The Vault of Horror (comics)

The Vault of Horror
A comic book cover reading "The Vault of Horror" in yellow letters on a purple background. Below is a colorful illustration of two men in a crypt—one is opening an empty coffin, while the other is terrified at the sight of the deceased standing in a doorway.
The Vault of Horror #13 (June/July 1950)
Cover art by Johnny Craig
Publication information
PublisherEC Comics
ScheduleBi-monthly
FormatAnthology
Publication dateApril/May 1950 – December/January 1955
No. of issues29
Main character(s)The Vault-Keeper
The Crypt-Keeper
The Old Witch
Creative team
Created byBill Gaines
Al Feldstein

The Vault of Horror is an American bi-monthly horror comic anthology series that was published by EC Comics from 1950 to 1955 created by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein. The magazine began in March 1948 as War Against Crime. It continued under this title for 11 issues before becoming The Vault of Horror with issue #12 (April/May 1950). The comic ran for 29 issues until being discontinued after issue #40 (December/January 1955).

Along with Tales from the Crypt and The Haunt of Fear, it formed a trifecta of popular EC horror anthologies. Publication ceased, however, after horror and crime comics came under scrutiny for an alleged link to juvenile delinquency and the subsequent imposition of a highly restrictive Comics Code.

The Vault of Horror has since been reprinted in single issues and collected volumes. Some of its stories were adapted for the 1972 motion picture Tales from the Crypt and television's Tales from the Crypt, which aired on HBO from 1989 to 1996.