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Exclusive Preview: Get a look at Gladiatrix! Out in Heavy Metal #3!

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Graphic Policy Team

After a hugely successful relaunch earlier this year, the latest issue of Heavy Metal will appear in stores from Wednesday, October 8 – the same week as New York Comic Con! One of the stand-out titles from this new era of the magazine has been John Stanisci’s Gladiatrix, which fuses history, sci-fi, fantasy and hyper-violence into a potent bloody mix.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Forbidden Planet New York will host an all-star signing event for Heavy Metal #3 at their 832 Broadway location on Wednesday, October 8 from 5:00-7:00pm. Joining Gladiatrix creator John Stanisci will be his colorist David Baron, letterer Tom Napolitano and editor Dave Kelly, as well as artist Marco Failla who is illustrating the new serial, Ink.

On an ancient world ruled by eldritch forces, a fierce warrior steps into an arena to confront a sinister gatekeeper and a horde of the undead, but the real test will come from the emerging hero’s willingness to face the haunting weight of her own sins. Issue 3 offers further revelations in the Gladiatrix saga and sets the stage for what’s to come – making it the perfect jumping-on point.

Gladiatrix was co created by John Stanisci and Oscar nominated screenwriter Dan Gordon with special thanks to Charley and Vlas Parlapanides, the creators of Blood Of Zeus on Netflix and Ink for Heavy Metal.

Heavy Metal #3 will be available for signing at the Forbidden Planet New York event on Wednesday, October 8. You can also find it (and earlier issues) at your local comic shop, newsstand or online direct from shop.HeavyMetal.com.

Exclusive Preview: Get a look at “Taarna” from Heavy Metal #1

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Graphic Policy Team

This week, Heavy Metal returns to comic shops with Heavy Metal #1! After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the magazine is back with the editorial team of Frank Forte, Dave Kelly and Chris Thompson.

Within this anticipated relaunch you’ll find Sergio Gerasi’s gorgeous revitalization of Guido Crepax’s seminal character, Valentina. This new vision of the femme fatale, which is fully authorized by the Crepax estate, was first published by Feltrinelli Editions in late 2024 and will be making its English language debut.

On the original comics front, Michael Conrad will be teaming up with Greek comics legend, Ilias Kyriazis, and letterer Simon Bowland, for an all-new series entitled Millstone. This dark and twisted fantasy tale fully embraces Heavy Metal’s bold, unrestricted style, and is sure to excite readers with its potent storytelling and immersive worldbuilding.

These new titles complement the previously announced line-up, starting with one of the magazine’s original legends, Enki Bilal, who returns for the English language adaptation of his acclaimed BUG series. He’s joined on the European front by previously unseen instalments of Burton & Cyb by Antonio Segura and Jose Ortiz, as well as Vicente Segrelles’ The Mercenary. And, in the spirit of introducing American audiences to the freshest European talent, issue #1 will present the English-language debut of Janevsky’s cult sci-fi heroine, Sixella, in an original story, The Last Roots.

This special collector’s edition release of Heavy Metal #1 also comes with a variety of cover options, including the standard Greg Hildebrandt and Frank Frazetta covers – as well as a handy Blank Sketch edition to commission your favorite artist – plus three brand new covers created exclusively for the direct market. These covers shine a spotlight on some of the interior stories, including Taarna by Tula Lotay, Grimaldi by Keron Grant, and Sixella by hot French newcomer Janevsky!

For those who love the 1981 cult classic animated film, Heavy Metal will showcase some of their most famous faces in a series of new stories. There will be special one-shot tales of Cold Dead War by Craig Wilson, Grimaldi by Keron Grant, and Legends of Taarna by Joseph Michael Linsner – as well as the debut of Taarna’s ongoing adventures, which will continue in each issue. Written by Leah Moore and John Reppion, with art by rising star Anna Morozova, colors by Ellie Wright, and letters by Tom Napolitano, this will be the definitive take on Taarna, which sets and establishes her character beyond the film and going forward. Forget what came before, here is your chance to get in on the ground floor.

Bridging the gap between European and American audiences is DC Comics superstar, Fernando Dagnino Guerra, who brings a new series of interconnected, yet stand-alone, cyberpunk shorts to the magazine – starting with Lester, That Old Feeling. Dagnino’s sci-fi splendor has most recently been seen within the pages of Blade Runner for Titan Comics, and these new stories represent a major leap forward in his futuristic storytelling abilities. Alongside these European classics and recognizable Heavy Metal characters, issue #1 will also feature the return of classic strips such as The Bus by Paul Kirchner and June 2050 by John Workman – plus a brand-new horror short, Transcendestiny, by acclaimed masters of horror, David Quinn and Tim Vigil; a tale of the Kecksburg UFO by Jim Rugg and a new story by Jonathan Wayshak.

