View source for Heavy Metal (magazine)

{{short description|American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title = Heavy Metal
| logo = Heavy metal magaz logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| image_file = Hmnicollet77.jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Jean-Michel Nicollet's cover for the first issue.
| editor = {{unbulleted list | Dave Kelly (Executive Editor) | Frank Forte (Editor-in-Chief) | Chris Thompson (Editorial Manager, Brand and Licenses)}}
| editor_title = Current Editors
| previous_editor = {{unbulleted list | [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]] | Valerie Marchant | [[Ted White (author)|Ted White]] | Leonard Mogel | Julie Simmons-Lynch | [[Kevin Eastman]] | [[Grant Morrison]] | [[Tim Seeley]] | Joseph Illidge}}
| frequency = {{ubl | Monthly (1977–1985) | Quarterly (1986–1989) | Bi-Monthly (1989–2016) |Quarterly (2017–2019)}}
| circulation = 250,000 (2016)<ref name=NYT20160904 />
| circulation_year = 2016<ref name=NYT20160904 />
| category = 
| company = {{ubl | [[National Lampoon (magazine)|National Lampoon, Inc.]] (1977–1990) | [[J2 Communications]] (1990–1992) | Metal Mammoth, Inc. (1992–2014) | Heavy Metal Media, LLC (2014–2021) | Heavy Metal Entertainment, LLC (2021–2022) | Massive Publishing (2023) | Heavy Metal International, LLC (2024-present)}}
| founder = Leonard Mogel
| publisher = [[Matty Simmons]] (1977–1990)<br/>[[Kevin Eastman]] (1992–2020)<br/>David Erwin (2020–2022)<br/>Mathew Medney (2022–2023)
| firstdate = {{Start date and age|1977|04}}
| lastdate = {{End date and age|2023|04}}
| country = United States
| based = 
| language = English
| website = {{URL|heavymetal.com|HeavyMetal.com}}
| issn = 0885-7822
}}
'''''Heavy Metal''''' is an American [[science fantasy]] comics magazine, first published in 1977. The magazine is known primarily for its blend of [[dark fantasy]], [[science fiction]], [[erotica]], and [[steampunk]] comics. Following a brief hiatus in 2023, it plans to relaunch in 2024 with new owners and a new editorial team consisting of Dave Kelly, Frank Forte, and Chris Thompson.<ref name="Comic Book Resources 15 October 2024">{{cite news | url=https://www.cbr.com/heavy-metal-magazine-returns-new-lineup/ | title=EXCLUSIVE: Legendary Magazine Heavy Metal Returns with New Lineup | work=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=15 October 2024 | accessdate=28 October 2024 | author=Fang, Sam}}</ref>

Unlike the traditional [[American comic books]] of that time bound by the restrictive [[Comics Code Authority]], the magazine-format ''Heavy Metal'' featured explicit nudity, sexual situations, and graphic violence. The magazine started out primarily as a licensed translation of the French science-fantasy magazine ''[[Métal hurlant]]'', marking for many Americans their first introduction to the work of European cartoonists like [[Enki Bilal]], [[Caza|Philippe Caza]], [[Guido Crepax]], [[Philippe Druillet]], [[Jean-Claude Forest]], [[Jean Giraud]] (a.k.a. Moebius), [[Chantal Montellier]], and [[Milo Manara]].

== Publication history ==
=== National Lampoon ===
After a 1975 European trip by ''[[National Lampoon (magazine)|National Lampoon]]'' contributor [[Tony Hendra]] expressing interest in European comics, the magazine's New York offices attracted significant European comic material. On 2 September 1976, editor [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]] singled out the relatively new French comics anthology ''[[Métal hurlant]]'' ({{literal translation|lk=yes|Howling Metal}}, though Kelly translated it as "Screaming Metal")<ref name=TCJ94>{{cite news|title=Screaming Metal|pages= 58-84|work=The Comics Journal|number=94|date=Oct 1984}}</ref> and brought it to the attention of company president Leonard Mogel on 3 September, as Mogel was departing for Germany and France to jump-start the French edition of ''National Lampoon''.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 1977 |title=Heavy Metal Preview |magazine=National Lampoon |editor1-last=Hendra |editor1-first=Tony |editor2-last=Kelly |editor2-first=Sean |publisher=National Lampoon Inc. |pages=91–102}}</ref> (''Métal hurlant'' had debuted in early 1975 from [[Les Humanoïdes Associés]] ({{literal translation|lk=no|United Humanoids}}), an association of [[Philippe Druillet]], [[Jean-Pierre Dionnet]], [[Jean Giraud]] (Mœbius), and financial director Bernard Farkas formed on 19 December 1974.)<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 1977 |title=Origins |magazine=Heavy Metal |editor1-last=Kelly |editor1-first=Sean |editor2-last=Marchant |editor2-first=Valerie |publisher=HM Communications Inc. |volume=1 |issue=1 |page=3}}</ref> Upon Mogel's return from Paris on 27 September, he reported that the French publishers had agreed to an English language version, and he suggested the title ''Heavy Metal'' for an April issue to be released in March 1977.<ref>{{cite news |last= Lofficier |first=Jean-Marc |author-link=Jean-Marc Lofficier |date=16 March 1996 |title=Giving Credit to Mogel |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-16-ca-47553-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220131171400/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-16-ca-47553-story.html |archive-date=31 January 2022 |url-status=live |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

