Heavy Metal Magazine relaunches ambitiously, returning to stands.

Heavy Metal, one of the most iconic and influential anthology magazines in the comic book world, is making a triumphant return to comic shops. Fans are buzzing with excitement after the magazine's successful crowdfunding campaign, and the new volume is set to hit stores on Wednesday, April 30. Ahead of this much-anticipated release, IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek at Heavy Metal #1. Dive into the slideshow gallery below to get a glimpse of the diverse stories and previously unveiled covers that await you in the first issue.

The new volume of Heavy Metal promises a thrilling blend of returning legends and fresh talent. Among the highlights is the return of the iconic character Taarna, featured in new stories that are sure to captivate longtime fans and newcomers alike. Here's a comprehensive list of the stories and creators you can expect in the inaugural issue:

• BUG - Enki Bilal
• Burton & Cyb - Antonio Segura & José Ortiz
• The Mercenary - Vicente Segrelles
• Valentina - Sergio Gerasi
• Sixella: The Last Roots - Janevsky
• Taarna: Rebirth - Leah Moore, John Reppion, Anna Morozova
• Cold Dead War: The Aftermath - Craig Wilson
• Grimaldi - Keron Grant, Josh Sky, Frank Forte
• Legends of Taarna: "Autophonomania" - Matt and Shawn Fillbach, Joseph Michael Linsner
• Gladiatrix - John Stanisci
• Evil Sex Bitch - Steve Mannion
• Lester, That Old Feeling - Fernando Dagnino
• The Bus - Paul Kirchner
• June 2050 - John Workman
• Millstone - Michael Conrad, Ilias Kyriazis
• Transcendestiny - David Quinn, Tim Vigil
• Cobot - Jonathan Wayshak
• All American - Jason Spell, Jok
• Kecksburg UFO - Jim Rugg
• They Dug Too Deep - Dwayne Harris
• Floyd the Giant Killer - Michael L. Peters
• GUNK - Curt Merlo
• Harry Canyon - Josh Sky, Frank Forte
• Zeke & Edsel - Frank Forte
• The Devil's Teeth - Lia Bozonelis, Agustin Alessio

Heavy Metal #1 is set for a massive print run of 73,000 copies, marking it as the most widely distributed issue of the series in decades. Priced at $14.99, this 232-page issue is a substantial offering for fans. It will be available in comic shops starting April 30 and on newsstands from May 13. Future issues are planned to be released quarterly, though the publisher has indicated openness to a more frequent schedule if demand warrants it.

In other comic book news, fans can look forward to Mike Mignola's return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and IGN has had the chance to speak with the creative minds behind the upcoming Spider-Man & Wolverine series.