Heavy Metal Magazine has hired prolific comics writer Grant Morrison as its new editor-in-chief.
Morrison will take over the the mature science fiction, fantasy, and horror comics publication starting with the February 2016 issue.
For those unfamiliar with Morrison or Heavy Metal’s work, the appointment is a match made in Hell—which is a good thing. Heavy Metal is known for publishing R-rated material and stories that push the boundaries of comics, while Morrison has crafted a name for himself in adult-targeted comic entries like The Invisibles, The Filth, Animal Man, and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.
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In fact, the new gig marks a return to form for Morrison, who cut his comics-writing teeth on similar “underground” comics magazine during the eighties, before anchoring several mainstream superhero titles with DC and Marvel Comics.
“We’re trying to bring back some of that ’70s punk energy of Heavy Metal, but update it and make it new again,” Morrison told Entertainment Weekly. “One of the things I like to do in my job is revamp properties and really get into the aesthetic of something, dig into the roots of what makes it work, then tinker with the engine and play around with it.”
While the Heavy Metal brand was sold to TV producer Jeff Krelitz in 2014, original helmer Kevin Eastman (who also created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) will remain on-board as publisher. Krelitz, however, is expecting Morrison to buoy Heavy Metal with the same black magic he’s used for some of his most acclaimed—and dark—works.
“From the standpoint of what he does and how he tells a story—edgy, provocative, avant-garde—that’s us,” Krelitz told EW. “And why not? It just makes sense.”
You can check out the full cover to Morrison’s first issue in the gallery below.
Do you think Morrison will make a good fit for Heavy Metal? Let us know in the comments.
