The Incal: Dying Star

Incal Universe

by Dan Watters, Jon Davis-Hunt (Artist), Troy Peteri (Letterer)

A mutant commander leads a desperate mission of revenge. A millennium away, a Sister of Entropy faces certain death. Will love triumph... or will all fall to the rot and the worm?

Part of the expanding universe of The Incal, soon to be a major motion picture from Taika Waititi ( Ragnarok, Our Flag Means Death)!

Things are not going well for Commander Kaimann. Luz, the love of his life, is dead, his home of Tortuga destroyed, his crew ghostly apparitions, and his crocodilian mutation taking over more and more of his body -- Kaimann is fighting for his life on multiple fronts. Just when it seems like despair may overtake him, a chance encounter with a strange violin connects him to Aurora, a woman living in a future where she is staring down almost certain destruction.

With his passions renewed, Kaimann hatches a bold plan to find a cure for his mutation and a future with his newfound love. However, Kaimann’s past is catching up with him, and Aurora’s future faces imminent doom from an approaching hostile fleet. Two timelines tick towards tragedy, and only an act of pure love can save them!

Writer Dan Watters ( The Seasons Have Teeth , Home Sick Pilots ) and artist Jon Davis-Hunt ( Clean Room , Judge Dredd ) join forces for this tale of bloody revenge and passion in the stars.

Fans of Saga will enjoy this mix of romance and sci-fi, whether they are new to the world of The Incal or a longtime fan!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2023

About the author

Dan Watters is a UK based comic book writer. His first book, LIMBO, was released through Image Comics in 2016. He has since written THE SHADOW at Dynamite Comics, and ASSASSIN’S CREED and WOLFENSTEIN for Titan Comics.

Currently he is writing the relaunch of LUCIFER for Vertigo’s Sandman Universe, as well as DEEP ROOTS for Vault Comics. Deeply rooted in London Town, and firmly of the Devil's party.

Reviews

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with The Incal at all, and I loved this story. It's a good thing I was unaware that Jodorowsky came up with it, because given my dislike of him, I would not have read this graphic novel and that would have been a shame.

Non conoscevo affatto l'Incal e questa storia mi é piaciuta tantissimo. Per fortuna che ignoravo l'avesse ideato Jodorowsky, perché, considerata la mia antipatia nei suoi confronti, non avrei letto questa graphic novel e sarebbe stato un vero peccato.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story, it was a surprisingly touching and cool story that kept me interested all the way through. The art is fantastic and I do want a copy of this when I can get it. I hadn’t even heard of anything from this universe before and now I need find more!

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read The Incal previously, but that wasn't necessary to understand this story. I didn't see any way that it related. The style of the artwork reminded me of Moebius, but that's all I could tell. As a standalone book, I thought it was a good sci-fi story. I especially liked the holographic ghosts who provided some levity.

[mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out way better than I expected.

I remember picking it up just because the cover looked cool and the synopsis sounded interesting. But then I realized it was part of the larger The Incal universe, which made me hesitate a bit... I thought I had to read aaaall the other stories first. Luckily, I found out you don’t really need to. It totally works as a standalone volume and that was a relief.

The story has a lot of action, but it also mixes in drama in the right moments. I really liked Commander Kaimann, and Aurora grew on me a lot (especially in the final part). If you’re into sci-fi but not the super hardcore kind, this graphic novel has a nice combination of action scenes, revenge, a bit of romance, unexpected reunions and more.

[Alex Sarll]

I've read a couple of volumes of The Incal, but I don't think I've even reached the introduction of space pirate Captain Kaimann, so why am I reading his new spin-off? Well, principally because it's written by Dan Watters, and while Jodorowsky's comics can be a frustrating melange of mad, brilliant ideas with utter cringe, Watters is one of comics' most reliably interesting new-ish writers, someone who seems like a great bet for carrying on the scale of what's come before, while gently shelving the more face-palm elements. So it proves: our hero is not just a space pirate, he's a space pirate who's gradually mutating into a lizard, with a crew of ghosts (albeit science fiction ghosts – they're electrical!), up against hissable aristocrats. All of it given further scale by a framing story in which a cultist at the end of time is recounting the story.
"Why did people do things like that? Those grand gestures, trying to change things in the universe?"
"Because they didn't know, child. They didn't have the perspective we have here in the monastery at the end of it all. They didn't know that every mortal act was futile, and all was destined to lead here, to the end."
You can tell what decade Watters is writing in, can't you? But even back in the far earlier future of Kaimann himself, it's all feeling a bit pointless. He's stolen a legendary musical instrument, but can't play it with his devolving hand; his crew are pirates, but pirates who being electrical phantoms, can no longer drink or whore to celebrate a successful raid. And then, something remarkable happens, even by the standards of an age of marvels. Though admittedly, even amongst all the wonders and weirdness, the detail which struck me most was the awareness of how all Kaimann's heroic determination, misdirected, could achieve just as little in practical terms as the quietism of the cultists.

