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The Metabaron #3-4
The Techno-Cardinal & The Transhuman
The return of the greatest warrior in the The Metabaron!
The Metabaron character was created by legendary artist Moebius and writer Alejandro Jodorowsky in The Incal, and was later spun-off into his own international bestselling series, The Metabarons, with art by Juan Gimenez. The new series The Metabaron is a collaboration between Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jerry Frissen, exhibiting the work of talented artists including Valentin Secher and Niko Henrichon. Writer/director/ producer David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, Batman v Dawn of Justice) called The “The greatest work of graphic fiction ever produced,” and it has sold millions of copies globally.
The Metabaron character was created by legendary artist Moebius and writer Alejandro Jodorowsky in The Incal, and was later spun-off into his own international bestselling series, The Metabarons, with art by Juan Gimenez. The new series The Metabaron is a collaboration between Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jerry Frissen, exhibiting the work of talented artists including Valentin Secher and Niko Henrichon. Writer/director/ producer David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, Batman v Dawn of Justice) called The “The greatest work of graphic fiction ever produced,” and it has sold millions of copies globally.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2017
56 people want to read
About the author
Alejandro Jodorowsky
697 books1,950 followersAlso credited as Alexandro Jodorowsky
Better known for his surreal films El Topo and The Holy Mountain filmed in the early 1970s, Alejandro Jodorowsky is also an accomplished writer of graphic novels and a psychotherapist. He developed Psychomagic, a combination of psychotherapy and shamanic magic. His fans have included John Lennon and Marilyn Manson.
Better known for his surreal films El Topo and The Holy Mountain filmed in the early 1970s, Alejandro Jodorowsky is also an accomplished writer of graphic novels and a psychotherapist. He developed Psychomagic, a combination of psychotherapy and shamanic magic. His fans have included John Lennon and Marilyn Manson.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 12, 2017
Book Two of the Metabaron and his conflict with the unfortunately named Techno-Techno Union.
The Techno Pope's plan to kill the Metabaron using a clone has failed. But that does not mean he is done for the count. So he sends a Techno-Cardinal, who has his own secret, to see if he can influence the Metabaron.
We also learn about the Epyphite and the origins of this mysterious element. More than that I will not say. So in keeping with the first book the second still sports the good artwork from the first volume. The full cosmic panlopy on display is impressive and the art does a great job of rendering the story. As far as the story-it is a cosmic space opera. It isn't a bad story, not at all, but the silly names (Techno-Techno Union; Metabaron and adding the prefix paleo to anything they don't like) tend to make this seem more humorous and silly than it is. The story is dark and violent.
An interesting dystopian sci-fi setting, good art and an interesting story make this a solid three star effort. Considering the sheer amount of crap masquerading as a good comic stories this one stands apart as having a decent enough plot. Still a good overall sci-fi adventure.
The Techno Pope's plan to kill the Metabaron using a clone has failed. But that does not mean he is done for the count. So he sends a Techno-Cardinal, who has his own secret, to see if he can influence the Metabaron.
We also learn about the Epyphite and the origins of this mysterious element. More than that I will not say. So in keeping with the first book the second still sports the good artwork from the first volume. The full cosmic panlopy on display is impressive and the art does a great job of rendering the story. As far as the story-it is a cosmic space opera. It isn't a bad story, not at all, but the silly names (Techno-Techno Union; Metabaron and adding the prefix paleo to anything they don't like) tend to make this seem more humorous and silly than it is. The story is dark and violent.
An interesting dystopian sci-fi setting, good art and an interesting story make this a solid three star effort. Considering the sheer amount of crap masquerading as a good comic stories this one stands apart as having a decent enough plot. Still a good overall sci-fi adventure.
March 25, 2023
So now we get to see this new story start to develop and like all multi-part stories you start to see the players emerge. One thing I have learnt from this (and the original series) is that some characters although given major roles can only survive a few pages - this is a brutal universe they live in.
I will say though that we are now starting to see the various strands start to pull in (but still if you have not read the earlier Metabaron books do not fear - basically accept that he is the ultimate warrior). I think for me what appealed the most was that for all his capabilities he is still missing something and part of this book is all about him coming to terms with and what he does to resolve this.
