Mail Call For 6.16.26

Heavy Metal (the magazine) turns 40 next year, and to celebrate that they produced collections of some of the material that has appeared in the magazine over the years.

My selection arrived in the mail today.

I had an issue of Heavy Metal that contained a chapter of a Druuna story and it was largely incomprehensible. I’ve read more of her misadventures since, and the stories remain incomprehensible, but the story isn’t really what makes them appealing, it’s the amazing work of creator Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri that has captured my interest.

And, of course, the way in which he puts those skills to work to render the image of his heroine.

Much of the art is unsuitable for a family-friendly site, and though I don’t pretend to be one, I like to avoid getting too spicy, so I’ll only include a few relatively-tame examples of the interior art.

What makes Serpieri art so appealing is his masterful use of hatching and crosshatching, finding the perfect balance of light and shadow to give his renderings weight and substance.

(That he uses that skill to render butts in particular with weight and substance is just a bonus.)

Along with the book, I got a few add-ons, like this challenge coin…

This trading card…

And this not-so heavy metal Heavy Metal bookmark.

There were other collections to choose from in the Kickstarter campaign, but I opted for Druuna because, as noted, I enjoy Serpieri’s art, but also because I’d like to see if, with it all together in one volume, the story becomes comprehensible.

I have my doubts, but in the worst case, I’ll still have something nice – and also horrific, because Druuna’s adventures, in the main, are not pleasant, to put it mildly, and are filled with gruesome, but equally beautifully rendered, imagery – to look at.

There are more things that are bound for my doorstep, so check back soon for the latest Mail Call.

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