Heavy Metal magazine, the iconic sci-fi and fantasy publication, is officially relaunching with a major first issue, dubbed Issue 1. The new edition is set to feature nearly 200 pages of content that promises a return to the magazine’s roots, bringing back the edgy and immersive storytelling that has been its hallmark since 1977. To mark the occasion, the new team has also launched a Kickstarter campaign, offering fans exclusive rewards like limited edition covers, rare art prints, apparel, and collectible pins.

Following a period of financial and operational challenges, Heavy Metal is now under new ownership. The magazine’s new management has acknowledged their troubled history in a recent press release, emphasizing their commitment to restoring trust with fans and creators who were disappointed by past issues. The team, led by longtime fan and investor Marshall Lees, has addressed previous debts and announced that they will honor outstanding subscriptions and orders. “As a lifelong fan, I felt the same frustrations as other readers, and we’re determined to make things right,” Lees shared in the statement.

The relaunch is part of a larger revitalization effort, which includes an updated website at heavymetal.com and a freshly reopened online store at shop.heavymetal.com. They are also reaching out to former subscribers to confirm their orders, encouraging those with questions to contact their support team at hello@heavymetal.com. They have also been actively building an online community in social media, and have added a new Discord channel, where fans can connect, discuss the magazine’s sci-fi and horror content, and engage directly with creators. This adds a new dimension of interactivity that was impossible during the magazine’s original print publication.

As Issue 1 nears completion, fans are invited to follow Heavy Metal for updates on the Kickstarter campaign and the latest releases:

• X (formerly Twitter): x.com/HeavyMetalInk
• Facebook: facebook.com/MyHeavyMetal

Heavy Metal magazine has been an influential part of our popular culture since its inception, and that its reemergence is possible at all underscores just how important it is to our modern mythology.

Founded in 1977, Heavy Metal magazine quickly became an influential platform for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror art and storytelling, showcasing groundbreaking work from celebrated artists and writers worldwide. Inspired by the French magazine Métal Hurlant (“Screaming Metal”), the U.S. version captured a countercultural spirit, blending adult-themed narratives with surreal, imaginative visuals. It featured contributions from iconic artists like H.R. Giger, Moebius, and Richard Corben, who became pillars of Heavy Metal’s edgy aesthetic. The magazine’s unique blend of avant-garde art and mature storytelling garnered a dedicated fan base, solidifying its place in pop culture. Heavy Metal would go on to inspire several adaptations, including the cult-classic animated film in 1981.

Heavy Metal magazine suspended regular publication in 2021. They were feeling the pinch as production costs overlapped the revenue curve (in the bad way). That, combined with changes in ownership, contributed to the hiatus, leaving some subscribers with unfilled orders and unresolved issues. The magazine struggled to find the resources and leadership necessary to bring it back from the brink of the abyss, but now, at last, it looks like the ambitious publication is on the road to recovery.