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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
When, as a reader of novels, you dip your toe into respected comics, you'll first be recommended stuff like Watchmen and Maus; graphic novels which have been accepted by the mainstream literary establishment. Look for things which are less well-known outside the comics world but worshipped within it, and The Incal will be first cab off the ranks.
This is a collected hardcover which didn't come cheap, so when I ordered it online I was careful to make sure I got an English edition (it was originally published in French). The funny thing is that I probably needn't have bothered. Goodreads credits Alejandro Jodorowsky as the author of this book, but the illustrator is Moebius, and it's for the illustration that The Incal is beloved in comic circles. Jodorowsky's story, on the other hand, is a nonsensical space opera mishmash about a galactic threat, an all-powerful glowing crystal and a hapless messiah figure surrounded by more competent space warriors, with plenty of half-baked Biblical allegories. I doubt I would have got any less out of The Incal if I "read" it in the original French; I could have ignored the dialogue, which mostly consists of lines like "The star vessel has become one with the portal; now we are entering the theta dream itself," and just let my gaze wander across the art.
I can see why this is considered a seminal work and a masterpiece for people predominantly focused on comics as a visual medium. Those of us who prefer a more coherent narrative can give it a miss; it's not really meant for us.
This is a collected hardcover which didn't come cheap, so when I ordered it online I was careful to make sure I got an English edition (it was originally published in French). The funny thing is that I probably needn't have bothered. Goodreads credits Alejandro Jodorowsky as the author of this book, but the illustrator is Moebius, and it's for the illustration that The Incal is beloved in comic circles. Jodorowsky's story, on the other hand, is a nonsensical space opera mishmash about a galactic threat, an all-powerful glowing crystal and a hapless messiah figure surrounded by more competent space warriors, with plenty of half-baked Biblical allegories. I doubt I would have got any less out of The Incal if I "read" it in the original French; I could have ignored the dialogue, which mostly consists of lines like "The star vessel has become one with the portal; now we are entering the theta dream itself," and just let my gaze wander across the art.
I can see why this is considered a seminal work and a masterpiece for people predominantly focused on comics as a visual medium. Those of us who prefer a more coherent narrative can give it a miss; it's not really meant for us.
For me the graphic novels or comics if you like are always the mix between storytelling and artwork. I do believe that one without the other cannot suffice especially if you want to carry out an entire comic on its back. This is the case of The Incal.
Moebius' artwork is simply great. Amazing visuals, really well designed and ripe with details in the most remote corners of the page. Jodorowsky's writing? It's all over the place, it has no clear narrative, the characters are shallow, a lot of concepts or elements are introduced in the story and treated as if they have been talked about for at least 20 pages, the plethora of pseudo-, psycho-,techno- prefixes that he employs is just enough to make this seem like the way in which a school kid envisions SF. Not to mention that the pace is extremely fast and a lot of things are happening but they are hardly ever explained ("Yeah, just throw in some of that psuedo psycho bullcrap and whatever!") making me as the reader, as the (loosely defined) story progressed, more and more confused as to what the actual plot of this book is.
Sorry but this book can't stand on its own on the artwork alone. I was planning to continue reading the Jodoverse and pick up "The Metabarons" but I've seen that Jodo employs the same kind of writing there so I'll sit that one out.
Moebius' artwork is simply great. Amazing visuals, really well designed and ripe with details in the most remote corners of the page. Jodorowsky's writing? It's all over the place, it has no clear narrative, the characters are shallow, a lot of concepts or elements are introduced in the story and treated as if they have been talked about for at least 20 pages, the plethora of pseudo-, psycho-,techno- prefixes that he employs is just enough to make this seem like the way in which a school kid envisions SF. Not to mention that the pace is extremely fast and a lot of things are happening but they are hardly ever explained ("Yeah, just throw in some of that psuedo psycho bullcrap and whatever!") making me as the reader, as the (loosely defined) story progressed, more and more confused as to what the actual plot of this book is.
Sorry but this book can't stand on its own on the artwork alone. I was planning to continue reading the Jodoverse and pick up "The Metabarons" but I've seen that Jodo employs the same kind of writing there so I'll sit that one out.
Having just finished a Murakami book, this heightened my brain of which was already elevated by the pseudo psychological thriller that was Hard Boiled Wonderland. One of Moebius’ best works reproduced beautifully along with the batshit craziness of JODOROSKY. Marvelously done.
Un rollercoaster lisergico: veloce, folle, adrenalinico.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up at the library after reading that Taika Waititi was planning to make it into a movie. The art is pretty great, the story is odd and spirals, maybe out of control, and it was hard to stay focused. I got a call from the library today that this book is now past due so I more or less skimmed the last 20% just so I could finish it. All in all, a tad underwhelmed but also appreciative that it is foundational space sci-fi that gave inspiration for some of the best sci-fi movies of our time. Unless you are keen to explore graphic novel "classics", maybe just wait for the movie.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes