The following is an interview with Heavy Metal Magazine CEO Matt Medney regarding their recent partnership with Threadless to produce face masks featuring their iconic Taarna character in order to benefit the humanitarian first responder aid group, Medshare, in these challenging time. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Medney about the mission behind the initiative, how Heavy Metal fans can get involved, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Heavy Metal Magazine recently announced that it will be partnering with Threadless to produce face masks featuring its iconic Taarna character – the proceeds of which will benefit the humanitarian first responder aid group, Medshare. What can you share with us about the details of this new initiative?
Matt Medney: The opportunity was brought to me by the amazing team at Threadless. I instantly knew we had to do it. Not only will the proceeds go to help our front line, but it is a product that everyone needs right now, both for health reasons and for mental comfort, not to mention personal identities. We need products that help us be us. We have sold hundreds thus far, and we couldn’t be more thankful to our community for helping to lift everyone up by supporting the people who need it most in one of our most trying hours.
BD: How would you describe the masks that will be available for purchase by Taarna fans?
MM: They’re protective, first and foremost. Beyond that, they are an expression. Masks are going to be a part of fashion for the foreseeable future, and a Taarna mask will be a statement.
BD: How has Heavy Metal been impacted by these challenging times, and what message do you hope to share with your readers, colleagues, and staff?
MM: Heavy Metal has been uniquely positioned during all of this; we are actually stable. Our fan base has been nothing short of spectacular, continuing to support us through direct purchases on our online shop and helping us successfully launch our new Creator Owned Imprint, VIRUS. As a general rule, I like to keep our team always “Glass-Half-Full.” It is important to me that we all have perspective. It is nothing short of a blessing to be able to do what you love day in and day out, and for us that’s what we have. That attitude oozes downstream and seeps into the fabric of everything we do.
BD: Is it possible for readers to get more directly involved with Medshare and lend their monetary support and/or time?
MM: It is a great question, I believe you can go to Medshare.org to find out more ways to donate and support with your time!
BD: Are there any other projects on which you are working at Heavy Metal that you would like to highlight for readers?
MM: It is an exciting time at Heavy Metal. We have projects announced with George C. Romero, spanning his Prologue to his fathers work, called THE RISE. We have Brendan Colubmus, the son of the great writer/director Chris Columbus’ first project called Savage Circus. We just announced a new project with Dylan Sprouse. We have 3 different stories coming out this summer from the genius mind of Dan Fogler, and we have more exciting projects that are moving from idea to development everyday.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to lend their support to this fundraising initiative?
MM: Buy masks. its a win-win. You get protection you need, and you donate at the same time. You can’t beat that.