Art comes from Jon Davis-Hunt, who if I still find it odd that people influenced by McKelvie can now be a big deal when I remember a time before McKelvie was, remains a dab hand at hi-tech adventure. Sure, he's no Moebius, but then who is? He gives good gloopy alien, cyber-bureaucrat and spaceship, which are the key skills here.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Incal: Dying Star" is a fast paced science fiction adventure set in the Inkal universe. The book has all the weirdness and wackiness that readers of the series have come to expect but is more focused than many of the previous books. Focusing on Commander Kaimann and his ship of ghost pirates, this book tells a tightly constructed tale of love and honor that that has a surprising and satisfying twist at the end.

As a final note, this story is second to last in the sequence of books, but reveals nothing about the nature of the Inkal.. As such it could be could be read as a first book if the potential reader is willing to miss some of the back story of the Commander Kaimann. character.

Thanks to NetGalley and Humanoids, Inc. for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Patrick Haga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the offshoots that I've read in the Incal universe, this one was my favorite. Great storyline that kept me reading without putting it down.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Humanoids Inc. for an advance copy of this graphic novel that continues the story of the Incal series with new adventures.

Science fiction can sometimes be a little ham-fisted when it comes to romance. There always seem to be princess to be rescued, who seem only to exist to be endangered, and from this love blossoms. One of the most romantic things I've seen in science fiction was on Doctor Who, when the Doctor used the power of a collapsing star to talk to a companion trapped in another universe. The love was there, but unsaid. This graphic novel ups that with a musical instrument that can reach across time and space uniting two souls for only moments, but causing both to do anything they can do to unite. A story just as romantic, just a whole lot bloodier. The Incal: Dying Star by Dan Watters and illustrated by Jon Davis-Hunt is set in the same universe as The Incal series written in the early 80's by famed director Alejandro Jodorowsky, and illustrated by Jean Giraud, better known as Mœbius.

Commander Kaiman is alone in space, kept company only by the hologram ghosts of his crew, and the knowledge that everything he strived for is gone, and the love he had has also died. In addition, his body has a mutagen that is slowly turning his body into a reptile. A chance encounter nets Kaiman a flower that might cure is disease, and a rare musical instrument, and unknown to him a blood feud. At first unable to play due to his reptile arm, once his mutagen is in remission, Kaiman plays the instrument and a woman appears before him. Aurora, a nun, was reading a story in the future about Kaiman, when his playing brought them together. Aurora shares that her life will soon end, just like the stars are fading in her time. Aurora disappears, and Kaiman suddenly has a a new mission and reason for being. Saving Aurora, no matter how many empires must fall.

I have only read the original two volumes of The Incal, and thought them crazy, odd, weird, and strange, sort of like a Jodorowsky film. Watters captures that feeling, the sheer craziness of the plot, the different characters and races, and the violence. But also the love. The feeling of redemption, and the pain when plans, and others get in the way. I had no problems following this story, and now want to go back and read it all, including the many new works that are being based on this. This is just a really good science fiction story, with a strong Métal hurlant feel. Watters reflects this with his writing, the feeling of the story, and the anarchy that are the panels on the page. The art too is very good with Davis- Hunt capturing the feeling of the 80's European comic. The characters really pop, the backgrounds are detailed, and all have that weird feeling, the something is just not right future feel that Mœbius had. A really enjoyable science fiction story.

Recommended for fans of the classic series, and for fans of European comics. This is a real good story that does one does not have to be familiar with the source material. I look forward to more in this series.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

I've not read the Incal novels so I cannot attest to how well this captures their vibe. Certainly, it does have a very 1980s irreverence to it - that fundamental sense of futility that was so pervasive at the time. The anti-hero is drawn like (and greatly talks like) Prince Valiant - just with a longer wig. What inspired a motion picture here is rather curious.

Story: Commander Kaiman is a pirate - but one whose crew is dead and only exist as holograms. Fighting a mutation that turns him into a reptile, Kaiman needs to get his hands on a rare flower that can stave off the transformation. Along the way of procuring the rose, he will meet a nun from a nihilistic order, gain access to a mysterious violin, and ensure that the galaxy is filled with blood and guts.

So what we have here is a main character who is simple, single minded, and lacking in pathos. He comes across (through time travel) a nun who is thoughtful, empathetic, and fearless. When she returns to her own time in the future, he is bereft and will try to find a way to keep a promise to her that he would protect her. Cue lots of gore.

