One full turn of the sun since Heavy Metal returned in full stride with renewed force, the magazine moves forward as Gladiatrix by Dan Gordon and John Stanisci and Ink by Charley Parlapnides, Vlas Parlapnides, and Marco Failla continue to unfold, and Cold Dead War by Craig Wilson closes a chapter. Dark Horizons by Philippe Pelaez and Benjamin Blasco-Martinez begins its run, a post-apocalyptic science fiction series set on Kepler-452 b, where a forbidden zone has claimed every expedition sent beyond it. Thellus by Simona Mogavino and Carlos Gmez makes its debut as a new science fiction saga, introducing a myth-infused world ruled by absolute power and laying the groundwork for a broader story of domination and resistance. Also featured are Blue Angel, a near-future military science fiction story by Philippe Gauckler, The Callistan Menace, a classic science fiction adaptation adapted by Fernando Fernndez, and Turing Test for Humans by Fernando Dagnino. Beyond these highlights, the issue includes a varied range of additional features that reinforce Heavy Metals bold editorial mix.