Humanoids: Euro SF Albums and English Editions

Les Humanoïdes Associés was founded in Paris in 1974 by Moebius (Jean Giraud), Philippe Druillet, Jean-Pierre Dionnet, and Bernard Farkas as a publisher explicitly designed to showcase the bandes dessinées work that French-language genre magazines like Métal Hurlant were developing into an art form. The American edition of Métal Hurlant launched in 1977 as Heavy Metal, bringing Moebius, Enki Bilal, and Philippe Druillet to English-language readership. Humanoids Publishing, the American arm of Les Humanoïdes Associés, began producing English-language hardcover editions of the French catalog in the late 1990s - a publishing program that made previously inaccessible European science fiction and fantasy comics available to American collectors without requiring French literacy.

Humanoids Comics collecting centers on the distinction between the original French editions, the Heavy Metal magazine serializations, and the later English-language hardcover reprints that Humanoids Publishing produced in the 2000s. First French edition Métal Hurlant issues from the 1974-1987 run represent the primary tier for serious collectors: these are fragile newsprint-format magazines now 40-50 years old with no American equivalent in terms of the creative quality they published. The Moebius-illustrated issues command the highest premiums, with fine copies of early Métal Hurlant issues reaching hundreds of euros at French auction. English-language Humanoids hardcovers represent a different, more accessible tier - well-produced reference editions rather than primary artifacts.

Two practical habits. Source French Métal Hurlant through French auction platforms (Delcampe, eBay.fr) rather than American listings, where scarcity inflates prices above what the French domestic market prices the same material. And evaluate condition of French magazine-format comics using the European BD grading conventions rather than American CGC-influenced standards - the French system uses different descriptors for spine wear and color break that don't map directly onto American grading language, and conflation leads to mispriced purchases in either direction.

The Métal Hurlant long game

Learn the Humanoids Comics fundamentals - Métal Hurlant issue identification and Moebius contribution index, how Heavy Metal serialization relates to the original French publication timeline, and which Humanoids English hardcover editions represent complete versus partial presentation of original material - and keep notes on edition, language, and condition at purchase.

Find the other Humanoids collectors

Niches like Humanoids Comics grow sharper when collectors tracking French BD editions can compare sourcing platforms and condition assessments. Amassable lets you log issues and editions with origin and condition notes, display the Humanoids collection like a gallery, and meet others pursuing the same Métal Hurlant run. Early members help shape how this specialty develops.

Your turn

Log the issues, document the editions, compare notes with the community. Amassable is built for Humanoids Comics collectors - catalog what you own, track the Métal Hurlant gaps, and start conversations about the Moebius-era issues worth pursuing. Download Amassable from the official store links on our homepage, and help bring the Humanoids community together, one bande dessinée at a time.