There are a couple of sub plots - the nun's shelter is about to be destroyed by raiders, her abbot doesn't really care since everyone dies anyway, and the nun wants to protect the children there. Meanwhile, Kaiman has to fix his degenerating hand with a flower potion in order to play the violin again to see the nun; problem is, the flower is very hard to get. He'll have to confront his past, including the royal father who 'threw the baby away' when the mutation was revealed.

The artwork is fine - characters are easy to tell apart and the action is decipherable. There is a LOT of gratuitous violence as the main character blithely goes about in his single minded actions, often with consequences no one could have foreseen (not that he actually cares). The ambivalence is well represented in the artwork.

In all, it was fine. I didn't love the story or feel that there was anything here worth going back and reading again. The book felt like an odd mixture of attempted humor, nihilism, comedy, satire, action, and horror. It was difficult to pinpoint a theme other than I was greatly reminded of The Watchmen, just less dreary. This ended on a complete story arc. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

The universe of The Incal is such an interesting storytelling setting, and at its best it is to Dune what Dune is to Star Wars; that is, more imaginatively weird and mature in its sci-fi conception. I haven’t found consistent quality to be been a strong point across its many stories over the years, though (even if the partial successes still have interesting elements), and this new release seemed like a possibly dubious IP-play in anticipation of Waititi’s upcoming movie adaptation.

And I guess that still may be true, but it’s also great on its own while staying true to the spirit and tone of the earlier Incal stories. Watters opens with an apparent frame story in the far future that reminded me of the bots from Metabarons, before sending the main plot in an exciting and unexpected direction. Kaimann is a captivating lead, a tragic sad boy who’s also a thrilling bad ass when need be, plus his character design is fun and playful. Who can’t appreciate an elfin space captain with a cape and metal handband, fighting off a degenerative disease that’s slowly turning him into a sort of alligator, and then chuckle that his name is a homophone of “cayman?” Davis-Hunt’s art isn’t quite Moebius or Gimenez, but it looks great nonetheless and presents this universe in a slick, modern style.

“…Though it had no words, the melody seemed to tell of loss. It spoke to their translucent hearts of times that had passed, blinked out, forgotten, and times still to come…and they danced in the ship the way that holograms dance, flickering in and out of being.”

[Sorcered · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pirate commander Kaimann leads a crew of holographic ghosts in a slapstick assault on a stellar cruise ship filled with rich aristocrats. Things go horrifically wrong and Kaimann’s bloodthirsty sword drinks way more than planned, the cruise ship is destroyed, and Kaimann becomes such a legendary villain that (very far in the future) some kids and a nun get to read about him from a forgotten book in a monastery at the end of the universe. The story jumps back and forth in time and space between the nun and the pirate, both victims of foretold disasters, both slowly becoming star-crossed lovers connected by… music.

If this sounds crazy, that’s because “Dying Star” is one of the three new Incal Universe stories, and the Incal universe itself is, by definition, deliciously crazy. The story is very simple and unnecessarily bloody, but there are funny moments, the dialogues are snappy and the ending is slightly surprising. The art is good - the coloring is maybe a little flat, and the 3D effects are a little ancient-looking :) but, hey, the AI isn’t yet at the level where it can clone Moebius :) so we should be happy with the human artists we have :)

Overall, a nice, quick read that tries to hook some new readers into the Incal universe, while moderately entertaining veterans like me.

Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm honestly wavering between 3.5 stars or 4 stars for this one. I'll be fully honest, I mostly wanted to read this because the blurb for it said it's going to become a movie from Taika Waititi. That means this graphic novel HAS to be something interesting, right? A tentative yes. I have never read anything else in the "The Incal" series, so I was fairly confused by everything. It drops you right in, and it feels a bit like you started the second movie in a trilogy without ever having watched the first one. The story was pretty interesting and engaging, though there were elements of it that confused me slightly. Such as how the past and the future became connected for that one moment, and why Kaimann is so obsessive over Aurora. Even though I was confused about those plot points for the entire read, this still was an enjoyable story. The characters are interesting, though I found Aurora to be far more compelling of a character than Kaimann. I also liked the ending more than I thought I would. This novel would make an excellent movie, so I'm glad it will become one!

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was brilliant. The storytelling was excellent, managing to weave together the story of
Commander Kaimann who has just lost his crew mates in battle and who is mutating into a beast, and Aurora, a woman living in a future where she is staring down almost certain death from invaders. The two manage to connect across the gulf of time and Kaimann fights desperately in his own time to save Aurora in her’s.

This is sci-fi at it’s best, overflowing with adventure, chaos, battles and plots, with a subtle hint of romance. I have read a few books from this series and in the wrong order, but the storytelling is always so rich with complex characters, a good pace and excellent artwork. The best aspect of this book is how it manages to tell a complex story without using lots of prose.