''Heavy Metal'' debuted in the US as a glossy, full-color monthly published by '''HM Communications, Inc.''', a subsidiary of [[Matty Simmons]]' Twenty First Century Communications, Inc.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Graphic Fantasy Magazine|page=1|work=Locus|volume=10|number= 2 (no. 199) |date=Feb 1977}}</ref>{{efn|In late 1979, Twenty First Century Communications Inc. was renamed National Lampoon Inc.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Philip H. |author-link=Philip H. Dougherty |date=12 September 1979 |title=Advertising |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/12/archives/advertising-mccanns-head-lists-priorities-interpublic-completes.html |work=[[New York Times]] |at=sec. D, p.12}}</ref>}} The cover of the initial April 1977 issue declared itself to be "From the people who bring you the ''National Lampoon''", and the issue primarily featured reprints from ''Métal hurlant'', as well as material from ''National Lampoon'', a colorized portion of [[Vaughn Bodē]]'s ''Sunpot'' (1971), and an excerpt from  [[Terry Brooks]]' ''[[The Sword of Shannara]]'' (1977).<ref>{{cite news|title=Origins|page=3|work=Heavy Metal|number=1|date=Apr 1977}}</ref> Since the color pages from ''Métal hurlant'' had already been shot in France, the budget to reproduce them in the US version was greatly reduced.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

In the late spring of 1980, ''[[Métal hurlant]]'' went bankrupt<ref>{{cite news|title=Metal Hurlant Goes Bankrupt|page=16|work=The Comics Journal|number=56 |date=May 1980}}</ref> and ''Heavy Metal'' severed its ties with its content partner.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal Severs Ties with Metal Hurlant|page=11|work=The Comics Journal|number=57|date=June 1980}}</ref> ''Métal hurlant'' managed to keep publishing, however, and the two magazines reconciled in the summer of 1981.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reconciled with Metal Hurlant|page=12|work=The Comics Journal|number=64 |date=July 1981}}</ref>

After running as a monthly for its first nine years up to the December 1985 issue, the magazine dropped to a quarterly schedule (winter, spring, summer, and fall) beginning in 1986, promising an increase in length and to feature only complete (rather than serialized) stories.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Simmons-Lych |first1=Julie |last2=Mogel |first2=Leonard |date=December 1985 |title=Editorial |magazine=Heavy Metal |publisher=HM Communications Inc. |volume=9 |issue=9|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal Switches Formats, Raises Prices, Drops Frequency|page=20|work=The Comics Journal|number=102|date=Sep 1985}}</ref>

''Métal hurlant'' folded in the summer of 1987,<ref>{{cite news|title=Metal Hurlant Folds|pages=23-24|work=The Comics Journal|number= 117|date=Sep 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Rise and Fall: Metal Hurlant|page=24 |work=The Comics Journal|number= 117 |date=Sep 1987}}</ref> forcing ''Heavy Metal'' to expand its reach for new content.

==== Other HM Communications publications ====
In 1977–1978, HM Communications published a number of [[Trade paperback (comics)|trade paperbacks]] featuring "Heavy Metal Presents" on their covers, collecting translated material it had previously serialized in the pages of ''Heavy Metal'':
* ''[[Arzach]]'' (1977) — by [[Jean Giraud]]; originally published in ''Métal hurlant''
* ''Candice at Sea'' (1977) — by [[Jacques Lob]] and [[Georges Pichard]] (trans. by [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]] and Valerie Marchant); originally published in ''Blanche Épiphanie'' #3 - ''La Croisière infernale'' by [[Les Humanoïdes Associés]] in 1977
* ''Psychorock'' (1977) — by [[Sergio Macedo]] (trans. by Kelly and Marchant); originally published by Les Humanoïdes Associés in 1976
* ''[[Barbarella (comics)|Barbarella]]: The Moon Child'' (1978) — by [[Jean-Claude Forest]] (trans. by [[Richard Seaver]]); originally published in ''Barbarella'' #3 - ''Le Semble-Lune'', published by Pierre Horay in 1977
* ''Ulysses'' (1978) — adaptation of [[Homer]]'s ''[[Odyssey]]'' by Jacques Lob and Georges Pichard; originally published by [[Dargaud]] in 1974–1975
* ''Is Man Good?'' (1978) – by Jean Giraud (trans. by Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant); originally published in ''[[Pilote]]'' and ''Métal hurlant''
* ''Conquering Armies'' (1978) – by Jean-Pierre Dionnet and Jean-Claude Gal (trans. by Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant); originally published in ''Métal hurlant''

