Heavy Metal Entertainment has announced that it is launching a new creator-owned imprint called Magma Comix.

The announcement of Magma Comix also includes a list of its first wave of titles and the creators working on each series, with the imprint officially launching in spring 2021. Amber Blake: Operation Dragonfly is by Jade Lagardère and Butch Guice; The Modern Frankenstein is by Paul Cornell and Emma Vieceli; and Chasing the Dragon is by Denton J. Tipton and menton3.

RELATED: Heavy Metal Taps Christopher Priest to Write Sci-Fi Series Entropy

The full press release for Heavy Metal's Magma Comix can be found below.

Official Press Release

Heavy Metal Entertainment​ launches new creator-owned imprint MAGMA COMIX

The legacy publisher adds former IDW Publishing Managing Editor Denton J. Tipton to run the imprint and curate titles.

Heavy Metal Entertainment​, home of the world’s most beloved horror, sci-fi and fantasy magazine as well a host of stand-alone comic titles and podcasts, has partnered with award-winning editor and ​New York Times​ Bestselling author Denton J. Tipton for a new line of creator-owned comics.

The imprint, Magma Comix, will provide readers with original and sophisticated genre fiction by empowering a diverse array of artists with the means and creative freedom to tell bold stories that benefit both the creators and the world.

“To me, ​Heavy Metal​ represents unbridled creativity,” says Tipton. “From Moebius and Bilal to Wrightson and Frazetta—and so, so many more—​Heavy Metal​ is a true champion of creators. It’s an honor to be part of that legacy, and I promise to uphold its standing as the leader in science fiction, fantasy and horror. And I’ll be forever grateful to Matt (Medney) and David (Erwin) for providing me with the opportunity and support to do so.”

The former managing editor at IDW Publishing, Tipton built his expertise over the past two decades as a storyteller working with the biggest brands in news and entertainment, including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, and many more.

“I was introduced to Denton by our Editor-In-Chief, Tim Seeley,” says ​Heavy Metal​ CEO Matthew Medney. “We originally got on the phone to discuss a property he was editing, two hours later, I was so awed by his knowledge, professionalism and career that I knew we had to figure out a way to bring him into the family. I am ecstatic for what Denton’s addition means not only for our company, but for our ability to help him reach his goals. It is truly exciting.”

“When Matt brought to my attention that Denton was looking to launch his own publishing, there was no question between us that we should create a new imprint under the Heavy Metal brand for it to reside under,” says David Erwin, ​Heavy Metal​ Publisher & CCO, “Denton’s sensibility and proven experience for great storytelling, complements our vision to be in the forefront of fiction genres.”

Magma Comix will launch in spring 2021, and titles include:

  • Amber Blake: Operation Dragonfly ​by ​Jade Lagardère​ and ​Butch Guice
  • The Modern Frankenstein ​by ​Paul Cornell​ and ​Emma Vieceli
  • Chasing the Dragon​ by Tipton and ​menton3​.

About the series:

AMBER BLAKE: OPERATION DRAGONFLY

Action and intrigue abound in this modern sci-fi thriller from supermodel/writer ​Jade Lagardère and legendary comics artist ​Butch Guice​ (​Captain America​) that shines a light on the dark corner of international human trafficking, with the help of color artist ​Dan Brown​ (​Black Widow​) and letterer ​Gil Lazcano ​(​They Called Us Enemy​).

Abandoned by her mother at the age of 5, Amber Blake was only a child when she was recruited to the Cleverland Institute, a school for gifted children, where she was promised a bright future. But predators hide in the school's administration and, on the verge of exposing them, Amber finds herself fleeing for her life from the very man who took her in. Now a top recruit of a covert agency dead-set on ending human slavery in all its forms, she's going to destroy everone who's ever hurt the people she loves.

Each issue of the first series sold out and were rushed into second printings, and this new graphic novel sees Amber take on a dangerous mission to Singapore, where the stakes have never been higher!

Graphic novel on sale 3/31/21

THE MODERN FRANKENSTEIN

Discover the next thing in horror from award-winning writer of television and comics ​Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Saucer State, Wolverine​) and acclaimed artist ​Emma Vieceli​ (​Doctor Who, Life is Strange​), along with color artist ​Pippa Bowland​ and letterer ​Simon Bowland.

Elizabeth Kleve is a brilliant young medical student, attracted to the waspish, charismatic surgeon James Frankenstein. He wants to further medical science... by all means necessary. So how far is Elizabeth prepared to go? A twisted horror/romance that walks a fine line between attraction and fear.

The first of five issues on sale 4/28/21

CHASING THE DRAGON

In ​Chasing the Dragon,​ ​New York Times​ Bestselling writer ​Denton J. Tipton ​and acclaimed painter ​menton3​ explore a dark fantasy world ravaged by the rampant abuse of a drug made from the blood of dragons. Graphic artist ​Gil Lazcano ​(​They Called Us Enemy​) will provide lettering and design.

When two young slaves discover a terrible secret that could change the course of the world, will a meek alchemist’s apprentice and a drug-addled concubine survive long outside their cages? For fans of ​Game of Thrones ​and ​Breaking Bad​.

