free pdfs

There are a few free pdf downloads on the "official" HM web site.  A Bisely Bible excerpt, some 4 Horsemen, an Azurek that's mostly a reprint, a TMNT thing, a Descur reprint, and a small Claudia story.  The Claudia is the most interesting of the bunch.  They're all pretty nice in their own way, for free even, but they hardly fill the widening gap between magazine issues.

Nothing on the next magazine issue, but for a note on the f-book about July being out in late August, and how it will be number 259, and issues will be numbered from now on, and something about a change in distribution as the cause of the delay...

Odd that War of the Worlds - Goliath has been off of the HM web site for a while now, but that Gates remains though the story stopped months ago.

The madness behind the methods of the HM multiverse remain a mystery to me.

Thanks Again

Lostboy linked this blog on his excellent fan page www.heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com and the visits to this blog increased dramatically.  Thanks again Lostboy.

Though he stopped updating the magazine list last November (regrettably, though I accept it), his fan page remains the best resource for the HM magazine fan.  I frequently visit for info and research on past issues, and there are many other links and pages of information.  There are more than enough reasons to make frequent visits worthwhile.

Chances are, if you're reading this you already know about his fan page, but I recommend exploring it to find his views and opinions, as well as all that stuff in the collectors' lists.

thanks

Kranburn #3

I got this one in the electronic copy (via feccomics.com, and I got #1 and #2 as well) and I plan to buy the print copies of #3 and #4 at the same time to save on shipping.  Digital is a lot cheaper and easier, and I really recommend getting Kranburn, so this is a good way to do it, but getting print copies of this is worth it to me.

The cover is again enjoyably detailed, and silly.  She must not be able to sit down with all the knives strapped to her butt.  Must take forever to put all that stuff on…  The covers are one of the benefits of buying the copies rather than just looking at the webcomic.  Supporting an artist whose work I like is another.

The story picks up with Brand and Egon cleaning up after the forage mission gone wrong.  We learn a bit about how Egon got here, Brand brings him to Kranburn and shows him (and us) around and hopes he joins them.  Kranburn’s lower level self perpetuating security system is not for the squeamish.  Brand wonders (as I do) what Egon’s reaction is, but we’re not shown.

A dramatic turn of events is told in a convoluted way.  Duncan’s widow is distraught, and decides to go to another settlement.  While Brand takes her, a kidnapping breaks Kranburn’s security and blame is pointed to Brand.  Fearing a traitor, Brand leaves on a suicide mission telling only Gerald the doctor why.

While this chapter is a bit light on the action, at least in comparison, some good exposition helps deepen the story, and again the art is raw but still compelling.  Knowing what’s coming, from following the webcomic, I’m really looking forward to getting #4.