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Even in the far reaches of space or the distant future, one thing remains constant: the horror doesn’t end. How else to explain the fact that, this August, Oni Press is continuing its EC’s Summer of Fear promotion with the launch of a second series of the anthology series Cruel Universe — and that Popverse has a look at the creative line-up bringing terror back to the outer limits, and an exclusive look at the first issue’s covers, to boot.

The initial run of Cruel Universe — an expansion of the classic EC Comics approach into cosmic horror — ran five issues starting in August 2024 through December of that year, but the new Cruel Universe 2 will last 12 pulse-quickening issues, launching with an oversized 40-page opener featuring work from writers J. Holtham, Ann Nocenti, and Greg Pak, and artists David Rubín, Kano, and Charlie Adlard.

Here’s how Oni Press describes the issue:

“Whether future or past, Earth or a distant world, no man can outrun the infinite singularity within us all: FEAR! Join this doomed expedition into the cold, unforgiving galaxies beyond our own as nihilistic navigators Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), J. Holtham (EC’s Epitaphs from the Abyss), Kano (Immortal Iron Fist), Ann Nocenti (Daredevil), David Rubín (Sherlock Frankenstein), and Greg Pak (Planet Hulk) smash the laws of science… and splice the immortal EC Comics genome into a new breed of parasitic extraterrestrial tales with an endless appetite for pain!  Plus, as an added bonus: A nerve-rending science fiction classic from the EC vaults, painstakingly remastered and newly restored to its original coloring! BEYOND SPACE, BEYOND OBLIVION. . . There is something vast, unsympathetic, and envious that yearns to consume us all in this CRUEL UNIVERSE! Let’s make it work for it, shall we?”

The issue will be released with covers from Lee Bermejo, Tom Fowler, Albert Monteys, Malachi Ward, and Liam Sharp with Tom Fowler, with additional variants showcasing the design work of Rian Hughes. It’ll be difficult to pick your favorite, but take a look at the gallery below and try to make an early start choosing.

Cruel Universe 2 #1 (of 12) will be released August 6.

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