The first of five issues on sale 2/24/21

About Heavy Metal:

First published in 1977, Heavy Metal, the world's foremost illustrated fantasy magazine, explores fantastic and surrealistic worlds, alternate realities, science fiction and thriller, in the past, present and future. Writers and illustrators from around the world take you to places you never dreamed existed. Heavy Metal was the first magazine to bring European legends Moebius, Tanino Libertore, Philippe Druillet, Enki Bilal, Pepe Moreno and Philippe Caza to the U.S. as well as showcasing American superstars Richard Corben, Jim Steranko and Bernie Wrightson. The magazine continues to showcase amazing new talent as well as allow established creators to have "carte blanche". Heavy Metal Magazine is now published 12 times per year. Most issues feature one or two serialized graphic novels, several short stories, and two artist galleries. Recent featured creators include Grant Morrison, Stephen King, and Bart Sears. With new CEO Matt Medney at the helm, Heavy Metal promises to boldly go where no magazine has gone before. Explore ancient secrets, forgotten worlds and savage futures...experience Heavy Metal.

About Denton J. Tipton:

Denton J. Tipton is a ​New York Times​ best-selling writer and award-winning editor of comics. His writing credits include ​Cobra Kai, G.I. Joe, Goosebumps, Orphan Black, Transformers, ​and The X-Files.​ A former newspaper journalist, Denton’s literary influences include Philip K. Dick, Ernest Hemingway, Elmore Leonard, Alan Moore, and Hunter S. Thompson. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Merrily, and their son, Theodore.

About Jade Lagardère:

Jade Lagardère was born in Belgium—half-Belgian, half Spanish—and at the age of 13 started as a model in haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion. At 15, she was involved in a humanitarian mission to Morocco for SOS Children’s Villages. At 18, she wrote her first script. At 20, she married and now has three children. During her second pregnancy, Jade returned to her first love by imagining and creating the character of Amber Blake, first published by Glénat in 2017.

Quote:

“Through the character of Amber Blake, I want to bring hope to the many girls today who suffered from a difficult childhood and difficult times. They have to stand up, speak up and fight back. They are not alone on this road. Each of you can be Amber Blake."

About Butch Guice:

Jackson “Butch” Guice is a prolific artist from the United States, having worked for every major U.S. comic company—and many others across the world—on titles such as ​Captain America and ​Winter Soldier​ for Marvel, ​Superman​ and ​Aquaman​ for DC Comics, and ​Archangel​ with William Gibson.

Quote:

“Working with Jade Lagardère on ​Amber Blake​ is one of the fondest collaborations of my career, and I'm very happy we can continue telling Amber’s story in association with Heavy Metal."

About Paul Cornell:

Paul Cornell has written episodes of ​Elementary, Doctor Who, Primeval, Robin Hood​ and many other TV series, including his own children’s show, ​Wavelength​. He’s worked for every major comics company, including his creator-owned series ​I Walk With Monsters​ for The Vault, ​Saucer State​ for IDW and ​This Damned Band​ for Dark Horse, and runs for Marvel and DC on ​Batman and Robin, Wolverine​ and ​Young Avengers​. He’s won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, anEagle Award for his comics, a Hugo Award for his podcast and shares in a Writer’s Guild Award for his ​Doctor Who​. He’s the co-host of ​Hammer House of Podcast​.

Quote:

“I'm delighted to be working with Emma Vieceli and Pippa Bowland, who are going to make this book walk right down the line between romance and fear.”

About Emma Vieceli:

Happy to cross the streams, Emma is currently the writer for ​Life is Strange​ (Titan Comics), but her work as an artist includes: ​Olivia Twist​ (Dark Horse), ​Alex Rider​ (Walker Books), ​The Adventures of Supergirl​ (DC Comics), ​Doctor Who​ (Titan), the ​New York Times​-bestselling Vampire Academy​ graphic novel series (Penguin Random House), and ​Back to the Future​ (IDW Publishing) among others. She also co-creates critically acclaimed independent series, BREAKS with Malin Ryden (Soaring Penguin Press).

Quote:

“I can’t talk about ​The Modern Frankenstein ​without saying how excited I am to be working with Paul at last. We’ve wanted to create something together for a long time, and for it to be this title, in all its twisted dark romance glory, is pretty darned cool."

About Pippa Bowland:

Pippa has been colouring comics full-time for roughly two years. During this time she has worked on several series for 2000AD, as well as being involved in projects for Ahoy!, Aftershock and others. Pippa lives in North West England and works alongside husband and letterer Simon Bowland. Their tabby cat, Jess, is the true boss, demanding that all deadlines are met before feeding time.

About Simon Bowland:

Simon Bowland has been lettering comics since 2004 and continues to work for all of the major publishers, including 2000AD, Marvel, DC, Image, and now Heavy Metal’s Magma Comix. He lives in England with his wife, colourist Pippa Bowland, and their amusing tabby cat, Jess.

KEEP READING: Heavy Metal Returns to Monthly Schedule With Milestone Issue #300

Source: Heavy Metal