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The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Heavy Ink: A Documentary on the Comicbook Revolution

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Heavy Ink is a documentary short focusing on the comic anthology magazine, Heavy Metal, examining its history as both a standout comic magazine, and how it fits into the larger tradition of comic books. What started off in 1977 as a sci-fi offshoot of National Lampoon ushered in a new era of comics by bridging the gap between American and European comic sensibilities with a talent pool from all over the world.</p> <p>Heavy Metal would go on to have reverberations beyond comics into music, movies, and the global entertainment landscape of today. Heavy Metal introduced the world to artists such as Moebius, Philippe Drulliet, Vaughn Bode, and Richard Corben along with a plethora of underground and established cartoonists from around the world, daring to do what the likes of Marvel and DC could not (until both launched their own imitations).</p> <p>This film examines the feedback loop of influences in Europe, America, and Asia from comics to rock music and how they all converged on one comic book magazine. But was Heavy Metal a product of its time? A pre-internet manifestation of multicultural interests? Or was it simply the right magazine at the right time?</p> <p>In Heavy Ink, I interview former Heavy Metal editor, Brad Balfour (and other comic artists/authors/historians), on film and examine Heavy Metal’s history and the reverberations it created that are felt to this day.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
Master
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Liberal Studies
Grantor
The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York
Year dc:date.available
2017

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Adler, Renzo
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Matthew K. Gold

Subjects

dc:subject × 16

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2296
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-3325

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
City University of New York - Graduate Center
Base URL
academicworks.cuny.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Adler, Renzo. Heavy Ink: A Documentary on the Comicbook Revolution. Master thesis, The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York, 2017. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2296