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L'Incal. Integrale
(L'Incal (Collected Editions) #1)
by
In un distopico futuro ipertecnologico, un improbabile detective privato trova un oggetto misterioso e incredibilmente potente: l'incal. Iniziano così le straordinarie avventure di John Difool, alle prese con bizzarri extraterrestri, tecnoscienziati fondamentalisti, culti intergalattici e robot psicopatici. Un antieroe destinato suo malgrado a salvare l'universo. Una pietr
...morePaperback, 1st edition Alta Fedeltà, 324 pages
Published
September 2008
by Edizioni BD
(first published 1981)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of L'Incal. Integrale

Jul 14, 2014
Alex
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
comics-graphic-novels,
sci-fi
I think that seeing the documentary Jodorowski's Dune helped prepare me for this book, since I knew what I was getting into. In a lot of ways, The Incal does what Jodorowski wasn't able to do with his film adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel.
As far as I can tell, The Incal is about...proto-scientific neo-spiritual existentialism? That sounds about right. In a weird way, this story reminded me of C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy--not a connection I was expecting to make as I read this.
My suggestion f ...more
As far as I can tell, The Incal is about...proto-scientific neo-spiritual existentialism? That sounds about right. In a weird way, this story reminded me of C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy--not a connection I was expecting to make as I read this.
My suggestion f ...more

Oct 25, 2018
Dan Schwent
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018-comics,
2018
Down and out class R detective John DiFool has a powerful artifact, The Incal, fall into his grasp. But what is the Incal? And what will other people do to get it?
Yeah, that's grossly oversimplifying it but The Incal throws so many concepts at you it's hard to simplify. Do I mention the far-future, near dystopian setting where most of humanity spends most of its time watching TV? Or the giant flying space jellyfish? Or the dark eggs? Or The Metabaron, the biggest bad ass in the galaxy? Or the Pr ...more
Yeah, that's grossly oversimplifying it but The Incal throws so many concepts at you it's hard to simplify. Do I mention the far-future, near dystopian setting where most of humanity spends most of its time watching TV? Or the giant flying space jellyfish? Or the dark eggs? Or The Metabaron, the biggest bad ass in the galaxy? Or the Pr ...more

Oct 31, 2012
Sean Francisco Yau-Smith
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels-my-criterion-collec
When Jean Giraud or Moebius passed away, the international "comic book" or "graphic novel" lost the last of the 4 great giants who shaped the medium (the other three being Osamu Tezuka, Will Eisner and Jack Kirby)- geniuses who combined an innovative and unique look and feel, with a tremendous breadth of work. While American exposure to Moebius actual comic book work was limited- his overall effect in terms of design and mass media can't be understated - first through the translations of "Metal ...more

Moebius: Great at art. Genius of western comics.
Jodorowsky: Great concepts, but has the biggest, dumbest lead foot when it comes to execution. At the very least, can someone call a cease-fire to his out of control use of exclamation points? If you expect character development, coherent plot, robust and convincing dialogue, and any respect for subtlety at all, apply elsewhere. In fairness to Jodo - his films are amazing when any pretense of these elements of storytelling are bypassed completely. ...more
Jodorowsky: Great concepts, but has the biggest, dumbest lead foot when it comes to execution. At the very least, can someone call a cease-fire to his out of control use of exclamation points? If you expect character development, coherent plot, robust and convincing dialogue, and any respect for subtlety at all, apply elsewhere. In fairness to Jodo - his films are amazing when any pretense of these elements of storytelling are bypassed completely. ...more

This book drips in pure sci-fi creativity. It seems like every page has a new, cool concept put forth; all within a cohesive narrative. (I won't give any examples, as I think that would take away from the enjoyment of reading this book).
Moebius's art is fantastic. The new reprinted of The Incal respectfully retains the original coloring (which is especially nice since many reprints seem to replace the original color with some awful modern rendering). I see so many artists that I love within Moeb ...more
Moebius's art is fantastic. The new reprinted of The Incal respectfully retains the original coloring (which is especially nice since many reprints seem to replace the original color with some awful modern rendering). I see so many artists that I love within Moeb ...more

