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:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1
July, 2002
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $4.00 		Alexandro Jordorowsky, Kurt Busiek, Pierre Wazem, PortelaMarc Riou, Mark Vigouroux, Gerard Parel, Pierre Wazem, Fred Beltran, Das Pastoras
#2
September, 2002
Cover Price: $3.95
6 copies available from $3.00 		Geoff Johns, Alexander Jodorowsky, Pierre WazemChris Gossett, Igor Baranko, Fred Beltran, Pierre Wazem
#3
November, 2002
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $5.00 		Jim Alexander, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Pierre Wazem, Alexandro JordorowskyPascal Alixe, Pierre Wazem, J.H. Williams III, Fred Beltran
#4
January, 2003
Cover Price: $3.95
3 copies available from $5.75 		Alexander Jodorowsky, Francis Lombard, Stefano Raffaele, Jean-Pierre DionnetPascal Alixe, Kevin Altieri, Fred Beltran, Stefano Raffaele
#5
March, 2003
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $5.00 		Alexander Jodorowsky, James MacDonald, Dan JolleyChristian Højgaard, Jorge Lucas, Igor David, Fred Beltran
#6
May, 2003
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $6.00 		Fabrice Giger, Alexander Jodorowsky, Kurt McClung, R.A. Jones, Jean-Pierre DionnetJerome Opena, Pascal Alixe, Ryan Sook, Fred Beltran
#7
July, 2003
Cover Price: $3.95
6 copies available from $5.00 		Alexander Jodorowsky, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Dan Curtis Johnson, Francois Boucq, Stefano Raffaele, Hervé BourhisAxel Medellin, Mark Vigouroux, Francois Boucq, Stefano Raffaele, Hervé Bourhis, Fred Beltran
#8
November, 2003
Cover Price: $3.95
3 copies available from $7.50 		R.A. Jones, Jerry Frissen, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Dan Wickline, Christian De Metter, Stefano Raffaele, Alexander JodorowskyMatt Cossin, Guy Davis, Scott Benefiel, Christian De Metter, Stefano Raffaele, Fred Beltran
#9
January, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $5.00 		Dan Wickline, Nick Burns, Jerry Frissen, Guy Davis, Stefano Raffaele, Alexander JodorowskyMark Vigouroux, Tommy Lee Edwards, Guy Davis, Dave Stewart, Fred Beltran
#10
March, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
2 copies available from $5.00 		Fabrice Giger, Alexander Jodorowsky, Jerry Frissen, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Jim Alexander, Stefano RaffaeleAdi Granov, Guy Davis, Richard Corben, Stefano Raffaele, Fred Beltran
#11
April, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
3 copies available from $5.00 		Paul Benjamin, Alexander Jodorowsky, Jerry Frissen, Paul Brizzi, Gaëtan Brizzi, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Stefano Raffaele, Benoit BoucherCarlos Meglia, Guy Davis, Paul Brizzi, Gaëtan Brizzi, Stefano Raffaele, Benoit Boucher, Fred Beltran
#12
June, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
5 copies available from $5.00 		Alexander Jodorowsky, Rick Spears, Jerry Frissen, Kurt McClung, Stefano RaffaeleJosé Ladrönn, Rob G, Guy Davis, Das Pastoras, Stefano Raffaele
#13
September, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
4 copies available from $3.49 		Brian Robertson, Bill, Jim Alexander, Jerry Frissen, Nicolas Pothier, Stefano RaffaeleFred Beltran, Bill, David Lloyd, Guy Davis, Yannick Corboz, Stefano Raffaele
#14
December, 2004
Cover Price: $3.95
3 copies available from $3.99 		Jerry Frissen, Jim Alexander, Adrian A. Cruz, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Jim Macdonald, Stéphane Levallois, Stefano RaffaeleGuy Davis, Gerald Parel, Marc Riou, D-PI, Stéphane Levallois, Stefano Raffaele