Ante up, Creeps! This week on It Hails From the Crypt, Fred and Tim put “Cutting Cards” on the chopping block... and by the end, we may be a few fingers short.

First, we dig into the original EC Comics story “Cutting Cards!”, published in Tales from the Crypt #32 (1952). Written by legendary EC editor Al Feldstein and illustrated by Fred Peters, the six-page story pits two compulsive gamblers against each other as their rivalry escalates from cards to Russian roulette to the wonderfully named “chop poker.” We examine the comic, its creators, and that classic EC formula of human vice + terrible decisions = beautifully gruesome consequences.

Then we jump ahead to HBO’s 1990 adaptation, directed and co-written by Walter Hill, starring Lance Henriksen and Kevin Tighe as two gamblers who decide the town isn't big enough for the twos of them. We compare the episode with its comic-book origin, look at what Hill and company changed, and discuss Henriksen and Tighe’s gloriously hateful (love filled?) chemistry.

Finally, Fred and Tim offer their recommendations inspired by “Cutting Cards” some deep cuts for anyone who needs another fix after leaving the Crypt.

So shuffle the deck, place your bets and keep your hands where we can see them.

You might not have them much longer.

The Original Comic

• Tales from the Crypt #32 — Grand Comics Database
• Al Feldstein — EC writer/editor
• Fred Peters — Artist

The HBO Episode

• “Cutting Cards” — IMDb
• Full Cast & Crew — IMDb
• Walter Hill — Director / Co-Writer
• Lance Henriksen — Reno Crevice
• Kevin Tighe — Sam Forney
• John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper
• James Horner — Composer
• John R. Leonetti — Director of Photography