Heavy Metal Issue #297, released in January 2020, marked the magazine's first Holiday Special in over 30 years. This 148-page edition, priced at $9.99, features a collection of festive-themed stories blending science fiction, fantasy, and horror, curated by managing editor Tim Seeley.

Notable Stories:

• "A Knight So True": Written by Cullen Bunn with art by Baldemar Rivas, this tale explores a world of Christmas past.

• "Black Metal Messiah": Justin Jordan and Chris Anderson present a 21st-century vision of holidays to come.

• "Bethlehem": Andy Eschenbach and Gavin Smith offer a sci-fi rendition of the nativity story.

• "Trolls": Ron Marz and Bart Sears conjure a holiday narrative involving trolls.

• "Murky World" (Part 3): The continuation of Richard Corben's epic saga.