America and Europe join forces once again with a mix of old favorites and emerging talent.
LOS ANGELES, November 25, 2024 – Having set tongues wagging with news of their impending return under the guidance of a fresh editorial team – Frank Forte, Dave Kelly, and Chris Thompson – who want to see the magazine return to its former glory, Heavy Metal are proud to unleash the first wave of creator announcements as part of their Kickstarter campaign launch today. Showcasing an intoxicating blend of new talent and classic favorites, the line-up is ensured to make Heavy Metal heavy again!
One of the magazine’s original line-up of legends, Enki Bilal – who first graced the title in 1978 with Exterminator 17 – returns with the English language adaptation of his acclaimed BUG series. He’s joined on the European front by previously unseen instalments of the outrageous Burton & Cyb by Antonio Segura and Jose Ortiz, as well as Vicente Segrelles’ lost classic, The Mercenary. And, in the spirit of introducing American audiences to the freshest European talent, the team are pleased to present the English language debut of Janevsky’s cult sci-fi heroine, Sixella.
Fans of the 1981 animated film need not despair as Heavy Metal will harness the power of its own rich stable of characters, starting with the ultimate Taarakian warrior, Taarna! Her new adventures will pay homage to that early cinematic appearance while developing a rich new canon for modern sci-fi audiences. Writing duo Leah Moore and John Reppion will pen Taarna’s ongoing adventures, accompanied by stunning art from rising star Anna Morozova, who brings some exciting new techniques and influences to the table. The magazine will also feature special one-shots of Cold Dead War by Craig Wilson, Grimaldi by Keron Grant, and Legends of Taarna by Joseph Michael Linsner.
Bridging the gap between European and American audiences is DC Comics superstar, Fernando Dagnino, who brings a new series of cyberpunk shorts to the magazine – starting with Lester, That Old Feeling. Dagnino’s sci-fi splendor has most recently been seen within the pages of Blade Runner for Titan Comics, and these new stories represent a major leap forward in his futuristic storytelling abilities. Alongside these European classics and recognizable Heavy Metal characters, issue #1 will feature the return of classic strips such as The Bus by Paul Kirchner and June 2050 by John Workman.
The magazine will also debut a number of new characters and worlds within its quarterly pages, starting with a top-secret new saga from acclaimed writer Michael Conrad that will develop over the course of the magazine’s run. There’s also a brand new series, Transcendestiny, from visionary creators David Quinn and Tim Vigil that is guaranteed to rock readers’ worlds. Those are just some of the new projects and big names set to join the legendary publication with issue #1, so keep your eyes peeled for future announcements and updates throughout the campaign.
That almost covers everything – except, of course, for the covers – which feature an array of comics and illustration talent that represent the breadth of style and influence that the magazine is known for. Joining the sorely-missed Greg Hildebrandt’s gorgeous cover for issue #1, there are a host of new covers and variant editions – many of which are exclusive to the Kickstarter campaign – from creators including Frank Frazetta, Dan Brereton, Luca Strati, Skinner, Brian Viveros, Dan Quintana, Nychos, and more.
The Kickstarter campaign launches on Monday, November 25 and runs through until Christmas. Backing the magazine is the perfect holiday gift for yourself and those you love, and it comes with an array of tiers and rewards to suit all tastes and budgets. Further details about the campaign and the future of Heavy Metal will be revealed over the next month, so don’t miss out and join the Kickstarter campaign today!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/heavymetal/heavy-metal-magazine-1
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