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HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE RELAUNCHES WITH MASSIVE NEW ISSUE #1, FEATURING RETURNING LEGENDS AND BREAKOUT CREATORS

Al Mega

73,000 Copies Ordered in Largest Heavy Metal Print Run in Decades
Heavy Metal #1 Hits Comic Shops Starting April 30 and Newsstands Starting May 13

After its enormously successful Kickstarter campaign last year, Heavy Metal Magazine has officially relaunched with its brand new Issue #1 (Legacy #321) out now. Featuring a monumental 232 pages of mind-bending visuals and boundary-pushing content from both returning legends and breakout creators from around the globe, the debut issue marks a bold return to the magazine’s roots as the definitive illustrated anthology. Heavy Metal #1 is available for purchase today (via Diamond) and May 7 (via Lunar) in local comic shops, with the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine hitting newsstands in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and many other countries worldwide starting May 13.

“As someone who grew up with the magazine during its golden age of European classics, it’s an honor to help recapture that spark and usher in a return to greatness to further expand the reach of both the Heavy Metal magazine and brand,” shared Editorial Manager Chris Thompson.

With over 10,000 Kickstarter pledges, over $1 million in pre-order sales, and 73,000 copies ordered, Heavy Metal #1 is the magazine’s largest print run in decades. The relaunch will follow an all-new quarterly release schedule, with the potential for publishing more frequently based on fan response and sales.

Heavy Metal’s relaunch also brings vastly expanded distribution through partnerships with Diamond Comic Distributors, Lunar Distribution (through Massive Indies), Universal Distribution, Southern Hobby, ACD Distribution, and Bud Plant. Beyond comic shops, Heavy Metal #1 can be found in select gaming and TTRPG stores and—for the first time in over 10 years—will be available at newsstands in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many more countries worldwide.

New and longtime fans alike can enjoy over 20 groundbreaking stories from genre-defining creators in Heavy Metal #1, ranging from brand-new material to long-awaited English translations of acclaimed international works. The magazine will also feature fresh content blocks in its new era with irreverent fake ads, retrospectives on some of the most bizarre and controversial Heavy Metal content over the years, world-building prose teasers for upcoming issues, and much more.

“I’m very excited to be working with a great editorial team and amazing creators with this relaunch of Heavy Metal,” said Editor-in-Chief Frank Forte. “We’ve curated an anthology that includes many legacy creators who made Heavy Metal great, as well as writers and artists who are brand new to the U.S. comics scene. Heavy Metal has always taken pride in introducing readers to amazing up-and-coming creators”.

Heavy Metal #1 returns to its European roots with translations, restorations, and first-time publications of iconic European creators, showcasing the following stories:

Original Heavy Metal characters make a comeback in the relaunch issue, including:

Additional featured stories for Heavy Metal #1 are as follows:

Heavy Metal is an instant collectible with a colossal collection of covers, including standard comic shop covers, Kickstarter exclusives, retailer variants, and hardcover variants from awe-inspiring artists and illustrators. Open order covers for Heavy Metal #1 are as follows:

For more information on Heavy Metal, visit www.heavymetal.com and follow the magazine on Facebook, X/Twitter, Discord, Instagram, and YouTube.

Author Profile

Al Mega
I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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