Apr 19, 2020
Merl Fluin
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
esoteric-fiction
Film-maker Jodorowsky is my darling, so it's very ridiculous that I had never read this before. Of course, it's spectacular. Jodo's world-building is masterful, and Moebius's drawings pop in every frame. So many ideas, such an intricate story, all rendered in beautiful images. Sublime.
...more

Wild, expansive, profoundly weird space opera fairy tale replete with Dune-like bits. Lots of union-of-genders-mystic-tantra stuff here, too—definitely bears the mark of being written in the 80s. Amazing art, vivid, fast-moving action. As Brian Michael Bendis points out in his forward, it's painfully obvious that some people have spent their whole careers ripping this off, I mean, creating vivid homages.
...more

***1/2 stars. I can see why this epic has inspired so many other sci-fi and comix creators - it's spilling over with fascinating ideas about media and technology, compelling adventure scenes and detailed cityscapes, and Moebius's eye-popping graphics. It was a fun read though also a bit clinical. The characters are all one-dimensional archetypes, there's no emotion generated, and the scenes about convincing entire galaxies to meditate had an awkward New Age feel to them. But if you're a fan of M
...more

So, I finally get to read those classics of French sci-fi thanks to an Humble Bundle from Humanoids.
« But, aren’t you french ? »
Well, yes. But I’m not the kind of French to pay 15€ for 48 pages of comic, and to wait a year between two installments.
So, The Incal is the start of the whole Metabarons universe. We follow the misadventures of a low rather private eye caught into events bigger than himself. Is it good ? Yes, it’s written by Jodorowski. Is it well drawn ? Yes, it’s drawn by Moebius. ...more
« But, aren’t you french ? »
Well, yes. But I’m not the kind of French to pay 15€ for 48 pages of comic, and to wait a year between two installments.
So, The Incal is the start of the whole Metabarons universe. We follow the misadventures of a low rather private eye caught into events bigger than himself. Is it good ? Yes, it’s written by Jodorowski. Is it well drawn ? Yes, it’s drawn by Moebius. ...more

One of the most impressive achievements in comic book art and science-fiction/fantasy storytelling, despite its ambition and complexity one of the best places to start with both Moebius' comic books and Jodorowsky's oeuvre.
This starts out as a futuristic hardboiled noir detective story with a couple matching supernatural artifacts as MacGuffins. However, the story ends up drawing in more weird alien races, galaxy-spanning feudal theocratic powers scheming for control over the known universe a l ...more
This starts out as a futuristic hardboiled noir detective story with a couple matching supernatural artifacts as MacGuffins. However, the story ends up drawing in more weird alien races, galaxy-spanning feudal theocratic powers scheming for control over the known universe a l ...more

I kept picking up this graphic novel, reading a few pages, only to then put it down again. I could never get into it. The story zooms everywhere and is very epic, but the characters are not really developed and the dialogue is at times kind of preachy. I don't know if it all reads better in the original French or not. This story is heavy in metaphysics, and it felt like a lot of the supposed profundity of the text whizzed over my head, or maybe Jodorowsky tried to jam too much into this one stor
...more

I should have known that this would be weird knowing that it is written by Jodorowsky. It was nice to see the art by Moebius. I just didn't like this.
...more

So this what they call the contender to be "For the best comicbook in medias history" huh
Its alright actually. Pretty good
Incal is not you're average Sci-Fi, hell you cant even call this a Sci-fi at all. More like a weed trip in space actually. Its basically Space Opera(means technology logic don't apply on this as much) part spiritual journey(means hipster people will love this) and also a littlebit of satire(like your employer have sex with a werewolf/you're bird becomes a prophet/fighting a ...more
Its alright actually. Pretty good
Incal is not you're average Sci-Fi, hell you cant even call this a Sci-fi at all. More like a weed trip in space actually. Its basically Space Opera(means technology logic don't apply on this as much) part spiritual journey(means hipster people will love this) and also a littlebit of satire(like your employer have sex with a werewolf/you're bird becomes a prophet/fighting a ...more

