Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 Preview: Oni Press and EC Comics Return to Sadistic Fantasy This September
The crown is heavy.
The axe is heavier.
Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 brings EC Comics and Oni Press back to the blood-soaked world of dark fantasy this September with a brand-new six-issue volume packed with sadistic sorcery, cursed kingdoms, wicked magic, and the kind of cruel endings only EC can deliver.
Arriving in comic shops on September 2, 2026, Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 launches a new chapter of medieval horror and fatal fantasy from a powerhouse creative lineup that includes writers David M. Booher, Matt Bors, and Jude Ellison S. Doyle, with art by Ryan Kelly, Lukas Ketner, and David Lapham.
For readers who love fantasy with teeth, this is not a fairy tale.
This is the kind of storybook where the witch hunter may become the hunted, the wizard’s tower probably has an executioner’s dungeon underneath it, and “happily ever after” gets dragged to the chopping block.
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EC Comics Returns to the Cruel Kingdom
Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 continues Oni Press and EC Comics’ modern revival of classic EC-style storytelling.
That means sharp moral twists, cruel punchlines, gothic atmosphere, and stories designed to leave a mark. Instead of standard high fantasy heroics, this series leans into the rot under the throne room.
Kings fall.
Knights bleed.
Witches laugh.
Wizards scheme.
And somewhere in the dark, the real monster is usually closer than anyone wants to admit.
This new volume brings readers back to a world of “sadistic sorcery and malevolent magic,” where every quest has a cost and every victory may be hiding a curse.
A Killer Creative Lineup
The first issue features three twisted fantasy tales from a strong group of writers and artists.
David M. Booher, known for Canto, joins the lineup alongside Matt Bors of The Toxic Avenger and Jude Ellison S. Doyle of Dead Teenagers. Together, they bring different voices to the anthology format, giving the issue a sharp mix of dark humor, horror, fantasy, and brutal irony.
The art team is just as strong.
Ryan Kelly, Lukas Ketner, and David Lapham each bring a distinct visual approach to the issue. That variety matters because EC-style anthologies work best when every story feels like its own nasty little trap.
One tale may feel gothic and elegant.
Another may feel grimy and violent.
Another may twist fantasy adventure into something meaner, stranger, and more memorable.
That is the appeal of Cruel Kingdom 2. Readers are not getting one flavor of fantasy. They are getting a full cursed banquet.
Why New Readers Should Pick Up Cruel Kingdom 2 #1
New readers should not be intimidated by the “2” in the title.
Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 is a fresh jumping-on point for anyone who wants dark fantasy stories with the classic EC Comics bite. You do not need a giant continuity guide. You just need to enjoy fantasy that goes wrong in the most entertaining way possible.
This issue is perfect for readers who like:
Dark fantasy anthologies.
Horror comics with twist endings.
EC Comics-style morality tales.
Witches, kings, knights, towers, curses, and executions.
Fantasy stories that are funny, brutal, and nasty.
Oni Press horror and genre comics.
If you like your fantasy polished, noble, and safe, this may not be your kingdom.
If you like your fantasy bloody, strange, wicked, and full of bad decisions, Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 belongs on your pull list.
More Dark Magic Is Coming
The first issue is only the beginning.
Future issues of Cruel Kingdom 2 will feature even more creators, including John Arcudi, Ramón F. Bachs, Sarah Gailey, Sami Kivelä, Curt Pires, SOM, Alison Sampson, and more.
That lineup gives the six-issue series serious anthology power. Each issue can push the fantasy-horror concept in a different direction while still keeping the EC Comics spirit alive.
The best EC stories always knew how to mix entertainment with a sharp final sting. Cruel Kingdom 2 looks ready to continue that tradition with swords, spells, severed crowns, and plenty of black magic.
Cover and Collector Information
Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 arrives with a strong cover lineup from legendary artists.
Cover A by Mark Buckingham gives the launch issue a bold fantasy-horror look, perfectly setting the tone for a new volume of chivalrous calamity.
Cover B by Yanick Paquette delivers a haunting, black-and-white horror mood with a lakeside scene that feels quiet, eerie, and deeply wrong.
Homage Variant by Shawn McManus brings a classic pulp sci-fi monster energy to the fantasy anthology format.
B&W Artist Edition Variant by Yanick Paquette gives collectors a raw look at Paquette’s detailed linework.
Archive Edition by Rian Hughes gives the issue a clean EC archive-style presentation for collectors who love design-forward variants.
A Blank Sketch Variant will also be available.
With covers from Mark Buckingham, Yanick Paquette, Shawn McManus, and Rian Hughes, this is a strong release for EC collectors, Oni Press fans, and readers who love anthology horror variants.
Comic Book Details
Title: Cruel Kingdom 2 #1
Publisher: Oni Press / EC Comics
Series: Cruel Kingdom 2
Issue: #1 of 6
Writers: David M. Booher, Matt Bors, Jude Ellison S. Doyle
Artists: Ryan Kelly, Lukas Ketner, David Lapham
Cover A: Mark Buckingham
Cover B: Yanick Paquette
Homage Variant 1:10: Shawn McManus
B&W Artist Edition Variant 1:20: Yanick Paquette
Archive Edition 1:50: Rian Hughes
Blank Sketch Variant: Available
On Sale: September 2, 2026
Price: $4.99
Page Count: 32 pages
Format: Full Color
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Anthology
Final Thoughts: Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 Looks Like a Bloody Good Return
Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 looks like another strong entry in the modern EC Comics revival from Oni Press.
The series has a clear identity: dark fantasy told with a cruel grin. It is not just about castles, crowns, witches, and swords. It is about what happens when those familiar fantasy pieces get twisted into horror stories with teeth.
With a strong creative lineup, a killer cover program, and the return of EC’s gleefully nasty storytelling style, this first issue should appeal to longtime EC readers and new fans looking for fantasy comics that are darker, sharper, and meaner than the usual quest.
The king may lose his crown.
The knight may lose his head.
And readers may find their new favorite dark fantasy anthology when Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 hits comic shops this September.
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Join the Conversation
Are you picking up Cruel Kingdom 2 #1 from Oni Press and EC Comics?
Are you here for the dark fantasy, the EC-style twist endings, the cover lineup, or the promise of more sadistic sorcery?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know if Cruel Kingdom belongs on every horror and fantasy pull list.
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