This strip makes almost no sense without the context provided by being a regular reader of the publication for the previous several months. The “Stathis” referenced in the fourth panel is Lou Stathis, one of the assistant editors. He was in charge of editing the Dossier section, where he often highlights one or another musical style (reggae, punk, goth, heavy metal, etc). He also edited the letters column with a withering scorn – similar in style to the seventh panel of this strip.

(Heavy Metal issue #88, July 1984 – Page 50 June 2050 by Sabella)