French Métal Hurlant #70

The French anthology magazine Métal Hurlant or Screaming Metal was published by Humanoïdes Associés or United Humanoids from December 1974 to July 1987.  It is better known in the United States as Heavy Metal.  The U.S. Heavy Metal initially published stories from the French magazine including those from Métal Hurlant founders Philippe Druillet and Jean Giraud (Moebius), but quickly began publishing new stories by America artists.  Several serials from the U.S. Heavy Metal magazine were adapted into the 1981 animated movie which is how most Americans are familiar with the title.

The stories in Métal Hurlant and it's U.S. counterpart Heavy Metal are mature in nature, not unlike those found in Warren Publishing's Eerie and Creepy magazines.  Métal Hurlant tends to lean more towards science fiction stories, although it does contain horror stories.  The cover for Métal Hurlant #70 is clearly horror in nature and an interesting one for Star Wars comic fans.

Métal Hurlant #70a - Humanoïdes Associés, France (December 1981)

What a cover it is!  C-3PO is carrying a bloody ax and he has just broken down a door to a house.  He exclaims "Bonsoir madame, je viens chercher votre petit!" or "Hello, ma'am, I'm here to pick up your boy!"  The woman in the foreground is visibly frightened and, to complete the mood, we can see C-3PO is carrying a basket on his back filled with body parts of other little boys!  Unfortunately, there is no story inside the issue to accompany the cover.  This "Noel Special" was on the newsstands while many young boys were no doubt receiving Star Wars gifts for Christmas.  Luckily, the C-3PO action figure with removable limbs and cargo net wouldn't be released for a few months.

There is another French comic that has a cover showing C-3PO wielding a sharp weapon.  Titans #69 shows C-3PO using a knife to cut down a suspended cage containing the bounty hunter Dengar.  This scene is from the interior story and tame in comparison to the Métal Hurlant cover however.