Sometimes you’re just sitting at your desk, or looking at your phone, and an email pops in. Casually, you read it. Then, less causally, you re-read it. Then you stand up from your seat and try to re-read it again, but you find that you’re actually already running round the room shouting instead. Sometimes that email comes from Heavy Metal Magazine and says “would you be interested in contributing to a Megadeth anthology?”. Yes. The answer is yes. Obviously. We would. And, reader, we have.
To accompany the upcoming release of their 35th anniversary ultimate greatest hits record Warheads On Foreheads, Megadeth and Heavy Metal Magazine are putting out a 350-page comics anthology featuring brand new stories inspired by the songs on that album.
The list of contributors is fantastic, including people like Tim Seeley, Alex de Campi, John Ostrander, Frazer Irving, Dan Fogler, Brian Wood, Joe Keatinge, Tony Lee, PM Buchan, and John Pearson (full contributor list, plus previews HERE).
Leah and I are thrilled to be working with Ben Templesmith (who we collaborated with a long, long time ago for a Doctor Who one-shot called The Whispering Gallery) on our story, inspired by one of my own personal favourite Megadeth songs, Black Friday. Here’s an unlettered preview page from the story.
From the Bleeding Cool preview piece:
Says Dave Mustaine: “I have always fantasized about Megadeth doing something this gloriously electrifying and gruesome. I hope everyone will enjoy the graphic novel as much as I enjoyed working with Heavy Metal to put it together for you.”
Jeff Krelitz, CEO of Heavy Metal tells us “Since I was old enough to buy records, Megadeth has been one of my favorite bands, not only for the great storytelling in the music, but the world building imagery on the album covers. This opportunity to meld the two world together and tell stories inspired by their songs is a privilege that we are excited to present to the fans.”
Megadeth: Death By Design is 350 pages is 12.25” x 12.25” prestige album format and comes in four different editions:
- Leather bound slipcase edition with 4-clear vinyl set of WARHEADS ON FOREHEADS and DEATH BY DESIGN graphic novel signed by Dave Mustaine
- FYE Exclusive Leather bound slipcase edition with 4-clear vinyl set of WARHEADS ON FOREHEADS and DEATH BY DESIGN graphic novel signed by Dave Mustaine
- Leather bound slipcase edition with 4-clear vinyl set of WARHEADS ON FOREHEADS and DEATH BY DESIGN graphic novel
- Standard hardcover edition of DEATH BY DESIGN graphic novel.
The anthology will be in comic shops on June the 5th.