2026: YEAR OF THE DEATH METAL DUCK! TALKING TO CREATORS JUSTIN HEGGS AND CAM HAYDEN
This interview was conducted by Chris Doucher, Editor-in-Chief, Writer and Comic Panel Moderator for GeekNerdNet. (Image and video credits to: Justin Heggs, Cam Hayden, and GeekNerdNet)
L to R: Justin Heggs (writer) and Cam Hayden (artist) are the creative team behind DEATH METAL DUCK.
I chatted with creators Justin Heggs (writer) and Cam Hayden (artist) about the release (TODAY! April 14, 2026) of their graphic novel hardcover DEATH METAL DUCK via Black Panel Press. The series, which initially got its start back in 2014 with a modest print run of issue one, is now back in black hardcover! And hot damn is this a fantastic story of Curtis Paul — former used-to-be punk rock legend, now playing centre stage as Dad. I cannot recommend this book more, especially with ducks who are stars of a band called PUKE HAMMER!I Seriously, you should buy it. You can do it now, anywhere books are sold, or buy it at the official book launch at the 2026 Calgary Expo next week (Apr.23-26) at Cam Hayden’s table: P005. And, you can also ask your local comic book shop or bookseller to order you a copy.
In our chat about the series, Heggs and Hayden give great insights on the growth of the characters and the story itself. Both from a writing point of view, as well as an art point of view. A decade has gone by since Heggs first wrote the opening of the series, and he credits that time away to making now the perfect time to come back to the story and its characters for finishing the story.
Heggs shares a story (from spring 2024) of his kids reading his earlier comics (Wolf Hands, with art by Nick Johnson) which lit the spark to get him back into writing comics again. For Hayden, revisiting the series after a decade’s worth of work under his belt with various co-creator, as well as creator-owned projects (which you can find on his Patreon), he completely redrew the original first issue, which is now woven into this graphic novel. He talks about the ways in which he drew the ducks to be part duck and part humanoid shape. It’s the expressions in the faces which really pushed him, having to work with a large duck bill and the fact they don’t have eyebrows to convey emotion in a scene.
I could go on and on, but I’d rather have you listen listen to Heggs and Hayden talk about DEATH METAL DUCK. Just hit play. It’s that easy.