All of that is in addition to a host of great editorial features, interviews, and coverage!

We have an exclusive six-page preview of Taarna that you can check out below. Then, head to your local comic shop so you don’t miss the return of Heavy Metal!

Heavy Metal returns in the new year

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Graphic Policy Team

After months of hushed rumors and backroom whispers, Heavy Metal International has announced the official relaunch of its eponymously-titled flagship publication, Heavy Metal magazine, in the new year!

With a rich history dating back to 1977, Heavy Metal began by featuring work by greats such as Enki Bilal, Richard Corben, Guido Crepax, Philippe Druillet, Caza, Jean-Claude Forest, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, and Milo Manara.

Since that time, the magazine has passed through many hands, and faced many challenges, but is returning with a dedicated new team led by Chief Executive Officer Marshall Lees.

Returning to the helm, this time as Editor-in-Chief, is Frank Forte. With over 30 years of publishing experience running Asylum Press, as well as serving with Heavy Metal for parts of the last two decades, Frank brings a wealth of knowledge and connections to the role.

Joining Frank are two new faces to Heavy Metal, though definitely not strangers to the comics industry or brand, as they’ve been vocal proponents for many years.

Dave Kelly has previously enjoyed success with the Ringo-nominated Tales of the Night Watchman through his own So What? Press, but his love of Heavy Metal dates back over twenty years to his high school days, when he began buying back issues at used bookstores across his native Kansas. He joins the team now as Executive Editor.

And former Eisner Award-winning retailer, Chris Thompson—who helped to launch the Statix Press line and other initiatives with Titan Comics before doing the same with other publishers—rounds out the oversight team as Editorial Manager. He read his first issue of Heavy Metal at far too young an age in 1985, thanks to a wayward but influential friend, and immediately became a Philippe Druillet devotee, whom he eventually met and spent time with in his Paris studio.

The super-sized Issue 1 is already well underway, and the first round of pre-orders will be taken via Kickstarter early next month where fans will be able to grab some amazing limited-edition covers and collectibles. With a stellar line up of writers and artists contributing including mind-blowing new cover art from the incredible Greg Hildebrandt, this is set to be the best Heavy Metal magazine in many, many years!

Further details about the triumphant return of Heavy Metal will be shared over the coming weeks.

Cosplay, D&D, Game Shows, Spies, Horror, Star Wars, and More at Baltimore Comic Con Live this Weekend

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

This weekend, enjoy the 1st annual Baltimore Comic-Con Live, a FREE ONLINE EVENT streaming October 23-25, 2020! Come check out retailers, exhibitors, artists alley, programming, and the Ringo Awards live! There’s an amazing range of topics in the 2020 virtual programming. Regardless of if you’re a cosplayer, a gamer, a movie buff, or just a reader, there’s sure to be something for you!

TERROR IN THE PAGES: Making a Horror Comic

Panelists: Afua Richardson, Tim Seely, Jeremy Haun, Mike Moreci, Jim Terry
Host: John Siuntres
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 2pm ET / 11am PT

We all love horror, especially the comic creators on this panel. Join us for a group chat to discuss everything we find chilling and downright terrifying in comics.

EVIL TED SMITH: Creating Foam Cosplay

Panelists: Evil Ted Smith
Host: Chuck Lindsey
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 3pm ET / 12pm PT

From Hunger Games to Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek to The Walking Dead, Evil Ted has worked in the movie industry doing visual effects, prop, and model making for 28 years. In this LIVE demo, he will show you the secrets to making realistic cosplay pieces right at home.

TOTALLY AWESOME COMIC BOOK GAMESHOW!!! (or “Stump Tom Brevoort”)

Panelists: Tom Brevoort
Host: Chuck Lindsey
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 4pm ET / 1pm PT

Watch as contestants compete in a Marvel Trivia Showdown to claim Ultimate Fandom Supremacy. Three rounds of gameshow action to see who knows more about comics than Marvel Executive Editor, Tom Brevoort.

