Heavy Metal #300 is here!

I picked up Heavy Metal #300 from my comic book box yesterday. I flipped through the pages as soon as I got it home and it does look beautiful. I have a couple thoughts to share ahead of digging into it:

1.) The landmark issue was commemorated with a “All-Star” artist lineup. That is great and I’m sure I will enjoy it, but it seems a little uninspired. The 250th issue was a giant single story graphic epic about a galactic experiment wherein specimens from a thousand different worlds were sent to try to coexist on a single planet. It was a riskier and more ambitious project in my mind. I loved what they produced though.

2.) When I flipped through the first time, my eye was caught by a short piece by Mark Bodé in the back. Allow me to betray a little ignorance here. I do not know Bodé by name but his work is distinct. It is, however, somewhat similar to the art in the movie Wizards. I know this would anger many true comic experts, but I say the short in Heavy Metal and immediately thought, “Oh, the guy that did Wizards“. Thankfully, I’m too dumb to feel shame. I’m looking forward reading the new Bodé piece, of course. I do know his artwork from elsewhere. Of that I am sure. It is going to bug me until I figure out where.

3.) There are three cover variations; two are of Taarna, one of Nelson. Had you asked me without seeing which one I would prefer, I surely would have said one of the Taarnas. She is the visual embodiment of Heavy Metal’s fantasy art. I got the Nelson one by Glenn Fabry put in my box. To my surprise, it is the one I think it is the one I like the best. On the inside cover there is a clip from a portion of all three. Both of the Taarnas look fine, but not exceptional. The Nelson cover is a raw piece of beautiful supernatural horror that seems to fit the occasion. I might feel different about the Taarnas if I saw either of the full pieces, I suppose.