Eastman sells Heavy Metal

John Pannozzi · 01-17-2014, 04:23 PM

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?p...ticle&id=50367

Definitely the end of an era, but considering Andrew has said that Kevin has been in a bad way lately, it's probably for the best.

*DrSpengler* · 01-17-2014, 04:32 PM

I had a subscription to Heavy Metal for about 3 years and it was all during the Eastman era.

Admittedly... I'm not sure why I kept with the magazine for so long. The content wasn't all that good and I think I bought it more out of support for Eastman's projects than I did out of actual enjoyment of the magazine. During the years I bought it, anyway (the mid '00s), the stories felt almost like a self-parody of what everybody superficially associates with Heavy Metal.

I think the absolute low for the brand, at least when I was paying it mind, was the "Heavy Metal 2000" film, which was the ultimate vanity piece for Eastman and his then-wife, Julie Strain. Just a heinous film. Then Eastman went and released the special edition "Melting Pot" graphic novel as an anniversary issue of Heavy Metal and it was just... so bad, you guys. So freakin' bad.

I dunno, I don't have a complete view of Heavy Metal during Eastman's tenure as editor, but from the years I was paying attention... it just wasn't very good.

Maybe now that there's a new direction (and the article lists that the new owner is more interested in getting the brand name back into theaters), we'll see a revitalization of the title. I'd love to finally get a GOOD sequel to the original film, a proper anthology feature, and just pretend that Julie Strain vehicle Eastman financed never happened.

**Jester** · 01-17-2014, 04:38 PM

I wonder what this means for his further involvement with TMNT?

*Andrew NDB* · 01-17-2014, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

I wonder what this means for his further involvement with TMNT?

It means nothing either way. He's been trying to sell HM for several years now. No need to get too far into it, but he's been a victim of some pretty bad business practices of some of his partners.

John Pannozzi · 01-17-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

He's been trying to sell HM for several years now. No need to get too far into it, but he's been a victim of some pretty bad business practices of some of his partners.

Without naming names, could you tell me if you mean the guys who were trying to produce the new HM movie, or someone else?

And Spengs, I should not that Kevin himself said that the HM 2000 movie was terrible and he thinks no one should see it at a panel I attended at the 2012 Boston Comic Con.

One major thing I've never seen anyone mention here concerning Eastman and HM is that in the early 1990s, he was going to release a CD-ROM collection of HM, but didn't get permission from any of the creators. The discs were manufactured but never released, and the whole ordeal made Steve Bissette end his friendship with Kevin.

**Jester** · 01-17-2014, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

It means nothing either way. He's been trying to sell HM for several years now. No need to get too far into it, but he's been a victim of some pretty bad business practices of some of his partners.

I guess I just wondered if without the entanglements with HM if he'd have more time for the Turtles....

*Andrew NDB* · 01-18-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

I guess I just wondered if without the entanglements with HM if he'd have more time for the Turtles....

It's been a good couple of years since HM has eaten up a significant amount of his time.

*Andrew NDB* · 01-18-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Pannozzi

Without naming names, could you tell me if you mean the guys who were trying to produce the new HM movie, or someone else?

Someone else. Doesn't sound like the movie thing was really anyone's fault... the financiers just got cold feet.

Abnormal Freak · 01-20-2014, 04:26 AM

Is Fistful of Blood tied up with Heavy Metal or does Eastman retain rights? Been wondering if we'll ever see the movie.

John Pannozzi · 01-20-2014, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnormal Freak

Is Fistful of Blood tied up with Heavy Metal or does Eastman retain rights? Been wondering if we'll ever see the movie.

I'm not certain, but I'm willing to bet that Kevin retains the rights to the comics he created himself.

01-17-2014, 04:38 PM	#3
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,216	I wonder what this means for his further involvement with TMNT? __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

01-20-2014, 04:26 AM	#9
Abnormal Freak Stone Warrior Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MN Posts: 778	Is Fistful of Blood tied up with Heavy Metal or does Eastman retain rights? Been wondering if we'll ever see the movie. __________________

01-17-2014, 04:32 PM	#2
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,830	I had a subscription to Heavy Metal for about 3 years and it was all during the Eastman era. Admittedly... I'm not sure why I kept with the magazine for so long. The content wasn't all that good and I think I bought it more out of support for Eastman's projects than I did out of actual enjoyment of the magazine. During the years I bought it, anyway (the mid '00s), the stories felt almost like a self-parody of what everybody superficially associates with Heavy Metal. I think the absolute low for the brand, at least when I was paying it mind, was the "Heavy Metal 2000" film, which was the ultimate vanity piece for Eastman and his then-wife, Julie Strain. Just a heinous film. Then Eastman went and released the special edition "Melting Pot" graphic novel as an anniversary issue of Heavy Metal and it was just... so bad, you guys. So freakin' bad. I dunno, I don't have a complete view of Heavy Metal during Eastman's tenure as editor, but from the years I was paying attention... it just wasn't very good. Maybe now that there's a new direction (and the article lists that the new owner is more interested in getting the brand name back into theaters), we'll see a revitalization of the title. I'd love to finally get a GOOD sequel to the original film, a proper anthology feature, and just pretend that Julie Strain vehicle Eastman financed never happened.