SPIES LIKE COMICS

Panelists: Stephanie Phillips, Jeff Parker, Brian Stelfreeze, Doug Wagner
Host: Robert Meyer Burnett
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 4pm ET / 1pm PT

From secret agents to international super criminals, spy comics have been a tent pole of the comic book genre from the very beginning. Join host Robert Meyer Burnett as he delves deep into everything we love about Spy Comics and the hottest titles currently on the shelves.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Live Game

Panelists: Tom Akel, Jim Zub, Troy Little, Cecil Castellucci, Joel Daly
Host: Joel Daly
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – 11pm ET / 8pm PT

Join the most popular players LIVE for a D&D session for the ages. Dungeon Masters and Players include Tom Akel, Jim Zub, Troy Little, Cecil Castellucci, Joel Daly, and Sal Crivelli.

WEB COMICS: What’s Next in Digital?

Panelists: Dean Haspiel, Sanford Greene, Megan Stevenson, Michael Son
Host: Tom Akel
Sunday, October 25, 2020 – 12pm ET / 9am PT

Join Dean Haspiel (2017 Ringo Award winner for The Red Hook), Sanford Greene (2018 Ringo Award winner for 1000), Megan Stevenson (2020 Ringo nominee for The Croaking), and Tapas VP of Content Michael Son for a discussion with Rocketship Entertainment Publisher Tom Akel (Backchannel) on the evolving landscape of digital comics and how creators can evaluate their opportunities versus the traditional market.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN COMICS

Panelists: Stan Sakai, Dean Haspiel, Erica Schultz, with Dave Kelly and Alex Segura
Host: Gene Kannenberg, Jr.
Sunday, October 25, 2020 – 3pm ET / 12pm PT

A discussion on how comics use the fantastic to tell deeply personal stories. Bucking the conventional wisdom that if you focus on fiction there’s no personal truth to it, this panel brings together creators who channel their own lives and experiences through the limitless potential of big characters and other worlds. Join 2020 Ringo nominees Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Erica Schultz (Forgotten Home), and Dave Kelly (Tales of the Night Watchman) with 2017 Ringo winner Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook) and Alex Segura (The Black Ghost, Co-President Archie Comics). Moderated by Gene Kannenberg, Jr.

STAR WARS COMICS

Panelists: Charles Soule, Katie Cook, Greg Pak, Mike Moreci
Host: Alden Diaz
Sunday, October 25, 2020 – 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Explore the world and history of Star Wars comics from the creators that know it best!!! Join host Alden Diaz for a very special look into a galaxy far far away with panelists Charles Soule, Katie Cook, Greg Pak, and Mike Moreci.

Conventions

WonderCon 2016: American Gothic Press’ Announcements

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

At their first ever WonderCon panel, American Gothic Press took the stage and talked about their first year they’ve had with titles like Gunsuits, Broken Moon, Project Nemesis, Monster World, and the more recent success in Irwin Allen’s Lost in Space: The Lost Adventures.

The discussion then focused on the upcoming action title Killbox, with writer Tom Riordan and artist Nathan Gooden on hand to talk about the process and the decision to keep the comic in black and white. They revealed the cover of the upcoming third issue (see below). The comic drops April 20, 2016.

After Killbox, the conversation switched to Lost in Space, with discussion of both the current story arc “The Curious Galactics” and the upcoming “Malice in Wonderland” (LOST IN SPACE #4-6). It was announced that colorist and cover artist Patrick McEvoy will be taking over art duties for the second arc.

The discussion then focused on the upcoming Tales From the Ackermansion Kickstarter launching in May. To celebrate Forrest J Ackerman’s 100th birthday later this year, Famous Monsters of Filmland is putting together a graphic anthology to honor their founder. The list of contributors so far includes Kirk Hammett, Ray Fawkes, John 5, Richard Christian Matheson, Dan DiDio, Matt Frank, Christian DiBari, Charlie Benante, Juan Ferreyra, Darick Robertson, Bob Eggleton, Ben Meares, David Weiner, Holly Interlandi, Joe Moe, Adam Egypt Mortimer, Travis Williams, Dave Kelly, Trevor Goring, Buzz Dixon, Mark L. Miller, Jim Terry, Jonathan La Mantia, Lara Antal, Victoria Lau, and Patrick McEvoy.

Looking towards the future, the cover for Island 731 by Jeremy Robinson and Kane Gilmour was debuted, illustrated by Jeff Zornow. The first issue solicits in May 2016.

Gunsuits will return later this year with Gunsuits: Alix, a one-shot with Philip Kim, Holly Interlandi, and Dennis Calero as the creative team.

Finally, it was announced that Broken Moon will also be returning, with Nat Jones returning on art duties. The cover was shown, featuring a sinister looking Gill-Creature.