I used to think that I was just writing a unique isekai story about a hot rodder in a dark fantasy world. But I think about it, and I look at what I'm writing, and I look at what I have planned for my story down the road, and I realize something.
I accidentally recreated the Heavy Metal genre.
For those of you who don't know, Heavy Metal Magazine was a long-running magazine published in the '70s and '80s. They would feature stories known for their distinctive blend of genres, artistic experimentation, and mature themes. Stories typically mix speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and surrealism, often blending them in unexpected ways to create a dreamlike or mind-bending atmosphere. Heavy Metal thrives on gritty, visceral worlds. The world itself feels oppressive and seductive at the same time. Characters are bold, larger-than-life, and a little reckless. The heroes are always flawed, doing the right thing, but often for selfish reasons, or often at personal cost. Heavy Metal itself is sensory and over-the-top: neon flames, chrome gleaming in firelight, black leather, glowing potions, blood-red skies, surreal monsters... You know, stuff like that.
And as I'm writing about my character being challenged by a hobgoblin with a wooden shield while he's holding a shotgun, and just blasts the poor f***er into oblivion and leaving behind a huge gaping wound in the hobgoblin's chest. I thought to myself "This scene would fit right in to Heavy Metal Magazine." Then I thought "Wait, my entire story would do that."
So now, I'm strongly considering leaning into this realization.
I accidentally recreated the Heavy Metal genre.
For those of you who don't know, Heavy Metal Magazine was a long-running magazine published in the '70s and '80s. They would feature stories known for their distinctive blend of genres, artistic experimentation, and mature themes. Stories typically mix speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and surrealism, often blending them in unexpected ways to create a dreamlike or mind-bending atmosphere. Heavy Metal thrives on gritty, visceral worlds. The world itself feels oppressive and seductive at the same time. Characters are bold, larger-than-life, and a little reckless. The heroes are always flawed, doing the right thing, but often for selfish reasons, or often at personal cost. Heavy Metal itself is sensory and over-the-top: neon flames, chrome gleaming in firelight, black leather, glowing potions, blood-red skies, surreal monsters... You know, stuff like that.
And as I'm writing about my character being challenged by a hobgoblin with a wooden shield while he's holding a shotgun, and just blasts the poor f***er into oblivion and leaving behind a huge gaping wound in the hobgoblin's chest. I thought to myself "This scene would fit right in to Heavy Metal Magazine." Then I thought "Wait, my entire story would do that."
So now, I'm strongly considering leaning into this realization.