It is an enjoyable story with brilliant storytelling and great artwork.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Ben A · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my recent reading goals was to make it through all of the entire Incal Saga from start to finish. As of this writing, I have only completed the main series and now the two expanding graphic novels where Alejandro Jodorowsky opened the universe up and let others play in his sandbox. Dan Watters and Jon Davis-Hunt had very large shoes to fill, and they did so admirably. The Dying Star works as a piece of the larger Incal Universe, but it also stands by itself as a touching and amazing sci-fi love story. I am incredibly impressed with the creative team and hope they have a chance to delve into the world again or perhaps create a new one of their own. In either case, I'll be keeping my eye out.

Special thanks to Humanoids, Inc. and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so the torch of the Incal gets passed on... I love reading the notes (both at the start and end of books) as it gives such an insight in to what is going on. In this case the creators of the original Incal stories handing their universe over to a new generation of artists and writers - to see where and what new stories will come.

And so we have a new standalone story set in the universe of the Incal, although I have to say that the look and feel is perfect if I had not read about the new generation taking over I would have never spotted it - which I guess is the whole point.

That said there are few references that place it in that timeline rather it's more the action and artwork so yes a great read and a brilliant starting point, the question is where will it go next

[Angelica Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I want to thank netgalley for providing me with this issue.

the incal dying star tells us about a space traveler (space pirate) who is looking for a cure for his illness, he doesn't care who he has to kill in order to get it, since he has already lost everything.
Accompanied by his ghost crew, he travels around space, until one day a young woman from another time appears on his ship. However, they could not be together for long, so now he is looking for her and the cure.

the story is captivating, you expect him to be the classic hero, who ends up rescuing the damsel, but no... the protagonist is not a hero, he is cruel, capable of killing to get what he wants. And the female protagonist is capable of rescuing herself, if they expect a happy ending, they won't get it here, it has a bittersweet ending, but equally enjoyable.

Recommended to be read in an afternoon.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it was an unexpected ending.

[Olivia Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Holly Aitchison and everyone at Humanoids for Al other free goodies (and books, including this one!) they gave me at ALA Annual 2023. They rock, especially for keeping this universe alive with such innovative storytelling.

This is, by far, the best storytelling The Incal has to offer. I mean, where else are you going to get holographic pirates, half-lizards, and intergalactic romance? The story was cohesive and poetic. The characters were flawlessly fleshed out. The art was stunning. Also, I am now an entropy nun. Hail to the Rot and the Worm. I need me a Kaimann in my life fr.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

An offshoot of the Incal universe about the pirate captain Caimann. He's devolving into a reptilian mutant and the only thing that can hold it back is a rare flower. Meanwhile his crew have all died and live on only as electronic ghosts on his ship. Then there's this weird subplot about a nun that's part of a nihilistic cult at the end of time. This is all fine. I am a fan of Jon Davis-Hunt's art so it all loos very good.

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley and Humanoids Inc for this arc and introducing me to what appears to be a very full new universe!

5/5 stars!

I requested this not knowing it was part of a larger series,I just loved the cover and thought the description sounded cool. But oh man! I loved this so much! The story, the character depth, the romance, the heartbreak! I just loved this, and I love that there's more in this series! I can't wait to get my hands on them :D

[Isa aka the "anintrovertrambles" · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading an Incal story and it did not disappoint, at all. Loved the artwork, love the story. I need to check out the rest of their works because it was a stunning piece of artwork with a good story line.

Thank you Netgalley and the authors and artists for this book.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Humanoids Inc and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This book is full of gore, violence, vengeance, and destruction with some slight elements of romance. The artwork was vivid and detailed. I don’t usually read sci-fi, so it was an interesting experience.

[Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ebook ARC copy of this book via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

I actually only wanted this book because the main character, Kaimann, really looked like Loki Laufeyson.

Its really interesting book. I recommend it.

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first foray into the world of Incal, and it was quite enjoyable. Great stand-alone story with unique characters and excellent art. I immediately went to the library to get the original Incal and further volumes to immerse myself in this rich universe.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't not read much of 'The Incal' prior to reading 'Dying Star', I wasn't sure where or if this even fit in, but since reading this and some of 'The Incal', I can definitely see the inspirations. (e-galley from NetGalley)

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good. I was on the fence about an Incal book without any involvement of Jorodowsky, but I have to say this book perfectly captures the mix of poetry, philosophy, violence, romance, and grotesque humor, inherent to this universe. Well done.

[Morgan]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.

[The Laughing Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Loved everything about it.

[Whoisstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matching The Incal is improbable, but it’s indeed a great story that feels like an Incal love story, gorgeous with a psychological labyrinth and overall great story. Ode to the violin :)

[Jonathan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first entry into the Incal universe - this is a later tale so I am starting from the beginning now, but this one is great!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art and great story! Bravo!