Unearthing Cryptology: How TwoMorrows Publishing Is Reviving Retro-Horror

I’ve always been a sucker for the good old days of horror. You know what I’m talking about—those deliciously creepy EC Comics with their twist endings, the garish movie posters promising untold terrors, the late-night creature features that kept us up way past bedtime. There’s something magical about retro-horror that modern offerings, despite all their CGI splendor, just can’t replicate.

That’s why I nearly jumped out of my skin (in a good way) when I discovered Cryptology, the newest publication from TwoMorrows Publishing. If you’re a horror fan with a taste for the nostalgic, or a pop culture enthusiast who appreciates the macabre masterpieces of yesteryear, you’re going to want to stick around. I’m about to take you on a journey through this fantastic new magazine and the company behind it—a company that, quite frankly, could use our support right now.

The Birth of a Monster: Introducing Cryptology

Last fall, while browsing through my local comic shop (as one does), a gorgeously ghoulish cover caught my eye. It was the premiere issue of Cryptology, boldly announcing itself as the new authority on “retro-horror and creep culture.” Since I’m the kind of person who’s spent far too many hours watching grainy VHS horror tapes and collecting dog-eared copies of vintage horror mags, I knew I’d found my new obsession.

Cryptology is the brainchild of editor Peter Normanton and the enigmatic figure known only as “the Cryptologist” (how perfectly on-brand is that?). Each full-color, 84-page issue is a treasure trove for horror aficionados, diving deep into the genre’s rich history across multiple mediums.

What really sets Cryptology apart is its scope. While many horror magazines focus primarily on films, Cryptology gives equal attention to the comics, literature, television shows, toys, and collectibles that have shaped horror culture over the decades. The first issue featured a fascinating deep dive into pre-Code horror comics of the 1950s, alongside profiles of artists like Bernie Wrightson whose pen-and-ink nightmares still haunt me to this day.

Issue #3 is slated to hit shelves on June 18, 2025, and I’m already counting down the days. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the magazine’s meticulous attention to detail and obvious passion for the subject matter. The writers clearly love what they’re covering, and it shows in every blood-drenched page.

TwoMorrows: The Little Publisher That Could

Before I dive deeper into Cryptology, let me tell you a bit about TwoMorrows Publishing, because their story is as interesting as the content they produce. TwoMorrows began in 1994 when John and Pamela Morrow (yes, there are literally “two Morrows”—I love a good pun) launched a humble newsletter called THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR following the death of the legendary comic artist.

What started as a free publication mailed to 125 Kirby fans has grown into a respected publishing house that’s been preserving and celebrating pop culture history for over three decades. Their commitment to documenting comics history, creators, and the cultural impact of these mediums has earned them multiple Eisner Awards, essentially the Oscars of the comics industry.

Today, TwoMorrows publishes several ongoing magazines beyond Cryptology:

• Alter Ego: Exploring the Golden and Silver Ages of comics
• Back Issue!: Focused on comics from the 1970s to today
• BrickJournal: For LEGO enthusiasts (because who doesn’t love LEGO?)
• Comic Book Creator: Spotlighting the artists and writers behind your favorite comics
• Draw!: How-to magazine for aspiring artists
• Jack Kirby Collector: The publication that started it all
• RetroFan: A nostalgic look at pop culture of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s (more on this gem later!)

They’ve also published countless books on comics history, artist retrospectives, and how-to guides for creators. In short, they’re a vital resource for anyone interested in the history and artistry of comics and pop culture.

A Publishing House in Peril

Here’s where I need to get a bit serious. TwoMorrows is currently facing significant financial challenges, and they could really use our support. In early 2025, Diamond Comic Distributors—the company that has long been the primary distributor for comic publishers—filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In the process, they failed to pay TwoMorrows for their December 2024 and January 2025 publications, leaving the publisher in a precarious position.

John Morrow has been transparent about these challenges, explaining that the company is facing “enormous losses” while still needing to cover expenses and continue producing new publications. It’s the classic small business nightmare—doing everything right, creating quality products, and then getting blindsided by factors completely outside your control.

The good news is that TwoMorrows has already taken steps to address these issues. On January 31, 2025, they signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Lunar Distribution, which will handle their comic shop distribution moving forward. However, they won’t begin receiving payments from this new arrangement for a few months, creating a difficult cash flow situation in the interim.

