Metal Hurlant

    (Humanoids, 2003-2004)

Longtime fans of European comic art will remember the first incarnation of this title; it was published in the mid-’70s in Europe and ran for 13 years. This anthology of groundbreaking stories by Europe’s finest talent was the inspiration for its better-known American counterpart, Heavy Metal, which continues publication today. But European comics remain a niche market in America, so Humanoids Publishing has resurrected the title with a flavor that’s a little more palatable to the tastes of American comics fans.

Which it will be, if for no other reason than it’s being published as a comic book, not a magazine. But there are other changes, the most notable being the blend of American and European creators. The highlights are two excellent stories written by well-known yanks Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns, but no less enjoyable or accessible are stories by legendary French writer Alexandro Jodorowsky, among others. The illustrations are equally superb; there are few who wouldn’t be captivated by the meticulous detail of Frenchman Fred Beltran or the gorgeous gray tones of Spaniard Das Pastoras.

Every other aspect is also first-rate, such as the slick production, the mix of genres ranging from science fiction to autobiography, and the table of contents complete with story descriptions. But there is one oddity. Despite the fact that this is clearly a mature-readers title, one story features repeated post-production obscuring of male genitalia, while a subsequent chapter does not. Considering the liberal nature of European comics, this is a puzzling and distracting decision; did the editors initially feel that this sort of thing might have been a bit too strong for American audiences? One has to hope not. Don’t worry, guys, we can take it.

Aside from this editorial misstep, though, this book remains an excellent venue for those ready to sample a new world of comic-book storytelling.

— Jim Johnson
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Jul 2002
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Alexandro Jordorowsky, Kurt Busiek, Pierre Wazem, Portela  ·  A: Marc Riou, Mark Vigouroux, Gerald Parel, Pierre Wazem, Fred Beltran, Das Pastoras
    The Revolution has begun
    4 copies from $4.25
  • 2
    #2
    Sep 2002
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Geoff Johns, Alexander Jodorowsky, Pierre Wazem  ·  A: Chris Gossett, Igor Baranko, Fred Beltran, Pierre Wazem
    Invasion!
    5 copies from $2.94
  • 3
    #3
    Nov 2002
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Jim Alexander, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Pierre Wazem, Alexandro Jordorowsky  ·  A: Pascal Alixe, Pierre Wazem, J.H. Williams III, Fred Beltran
    3 copies from $6.00
  • 4
    #4
    Jan 2003
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Alexander Jodorowsky, Francis Lombard, Stefano Raffaele, Jean-Pierre Dionnet  ·  A: Pascal Alixe, Kevin Altieri, Fred Beltran, Stefano Raffaele
    By Tomorrow I’ll be Dead
    2 copies from $6.00
  • 5
    #5
    Mar 2003
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Alexander Jodorowsky, James MacDonald, Dan Jolley  ·  A: Christian Højgaard, Jorge Lucas, Igor David, Fred Beltran
    A Beast for every Beauty; Translation by Kirk Anderson, Justin Kelly
    3 copies from $5.25
  • 6
    #6
    May 2003
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Fabrice Giger, Alexander Jodorowsky, Kurt McClung, R.A. Jones, Jean-Pierre Dionnet  ·  A: Jerome Opeña, Pascal Alixe, Ryan Sook, Fred Beltran
    War Holes
    3 copies from $7.00
  • 7
    #7
    Jul 2003
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Alexander Jodorowsky, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Dan Curtis Johnson, François Boucq, Stefano Raffaele, Hervé Bourhis  ·  A: Axel Medellin, Mark Vigouroux, François Boucq, Stefano Raffaele, Hervé Bourhis, Fred Beltran
    Fragile
    3 copies from $5.98
  • 8
    #8
    Nov 2003
    Cover: $3.95
    W: R.A. Jones, Jerry Frissen, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Dan Wickline, Christian De Metter, Stefano Raffaele, Alexander Jodorowsky  ·  A: Matt Cossin, Guy Davis, Scott Benefiel, Christian De Metter, Stefano Raffaele, Fred Beltran
    The Zombies That Ate The World
    2 copies from $7.98
  • 9
    #9
    Jan 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Dan Wickline, Nick Burns, Jerry Frissen, Guy Davis, Stefano Raffaele, Alexander Jodorowsky  ·  A: Mark Vigouroux, Tommy Lee Edwards, Guy Davis, Dave Stewart, Fred Beltran
    The Photo Taker
    3 copies from $5.00
  • 10
    #10
    Mar 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Fabrice Giger, Alexander Jodorowsky, Jerry Frissen, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Jim Alexander, Stefano Raffaele  ·  A: Adi Granov, Guy Davis, Richard Corben, Stefano Raffaele, Fred Beltran
    Translation by Natacha Ruck, Ken Grobe, Sasha Watson
    1 copy for $5.00
  • 11
    #11
    Apr 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Paul Benjamin, Alexander Jodorowsky, Jerry Frissen, Paul Brizzi, Gaëtan Brizzi, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Stefano Raffaele, Benoit Boucher  ·  A: Carlos Meglia, Guy Davis, Paul Brizzi, Gaëtan Brizzi, Stefano Raffaele, Benoit Boucher, Fred Beltran
    3 copies from $5.00
  • 12
    #12
    Jun 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Alexander Jodorowsky, Rick Spears, Jerry Frissen, Kurt McClung, Stefano Raffaele  ·  A: José Ladrönn, Rob G., Guy Davis, Das Pastoras, Stefano Raffaele
    6 copies from $4.46
  • 13
    #13
    Sep 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Brian Robertson, Bill, Jim Alexander, Jerry Frissen, Nicolas Pothier, Stefano Raffaele  ·  A: Fred Beltran, Bill, David Lloyd, Guy Davis, Yannick Corboz, Stefano Raffaele
    4 copies from $3.49
  • 14
    #14
    Dec 2004
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Jerry Frissen, Jim Alexander, Adrian A. Cruz, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, James MacDonald, Stéphane Levallois, Stefano Raffaele  ·  A: Guy Davis, Gerald Parel, Marc Riou, D-PI, Stéphane Levallois, Stefano Raffaele
    3 copies from $5.00
  • BK 1/HC
    Book #1 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition
    Jan 2005
    Cover: $29.95
    W: R.A. Jones, Daniel Wickline, Jim Alexander, James MacDonald, Kurt McClung, Geoff Johns, Rick Spears, Paul Benjamin, Dan Curtis Johnson, Stéphane Levallois, Fred Le Berre, Jean-David Morvan, Julien Blondel, Stuart Moore, Marc Rioux  ·  A: Ryan Sook, Mark Vigouroux, Pascal Alixe, Jorge Lucas, Chris Gossett, Rob G., Matt Cossin, Fred Beltran, d-pi, Stéphane Levallois, Francis Buchet, Francis Tsai, Javi, Jerome Opeña, Cully Hamner, Adrian A. Cruz
    1 copy for $30.00