope” (Thrilling Wonder Stories, October 1949) and “The Rocket Man” (Maclean’s, March 1 1951) in a comic story called “Home to Stay” (Weird Fantasy #13, May June 1952).  Ray kindly wrote Bill Gained and thanked him for using his material, though he had yet to receive his check. Bill wisely paid him, and an arrangement was made to do official adaptations of Bradbury stories after that.

Artist Unknown
Artist Unknown
Art by Michael Mitchell
Art by Michael Mitchell
Art by Wally Wood
Art by Wally Wood

All the SF stories were adapted by Al Feldstein. Marie Severin also deserves credit as the artist who colored every story. What strikes me about these Bradbury tales is so many of them are talking heads. The writer and artists had to find ways to make the stories be more. Bradbury’s great ideas and characters help too.

“Mad Journey” (aka “The Earthmen”)(Thrilling Wonder Stories, August 1948) appeared in Weird Fantasy #14 (July-August 1952).

Art by Vincent Napoli

Art by Vincent Napoli

Art by Al Williamson, Roy G. Krenkel and Frank Frazetta
Art by Al Williamson, Roy G. Krenkel and Frank Frazetta

“The Long Years” (Planet Stories, Spring 1949)  was in Weird Science #17 (January-February 1953)

Art by Taylor
Art by Taylor
Art by Joe Orlando
Art by Joe Orlando

“There Will Come Soft Rains” (Collier’s, May 6, 1950) appeared Weird Fantasy #17 (January-February 1953).

Art by Wally Wood
Art by Wally Wood

“Zero Hour” (Planet Stories, Fall 1947) was in Weird Fantasy #18 (March-April 1953).

Art by M. Elkan
Art by M. Elkan

Art by Jack Kamen
Art by Jack Kamen

“Mars is Heaven” (Weird Science #18, March-April 1953) (Planet Stories, Fall 1948) art by Wally Wood

Art by Herman Vestal
Art by Herman Vestal
Art by Wally Wood
Art by Wally Wood

“The One Who Waits” (The Arkham Sampler, Summer 1949)  (Weird Science #19, May-June 1953)

Art by Al Williamson
Art by Al Williamson

“King of the Grey Spaces” (aka “R is for Rocket”)  (Famous Fantastic Mysteries, December 1943) was in Weird Fantasy #19, May-June 1953.

Art by Lawrence
Art by Lawrence
Art by John Severin and Bill Elder
Art by John Severin and Bill Elder

 

“I, Rocket” (Amazing Stories, May 1944) appeared in Weird Fantasy #20 (July-August 1953).

Art by Brady
Art by Brady

Art by Al Williamson, Roy G. Krenkel and Frank Frazetta
Art by Al Williamson, Roy G. Krenkel and Frank Frazetta

“Surprise Package” (aka “Changeling”) (Super Science Stories, July 1949) was in Weird Science #20 (July-August 1953).

Artist Unknown
Artist Unknown
Art by Jack Kamen
Art by Jack Kamen

“The Million Year Picnic” (Planet Stories, Summer 1946) appeared in Weird Fantasy #21 (September-October 1953).

Art by Leydenfrost
Art by Alexander Leydenfrost
Art by John Severin and Bill Elder
Art by John Severin and Bill Elder

“Punishment Without Crime” (Other Worlds, March 1950) was in Weird Science #21 (September-October 1953).

Artist Unknown
Artist Unknown

Art by Jack Kamen
Art by Jack Kamen

“The Silent Towns” (Charm, March 1949) appeared in Weird Fantasy #22, November-December 1953).

Art by Reed Crandall
Art by Reed Crandall

“Outcast of the Stars” (aka “The Rocket”) (Super Science Stories, March 1950) was in Weird Science #22 (November-December 1953).

Artist Unknown
Artist Unknown
Art by Joe Orlando
Art by Joe Orlando

“The Flying Machine” (Playboy, August 1954) appeared in Weird Science-Fantasy #23 (Spring 1954).

Art by Bernie Krigstein
Art by Bernie Krigstein

“A Sound of Thunder” (Collier’s, June 28, 1952)  was in Weird Science-Fantasy #25 (September 1954).

Art by Fredrick Siebel
Art by Fredrick Siebel
Art by Emsh from Planet Stories
Art by Emsh from Planet Stories

Art by Al Williamson, Angelo Torres and Roy G. Krenkel
Art by Al Williamson, Angelo Torres and Roy G. Krenkel

In the end EC produced 31 comics from Bradbury’s work, mostly horror (we’ll do those another time). The association after 1952 was quite pleasant and open. For many young Bradbury fans, these were the works that led them to the original stories. The EC gang created a high water mark for Science Fiction comics that has been imitated but never duplicated.

 

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