Metal Hurlant Vol.2: Space Stares Back

by Philippe Druillet, Mœbius, Jean-Pierre Dionnet

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

see https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp...

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second issue of the Metal Hurlant/Heavy Metal reboot.

This issue was much better than the premier issue. That contained too much self-back slapping, which constrained the content. However, you can tell the editors are still groping their way forward toward the final look of the magazine.

The issue contains the advertised mulching of old and new pieces. The largest number are Martian related. These are a mixed bag. The science fiction/fact articles were OK, but need more work. They reminded me of very early Wired. However, the long graphic piece, and somewhat of an old chestnut, "Exterminator 17" by Jean-Pierre Dionnet was quite excellent. I vaguely remember its appearance in the legacy Heavy Metal. Its been split into two-parts and will be continued in the next issue.

So, getting better with a combination of old and new graphic works, some of which you'll like, others you won't, and at least one that will leave you trying to push the pieces of your asploding head back into place, until you read Part II in the next issue.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest reincarnation of Metal Hurlant continues to impress. With this second issue, more of the content is from new contributors, with only a handful of pieces reprinted from the original run of Metal Hurlant in the 1970's and 1980's. I think that's all to the good, and the future of this series looks bright in the light of new work from Richard Guérineau, Yang Weilin, Daria Schmitt, and many others who provide highly original visions addressing the "Space Stares Back" subtitle.

[Andy Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still dig it

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recent Reads: Metal Hurlant - Space Stares Back. More from the international graphic SF anthology. Much of this issue is Mars pessimism, reminiscent of 70s SF, mixed with satire. As always great art fills the hefty book, mixing new and reprint work. A message? There is no Planet B, only silent void.

[Luke John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of comics and this (and it's preceding volume) have been the best releases of the year. Filled with short, interesting stories with varying art styles, this has been great to pick up for ten minutes at a time. The early Hurlant reprints have also been very well selected and some of the artwork in these has been amongst the best I have ever seen, by true masters of the art form. If you have any interest in comics, you owe it to yourself to pick up both of the currently available volumes.

[Bertazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well curated. Almost every story is about something going terribly wrong, the most pessimistic (and maybe popular) aspect of sci-fi. The first stories are killers. As well Dionnet and Bilal's classic. But unfortunately this volume is poorly edited in terms of extra material. Of course, Metal Hurlant was praising itself on the first volume, hence the number of essays, but I was expecting more in this second one.

[Ander Biguri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this. Is it the best comics ever? No, of course not. But a magazine for new artist to write short topic-wise stories in graphic novel format is perfect. Super high quality and effort by all artist with very different vision of space sci-fi. Recommended read and buy, to support upcoming artists in this medium.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this second volume a little bit less than the first one, but I would say they are of the same quality overall. Many stories are quite abstract, not everything is interesting, but there are some really good moments, both in writing and art, especially with the classic strips.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some gorgeous artwork here, but most of the stories are thin and it gets a bit repetitive seeing so many stories about astronauts trudging across the Martian desert. I enjoyed the interview with Star Trek's science advisor though.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first issue of the 2025 reboot, a little too many Mars stories, but it still slaps.