Heavy Metal Magazine Stages Ambitious Relaunch

Heavy Metal, one of the most iconic and influential anthology magazines in the comic world, is making a thrilling comeback to comic book stores. After a triumphant crowdfunding campaign, the eagerly anticipated new volume of Heavy Metal will hit the shelves on Wednesday, April 30. This marks a significant moment for fans and collectors alike, as the magazine continues to push the boundaries of graphic storytelling.

In an exclusive preview, IGN is showcasing a glimpse of what's in store with Heavy Metal #1. Dive into the slideshow gallery to explore pages from various stories and get a look at all the previously unveiled covers. The excitement builds as we approach the release date.

The new volume brings together a blend of seasoned creators and fresh talent, promising a diverse range of narratives. Notably, the iconic character Taarna makes a return, adding to the allure of the anthology. Here's a rundown of the stories and their creators featured in the first issue:

• BUG - Enki Bilal
• Burton & Cyb - Antonio Segura & José Ortiz
• The Mercenary - Vicente Segrelles
• Valentina - Sergio Gerasi
• Sixella: The Last Roots - Janevsky
• Taarna: Rebirth - Leah Moore, John Reppion, Anna Morozova
• Cold Dead War: The Aftermath - Craig Wilson
• Grimaldi - Keron Grant, Josh Sky, Frank Forte
• Legends of Taarna: "Autophonomania" - Matt and Shawn Fillbach, Joseph Michael Linsner
• Gladiatrix - John Stanisci
• Evil Sex Bitch - Steve Mannion
• Lester, That Old Feeling - Fernando Dagnino
• The Bus - Paul Kirchner
• June 2050 - John Workman
• Millstone - Michael Conrad, Ilias Kyriazis
• Transcendestiny - David Quinn, Tim Vigil
• Cobot - Jonathan Wayshak
• All American - Jason Spell, Jok
• Kecksburg UFO - Jim Rugg
• They Dug Too Deep - Dwayne Harris
• Floyd the Giant Killer - Michael L. Peters
• GUNK - Curt Merlo
• Harry Canyon - Josh Sky, Frank Forte
• Zeke & Edsel - Frank Forte
• The Devil's Teeth - Lia Bozonelis, Agustin Alessio

Heavy Metal #1 is set to be a landmark issue with a print run of 73,000 copies, making it the largest print run the series has seen in decades. Priced at $14.99, this 232-page anthology is a must-have for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Mark your calendars as it will be available in comic shops on April 30 and on newsstands starting May 13. The publisher has plans for quarterly releases, with the potential for a more frequent schedule if demand soars.

In other comic book news, fans of the Hellboy universe can look forward to Mike Mignola's return this summer, and don't miss our exclusive interview with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.