In 1978–1979, HM Communications released a number of [[graphic novels]] of original content, also featuring "Heavy Metal Presents" on their covers:
* ''More Than Human'' (1978, in association with [[Byron Preiss]] Visual Publications) – adaptation of the [[Theodore Sturgeon]] novel of the [[More Than Human|same name]], by [[Doug Moench]] and [[Alex Niño]]
* ''1941: The Illustrated Story'' (1979, in association with [[Arrow Books]]) — loose adaptation of the [[Steven Spielberg]] film of the [[1941 (film)|same name]], by Allen Asherman, [[Stephen R. Bissette]], and [[Rick Veitch]], with in introduction by Spielberg; varies wildly and humorously from the film.<ref>{{Cite book|title=1941: The Illustrated Story|publisher= Heavy Metal/Arrow Books|date=Dec 1979|isbn= 0930834089}}</ref>
* ''[[Alien: The Illustrated Story]]'' (1979, with distribution by [[Simon & Schuster]]) — adaptation of the [[Ridley Scott]] film of the [[Alien (film)|same name]], by [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]] and [[Walt Simonson]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Muir, John Kenneth |title=Remembering Heavy Metal's Alien: The Illustrated Story |url=http://flashbak.com/remembering-heavy-metals-alien-illustrated-story-59183/ |website=flashbak|date=22 April 2016 |access-date=2017-06-19}}</ref>
* ''Michael Moorcock's The Swords of Heaven, The Flowers of Hell'' (1979) — by Michael Moorcock and [[Howard Chaykin]]<ref>{{cite web|title=THE SWORDS OF HEAVEN, THE FLOWERS OF HELL|first=Frank|last=Plowright|url=https://theslingsandarrows.com/the-swords-of-heaven-the-flowers-of-hell/|work=The Slings & Arrows Graphic Novel Guide}}</ref>
* ''So Beautiful and So Dangerous'' (1979, with distribution by Simon & Schuster) — by [[Angus McKie]]
* ''New Tales of the [[Arabian Nights]]'' (1979) — by [[Richard Corben]] and [[Jan Strnad]], introduction by [[Harlan Ellison]]

In 1981, the company launched a new series, '''''Heavy Metal Special Editions''''', which consisted of fifty seasonal ''Heavy Metal'' specials published until 2008. These began with ''Heavy Metal Presents Moebius'' (1981), followed by ''The Best of Heavy Metal'' (1982), ''Even Heavier Metal'' (1983), ''Son of Heavy Metal'' (1984), ''Bride of Heavy Metal'' (1985), and ''The Best of Heavy Metal 2'' (1986). Beginning with ''The Venus Interface'' (1989, v5 no. 4), the indicia began to feature volume and issue numbers, as well as the phrase "a series of special editions published four times a year by ''Heavy Metal'' magazine." After the fiftieth issue, "Overload Special" (Summer 2008, v22 no. 2), the  numbering of the seasonal specials was merged into the main series, and continued for another nine issues until the "War of the Worlds Special" (2011).

=== Grodnik/Matheson, J2 Communications ===
In late 1988/early 1989, film producer [[Daniel Grodnik]] and actor/producer [[Tim Matheson]] acquired voting control of 21.3 percent of National Lampoon Inc. stock,<ref>{{cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=30 December 1988 |title=A Funny Twist for National Lampoon Inc. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1988/12/30/a-funny-twist-for-national-lampoon-inc/72c30398-da18-44ca-a5a6-a181b0bf90d0/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220201143828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1988/12/30/a-funny-twist-for-national-lampoon-inc/72c30398-da18-44ca-a5a6-a181b0bf90d0/ |archive-date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>  were named to the company's board, and eventually took control of the company (by purchasing the ten-percent share — worth $760,000<ref name=Rhodes2018>{{cite web|date=April 22, 2018|title=And Then Heavy Metal was Bought by Kevin Eastman|first=RM |last=Rhodes|website=ComicsDC|url=http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2018/04/and-then-heavy-metal-was-bought-by.html}}</ref>
— of [[Matty Simmons]], who departed the company).<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff writer |date=17 March 1989 |title=An Actor Acquires Control of National Lampoon Inc. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/17/business/the-media-business-an-actor-acquires-control-of-national-lampoon-inc.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |at=sec.D, p.5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Delugach |first=Al |date=17 March 1989 |title=Film Producers Matheson and Grodnik Buy Control of National Lampoon Inc. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-17-fi-1746-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220201150154/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-17-fi-1746-story.html |archive-date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

During this period, publication of ''Heavy Metal'' increased from a quarterly to a bi-monthly schedule, citing a thirty-percent increase in circulation.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Simmons-Lynch |first=Julie |date=Winter 1989 |title=Editorial |magazine=Heavy Metal |publisher=HM Communications Inc. |volume=12 |issue=4 |page=3}}</ref> 

A year later,<ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal on Auction Block|page=15 |work= The Comics Journal|number=132 |date=Nov 1989}}</ref> Grodnik/Matheson Co. sold the properties to [[J2 Communications]], a home video producer and distributor founded by James P. Jimirro, with Grodnik and Matheson staying on for a period to run the new division.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 March 1990 |title=National Lampoon Acquisition Set |author=Staff writer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/10/business/company-news-national-lampoon-acquisition-set.html |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |at=sec.1, p.33}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/10/26/New-owner-takes-over-National-Lampoon/5107656913600/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220201185503/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/10/26/New-owner-takes-over-National-Lampoon/5107656913600/ |archive-date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live |title=New owner takes over National Lampoon |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=26 October 1990 |website=United Press International}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1994/biz/news/j2-s-branching-out-117349/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323031521/https://variety.com/1994/biz/news/j2-s-branching-out-117349/ |archive-date=23 March 2018 |url-status=live |title=J2's branching out |last=Britell |first=Penny |date=12 January 1994 |website=Variety}}</ref>

