Heavy Metal, Simon & Schuster Partner for Book, Graphic Novel Distribution

Heavy Metal Entertainment has reached an agreement with Simon & Schuster to supply sales and distribution to Heavy Metal titles in the U.S., Canada, and international markets, effective February 1, 2021.

Founded in 1977, Heavy Metal magazine is best known for publishing such acclaimed European comics artists as Moebius, Enki Bilal, Philippe Druillet, and Pepe Moreno, and such American creators as Richard Corben and Jim Steranko. The monthly magazine is also known for publishing fantasy, sci-fi, and horror and for short stories by such writers as Stephen King, and Grant Morrison. In recent years the publisher has also expanded its publishing program into the book market with graphic novels as well as prose works and e-books.

Heavy Metal CEO Matthew Medney said the new distribution partnership marked a step forward in the continued marketplace growth for Heavy Metal Entertainment. “The folks at Simon & Schuster acknowledge and appreciate the legacy and value of the Heavy Metal brand, and they are the ideal shepherds for us as we continue to expand into books,” Medney said. “The mission of this new iteration of Heavy Metal is at its core to pay homage to what brought us here and push the boundaries of science fiction, fantasy and horror even further.”

Among the first titles to be released under this new agreement will be collected editions of Heavy Metal’s bestselling titles, among them Dylan Sprouse’s Sun Eater, Dan Fogler’s Brooklyn Gladiator and Fishkill. The house is also releasing an enhanced second edition of Medney’s science fiction novel Beyond Kuiper: The Galactic Star Alliance, featuring 60 pages of new content, and the first volume of HM’s Taarna series in addition to several yet to be announced prose works.

Michael Perlman, v-p general manager, Simon & Schuster Publisher Services, said, “We are delighted to welcome Heavy Metal to the Simon & Schuster family of Distribution Clients. We look forward to helping them expand their presence in the market, and providing them with the best support possible to help them grow their business.”