An analysis of the plot directions and themes of short picture stories from the “Heavy Metal” magazine in 2021

Abstract

In a broader context, the text explains the publishing formula and the nature of the content of “Heavy Metal” magazine, which is the oldest American, periodically published anthology of shorter and longer picture stories and comics. In a narrower sense — short, closed comic stories published in the magazine in 2021 were analyzed. The plot directions, themes and motifs of several dozen texts are discussed. The conclusions enabled the drawing up a partial characterization of the content of the magazine and presenting existing trends in the selection of topics raised on its pages.