=== Kevin Eastman<!--'Metal Mammoth' redirects here--> ===
[[Kevin Eastman]], co-creator of the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', who had grown up reading ''Heavy Metal'', bought the magazine for $500,000<ref>{{cite news|title=THE KEVIN EASTMAN INTERVIEW PART 2|interviewer=[[Gary Groth]] | url=https://www.tcj.com/the-kevin-eastman-interview-part-2/|work=The Comics Journal |number=202 |date=March 1998|via=TCJ website (January 3, 2012)}}</ref><ref name=Rhodes2018 /> in May 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=Eastman Buying Heavy Metal|page= 23 |work= The Comics Journal|number=148 |date=Feb 1992|department=Newswatch}}</ref> (In total, HM Communications published 137 issues in 15 volumes from April 1977 to March 1992.) Eastman's publishing entity '''Metal Mammoth, Inc.'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->, published the magazine from 1992 to 2014. Eastman also served as ''Heavy Metal''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s editor-in-chief for the bulk of this time (even into 2016, after he was no longer the owner).

=== Later developments ===
In January 2014, Eastman sold the magazine to digital and music veteran David Boxenbaum and film producer Jeff Krelitz.<ref name=Variety2014>{{cite news|last=Graser|first=Marc| url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/heavy-metal-magazine-new-owner-hollywood-plans-1201062182/ |title=From Print to Producer: Heavy Metal Magazine Finds Buyers and New Future in Hollywood (EXCLUSIVE)|work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= January 17, 2014}}</ref> Eastman continued to serve as publisher of the magazine (until early 2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/kevin-eastman-no-longer-publisher-heavy-metal-magazine/|title=How Kevin Eastman Found Out He Was No Longer Publisher of Heavy Metal Magazine|date=March 5, 2020|first=Rich|last=Johnston}}</ref> and was a minority investor in the new ''Heavy Metal'',<ref name=Variety2014 /> which became at that point published by '''Heavy Metal Media, LLC'''. 

In late 2019, Krelitz was no longer with the magazine, which was undergoing leadership churn.<ref>{{cite news|title=In Wake of Heavy Metal CEO Jeff Krelitz's Absence, Senior Editor Hannah Means-Shannon Quits|date=29 Oct 2019|first=Rich |last=Johnston|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/hannah-means-shannon-quits-heavy-metal-magazine-reasons-ceo-jeff-krelitz-out/|work=Bleeding Cool}}</ref> In early 2020, ''Heavy Metal'' saw a regime change to CEO Matthew Medney and "Creative Overlord" David Erwin (formerly of [[DC Entertainment]]).<ref>{{cite news|title=David Erwin Named Publisher of Heavy Metal|first=GRAEME |last=MCMILLAN|date=March 4, 2020|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/david-erwin-becomes-new-publisher-heavy-metal-1282559/}}</ref> Medney and Erwin announced two new comics publishing ventures, '''Virus'''<ref>{{cite web|title=HEAVY METAL ANNOUNCES BOLD NEW CREATOR-OWNED COMICS IMPRINT, VIRUS (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Andrea |last=Ayres |date=Apr 24, 2020|work=SyFy|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/heavy-metal-virus-imprint-comics-announcement}}</ref> and '''Magma Comix''',<ref>{{cite news|title=TIPTON to head MAGMA COMIX, HEAVY METAL’s new creator-owned imprint: The former IDW managing editor will lead the imprint’s launch in spring 2021|first=Avery |last=Kaplan|date=Oct 8, 2020|work=The Beat|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/tipton-to-head-magma-comix-heavy-metals-new-creator-owned-imprint/ }}</ref> though neither line produced much material.

''Heavy Metal''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 300th issue, published in 2021, featured work by [[Tanino Liberatore]], [[Mark Bodé]], and [[Kent Williams (artist)|Kent Williams]], among others; and posthumous work by [[Richard Corben]], [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]], and [[Vaughn Bodē]]. It had interviews and testimonials from writers discussing the impact the magazine had on them as teenagers.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=All Star Special|work=Heavy Metal|number=300|date=2021|publisher=HME/Heavy Metal Media, LLC}}</ref>

=== Cancellation ===
In the fall of 2022, the magazine entered into an agreement with [[online marketplace]] Whatnot to publish the following 12 issues of the magazine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/90521-heavy-metal-inks-publishing-partnership-with-whatnot.html |title=Heavy Metal Inks Publishing Partnership with Whatnot|work=Publishers Weekly|first=Rob |last=Salkowitz | date=Oct 6, 2022}}</ref> Soon afterward, the magazine announced it was "ceasing publication of what they described as the first volume of the magazine, which had been published continuously since 1977. The last issue of the first volume, number 320, was scheduled for publication in late October 2022 and the successor, Volume 2, would be published by WhatNot Publishing starting with issue 1 in February 2023."<ref name=Beat2023>{{cite news|title=The Uncertain Death of Heavy Metal Magazine: A look at what looks like the demise of Heavy Metal magazine, and the strange road that led to this|first=RM|last=Rhodes|work=The Beat|date=Aug 7, 2023|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-uncertain-death-of-heavy-metal-magazine/}}</ref>

