Grant Morrison’s tenure as editor-in-chief of “Heavy Metal” begins with this issue. As expected, vibrant art, thought-provoking stories, and trippy experiences await avid and novice readers alike.
Written by Various
Illustrated by VariousThe curtain hits the cast on the debut of newly crowned Editor-in-Chief Grant Morrison’s Heavy Metal debut! The legendary writer has plenty of surprises up his sleeve, with announcements to be rolled out in the weeks leading up to release of this landmark issue!
When Grant Morrison was named as the new overseer of “Heavy Metal” magazine last year, many acolytes of the writer were looking forward to picking up their first issue of this long-running publication. New readers, like myself, only had an inkling of what to expect based on their love for Morrison’s work. Delving into “Heavy Metal” #280 is like swimming into a smorgasbord of ideas and experimentation. Although the only written work in this issue by Morrison himself are a lyrically verbose introduction full of excitement for his tenure and the opening short story, the magazine has his tastes on every page. Themes of war, peace, animal rights, and the intricacies of the human mind’s vast possibilities are everywhere. No matter the writer or artist, each story is told with the same passion one would expect of its editor.
Reading so many types of stories and experiencing varied styles of art in each one is a stimulating experience. “Heavy Metal” #280 is overwhelming, but in a breathtaking way. Everything from the lettering to the seeming lack of comprehensibility in certain tales is done for a reason. These are comics that jolt the mind. With so many ideas bombarding us in just one issue, it’s acceptable (but only slightly) that this magazine is not published on a monthly basis. We need and want the time to savor and ponder the experience of reading these tales.
The writers and artists (and even an art gallery) in “Heavy Metal” #280 will hopefully gain deservedly greater exposure because of Morrison’s involvement. The art is magnificent from cover to back cover. After I was through reading the issue, I went online to search more about these artists and see more of their work. Morrison is doing a service to these creators and to us readers. Anthologies like this can only spur a greater feeling of community between reader and artist. An interview with artist Mimi Scholz explores her creative process while an article promotes a Culver City, California gallery called the Century Guild. Exploration is assuredly a theme of Morrison’s tenure solely based on these two articles and the themes of each story.
The theme that pumps through most of the stories is one of war. The unbridled need for humanity to grasp on to conflict and conflict’s results are explored in entertaining and sometimes funny ways. The opening story is written by Morrison and is titled ‘Beachhead’. Art is by Benjamin Marra, colors are by Marra and Tom Forget, and lettering is done by Adam Wollett. An alien race named the Sleng dynasty have arrived on a post-apocalyptic Earth and the commentary by Morrison is sly and hilarious. The art by Marra, along with the coloring, has a neon-lit Jack Kirby flair that bursts with emotion and comic booky grandeur that only enhances the absurdity of these invaders.
Discord and antagonism also appear in other breathtaking yarns. ‘Goddess,’ by writer Ryan Ferrier and artist Hugo Petrus, portrays the marriage of myth and animal rights in pages that deserve to be hung in a gallery. With winding and intricate layouts reminiscent of Yanick Paquette and detailed penciling that contain hints of Jill Thompson, Petrus transports us to a time and place of old. The muted colors lend a realism to the nature permeating every scene, with the bloodshed appearing as natural as a smile.
Almost every story within “Heavy Metal” #280 could be explored in depth. There’s experimentation and pure imagination are in almost all of them. One story in particular stood out from the rest. ‘Salsa Invertebraxa,’ by Mozchops. It is the manifestation of what Morrison has accomplished with his first issue as the big boss. Insects and poetry combine with photorealistic art and color to give us something undoubtedly unique. Many would not think to narrate a story of insects and their world with poetry. Mozchops, however, is playful with his words and with allegory. Mozchops, like Morrison and others involved with this issue, prove entertainment and the profound can mingle seamlessly.
Continued belowAlthough new-reader-friendly, “Heavy Metal” #280 has two stories that continue from previous issues. In the spirit of discovery, Morrison suggests in his introduction that filling us in isn’t in the cards for us newbies because, “we’ve got the internet for that now.”
Artist Ron English greets us with his ‘Grin God’ cover to “Heavy Metal” #280. With psychedelic colors and worshipers at the feet of a happy face with a skull-smile, we’re welcome to explore what’s beneath the surface in a book that does exactly that in each of its pages. If you have never read “Heavy Metal” in your life, get ready to become blown away by a fantasia of a trip worth taking over again and again.
Final Verdict: 9.5 – Grant Morrison curates, as well as writes, some exciting comics in a magazine that will surely gain more eyes. “Heavy Metal” will hopefully further some awe-inspiring artists and push veterans to places they have never gone (and must go) before.
