Alrighty anons, we're 10 days away from Grant Morrison debut as editor of Heavy Metal
>Heavy Metal is the title of a legendary sci-fi and fantasy comic magazine for adults … and perhaps precocious teens interested in more daring material, or who consider Wonder Woman a tad underdressed. It could also be used as a term to describe the sensibility of so much comic-book pop these days, particularly as it skews toward anti-heroes, irreverence and iconoclasm, and R-rated edge and aesthetic. So far, 2016 has been a bit of a crude and bruising head-banger’s ball. See: Deadpool, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Negan on The Walking Dead.
>If you’re looking for more imagination and diversity from this allegedly mature perspective — like, say, a story about insect erotica – you might want to investigate the medium of comics itself. This year has already given us Patience, a fine new graphic novel from Daniel Clowes. This week sees the release of Marvel’s Black Panther, written by acclaimed journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates. And on April 27, Heavy Metal itself will meet the moment with its first issue from its new editor-in-chief, celebrated comic book author Grant Morrison.
>The Scottish scribe was recruited to the brand last summer by Jeff Krelitz, co-CEO of Heavy Metal, and Kevin Eastman, the magazine’s publisher (and a comics legend himself, having co-created Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Now, we bring you an exclusive first look at Morrison’s debut, a 140-page effort that includes seven comic stories from an international group of artists. We’ll begin with the three different covers created for the issue. We’ll conclude a look at Morrison’s own contribution to the collection, as well some insight on what fans of the venerable magazine can expect in subsequent issues. And in the space between: insect erotica.
>“Victory of the Dravenites” by Mozchops, a British conceptual painter and illustrator who’ll be responsible for the insect erotica coming up here pretty quick.
>“Botanica No. 23” by Gail Potocki, a Symbolist painter whose work will also be featured in the magazine’s “Gallery” section, curated this issue by musician and art historian Tom Negovan.
>Not everything in Morrison’s first issue is “out with the old, in the with the new.” He’s keeping two ongoing serials, including Julia and Roem by French comics master Enki Bilal. Writes Morrison in his editor’s letter to readers: “Heavy Metal without the legendary Enki Bilal is like Tom without his Jerry, Laurel minus Hardy. Or salsa with no chips, so that’s NEVER going to happen.”
>Also ongoing is The 49th Key by Erika Lewis, J.K. Woodward and Deron Bennetz
>“A twisty conspiracy epic,” writes Morrison, “The 49th Key… has been one of my favorite Heavy Metal serials since it started. If you’re coming in fresh, don’t expect me to fill you in on what’s been happening. We’ve got the Internet for that now.” (Note: Actor John Barrowman of Arrow and Torchwood fame is reportedly developing a mini-series adaptation of this serial.)
>As for the short stories …
>“In most cases I’m unfamiliar with the work of the artists assembled between these covers,” writes Morrison, “but I liked the cut of their collective jib and thought they came closest to exemplifying the Heavy Metal spirit as I understand it. If they ain’t already, I hope they all become superstars, rocket men, and even leopard messiahs.”
>From “A Mind Bomb” by Danish artist Anna Kornum. Morrison describes the story as “Raymond Briggs-y A-bomb paranoia.”
>From “The Key” (“a hippy trippy mushroom headmelt,” writes Morrison) by Max Frezzato.
>From “Time Served” by Kyle Charles and Michael Moreci.
>From “Magic Words” by Eric Esquivel.
>Here you go! “Deliriously vivacious insect erotica,” writes Morrison of this story, an excerpt from Mozchops’ 2011 graphic novel Salsa Invertebrexa.
I've never read Heavy Metal...is it any good?
>The usual “Artist Studio” feature presents the work of Mimi Scholz, a Berlin-based artist whose work focuses on Feminism and sexuality.