How We Can Help

This is where we, the fans, come in. If you’ve ever enjoyed a TwoMorrows publication, or if you’re just learning about them now and appreciate what they’re doing for horror and pop culture preservation, there are several ways to support them:

1. Buy directly from their webstore: This is the most immediate way to help, as they receive the full benefit of your purchase without waiting for distributor payments. Their website (twomorrows.com) offers both physical and digital versions of their publications.
2. Subscribe to a magazine: Subscriptions provide consistent revenue that helps publishers plan ahead. Cryptology would be my first recommendation for horror fans, but all their magazines are worth checking out.
3. Spread the word: Share your favorite TwoMorrows publications on social media, review them online, or simply tell your friends. Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tools for small publishers.
4. Check out their sales: TwoMorrows recently launched a “Rainy Day Sale” with significant discounts on various publications, including rare hardcovers. It’s a win-win—you get great content at reduced prices, and they get much-needed cash flow.

RetroFan: My Second Favorite TwoMorrows Publication

While Cryptology has quickly become my must-read magazine, I’d be remiss not to mention RetroFan, which has been my constant companion since its launch. If Cryptology is a deep dive into horror’s past, RetroFan is a joyful romp through the broader pop culture landscape of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

Edited by Ed Catto (following Michael Eury’s excellent run), RetroFan covers everything from classic TV shows and movies to toys, comics, and music that defined our childhoods. Recent issues have featured interviews with icons like Barbara Eden from I Dream of Jeannie, coverage of cult classics like The Invaders TV series, and nostalgic looks at Hanna-Barbera’s Saturday morning superheroes.

What makes RetroFan special is how it approaches nostalgia—not just with rose-colored glasses, but with genuine curiosity and critical appreciation. The writers dig into the histories of these properties, interview the creators, and contextualize them within their time. It’s nostalgic without being saccharine, informative without being dry.

For horror fans, there’s plenty of crossover content too. RetroFan has covered horror-adjacent topics like Dark Shadows, monster toys, and the cultural impact of shows like The Addams Family and The Munsters. It’s the perfect companion piece to Cryptology for those of us who want to explore the broader cultural landscape that gave birth to our favorite frights.

Why Cryptology Matters to Horror Fans

Let’s circle back to Cryptology and why it deserves a spot on your reading list. In an age of endless streaming content and fleeting social media discussions, publications like Cryptology serve as vital archives of horror history. Each issue is a carefully curated time capsule that connects the dots between past and present, showing us where our favorite genre has been and hinting at where it might go next.

What I particularly appreciate about Cryptology is its multi-medium approach. A typical issue might include:

• Deep dives into pre-Code horror comics and the moral panic they inspired
• Profiles of influential artists like Bernie Wrightson and Don Heck
• Retrospectives on classic Hammer Films productions
• Explorations of horror-themed collectibles and trading cards (remember “Mars Attacks”?)
• Analyses of vintage horror paperbacks and radio shows
• Comparisons between cultural touchstones like The Addams Family and The Munsters

This holistic approach recognizes that horror isn’t just a film genre—it’s a cultural phenomenon that permeates every form of media and entertainment. By examining these connections, Cryptology offers a richer understanding of why we love to be scared and how horror reflects the anxieties of its time.

The Importance of Independent Publishers

In our increasingly consolidated media landscape, independent publishers like TwoMorrows play a crucial role. They preserve histories that might otherwise be forgotten, spotlight creators who deserve recognition, and provide perspectives that don’t always align with mainstream narratives.

When we support companies like TwoMorrows, we’re not just buying magazines or books—we’re investing in cultural preservation. We’re saying that the history of comics, horror, and pop culture matters, that these “lowbrow” art forms deserve serious scholarship and appreciation.

That’s especially true for horror, which has historically been dismissed as exploitative or shallow despite its rich thematic depth and artistic innovations. Publications like Cryptology give horror the serious treatment it deserves while never forgetting that the genre should, above all, be fun.

The Wrap-Up: Join Me in the Crypt

If you’ve made it this far, I hope I’ve convinced you to give Cryptology and TwoMorrows Publishing a chance. Whether you’re a longtime horror fan looking to deepen your appreciation of the genre’s history, or simply someone who enjoys the occasional spooky story, there’s something in these pages for you.

In supporting TwoMorrows during this challenging transition period, we’re not just helping a company stay afloat—we’re ensuring that the histories and art forms we love continue to be documented, analyzed, and celebrated for years to come.

So join me in the crypt, won’t you? I promise the company is delightful, even if the subject matter might give you nightmares. After all, isn’t that why we fell in love with horror in the first place?

You can find Cryptology, RetroFan, and all other TwoMorrows publications at twomorrows.com. Their next issue of Cryptology (#3) is scheduled for release on June 18, 2025—mark your calendars, horror fans!

---

---