Amid cash flow problems, however, ''Heavy Metal'' shut down in December 2022. Initially intended to be a temporary suspension, the magazine worked to rectify subscription non-fulfillments and non-payments to artists and vendors. Medney stepped down as CEO, replaced by Marshall Lees and Jamie Penrose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/matthew-medney-steps-down-at-heavy-metal-amid-creator-accusations/|title=Matthew Medney Steps Down at Heavy Metal Amid Creator Accusations: Marshall Lees and Jamie Penrose are taking over operations for now|first=Heidi|last= MacDonald |author-link=Heidi MacDonald|date=Jan 17, 2023|work=Comics Beat}}</ref>

In July 2023, with Whatnot's publishing division, Massive Publishing, only having produced one issue of ''Heavy Metal''—#320, released in April of that year and still listing Heavy Metal Entertainment LLC in the indicia—it was announced that the publisher had decided to cancel the magazine and that #320 had been the final issue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/whatnot-massive-cancels-heavy-metal-will-not-publish-volume-two/ |title=Whatnot Massive Cancels Heavy Metal: Will Not Publish Volume Two|work=Bleeding Cool|date=17 Jul 2023|first=Rich |last=Johnston}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news/heavy-metal-canceled/ |work=Multiversity Comics|title='Heavy Metal' Magazine Canceled as Magma Comix Goes Independent|first=Christopher |last=Chiu-Tabet | date=July 19, 2023}}</ref>

=== Relaunch ===
On October 15, 2024, Heavy Metal International, LLC announced that they would be relaunching the magazine in 2025, and began a [[Kickstarter]] [[crowdfunding]] campaign for the first issue on November 25, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Details For A New Heavy Metal Magazine #1, Now On Kickstarter |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/details-for-the-new-heavy-metal-magazine-1-now-on-kickstarter/ |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=25 November 2024 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |publisher=[[Avatar Press]]}}</ref>

==Artists and features==
''Heavy Metal''{{'}}s high-quality artwork was notable. Work by international [[fine artist]]s such as [[H. R. Giger]], [[Frank Frazetta]], and [[Esteban Maroto]] were featured on the covers of various issues. [[Stefano Tamburini]] and [[Tanino Liberatore]]'s ''[[RanXerox]]'' series debuted in the States. [[Terrance Lindall]]'s illustrated version of [[John Milton|Milton]]'s [[epic poem]] ''[[Paradise Lost]]'' appeared in the magazine in 1980.<ref>[http://www.wahcenter.net/gallery/lindall/ Williamsburg Art & Historical Center] with Lindall's illustrations for ''Paradise Lost''</ref> Many stories were presented as long-running [[Serial (literature)|serial]]s, such as those by [[Richard Corben]], [[Pepe Moreno (comics)|Pepe Moreno]] and [[Matt Howarth]]. Illustrators like [[Luis Royo]] and [[Alex Ebel]] contributed artwork over the course of their careers. An adaptation of the film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' named ''[[Alien: The Illustrated Story]]'', written by [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]] and drawn by [[Walter Simonson]], was published in the magazine in 1979.

Here is a starting list of contributing artists featured in ''Heavy Metal'':
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Jean Giraud|Jean "Moebius" Giraud]]
* [[Richard Corben]]
* [[H. R. Giger]]
* [[Milo Manara]]
* [[Philippe Druillet]]
* [[Enki Bilal]]
* [[Juan Giménez]]
* [[Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri]]
* [[Simon Bisley]]
* [[Berni Wrightson]]
* [[Jim Steranko]]
* [[Esteban Maroto]]
* [[Neal Adams]]
* [[Barry Windsor-Smith]]
* [[Brian Bolland]]
* [[Arthur Suydam]]
* [[Dave Stevens]]
* [[Walt Simonson]]
* [[Yacine Elghorri]]
{{div col end}}

== Editors ==
The founding editors of the American edition of ''Heavy Metal'' were [[Sean Kelly (writer)|Sean Kelly]] and Valerie Marchant. Over the life of the magazine, the two editors with the longest tenures were Julie Simmons-Lynch (who was publisher [[Matty Simmons]]' daughter)<ref name="nyt">{{cite web|title=Matty Simmons, a Force Behind 'Animal House,' Is Dead at 93|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/business/media/matty-simmons-dead.html|work=The New York Times|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 1, 2020|last=Genzlinger|first=Neil}}</ref> and [[Kevin Eastman]], who was also the magazine's owner/publisher for more than 20 years.

The founding design director was Peter Kleinman (who served in the same capacity for ''National Lampoon''). He created the original ''Heavy Metal'' logo design, at the request of Mogel, and was responsible for the launch and art direction of the first issue. Kleinman later hired designer and letterer [[John Workman]], who brought to the magazine a background of experience at [[DC Comics]] and other publishers. Workman served as the magazine's [[art director]] from 1977 to 1984.<ref>{{cite web|last=Arndt|first=Richard J. |url=http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Marvel%20B&W%20Horror%20Magazines.htm |title=A 2005 Interview with Steve Bissette About Bizarre Adventures!|website=Enjolrasworld.com: Marvel’s Black & White Horror Magazines Checklist. |access-date= May 8, 2013}}</ref> (His comics art, writing, lettering, coloring, and design work are evident throughout issues from that period.)

