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Heavy Metal is premiering their first ever digital comic for free on January 1, 2011 at this link! It’s a sci-fi story called Gates, and is written/illustrated by Hal Hefner (no relation). Check out some cover art and pin-ups from the series:

Here’s the solicit info:

Heavy Metal Presents: Gates centers on a specially-conceived young man, named Gates, living a wretched existence in an isolated negative utopian society, deep within the caverns of an industrial mountain complex. When he breaks free from his colony he is thrust onto a lush alien world filled with strange creatures, and ruled by Soloman—a nightmarish, god-like overlord. With his organic plant based technology, Soloman captures the humans and is instantly obsessed with the extermination of mankind and all life on the world. With the help of a tribe of intelligent creatures, Gates must learn to use Soloman’s organic technology to defeat him and take back a planet which is rightfully his. Gates is an epic tale of discovery and adventure addressing ideas of identity, society, politics, and philosophy, as well as modern concerns, including environmentalism, evolution, and the unintended consequences of scientific and technological experimentation.

Watch a brief trailer for Gates:

Hal Hefner, the writer/illustrator of Gates, has worked in games, print, comic books, websites, and work for individual clients. In the following video, head behind the scenes of Gates with Hal:

I’ve only recently jumped on the Heavy Metal train when I checked out the Fall 2010 issue, and I’m fully immersed in the magazine! I was wowed by the story The Revenge of Count Skarbek (both visually and in terms of the story telling), and when I learned that it was part 2, I had to seek out part 1 on ebay in the Summer 2005 Mystery Special. I picked it up for $5 including shipping- what a deal! Last week I purchased the January 2011 issue, and am absolutely digging it. So the fact that the Heavy Metal franchise is now expanding its reach into digital media is an exciting venture to see unfold!

Heavy Metal is published bi-monthly, and typically focuses on the science fiction and fantasy genres, with a touch of erotica. It was first published in 1977 and is currently owned/published by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator, Kevin Eastman. I met Kevin this past July at San Diego Comic Con 2010, and I can honestly say that he is one of the coolest, personable, and kind guys in this industry.

So look for the debut page of Gates on January 1, 2011 at http://gates.heavymetal.com/!

Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net