Metal Hurlant Volume 1

by Alex DonoGhue (US Edition Editor), Dan Wickline, Jim Alexander

In France, in the 1970s, creators Moebius, Druillet, and Dionnet started the iconic magazine Metal Hurlant. They literally changed the comics industry with their punk-rock attitude and unrestricted talents. 30 years later, Humanoids reignites the passion and vision of the original publication with an anthology of short stories by some of the best creators from both sides of the pond. This first in a two-volume hardcover collection showcases short stories featured in the Metal Hurlant anthology that debuted in 2002, written and illustrated by comic stars Geoff Johns (Green Lantern), Ryan Sook (Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne), Jerome Opena (Uncanny X-Force), and Jorge Lucas (The Darkness).

Genres: Comics, Short Stories, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2011

Reviews

[George Goodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never really into comics as a kid. Super heroes just weren't that interesting to me. And then I found Heavy Metal when I was really too young to read it. Complex themes (and not a small amount of nudity and extreme violence) really seemed to awaken my interest in story. (Although, to be honest, Heavy Metal and Omni Magazine both fascinated and scared the crap out of me in equal measure)

These collections are a great opportunity to revisit some of these stories. They are timeless and, perhaps, even more relevant now. They are also generally short which makes them ideal for reading on my phone when I get a chance.

[Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy anthologies and Heavy Metal Magazine is one of my favorite anthologies ever, so I’m a bit biased on this one.
I’m aware of the significance of Metal Hurlant at its influence on Heavy Metal and others.
This didn’t have that 70’s or 80’s retro type feel I was hoping for and it was actually pretty short. However, the art was good and the stories are all pretty cool and it reminded me of a recent Netflix anthology: Love, Death and Robots!

[Roybot · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at comics from an earlier time. A lot of these will seem overly compressed and/or obvious to modern readers, but if still kind of a neat look back at what used to be.

[Adrian Bloxham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the 2000ad future shocks these stories are short sharp and pack a mean punch

[Nils Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic full-color futures and true art (punctuated with self-aggrandizing drivel.)
I don't need to tell you - you'll skip the interludes anyway - and bask in the Real Meat. Enjoy.

[Israel Laureano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una excelente muestra del cómic que inició el movimiento de libre expresión gráfica sin ataduras ni censura. Contiene las historias:

* 3 on a match, dibujo de Ryan Sook, colores de Dave Stewart con guión de R.A. Jones.
3 astronautas tratan de escapar en una cápsula averiada y que solamente tiene recursos suficientes para que sobrevivan 2 de ellos.
* Shelter me, arte de Mark Vigouroux con guión de Daniel R. Wickline.
Una mujer despierta en un refugio nuclear. El hombre que la llevó ahí le explica que ha habido un bombardeo nuclear, que quién sabe cuántos supervivientes hay y que deben convertirse en amantes para repoblar el planeta, así que ellla empieza a cumplir su deber. Hasta que encuentra pistas que le indican que el hombre es un pervertido y que la ha engañado para tener sexo. Pero...
* Monster Police Departament, arte de Pascal Alixe con guión de Jim Alexander.
Hay una mutación que convierte a las personas en monstruos por lo que se ha creado una sección de policía especializado.
* Second chances, arte de Jorge Pereira Lucas con guión de Jim McDonald.
Un hombre fugitivo de la mafia interplanetaria y una achispada e inteligente mujer huyen por el espacio, entran a una anomalía espacio-temporal para dejar atrás a sus cazadores y se convierte en el Adán y Eva de un nuevo mundo.
* Republika, arte de Pascal Alixe con guión de Kurt McClung.
Una niñaes elegida para educarse como líder mundial, pero los padres de la niña saben que eso significa que a van apartar para siempre de su familia y su vida privada va a desaparecer porque hay una cadena televisiva especializada en mostrar cada momento de la vida de los líderes y futuros líderes.
* Red light, arte de Christian Gossett con guió de Geoff Johns.
En un futuro totalitario, la sociedasd vive bajo una luz rojiza. Todo tiene tonalidad roja. Un hombre no aguanta y escapa hacia terreno abierto. Es abatido por la policía, pero no importa: alcanzó a ver el día, el cielo azul y los colores reales del mundo.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected this to be better based upon the source material. Metal Hurlant was supposed to be the best European graphic magazine of the past couple of decades. But the stories they selected to add to this collection were poorly done. Many had good art. But the stories would be better suited in a longer form. Here what we get are these 8 to 10 page works that are so condensed as to make no sense. There are about 2 good, good, stand-out stories. The rest is gibberish. Maybe these types of stories just don't work well with such little space to breath and develop. It's the typical problem with most short fiction. This is purely my opinion and not based upon any strong understanding of how to do such a thing correctly.

[Mike Gallagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

More American than European which was disappointing. Overall it was enjoyable. About half the stories were great a quarter ok and a quarter meh.

[Ricardo Loureiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

An over reliance on twist endings that, almost a decade later only the most naive of readres would not expect, turns this collection into something of an hit and miss thing.