Founding editors Kelly and Marchant were replaced in August 1979<ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal Fires Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant, Hires Ted White|page=16|work=The Comics Journal|number=50 |date=Oct 1979}}</ref> by [[Ted White (author)|Ted White]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ted White to Edit Heavy Metal|page=1|work=Locus| volume= 12|number= 6 (no. 223)|date=July–August 1979}}</ref> who was hired to introduce [[non-fiction]] and prose fiction into the magazine.<ref>{{cite news|title=End of Fiction at Heavy Metal|first=Floyd |last=Kemske|pages=1, 19|work=Science Fiction Times|volume=1|number=5 |date=Nov 1979}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=White Discusses Heavy Metal's Future|pages=17-18|work=The Comics Journal|number=50|date=Oct 1979}}</ref> White was fired<ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal Axes Ted White|pages=1, 10|work=[[Locus (magazine)|Locus]]|volume= 13|number=8 (no. 236)|date=Aug 1980}}</ref> in August 1980,<ref>{{cite news|title=My Year at Heavy Metal|first=Ted |last=White|pages=107-117|work= The Comics Journal|issue=219 |date=Jan 2000|department=Beyond the Grid}}</ref> replaced as editor by magazine founder Leonard Mogel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Len Mogel Takes Over Heavy Metal from Ted White|page=17|work=The Comics Journal|number=59|date=Oct 1980}}</ref>

Julie Simmons-Lynch took over from Mogel in late 1981,<ref>{{cite news|title=Clearing the Clouds Away|first=Robert|last=Greenberger|pages=46-49, 64 |publisher= [[Starlog Group]]|work=[[Comics Scene]]|number=1 |date=Jan 1982|quote=''Heavy Metal'' is on the upswing with both the movie's release and a refocused outlook — the magazine examined with editor Julie Simmons-Lynch.}}</ref> serving as ''Heavy Metal''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s editor-in-chief for more than eleven years, stepping down when Kevin Eastman bought the magazine.

With a few breaks, Eastman was chief editor for ''Heavy Metal'' from early 1993 until mid-2016. Comics writer [[Grant Morrison]] became the magazine's editor-in-chief beginning with the April 2016 issue,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Jensen|first1=Jeff|title=Heavy Metal is getting a punk rock facelift under new editor Grant Morrison|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/06/heavy-metal|access-date=April 21, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714212044/https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/06/heavy-metal|archive-date=Jul 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NYT20160904>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal Magazine, Long a Provocateur, Returns to Its Roots|work=The New York Times|first=Gregory| last=Schmidt|date=Sep 4, 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/business/media/heavy-metal-magazine-long-a-provocateur-returns-to-its-roots.html}}</ref> serving through 2018. They later served as creative advisor.

By issue #298 (2020), [[Tim Seeley]] had become editor-in-chief but was out by the end of that year.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Johnston|first1=Rich|title=SCOOP: Tim Seeley is the New Editor-In-Chief of Heavy Metal Magazine|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/scoop-tim-seeley-new-editor-in-chief-heavy-metal-magazine/|access-date=October 12, 2020|magazine=Bleeding Cool|date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> In 2021, Joseph Illidge took over as Executive Editor but left the company entirely by the end of 2022.<ref name=BC2023>{{cite news|title=Joe Illidge Leaves Heavy Metal Magazine, Talks To Bleeding Cool|date=24 Feb 2023|author-link=Rich Johnston|first= Rich|last=Johnston|work=[[Bleeding Cool]]|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/joe-illidge-leaves-heavy-metal-magazine-talks-to-bleeding-cool/#google_vignette}}</ref>

Following the hiatus, all employees were let go and the company was dissolved. Heavy Metal International, LLC revived the brand in 2024 and subsequently announced new editors Dave Kelly, Frank Forte, and Chris Thompson would helm the magazine going forward.

== Legacy ==
''Heavy Metal'' was widely credited for exposing many Americans/English-speakers to European comics<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Eyes of the Cat|work=[[Taboo (comics)|Taboo]]|number= 4 |location=Wilmington, VT|publisher=Spiderbaby Grafix & Publications|date=January 1990|ISBN =0922003033}}</ref> and the continent's top cartoonists.<ref>{{cite news|title=Positive Signs: Ten Worthy Translation Projects|first=Bart|last=Beaty|pages=125-129|work= The Comics Journal|number=210 |date=Feb 1999}}</ref> As cartoonist and publisher [[Kevin Eastman]] said of the magazine, "''Heavy Metal'' published European art that had not been previously seen in the United States, as well as demonstrating an [[underground comix]] sensibility that nonetheless wasn't as harsh or extreme as some of the underground comix – but ... definitely intended for an older readership".<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Wiater|editor-first1= Stanley |editor-last2= Bissette|editor-first2=Stephen R.|title= Comic Book Rebels: Conversations with the Creators of the New Comics|editor2-link=Stephen R. Bissette|publisher= [[Donald I. Fine]], Inc. |year=1993|ISBN=1-55611-355-2}}</ref>

Creators like [[George Lucas]],<ref>{{cite book|first=George|last=Lucas|author-link=George Lucas|section=Introduction|date=1989|title=The Art of Mœbius|isbn=978-0871356109|publisher=Marvel Enterprises|editor-first=Byron|editor-last=Preiss|editor-link=Byron Preiss}}</ref> [[Neil Gaiman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2012/03/remebering-moebius.html |title=Remembering Moebius|work= journal.neilgaiman.com|date= 10 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Steven Lisberger]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Sadoul |first=Numa |title=Mœbius: Entretiens avec Numa Sadoul |edition=Updated, expanded and revised version of the 1976 Albin Michel |date= January 1991 |publisher=[[Casterman]]|location=[[Tournai]] |pages=198 |isbn=2203380152 |language=fr}}</ref> have all discussed the influence of ''Heavy Metal'' on their later work.

