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Heavy Metal #2 hits comic book stores worldwide on July 30th, but San Diego Comic-Con attendees can get their hands on the new issue early, including two Sdcc-exclusive variant covers:

From the Press Release: After its massively successful relaunch earlier this year, Heavy Metal Magazine is back with Issue #2, kicking off with an early release at San Diego Comic-Con (July 23-27) alongside two Sdcc-exclusive variant covers. Fans at Sdcc will be able to grab an early copy at the Heavy Metal and GenSeven Creations booth (#4804). Heavy Metal #2 will be available worldwide at local comic shops and newsstands starting July 30.

“The entire Heavy Metal team is inspired by the amount of support and excitement we’ve received from creators and the community for the relaunch of what truly is the world’s most iconic illustrated sci-fi and fantasy publication,” shared Editor-in-Chief Frank Forte. “The next installment of Heavy Metal continues to solidify its legacy and boundary-pushing spirit.

First published in 1977, Heavy Metal Magazine is back with a brand-new Issue #1 that is packed with 232 pages of genre greatness from some of the best creators in comics. With over 73,000 copies ordered, this is one of the mag's largest print runs ever, and we have all the details, including information on creators, variant covers, and availability:

From the Press Release: After its enormously successful Kickstarter campaign last year, Heavy Metal Magazine has officially relaunched with its brand new Issue #1 (Legacy #321) out now. Featuring a monumental 232 pages of mind-bending visuals and boundary-pushing content from both returning legends and breakout creators from around the globe, the debut issue marks a bold return to the magazine’s roots as the definitive illustrated anthology. Heavy Metal #1 is available for purchase today (via Diamond) and May 7 (via Lunar) in local comic shops, with the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine hitting newsstands in the US, Canada,...

Alan Moore is a comic writer responsible for countless classics, but what most people remember him for is his work at DC Comics: "Watchmen," "Batman: The Killing Joke," etc. Moore himself, though, has disowned these works, since they're owned by the company that screwed him over on creators' rights, and he maintains disinterest in discussing them or adaptations.

I'll say this since I'm one of them — comic fans can be quite thin-skinned. So, they've turned Moore and his current dislike of superhero media into evidence that he's just a grouchy and bitter old man. As a counter-argument, I'll present a Twitter thread from his daughter Leah Moore (herself a comic creator), one written in defense of her "internet-averse" father.

Mrs. Moore documents how her father fell out of love with superhero comics, the passion of his youth, as he got a firsthand look at the dirty machinery of the industry.

Iron Maiden and Z2 Comics have announced a graphic novel based on the band’s Piece of Mind album, arriving November 21st. Below you can get an exclusive first look at the special alternate cover featuring Eddie as “The Trooper” and its accompanying collector’s card.

The graphic novel celebrates the 40th anniversary of the legendary 1983 album, which contains all-time Maiden classics such as “Where Eagles Dare,” “Die with Your Boots On,” and “The Trooper.”

With a solid track record of heavy metal collaborations with Anthrax, King Diamond, and more, Z2 Comics pulled out all the stops for Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind. The book features stories based on each of the album’s songs, including writing from frontman Bruce Dickinson (“Revelations”) along with an introduction penned by longtime Maiden manager Rod Smallwood.

“When the idea of a Piece of Mind 40th Anniversary graphic novel first came up, I felt...

Any rock fan who finds their nose constantly buried in a comic will find a match made in heaven with graphic novels based on real-life rock bands. Many tackle the sometimes-complicated origins of these iconic rock bands as well as describe the bands' trajectory. Meanwhile, other graphic novels focus on a band's classic album and either narrate the journey of the making of that album or interpret the songs using a comic book art style.

Given that rock music has always had a rebellious ethos, combining rock bands with the graphic novel form makes a lot of sense — due to comics' reputation in the twentieth century. Back when comics were first gaining popularity with America's youth, they were derided by the establishment, and many didn't even consider them literature. This is akin to the derision rock music got in its early years — as well as rock's clash with the establishment and status quo.