(W) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman
We have one life on one earth. For some, that means destroying; for others, it means protecting. Make your choice.
An all-new and exciting self-contained story!
Berg Katse pollutes and plunders the country of Atrena to obtain rare mythical elements that enable a psychic link between weaponized mech and their Galactor pilots. Meanwhile, Joe and Ken’s friendship is tested during their mission to rescue Atrena’s royal princess, all while the Science Ninja Team discovers an ancient underground temple that holds the secret to defeating Galactor once and for all.
(W) Tommy Lee Edwards, Steve Orlando (A) Mindy Lee, Nuno Plati, Riccardo Robaldo (C) Giada Marchisio, Rebecca Nalty (L) Frank Cvetkovic, John Workman, Buddy Beaudoin
Ken goes undercover to infiltrate an underground gambling ring where martial artists from around the globe fight to the death. There, the winners are captured and brought to a secret Galactor recruiting base. If they refuse to join, the captives are dropped in the jungle and hunted as prey for Galactor’s training program. Can anyone make it out alive?
Meanwhile, an elite squad of motorcycle-riding death bikers have successfully hijacked an armored train transporting experimental International Science Organization tech. These thieves are fast and ruthless–they carry out their orders with razor-sharp efficiency. The only thing in their way is Jun the Swan and her G-3 Sonic Car mecha.
Lastly, Ryu finds himself on a high-seas oceanic adventure to defend his harbor and its citizens from an attacking group of scavenging pirates
(W) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman
The final battle! Can the ancient teachings of Atrena and the Science Ninja Team’s machinery hold up against Galactor’s cutting-edge technology? A mech battle determines the fate of all!
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 ofBurton & 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 Warby Craig Wilson,Grimaldiby 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 Busby Paul Kirchner andJune 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!
(W) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman (CA) Tommy Lee Edwards
In the depths of an ancient temple, Ken, Joe, and the princess uncover a fusion of forgotten teachings and cutting-edge science–a power that could save or destroy the world. As tensions rise between Ken and Joe, Galactor strikes back with devastating force, unleashing a psychic-controlled mech from their high-tech command ship. The ultimate test of trust and ingenuity looms as their love-hate dynamic is pushed to its limits during a battle for Atrena’s survival!
(W) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman (CA) Tommy Lee Edwards
In the depths of an ancient temple, Ken, Joe, and the princess uncover a fusion of forgotten teachings and cutting-edge science–a power that could save or destroy the world. As tensions rise between Ken and Joe, Galactor strikes back with devastating force, unleashing a psychic-controlled mech from their high-tech command ship. The ultimate test of trust and ingenuity looms as their love-hate dynamic is pushed to its limits during a battle for Atrena’s survival!
Don’t miss the 2025 Baltimore Comic-Con on October 17-19, 2025 when it returns to the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. The Baltimore Comic-Con welcomes comics guests David Finch, Mike Grell, Laura Martin, Kevin Nowlan, Mark Waid, and John Workman to this year’s event!. Purchase your tickets now!
For almost 30 years, David Finch has inspired fans with his raw and gritty art aesthetic. His comic credentials include creator-owned successes Ascension and Aphrodite IX and main stream hits like Ultimate X-Men, New Avengers, Moon Knight, and Ultimatum. In addition to comics, Dave has done work for film, video games, and the music industry. Moving to DC Comics in 2010, Dave used his powerful and emotional artwork to tackle Gotham’s grittiest hero in Batman: Dark Knight. His work with Geoff Johns on Justice League of America and Forever Evil brought a fresh and exciting perspective to the DC universe of villains. November of 2014 saw another chapter begin in his career when he began working on one of comics’ most iconic characters: Wonder Woman. Finch then turned his eye for detail back to the caped crusader in the pages of Batman with comic writer Tom King. When the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns hit, David started a YouTube channel to inspire and connect with his fans. The channel was a huge hit and currently boasts more than 400,000 subscribers. These days, you can find his work on the covers of the Walking Dead and various Marvel and DC titles.
Mike Grell is a writer/artist with a uniquely cinematic style of storytelling. His creations include:
The Warlord
Starslayer
Jon Sable, Freelance
Shaman’s Tears
Bar Sinister
Maggie the Cat
These, along with successful runs on such features as Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Batman, Iron Man, X-Men Forever, James Bond: Permission To Die, the Tarzan Sunday comic strip, and the internationally acclaimed, Eisner Award- Nominated Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, have won him the comic industry’s coveted Inkpot Award For Outstanding Achievement in Comic Art. His graphic novel series Jon Sable, Freelance was adapted for TV by ABC in 1987. Grell has been voted to Wizard Magazine’s Top Ten List of Comics Writers and was recently named to Wizard World’s Hall of Legends and the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Hall of Fame. It was recently announced that, beginning in 2023, the widely acclaimed Shaman’s Tears will become an “audio movie” podcast on The Fantasy Network, produced in conjunction with Native Voices under the artistic direction of DeLanna Studi out of the Autrey Museum.