The magazine was taken to task, however, for its juvenile stories,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fantagraphics collects all 13 issues of 'witzend'|work=Chicago Tribune|date=July 11, 2014 |first=Jake|last=Austen|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/07/11/fantagraphics-collects-all-13-issues-of-witzend/}}</ref> violence, and misogynist portrayals of women. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described the magazine as, "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."<ref>{{cite news|title=Heavy Metal magazine: Grant Morrison's debut issue revealed|first= Jeff |last=Jensen |date= April 7, 2016|work=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/07/heavy-metal-grant-morrison-debut-issue/}}</ref> Critic R. M. Rhodes pointed out "the abundance of breasts in the magazine <nowiki>[</nowiki>was<nowiki>]</nowiki> somewhat of a running joke over the years."<ref name=THU />

[[Sheila Benson]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that ''Heavy Metal'' had "charm" but decried its "sadism."<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson|first= Sheila |date=August 7, 1981|title='Heavy Metal' ... And the Zap Goes On.|work=-Los Angeles Times|page= section VI, p. 9}}</ref> Writing about the magazine's early years, Rhodes discussed the voluminous number of pieces in which "the amount of rape (and stories where attempted rape drives the action).... I really didn't keep track of how often it happens, but any number more than 'none' is usually a bad sign. Tragically, it's mostly used as just another plot point, with no mention or indication of the consequences."<ref name=THU>{{cite web|title=Sex, Violence, Druuna|date=June 15, 2016|first=RM |last=Rhodes|website=The Hooded Utilitarian|url=https://www.hoodedutilitarian.com/tag/heavy-metal/}}</ref>

== In other media ==
===Films===
{{main|Heavy Metal (film)|Heavy Metal 2000}}
In 1981, an animated feature film was adapted from several of the magazine's serials. Made on a budget of U.S. $9.3&nbsp;million and under production for three years, ''[[Heavy Metal (film)|Heavy Metal]]'' features animated segments from several different animation houses, with each contributing a single story segment. Another house animated the [[frame story]] which ties all the disparate stories together. Another animated feature film called ''[[Heavy Metal 2000]]'' was released in 2000.

During 2008<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Par, Fincher put pedal to 'Metal' Eastman, Miller to direct animated segments | first = Michael |last=Fleming | url = https://variety.com/2008/digital/markets-festivals/par-fincher-put-pedal-to-metal-1117982413/ | magazine = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = March 13, 2008 | access-date = September 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Zack Snyder, Gore Verbinski, Guillermo del Toro Directing Heavy Metal Segments? | first = Alex|last= Billington | url = http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/09/04/zack-snyder-gore-verbinski-guillermo-del-toro-directing-heavy-metal-segments/ | publisher = firstshowing.net | date = September 4, 2008 | access-date = September 21, 2008}}</ref> and into 2009,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Fincher Brings Mettle To Passion Project|url=https://deadline.com/2010/03/fincher-brings-mettle-to-passion-project-28177/|magazine=Deadline|date=Mar 12, 2010}}</ref> reports circulated that [[David Fincher]] and [[James Cameron]] would executive produce and, each, direct two of the eight to nine segments of a [[Heavy Metal (film)#Remake|new animated ''Heavy Metal'' feature]]. Kevin Eastman was to also direct a segment, as well as animator [[Tim Miller (director)|Tim Miller]], [[Zack Snyder]], [[Gore Verbinski]] and [[Guillermo del Toro]]. [[Paramount Pictures]] decided to stop funding the film by August 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/17/2191186.htm?section=entertainment |title=Heavy Metal comic to become a film|date=16 Mar 2008|website=ABC.net|author=AFP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113160254/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-03-17/heavy-metal-comic-to-become-a-film/1074758?section=entertainment|archive-date=Nov 13, 2014}}</ref> and no distributor or production company has shown interest in the second sequel, since.<ref>{{cite web | title = David Fincher Can't Get Funding for "Heavy Metal" | author = MTV News | url = http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=18775 | publisher = worstpreviews.com | date = August 25, 2010 | access-date = May 7, 2011 | archive-date = August 26, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100826060652/http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=18775 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In 2011, filmmaker [[Robert Rodriguez]] purchased the film rights to ''Heavy Metal'' and planned to develop a new animated film at the new Quick Draw Studios.<ref>{{cite web | title = SDCC: Robert Rodriguez Takes Heavy Metal | author = Film School Rejects | url = https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=80106 | publisher = comingsoon.net | date = July 21, 2011 | access-date = November 26, 2011 | archive-date = March 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314085106/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=80106 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

An animated 3D film entitled ''[[War of the Worlds: Goliath]]'', created as a sequel to [[H.G. Wells]]' ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'' and based on a story previously published in the magazine, was produced by The Tripod Group and released in Malaysia in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title = War of the Worlds: Goliath | author = Heavy Metal Magazine Fan Page | url = http://www.heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com/movieswaroftheworlds.html | publisher = heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com | date = November 7, 2010 | access-date = November 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = War of the Worlds: Goliath, an Animated Steampunk Epic | author = Heavy Metal Magazine | url = http://www.heavymetal.com/wotw/ | publisher = Heavy Metal | date = November 7, 2010 | access-date = November 26, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111127235059/http://www.heavymetal.com/wotw/ | archive-date = November 27, 2011 | df = mdy-all}}</ref>

