To me, Metal Hurlant represents the apex of literary genre comics.
The relationship between Heavy Metal Magazine and Métal Hurlant is one of direct lineage. Métal Hurlant, which translates to "Howling Metal," was a French science fiction and fantasy magazine founded in 1974 by Jean Giraud (better known as Moebius), Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Philippe Druillet, and Bernard Farkas. It was groundbreaking. A hub for avant-garde and visually stunning comics, blending science fiction, fantasy, horror, and erotica with a European sensibility.
I discovered Leonard Mogel’s licensed reprints of Metal Hurlant in April, 1977’s first issue of Heavy Metal magazine. My brother brought the magazine home after a family trip to the grocery store. Jean-Michel Nicollet’s Iron Maiden robots graced the cover.
At nine years old, I had never seen anything like it—a buxom, naked robot Amazon straddling another, smashing her to pieces. Sublime. At that young age I had little interest in naked women, but battling robots and ripping fantasy yarns of science fiction and horror? Absolutely did I have time for that.
The next summer, at my best friend Michael Middlemass’ tenth birthday party at Whytecliff Park, I gave him an Estes Aqua Rocket and the July 1978 issue of Heavy Metal—the one with Philippe 'Caza' Cazamayou’s naked alien woman on the cover. Michael told me it was “the best present he’d ever gotten!”
As I write this, I remember Michael’s father loading up their Chevy G30 van after the party, muttering angrily under his breath “I can’t believe he gave that to my son!”
Today, I happily shelled out $110 USD for Humanoids' Metal Hurlant Kickstarter. I chose Option Three— for the complete 2025 run of quarterly, 272-page volumes—and added $10 for the Metal Hurlant pin, too. I will love them and am happy to support Humanoids.
Check out Humanoids and see what you think about their stuff. In the Most Read section are some interesting titles. I adore Moebius and Jodorosky’s The Incal.
If you’re able, consider buying something from Humanoids. Supporting publishers, booksellers, and artists is crucial, and Humanoids is one of my favorites. They truly have something for everyone—even for Michael Middlemass’s dad.
Be good, G.A.
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