This is a very well-constructed story that has a clear allegorical message but doesn’t skimp on the clarity for the sake of the art – a relative rarity for this publication. The naked bald man is one of thousands (maybe millions) of clones that labor in a dark, blue-toned world with no hope (or understanding) of happiness. Once in a great while, one of them is picked out and brought to the queen’s chamber to impregnate her.

The last panel, where the worker is sent back to his dull, dank world after seeing what real comfort is, always struck me as more than a little mean.

(Heavy Metal issue #34, January 1980 – Page 91 The Hive by Kirchner)