As with the first I have to say that I love the art and design of this book and so pleased I spent the money to get the large format edition
I will say though that we are now starting to see the various strands start to pull in (but still if you have not read the earlier Metabaron books do not fear - basically accept that he is the ultimate warrior). I think for me what appealed the most was that for all his capabilities he is still missing something and part of this book is all about him coming to terms with and what he does to resolve this.
As with the first I have to say that I love the art and design of this book and so pleased I spent the money to get the large format edition
October 29, 2020
Vol. 1-4 is worthy sequel to original series. Techno pope and hi church is filthy, sociopatic asshole. Metabaron is letargic without reason to live, and whole world is coming to the end. Interesting characters, truly evil antagonists, great space battles, strange worlds. All that in fresh, beautiful art. Please give me more:)
August 5, 2017
I really need to read the Incal, Technopriest, and Metabaron series I think to fully understand this series, but it is really cool and fun. I like Orne-8 a lot, and I'll miss Tonto. I guess there's going to be a third volume in this series, so I'll be looking out for that whenever it's released!
February 18, 2026
The comic depicts disgusting ageism towards women. For the author, women only exist when they're young, while men in his comics can be old, disgusting, and sleazy. It's sickening. The author is completely detached from reality. The comic is kitschy, chauvinistic, ageist, and unworthy of any attention. The author is a pathetic old man who perpetrates ageism towards women and fulfills his pathetic fantasies.
In the world of Metabarons, Jodorowsky employs a very drastic division: a woman is a sexual being almost exclusively as long as she is young and capable of procreation. Once this stage passes, her body in the author's narrative ceases to be an object of desire and becomes a symbol of decline or merely a "vehicle of wisdom."
Here's how this plays out in practice:
"Permanent" Sexuality: Heroines like Honorata are extremely sexualized while they are young. Jodorowsky and artist Juan Gimenez celebrate their young bodies with an almost obsessive intensity. However, as soon as the heroine reaches middle age or older, her sexuality fades in the comic. The author doesn't portray mature women as desirable beings.
Escape to Rejuvenation: Honorata's storyline is key here. As her body ages, her consciousness is transferred to a young, ideal body. This is a clear signal from the author: an older woman in her natural body is no longer attractive in this story. Only by "returning" to youth can she regain her status as an object of desire and an active participant in romantic/sexual intrigue. Comics Guild - Metabaron Caste
Middle Age as a "Shadow Zone": In Jodorowsky's work, you'll rarely see a woman of 45 or 50 enjoying a sexual life. Women of this age are either martyr mothers, embittered priestesses, or simply disappear from the frame to make room for new, young heroines. Contrast with men: The men in this saga can be 70 or 80 years old, made of metal and sporting gray beards, yet the author still portrays them as "alpha males" with powerful libido and sexual drive. It's a striking example of ageism that only affects women.
This last bit is truly hilarious. Especially since in the real world, most old men simply struggle with impotence, while women's age doesn't affect their sexual performance at all, only their fertility. Men, on the other hand, experience age in the context of a drastic decline in potency, and when it comes to fertility, even if it is preserved, the genetic material is often damaged, as research has also confirmed. I understand that Metabarons is a bit of a sci-fi opera, but it doesn't quite add up. It's more like the author's chauvinistic disconnection from reality and some kind of sick fantasy.
In the world of Metabarons, Jodorowsky employs a very drastic division: a woman is a sexual being almost exclusively as long as she is young and capable of procreation. Once this stage passes, her body in the author's narrative ceases to be an object of desire and becomes a symbol of decline or merely a "vehicle of wisdom."
Here's how this plays out in practice:
"Permanent" Sexuality: Heroines like Honorata are extremely sexualized while they are young. Jodorowsky and artist Juan Gimenez celebrate their young bodies with an almost obsessive intensity. However, as soon as the heroine reaches middle age or older, her sexuality fades in the comic. The author doesn't portray mature women as desirable beings.