Laura Martin is one of the comics industry’s most lauded colorists. Recipient of Harvey, Eisner, Eagle, Squiddy, and Comics Buyer’s Guide Awards, Martin is regularly assigned high-profile and event-oriented comics on which to bring her palate to bear. Her work can be found in DC, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, Virgin, and CrossGen comics through the years, and she is lately working on Bad Idea’s Eniac, DC’s Nubia: Queen of the Amazons, and Marvel’s Hulk.
Kevin Nowlan is a penciler, inker, colorist, and letterer, and a 40+ year veteran of the comics industry. Credits include Batman: Sword of Azreal, Batman Black and White, Tomorrow Stories, Doctor Strange, Infernal Man-Thing, Superman vs. Aliens, and, recently, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor. Nowlan also contributed character designs to the iconic Batman: The Animated Series, most notably the Joker, Killer Croc, The Mad Hatter, and the Man-Bat.
The multiple Harvey and Eisner Award-winning Mark Waid has been the voice behind dozens of series that have resonated throughout comics fandom and the creative community alike. His more acclaimed runs include DC Comics’ The Flash, Kingdom Come, JLA: Year One, JLA, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Superman: Birthright, Marvel Comics’ Captain America, Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, The Indestructible Hulk, and Daredevil, BOOM! Studios’ Incorruptible and Irredeemable, Archie Comics’ Archie, and his creator-owned works Empire and Potter’s Field. He previously served as Publisher (U.S.) at Humanoids.
John Workman managed to turn a love for the comics form into a career. During the past five decades, he has held the position of editor, writer, art director, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, production director, and book designer for various companies. He created (with some help from Bhob Stewart and Bob Smith) the offbeat stories in Wild Things (with much of that material having first appeared in Star*Reach and Heavy Metal) and both wrote and drew the comics series Sindy, Fallen Angels, and Roma. In 1991, he reflected on model Bettie Page in Betty Being Bad (Eros), and later produced the hardbounds Heavy Metal: 25 Years of Classic Covers and Innocent Images: The Sexy Fantasy Females of Viper and Kiss, as well as The Adventures of Roma, a reformatted graphic novel version of his earlier series. He continues to write and draw and to do a whole lot of lettering for a number of comics companies on an international level.
2025 GUESTS
This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man: REIGN 2), John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars), Russ Braun (The Boys), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Keith Champagne (Stranger Things), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (Emma Frost: The White Queen), Chris Claremont (X-Men), Becky Cloonan (Somna), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Michael W. Conrad (Manowar: Invictus), Jeff Dekal (Something is Killing the Children), David Finch (Moon Knight), Trish Forstner (Feral), Franco (Deadman Tells the Spooky Tales), Barbara Friedlander (Swing with Scooter), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Mike Grell (Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk), Tula Lotay (Barnstormers), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Laura Martin (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Shawn Martinbrough (Red Hood: The Hill), Ron Marz (Green Lantern), Mike McKone (Red Goblin), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Josh Middleton (Aquaman), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Mark Morales (Thor), Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien), Tom Nguyen (The Switch), Kevin Nowlan (Batman: Sword of Azrael), Dan Parent (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Andrew Pepoy (Simone & Ajax), Barbara Perez Marquez (The Cardboard Kingdom), Amy Reeder (Power Girl), Esad Ribic (Conan the Barbarian), Afua Richardson (Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds), Craig Rousseau (Herculoids), Jim Rugg (Street Angel), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited), Maria Wolf (Phoenix), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), John Workman (Wild Things), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
(W/CA) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman
When a catastrophic earthquake seemingly claims Joe’s life, Ken searches for him amid the volcanic wreckage. Meanwhile, the rest of the Science Ninja Team battle to secure a weapons plant hijacked by Galactor. But with Galactor in control of powerful new tech, the team faces their greatest threat yet…
(W/CA) Tommy Lee Edwards (A/CB) Nuno Plati (C) Giada Marchisio (L) John Workman (CC) Zach Howard
Berg Katse is ravaging the country of Atrena for rare mythical elements that create a psychic link between Galactor pilots and their weaponized mechs. As Joe and Ken’s friendship is pushed to the limit during a mission to save Atrena’s princess, the Science Ninja Team uncovers an ancient temple that may hold the key to defeating Galactor once and for all. The first issue of an exciting event that connects to the Gatchaman ongoing series from Mad Cave Studios!
(W/CA) Tommy Lee Edwards (A) Nuno Plati (CB) Eric Canete (L) John Workman
An elite squad of motorcycle-riding death bikers have successfully hijacked an armored train transporting experimental International Science Organization tech. These thieves are fast and ruthless–they carry out their orders with razor-sharp efficiency. The only thing in their way is Jun the Swan and her G-3 hover-cycle mecha. The action-packed second tale in a series of standalone one-shot stories that each focus on a separate member of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman!