>Morrison has contributed a story himself, “an old school sci-fi twist-ender” entitled “Beachhead” drawn by Benjamin Marra, whim Morrison describes as a “grand guignol genius.” He might have provided more material, says Krelitz, but “we kept his own content light in his inaugural issue so he could focus on his editorial choices.” Writes Morrison: “Upcoming from me and my art collaborators are tales of randy starship crews in a non-dystopian future, anthropomorphic cat detectives with PTSD caught up in quantum-Satanic nightmares, a cut-up collaboration between David Bowie and William Burroughs, and a whole s— ton more.”
That's it for the preview.
Release date is April 27
>>81949011
It can be. Back in the day it was pretty incredible but it's been hit or miss since.
Soooooooo.... it's literally indistinguishable from any other issue of HM?
>>81949060
At least we're getting a new creator owned Moz comic out of it
>>81949322
You're right I had a subscription last year it's pretty much the same they're even still printing that Bilal comic
>>81949101
Thanks for the heads up, I'll be on the look out.
>>81949060
>Marra drawing Morrison
This sounds like a huge mismatch.
>>81949322
>>81949859
Hopefully this is just because it's the first issue and he's gonna transition for a few months into his own stuff
What connection does Heavy Metal magazine have with Heavy Metal 2000?
>>81950210
Not really, he drew a stor for Joe Casey in his Captain Victory book and it's pretty Morrison-esque
>>81951050
Heavy Metal 2000 was based on The Melting Pot by Eastman/Bisley that was published in Heavy Metal.
>>81950210
Why do you say that? I'm not really familiar with his art but but Morrison has worked with TONS of different styles from Dave McKean to Chris Burnham to Howard Porter etc. etc.
>>81951500
He primarily does heavily graphic exploitation type art inspired from those type of indie/small press comics from the 80s which were filled with hardcore sex and people getting their brains blown out
>>81951091
It's so Morrison-eseue Morrison also drew a story in that issue
>>81948740
Aren't they also doing a Nirvana (band) comic or something alike?
How long is his tenure there?
>>81953649
I think as long as Kevin and Grant want, don't think there's a set length
37 COUNTS OF RAPE
>>81948740
>Alrighty anons, we're 17 days away from Grant Morrison debut as editor of Heavy Metal
>>81949101
>Release date is May 4
ftfy
>>81957704
Where are you getting May 4th?
>>81957704
shame they can't print any new Moebius.
because he's DEAD.
>>81957828
Sauce: PREVIEWSworld
It's delayed.
>>81958545
All I can see is that the date changed when looking up the issues release date, is that all? Is there an article to confirm this?
I tried googling of it was delayed and only got that it was releasing this month.
>>81958488
Thanks for reminding me, fuckhead.
>>81949011
Quality varies wildly but you get some neat experimental stuff happening in it once and a while. If you want a taste watch the 1980s' heavy metal movie. It's a retelling of a few of their early stories in a format that is much easier to track down.
>>81949001
/tg/? That you?
darwins defeat
>>81962360
>>81962373
>>81962380
>>81962388
>>81962404
>>81962411
>>81962425
>>81956957
I've been wondering, is there more to Captain Sternn other than his courtroom tenure and that time travel story?
>>81962425
Neat but how did he pass the forcefield?
>>81962473
i guess his mind adapted so quickly to his new capacities that he developed psychokinetic powers even greater than that cyber-metapod dude in a couple of minutes
>>81953649
I can't imagine it's longer than a year
I keep mistaking HM for 2000AD
How do I buy this in Scotland?
>>81949011
Early issues are a trip to the best of comics, sci-fi and alternative culture of the '70s. I recommend it.
French version (metal hurlant) went to shit in the mid '80s and then died, so the US magazine did have a slight drop in quality at that time.
Afterwards it changed a lot and it's not really my thing anymore. Still a few gems from time to time, but no truly mindblowing issue full of amazing artists like the early issues.
>>81965176
Heavy Metal has its own online storefront.
I was expecting more desu.
Heavy Metal is pretty shitty and stale and Morrison is the master of returning shitty stale comics to their former glory. Plus he's always had a great eye for talent.
>>81948740
yeah. say bye bye to Heavy Metal
