Fifty Years of Iconic Sci-Fi: Metal Hurlant Returns
A Legendary Anthology Revived
Fifty years after its debut in France, the seminal sci-fi anthology Metal Hurlant is returning in English. Now on Kickstarter, Humanoids’ iconic publication is bigger than ever, promising 270+ pages packed with work from international stars in comic writing and art.
Contributors and Archives
Contributors include Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Aimée de Jongh, James Stokoe, Toru Terada, Fabien Vehlmann, and Mark Waid. There’s also archival content from the original French publication from the likes of Philippe Druillet and Jean-Pierre Dionnet and long out-of-print short stories from Mœbius.
The Story of Metal Hurlant
The story of Metal Hurlant began back in 1974, when the filmmaker and poet Alejandro Jodorowsky was working in Paris on an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune with the assistance of Mœbius on concept art and storyboards, alongside H.R. Giger and Dan O’Bannon. Mœbius, along with fellow bande dessinée creators Jean-Pierre Dionnet and Philippe Druillet, wanted to push the boundaries of comics to tell mature, cerebral stories that embraced punk attitude. Metal Hurlant was born as a cutting-edge anthology published under publishing house Les Humanoïdes Associés (Humanoids).
Influence and Legacy
Jodorowsky’s Dune never materialized, but Metal Hurlant took the sci-fi world by storm, and it has influenced generations of artists, including filmmakers like Jemaine Clement, Guillermo Del Toro, George Lucas, Hayao Miyazaki, Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve, and Taika Waititi, who’s now adapting Jodorowski and Mœbius’s The Incal for the big screen.
The Revival
The Spring 2025 issue of the revived Metal Hurlant will be available through newsstands, comic book shops, bookstores, by subscription, and via the Kickstarter campaign. In the meantime, an exclusive excerpt from Robert Crumb’s iconic comic about Philip K. Dick will be shared.
Original Content and Archives
The return of Metal Hurlant in English will also include editorial features independent journalists, such as cultural commentaries, personal essays, and interviews with top talents from across the arts including Ted Chiang, William Gibson, Alan Moore, and Denis Villeneuve.
Conclusion
The revival of Metal Hurlant is a testament to the power of innovative storytelling and the enduring influence of the anthology. With new and archival content, Humanoids aims to enthrall readers and explore new paths, publishing bold and transgressive storytellers for a new generation.
FAQs
Q: What is Metal Hurlant?
A: Metal Hurlant is a legendary sci-fi anthology that was first published in France in 1974.
Q: Who are the contributors to the new edition?
A: The new edition features work from international stars in comic writing and art, including Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Aimée de Jongh, James Stokoe, Toru Terada, Fabien Vehlmann, and Mark Waid.
Q: What kind of content can I expect?
A: The new edition will include original comic strips, archival content from the original French publication, and editorial features, such as cultural commentaries, personal essays, and interviews with top talents from across the arts.
Q: How can I get the new edition?
A: The Spring 2025 issue of the revived Metal Hurlant will be available through newsstands, comic book shops, bookstores, by subscription, and via the Kickstarter campaign.
