Opinions on Heavy Metal

[The Adventurer]

On my never ending quest to find quality, regular, non-mainstream comics I've been recalling a book called Heavy Metal which, I think, is an Anthology book in the vein of 2000AD. Does anyone have any experiance with it? Is the comic stuff good quality? Too much T&A, as the covers tend to display? Is it an Anthology or does it just print one complete Graphic Novel an issue? And if so what's the page count? would I get getting my 7-bucks-an-issue's worth out of it?

[Johnny Morningstar]

They're about 128 pages each. Usually it prints an entire graphic novel plus some shorts. Seldomly there is a serialized short. The Modern stuff (early 90's to now) is mostly self-contained anthology. The earlier stuff is more serialized anthology.

As far as T&A goes, the sci-fi/post apocalyptic cheesecake cover is tradition. The interior varies -- though it seems the T&A has been toned down over the last few years (it could be my imagination).

[The Adventurer]

What about story quality? Is it good Sci-Fi or Fantasy stuff, or just passable?

[estee]

The stories and the art have a very 'European' air to them. But what always draws me to HM is 'Druuna' a poor bedragled heroine of some dystopian future trying to find happiness, but always coming up way short. And she's forever having sex with anything that comes around the corner.

As for quality its like any anthology book...its hit and miss sometimes. I think something is lost in the translation with the story and the art can be a little cold.

You'd have to flip through the book to see if something catches your eye.

[The Adventurer]

The stories and the art have a very 'European' air to them.

GOOD! I'm currently on a HUGE binge of European comics thanks to DC's Importing of 2000AD collections and Humanoids graphic novels. I can't get enough of them, the best Sci-Fi and Horror comics in the Biz is coming out of Europe. Metal Hurlent (Humanoids) and 2000AD are great Anthology books that, again, I can't get enough of. So I'm definitly checking out Heavy Metal if I can get more that style work. I hope the local shop has some current issues on hand...

[Metal-Demon]

Heavy Metal is a very unique publication ... it's obviously geared towards the adult male with a healthy appetite for racey content, but more often than not you'll be stunned by some of the brilliant artwork and the stories than simply the tits and ass which the book is pretty much reknown for.

Some serials you'll love, and others you'll skip altogether ... but more often than not each issue will present you with at least something that you'll find utterly brilliant or beautiful. The stories run the gamut of sci-fi / fantasy ... and depending depending on your tastes, I'd be inclined to seek out issues from the 80's and 90's, since there are a great deal of classic stories to be found in those issues.

Good luck, and let us know what favourite artists/stories you discover.

[The Adventurer]

There's a oversided Hardcover at the local shop called Piranese - Prison Planet that peaked my interest (one of the reasons I thought to ask about Heavy Metal) I'll probibly pick that up soon too.

[bitplayer]

Ya each book is different. I've got quite a few of them. The cheesecake bothers me sometimes- nekked just to be nekked sort of thing- but some of the stories in them definately dont.

Really depends on which issue you have I guess. Hit or miss sort of thing each issue. Ive bought some with nothing in them I liked and others chalk full of goodness.

But usually there is something in them I like and probably couldnt find elsewhere. Only buy a few each year though.

[MarkRobertBourne]

Years ago, in the 1970's there was a book published in Europe called "MEtal Hurlant." When the book was licenced and brought to America, it was now called Heavy Metal. Many of the stories that have appeared in Heavy Metal where part of the Humanoids Libary, including stuff by Jodorowsky, Bilal and the such. In recent years, they have published new material.

HM was my first exposure to Euro comics with Bilal's Nikopol that was serialized back in the mid 80's.

[mgs]

it was good before mr. teenage ninja turtle and his porn wife got a hold of the publication, now, the whole start of the mag seems like nothing other than one big ad devoted to what is going on in julie's life and that you have to buy whatever she is into at the time.

[Mia]

I liked HM much more when it concentrated on more sensual and erotic (not pornographic) art--making the magazine more sexy and European in flavour. Now it's just bland.

[Ayo]

I like it. I don't pick it up on a regular basis--or at all--because I haven't seen anything recently in it that matches my current interests.

But I think it's just fine.


btw, it has a European air because about 70% of its content or more is European.

[hamsterdance]

After reading on another thread it featured Euro comics I picked up the latest issue. The artwork in one of the stories in particular was very beautiful. I loved the forest scenes and the city architecture scenes. The stories in this latest issue are enjoyable for the most part.

What I didn't like were the ads plugging porn (yes, porn - not erotic art but rather actual porn) and hentai. And I don't give a @#$* about what's going on in the life of Julie Strain.

Also, I'm not a big fan of fanservice in comics unless it somehow really makes sense within the confines of the story. Tossing fanservice in a story usually breaks my suspension of disbelief. It reminds I'm reading a story. And from what I could tell most of the full nudity, T&A, etc didn't contribute greater understanding of the story I read in this issue. To me that's what makes it fanservice, not just simply telling a story.

Heavy Metal is a magazine devoted to many (but not always) European fanservice comics. If that's your thing then by all means get a subscription. Speaking only for myself I'd rather just buy the trades of Euro comics being published here now. But everyone has their own tastes. Just because I ended up not liking HM doesn't mean you wouldn't. I recommend just buying the latest issue and see for yourself if it's to your liking.

[Winslow]

Thanks Hamsterdance - saved me a few bucks.

I love a lot of European comics too, and was tempted to pick this up - but I can do without the porn and fan service-thankyouverymuch

I have noticed Heavy Metal collects their storylines into trades. Anyone have any suggestions?

I could have sworn a Sci Fi movie in the early 80's - Outland (//www.imdb.com/title/tt0082869/) - was based on comic series I read in Heavy Metal. Great story - a sort of Sci_Fi adpatation of High Noon with some social commentary on corporate exploitation of workers. Good Stuff.

[discostu]

Years ago, in the 1970's there was a book published in Europe called "MEtal Hurlant." When the book was licenced and brought to America, it was now called Heavy Metal. Many of the stories that have appeared in Heavy Metal where part of the Humanoids Libary, including stuff by Jodorowsky, Bilal and the such. In recent years, they have published new material.

HM was my first exposure to Euro comics with Bilal's Nikopol that was serialized back in the mid 80's.
but theres a comicbook anthology thing out now called metal hurlant, and it doesnt look like its done by the heavy metal guys.