Escape to Rejuvenation: Honorata's storyline is key here. As her body ages, her consciousness is transferred to a young, ideal body. This is a clear signal from the author: an older woman in her natural body is no longer attractive in this story. Only by "returning" to youth can she regain her status as an object of desire and an active participant in romantic/sexual intrigue. Comics Guild - Metabaron Caste
Middle Age as a "Shadow Zone": In Jodorowsky's work, you'll rarely see a woman of 45 or 50 enjoying a sexual life. Women of this age are either martyr mothers, embittered priestesses, or simply disappear from the frame to make room for new, young heroines. Contrast with men: The men in this saga can be 70 or 80 years old, made of metal and sporting gray beards, yet the author still portrays them as "alpha males" with powerful libido and sexual drive. It's a striking example of ageism that only affects women.
This last bit is truly hilarious. Especially since in the real world, most old men simply struggle with impotence, while women's age doesn't affect their sexual performance at all, only their fertility. Men, on the other hand, experience age in the context of a drastic decline in potency, and when it comes to fertility, even if it is preserved, the genetic material is often damaged, as research has also confirmed. I understand that Metabarons is a bit of a sci-fi opera, but it doesn't quite add up. It's more like the author's chauvinistic disconnection from reality and some kind of sick fantasy.
May 3, 2023
Immediately upon cracking open this volume, I missed Secher’s fine artwork. Henrichon is no slouch, to be sure, but I was hoping for one visual style to define this new series—hoping for the next Giménez, Minara, or Moebius. Alas, we are forced to reconnect with our characters through another’s eyes, which is sort of like if Lucas totally recast The Empire Strikes Back after the first film.
Art aside, how is the story? To be honest, this portion of the narrative is a bit less focused, more padded, and more stilted. Frissen doesn’t handle Jodorowsky’s dialogue quite as gracefully as in the first volume, so it feels more typically rushed and wooden. There seems to be a crisis of identity here, and I don’t mean in the narrative. I mean in the execution. It seems there are many things this story wants to do. Some are striking, such as the call back to the spirit of the planet responsible for the Metabarons’ ascendancy, and the Metabaron’s struggle with his identity; some are underwhelming, such as the romance between the Metabaron and the Techno-Cardinal; and some are silly, such as the Transhuman, whose gender-swapping inner-and-outer conflict are unnecessary to the plot and bog it down.
By all means, if you’re on the Jodorowsky train, keep reading. (As if that needed to be said.) This is bound to be an interesting ride. But if you’re new to this series and not digging it, I can’t promise it’ll get better. It’s losing me a little, and I’m a fanboy. Let’s hope it picks up.
Art aside, how is the story? To be honest, this portion of the narrative is a bit less focused, more padded, and more stilted. Frissen doesn’t handle Jodorowsky’s dialogue quite as gracefully as in the first volume, so it feels more typically rushed and wooden. There seems to be a crisis of identity here, and I don’t mean in the narrative. I mean in the execution. It seems there are many things this story wants to do. Some are striking, such as the call back to the spirit of the planet responsible for the Metabarons’ ascendancy, and the Metabaron’s struggle with his identity; some are underwhelming, such as the romance between the Metabaron and the Techno-Cardinal; and some are silly, such as the Transhuman, whose gender-swapping inner-and-outer conflict are unnecessary to the plot and bog it down.
By all means, if you’re on the Jodorowsky train, keep reading. (As if that needed to be said.) This is bound to be an interesting ride. But if you’re new to this series and not digging it, I can’t promise it’ll get better. It’s losing me a little, and I’m a fanboy. Let’s hope it picks up.
January 28, 2018
Deeply weird, with more of the feel of an early serialized story from Heavy Metal magazine, we jump from the world building and conflict of the last volume to a lot of cosmology, ecology, and copious amounts of sex as the Universe spasms to death. I really need to track down the early stories done with Moebius.
January 6, 2018
The Metabaron transforms to be more human in this story arc. While the techno pope plots for his destruction in a twist from the norm the ultimate warrior discovers he has feelings.
July 4, 2018
A fairly climactic installment in the life of our dear Metabaron, much better art and with a tighter focus than some of the lesser Jodoverse projects.
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April 2, 2017Artwork was better in the first book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews