During the late 1940s and into the 1950s, the superhero genre was suffering a serious decline in readership. But that decline paved the way for other genres to take hold. It was during this time that readers saw the rise of western, science fiction, military, and horror comics. Satire and spoofs were all the rage, and readers just devoured it. They were looking to be entertained, and that’s just what Entertaining Comics did. Better known as EC Comics, it was founded by Maxwell Gaines, and later the reins were handed over to his son, William.

William Gaines helped mold the company into one of the most popular comic book publishers of the day, encouraging reader feedback with letters to the editor pages in the comics and through the formation of the National EC Fan-Addict Club. Membership to this club was in line with EC’s sense of humor as the whole kit was smattered with the same satirical sensibilities as their
comic books.

Shipped in a plain envelope marked with the EC logo, the club’s membership kit included a colorful membership certificate featuring a border comprised of images of EC characters The Crypt-Keeper, The Vault-Keeper, and The Old Witch (in recognition of EC’s popular horror comics Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Vault, and The Haunt of Fear).

The original certificate reads, “The National E.C. Fan-Addict Club in solemn recognition of his/her/its stubborn, hopeless, and pitiful addiction to E.C. magazines, does hereby grudgingly bestow on ______ a Life Membership, together with such rights, privileges, and benefits (be they what they may) with ordinarily accompany such membership (be that what it may).”

The kit also came with a letter, membership card, and “EC Fan-Addict Club *Mad Member*” patch and bronze badge that read “EC Fan-Addict.” The kit was originally issued in 1953, but was later reissued. In 1954, the publication of Seduction of the Innocent by Dr. Fredric Wertham brought hard times on comic books. In an attempt to link comic books to juvenile delinquency, Wertham’s efforts brought comic publishers under the magnifying lens.

EC bore the brunt of the attack, with several of its publications being noted as examples of what was “wrong” with comic books and why children shouldn’t be exposed to them. This and the following Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency hearings forced Gaines to make the decision to abandon publication of comic books and instead focus of the satirical MAD magazine, which continues to this day.

The EC Fan-Addict Club kits are still popular among collectors, those who remember them from their heyday, and generations of readers that have found Entertaining Comics.