After its massively successful relaunch earlier this year, Heavy Metal Magazine is back with Issue #2,  kicking off with an early release at San Diego Comic-Con (July 23-27) alongside two SDCC-exclusive variant covers. Fans at SDCC will be able to grab an early copy at the Heavy Metal and GenSeven Creations booth (#4804). Heavy Metal #2 will be available worldwide at local comic shops and newsstands starting July 30. 

Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con will have early access to Heavy Metal #2, one week before its official release. The iconic illustrated anthology will be available to purchase during SDCC, from Wednesday, July 23, through Sunday, July 27 at the Heavy Metal and GenSeven Creations booth (#4804). Heavy Metal talent will be conducting signings and have copies available to purchase at their booths, including:

• Longtime Heavy Metal artist Lorenzo Sperlonga (Booth #4812)
• Heavy Metal Editor-in-Chief Frank Forte (Booth #1429)

There will be a limited supply of two SDCC-exclusive covers from Lorenzo Sperlonga (500 copies) and the Escorza Bros (200 copies). Additional open order covers for Heavy Metal #2 include:

• Cover A – BROM
• Cover B – Patrick Reilly
• Cover C – Janevsky
• Cover D – Jim Mahfood

Heavier than ever, Heavy Metal #2 brings the world’s greatest illustrated magazine back to the forefront of comics. This issue will introduce Blood of Zeus creators Charley & Vlas Parlapanides’ new story, INK, with art by Marco Failla. One of the magazine’s original legends, Enki Bilal continues with his acclaimed BUG series. Burton & Cyb returns by Antonio Segura and Jose Ortiz. Janevsky’s cult sci-fi heroine, Sixella continues. Guido Crepax’ classic character Valentina returns by Sergio Gerasi. Writing duo Leah Moore and John Reppion will pen Taarna’s ongoing adventures, with art from Anna Morozova. The return of classic strips The Bus by Paul Kirchner and June 2050 by Pepe Moreno. Michael Conrad will pen MILLSTONE illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis. Additionally, the issue is rounded out by a plethora of short stories, including Justin Jordan and Elgo’s collaboration on Bug Hunt; the return of Alfonso Font to Heavy Metal with his Carmen Bond; and Claudio Alvarez teams up with Geraldo Borges on Habemus Papam, among many others.

In addition to Issue #2, lifelong fans and those new to the mythos can look forward to the Heavy Metal Library, a new premium graphic novel collection curating classic Heavy Metal stories, world-renowned fiction, and debuting many works in English. Beautifully produced and designed for collectors, each volume will feature rarely seen art, behind-the-scenes materials, and exclusive commentary from original creators. The first wave of release includes the collected works of Druuna by Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri, the haunting sci-fi epic Segments by the legendary Juan Giménez, and the anarchic cyberpunk masterpiece RanXerox by Stefano Tamburini and artist Tanino Liberatore.

Fans can subscribe to Heavy Metal Magazine to dive into strange new worlds and never miss the visionary art and mind-expanding stories packed into every issue. Subscribers can choose from three tiers (Softcover, Collector’s Edition Hardcover, or Digital) to receive four epic quarterly issues and an annual special edition featuring a subscriber-only variant.