Heavy Metal, the iconic science-fiction and fantasy magazine, will base its new comic-book line in Portland, co-owner Jeff Krelitz says, and hopes to be publishing eight original series by the end of 2015.
“I think it’s being closer to the talent,” Krelitz says. “If you wanted to be a painter in the early 20th century, you went to Paris.
“Portland is the mecca for comics. I’m looking to build something here because this is a true artists’ community.”
Heavy Metal debuted – with the tagline, “The adult illustrated fantasy magazine” – in 1977, and long made waves with provocative cover art and comics that betray no fear of sex, violence or robots.
“Heavy Metal was my first exposure to all the cartoonists of Europe, to Moebius, (Jacques) Tardi, and (Alejandro) Jodorowsky,” says Steve Lieber, a cartoonist at Portland’s Periscope Studio. “The possibilities in variation and artistic voice hadn’t occurred to me until I saw what those artists could do.”
Krelitz, a film producer, and David Boxenbaum, the co-founder of A&M/Octone Records, bought the magazine last year from Kevin Eastman, who continues as publisher.
As Variety noted last January, Krelitz and Boxenbaum plan to develop films, television series, and music, print and digital projects under the Heavy Metal brand.
