Heavy Metal Magazine Relaunches with Ambitious New Strategy

Heavy Metal, one of the most iconic and influential anthology magazines in the world of comics, is set to make a triumphant return to comic book stores. After a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, the eagerly awaited new volume of Heavy Metal will hit the shelves on Wednesday, April 30. This revival has fans buzzing with excitement, and IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek at Heavy Metal #1. Dive into our slideshow gallery to explore pages from the diverse array of stories included in the first issue, along with all the stunning covers that have been unveiled so far.

The new volume of Heavy Metal strikes a perfect balance between the return of beloved creators and the introduction of fresh talent. Among the highlights is the return of the legendary character Taarna, featured in new stories that promise to captivate fans old and new. Here's a comprehensive list of the stories and their creators that you'll find 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 impress with a significant print run of 73,000 copies, marking it as the most substantial print run the series has seen in decades. Priced at $14.99, this hefty first issue spans 232 pages, offering readers a deep dive into a rich tapestry of stories and art.

Mark your calendars: Heavy Metal #1 will be available at comic shops on April 30 and on newsstands starting May 13. The series is planned for quarterly releases, with the possibility of a more frequent schedule if the demand proves strong enough.

In other exciting comic book news, Mike Mignola is set to return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and IGN had the chance to speak with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.