The series "Interceptor" is being adapted into a film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/heavy-metal-developing-sci-fi-831028|title=Heavy Metal Developing Sci-Fi Vampire Comic 'Interceptor' For The Screen (Exclusive)|website=hollywoodreporter.com|date=October 9, 2015|first= GRAEME |last=MCMILLAN}}</ref>

In March 2019, the Fincher project was released as a reimagining television series, titled ''[[Love, Death & Robots]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://au.ign.com/articles/2019/03/16/how-david-fincher-and-tim-millers-heavy-metal-reboot-became-netflixs-love-death-and-robots|title=HOW DAVID FINCHER AND TIM MILLER'S HEAVY METAL REBOOT BECAME NETFLIX'S LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS|last=Schwartz|first=Terri|date=March 16, 2019|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513042827/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/16/how-david-fincher-and-tim-millers-heavy-metal-reboot-became-netflixs-love-death-and-robots|archive-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref>

In March 2021, ''Heavy Metal'' announced its first move into television with an adaptation of Blake Northcott's trilogy of novels, the ''Arena Mode Saga''. The first book was in active development after optioning the rights to the sci-fi thriller.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/comic-heavy-metal-entertainment-tv-adaptation-blake-northcott-arena-mode-saga-1234722639/ | title=Iconic Sci-Fi Comic Brand Heavy Metal Moves into TV with Adaptation of Blake Northcott's 'Arena Mode Saga' | date=March 26, 2021| first=Peter|last= White}}</ref>

===Video games===
''Heavy Metal 2000'' inspired a video game sequel released in 2000, the PC action-adventure ''[[Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.²]]''. It was developed by [[Ritual Entertainment]].

In 2001, [[Capcom]] released ''[[Heavy Metal: Geomatrix]]'', an arcade fighting game that later made its way to [[Sega]]'s [[Dreamcast]] console. Though not based on any specific material from ''Heavy Metal'', it featured character designs by frequent contributor Simon Bisley and a style generally inspired by the magazine.

In 2020, [[Stern (game company)#Stern Pinball, Inc.|Stern Pinball]] and the production company Incendium released a pinball machine commemorating the 300th issue of ''Heavy Metal'', featuring ''[[Heavy Metal (film)#"Taarna"|Taarna]]'' and ''[[Heavy Metal (film)#"Cold Dead War"|Cold Dead War]]'' (2021).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sternpinball.com/2020/06/15/stern-pinball-incendium-announce-first-official-heavy-metal-pinball-machine/ |title=Stern Pinball & Incendium Announce First Official Heavy Metal Pinball Machine |author=Staff writer |date=15 June 2020 |website=Stern Pinball |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124204612/https://sternpinball.com/2020/06/15/stern-pinball-incendium-announce-first-official-heavy-metal-pinball-machine/ |archive-date=24 November 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heavymetal.com/news/heavy-metal-pinball-machine/ |title=At Last — the Heavy Metal Pinball Machine We've Always Needed! |author=Staff writer |date=15 June 2020 |website=Heavy Metal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621151430/https://www.heavymetal.com/news/heavy-metal-pinball-machine/ |archive-date=21 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The made to order machine, with a playfield based on the Stern ''Star Wars'' release, sold for eight-thousand dollars and shipped in late 2020 along with an exclusive variant cover edition of ''Heavy Metal'' issue #300.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://incendium.online/products/pinball |title=The Heavy Metal Pinball Table |author=Staff writer |date=15 June 2020 |website=Incendium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112032238/https://incendium.online/products/pinball |archive-date=12 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2020/06/15/heavy-metal-revealed/ |title=Heavy Metal Revealed |last=Ayub |first=Martin |date=15 June 2020 |website=Pinball News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928125402/https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2020/06/15/heavy-metal-revealed/ |archive-date=28 September 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Podcast network===
In 2021, ''Heavy Metal'' launched a podcast network featuring scripted and unscripted shows that focused on horror, fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, and pop culture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|title=Heavy Metal Entertainment to launch 'Heavy Metal Magazine: The Podcast' • AIPT|date=April 22, 2021 |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2021/04/22/heavy-metal-magazine-the-podcast/|access-date=2022-01-04|language=en-us}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Airtight Garage]]''
* [[Den (comics)]]
* ''[[RanXerox]]''
* ''[[Epic Illustrated]]''
* ''[[Eclipse (magazine)|Eclipse]]'' magazine
* ''[[Raw (comics magazine)|Raw]]'' magazine

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{gcdb series|id= 110631 |title=Heavy Metal}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|http://www.heavymetal.com/}}
* [http://www.heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com/ ''Heavy Metal'' magazine fan page]
* [https://heavymetalmagazine.wordpress.com/2019/08/15/8884/ Collection of essays about ''Heavy Metal'' by R.M. Rhodes]

{{hmcontribs}}
{{Subject bar |portal2=Comics |commons=y}}
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[[Category:Heavy Metal (magazine)| ]]
[[Category:1977 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in New York (state)]]
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[[Category:Science fiction magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into animated films]]
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[[Category:Comics by Jean Giraud]]
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