After a massively successful Kickstarter campaign, the popular illustrated anthology Heavy Metal Magazine is making a comeback! With over $1 million in pre-order sales, the first issue of the new relaunch is available now and will be released quarterly, partnering with comic shops, gaming and TTRPG stores, and newsstands around the world to bring readers the best in sci-fi, horror, and fantasy.
The new issue returns to the European roots of Heavy Metal Magazine by showcasing new, restored, and translated stories from iconic European creators, including Enki Bilal, Antonio Segura, José Ortiz, Vicente Segrelles, Sergio Gerasi, and Janevsky. Iconic characters from the original run of the magazine will also be making an appearance, in stories like “Taarna: Rebirth,” “Grimaldi,” “Gladiatrix,” and more,
The 232-page issue also features brand-new stories from creators like Steve Mannion, David Quinn and Tim Vigil, Jim Rugg, Frank Forte, Lia Bozonelis and Augustin Alessio, and Jonathan Wayshak. The magazine will also feature “fresh content blocks in its new era with irreverent fake ads, retrospectives on some of the most bizarre and controversial Heavy Metal content over the years, world-building prose teasers for upcoming issues, and much more.”
“I’m very excited to be working with a great editorial team and amazing creators with this relaunch of Heavy Metal,” said Editor-in-Chief Frank Forte. “We’ve curated an anthology that includes many legacy creators who made Heavy Metal great, as well as writers and artists who are brand new to the U.S. comics scene. Heavy Metal has always taken pride in introducing readers to amazing up-and-coming creators.”
The monumental first issue features nine collectible covers, including a blank sketch cover, as well as art from Greg Hildebrandt, Frank Frazetta, Tula Lotay, Keron Grant, Janevsky, David Palumbo, Tehani Farr (available only on the magazine’s webstore), and Tony Moore (available at select retailers only.)
“As someone who grew up with the magazine during its golden age of European classics, it’s an honor to help recapture that spark and usher in a return to greatness to further expand the reach of both the Heavy Metal magazine and brand,” said Editorial Manager Chris Thompson.
Heavy Metal Magazine Issue #1 is available now via Diamond Comic Distributors, and will be available at comic shops starting May 7.
