Heavy Metal, the iconic science-fiction and fantasy magazine, will base its new comic-book line in Portland, co-owner Jeff Krelitz says, and hopes to be publishing eight original series by the end of 2015.

"I think it's being closer to the talent," Krelitz says. "If you wanted to be a painter in the early 20th century, you went to Paris.

"Portland is the mecca for comics. I'm looking to build something here because this is a true artists' community."

Heavy Metal debuted – with the tagline, "The adult illustrated fantasy magazine" – in 1977, and long made waves with provocative cover art and comics that betray no fear of sex, violence or robots.

"Heavy Metal was my first exposure to all the cartoonists of Europe, to Moebius, (Jacques) Tardi, and (Alejandro) Jodorowsky," says Steve Lieber, a cartoonist at Portland's Periscope Studio. "The possibilities in variation and artistic voice hadn't occurred to me until I saw what those artists could do."

Krelitz, a film producer, and David Boxenbaum, the co-founder of A&M/Octone Records, bought the magazine last year from Kevin Eastman, who continues as publisher.

Jeff Krelitz

As Variety noted last January, Krelitz and Boxenbaum plan to develop films, television series, and music, print and digital projects under the Heavy Metal brand.

"We're looking at (comics) properties in the same way we look at television and film," says Krelitz, who attended Wizard World Portland last weekend.

"We have a much better economic model than anyone will offer in the marketplace. We have a merchandizing company that's one of the biggest in the world. Not only are we not going to fleece you to get your self-published book, we're going to help your brand building."

Heavy Metal launched its monthly comics line with "Hoax Hunters," a former Image title written by Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley.

"We're creating our own Heavy Metal universe," Krelitz says, promising that the announcement of forthcoming titles would have "a shock-wave effect.

"What I'm offering to creators is that if you have an original idea that's cool and hip and edgy, we want to build that as a brand. Beyond the comics. Marvel and DC are relying on time-tested characters. We're less concerned about superheroes. That's not who we are. We're about innovative sci-fi.

"We're the Kurt Vonnegut of comics."

The power of the brand has been quite durable over the years. "Heavy Metal has always been the cool way to check out the French artists that no one else was translating and bringing to America," says Andy Johnson at Cosmic Monkey, a retail shop on Northeast Sandy.

"It gave Moebius and Richard Corben an audience. Milo Manara? Heavy Metal is where I first saw Milo Manara, and my life has been a wreck ever since."

"That was a deciding moment in your life, when you bought your first Heavy Metal," Krelitz says. "The world was a bigger place. It was like seeing your first R-rated movie. You weren't a kid anymore. There was no turning back."

Krelitz and Boxenbaum want the comics' line to arrive with similar impact. "This year alone, eight original series," Krelitz says. "Next year, we'll add another 12. Upwards of 50 over the next five years. We're positioning to be a premiere publisher."

What impact will that have on the city's extensive array of artists?

"The days when you had to live in the same town as your publisher are long past," Lieber said. "But there's a lot to be said for a face-to-face relationship."

Krelitz also suggested that he would consider moving more of the company to Oregon if suitable tax breaks were available: "The comics' line is a start. I'm looking at (other) elements that can be brought here."

-- Steve Duin

sduin@oregonian.com

503-221-8597; @SteveDuin