Heavy Metal Entertainment, science fiction, fantasy, and horror storyteller, has announced that it is partnering with Joel Meadows, editor-in-chief of UK pop culture outlet Tripwire to publish a book celebrating the 30th anniversary of the magazine and website. Simon & Schuster is distributing the over 200-page paperback edition, coming out October 25th, which will be a snapshot of what Tripwire has covered in the comics and genre industry over the last 30 years, plus brand new content, says the publisher. Additionally, a crowdfunding campaign just launched through Zoop; fans can now pre-order a hardcover edition of the book and art prints through the campaign page here.
According to the publisher, UK comics and pop culture magazine Tripwire launched back in 1992. Starting as a fanzine, Tripwire switched to a professional magazine in 1997 and it launched on the web in 2015. Known for its comics, film, and TV coverage, they say that Tripwire has featured interviews with Guillermo del Toro, Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Alan Moore, and more. Tripwire’s magazine returned to print in 2020 after a decade away and has produced two lavish print annual editions with a third on the way later this year.
“Tripwire hit a real milestone this year and we felt we had to commemorate it with something special. We had been talking with Heavy Metal for the last year or so and it all came together over the past few months. We had been looking at different ways of working with Kris Longo and Joseph Illidge at Heavy Metal and it has been great that this has come to fruition,” said Joel Meadows, Tripwire editor-in-chief. “The Tripwire 30th Anniversary book is the ultimate celebration of three decades of Tripwire and thirty years of comics and pop culture seen through our unique journalistic prism.”
This year also marks the 45th anniversary of Heavy Metal, the publisher continued, known for being the home of the legendary illustrated Heavy Metal Magazine and the source for the cult classic animated film Heavy Metal. It is a natural fit for a dual anniversary celebration with Tripwire. Both brands are known for their exploration into genre entertainment, art, and independent comics.
Added Heavy Metal executive editor Joseph Illidge: "Just as the seminal British Invasion of comics changed the medium, industry, and world-at-large forever through the talents of luminaries such as Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, and Alan Moore, it was Tripwire magazine that charted the evolution of artistic and literary perspectives in comics and graphic novels through a unique lens. Through the ups and downs of comics journalism, Tripwire endures, and we are a better community for it.”
Speaking of the book the publisher added, the Tripwire 30th anniversary book cover is by designer Kit Caoagas and includes a foreword by Image Comics’ Dirk Wood, an introduction by Previews editor Marty Grosser, interviews with the likes of Alan Moore, Frank Miller and Mike Mignola, feature stories and other reprinted material, a photo gallery, Scott Braden’s Lost Tales comic series, a new Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders comic by Meadows and co-creator/artist Andy Bennett, and a new Fred The Clown comic strip by Roger Langridge.
The book will also include pinups and art from the likes of Jock (Batman), Drew Struzan (Indiana Jones), Frank Miller (Sin City, Dark Knight), Walter Simonson (Thor, Ragnarok), Bill Sienkiewicz (Moon Knight, Batman), Laurence Campbell (Hellboy), and many others. Meadows is also contributing new 30th anniversary themed feature stories, including a story about Heavy Metal’s history, an examination of Marvel movies over 30 years, a list of 30 independent creators who have impacted the industry, and much more.
The publisher says that the Tripwire team will be doing a signing on October 22nd at London’s prestigious Gosh Comics, where fans can meet editor-in-chief Joel Meadows and creators Simon Davis (2000AD), Frazer Irving (Gutsville, Batman), Roger Langridge (Fred The Clown) and Dan Schaffer (Dogwitch). Tripwire will also be present at MCM Comic Con’s Artists Alley in London’s Excel from October 28th-30th, with Meadows and Senior Editor Andrew Colman attending, with possible drop-ins from creators. The Society of Illustrators is also hosting a Tripwire 30th Anniversary book event and signing in New York City on October 8th, with contributors like Frank Miller joining; fans can get tickets to attend here.
Fans can also catch Joel Meadows at NYCC; Meadows will do a book signing at the Heavy Metal booth, potentially alongside artists contributing to the book. To stay up-to-date on Heavy Metal’s NYCC schedule, you can follow Heavy Metal’s Twitter and Instagram pages.
The Tripwire 30th Anniversary book, will be priced at $40.00 (U.S.) and will hit shelves on October 25, 2022. Retailers can now order the book via Diamond and readers can now pre-order the book via Amazon or Simon and Schuster’s portal.
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