Simple amazing. The art, the concept, the execution. It's a multilevel sci-fi that speaks volumes on spirituality, religion, technology, sexuality, human sacrifice, the duality of man and the connection between these concepts and many more. "The Incal" is one of the best choices you'll ever make, yet another proof (of too many to count) of Moebius mastery and genius. He's truly transcendent, Jodo was lucky to share some of his light with this comic.
...more

This would have been better as a silent art book. Moebius's art is astounding, but Jodorowsky's story is trash.
...more

Just, wow. What a trip!
I'll be re-reading this for years to come, there is so much packed in here. The reading experience is so dreamlike, and the art is incredible. I think this is one of the rare examples where I could rate something this highly without being able to connect with any of the characters. To me this book is all about the experience and the ideas, which it presents masterfully. The fact that I didn't get completely lost during some of the crazy stuff in here is insane.
Definitely n ...more
I'll be re-reading this for years to come, there is so much packed in here. The reading experience is so dreamlike, and the art is incredible. I think this is one of the rare examples where I could rate something this highly without being able to connect with any of the characters. To me this book is all about the experience and the ideas, which it presents masterfully. The fact that I didn't get completely lost during some of the crazy stuff in here is insane.
Definitely n ...more

Jan 22, 2017
John Pistelli
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
twentieth-century,
comics
This classic 1980s science fiction graphic novel is the tale of John DiFool (i.e., the fool of the Tarot, representing humanity's freedom and stupidity) and his journey to save the cosmos in the company of his sometime lover Animah (i.e., his Jungian anima, or female aspect) and some other probably allegorical figures on behalf and with the aid of the titular Incal, a device incarnating the animating spirit of the universe. Rising from the ruins of Jodorowsky's abortive Dune adaptation, The Inca
...more

Jodorowsky's "The Incal" is a decidedly unique hard book to write about because it is an experience that is deeply engaging, profoundly uneven, narratively frustrating, and dripping with Jodorowsky's almost maniac and gonzo ideas. Jodorowsky's comics are as enigmatic as his films but often with less subtly in its symbolism. While certain characters do have some narrative consistency such as the Metabaron and John DiFool, most the characters seem to have total personality changes depending on th
...more

Jodorowsky - i started reading only because of this name and what an excruciating pain it is to finish reading. If sci-fi is all about writing mumbo jumbo technical words, then anyone can write too. This is bible meets edge of tomorrow/ source code. The only positive thing about reading this graphic novel is the illustrations and the color. So imaginative and vivid it is. Should think twice from now on before picking anything from hyped up writers. Phew!!

Jun 09, 2019
Siona St Mark
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
comics-manga,
humanoids
Finished this a couple of days ago but apperently I forgot to add that to goodreads. Anyway, really enjoyed this, althought it feel like there were 4 different endings to this book but Jodo kept going "and now THIS!". Which I suppose my be okay for some people, but it got to the point where I really identified with John Difool about being tired of it all lol. But there were a lot of great elements in this book that make up for it. Would definitely say to check it out!
...more

Dec 07, 2018
Ill D
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Dum(b)-Dum(b)s

Incal is the most unintentional anti-drug advertisement of all time. ...more

I will admit I am always a little cautious when reading a book which everyone seems to rave about - in the case of this book almost worship it would seem. The scope for disappointment and disillusionment is terrifying at the very least.
However somehow I seem to blunder in to reading them all the same, although in this case I will admit it was a conscious decision, a rather expensive one since this is the hardback version.
But what of the book, well I am still digesting it even though I finished ...more
However somehow I seem to blunder in to reading them all the same, although in this case I will admit it was a conscious decision, a rather expensive one since this is the hardback version.
But what of the book, well I am still digesting it even though I finished ...more

A low-class detective becomes the unexpecting hero of the eternal battle between light and darkness. There is a lot of metaphysical and religious allegory (you can see symbolism from Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism). However, the story arc felt a little flat with another twist around the corner without an overarching narrative and became tiresome after a while.
Jean Giraud's (Moebius) artwork is top-notch and ahead of its time. It's like watching Akira several decades back. The imagery and t ...more
Jean Giraud's (Moebius) artwork is top-notch and ahead of its time. It's like watching Akira several decades back. The imagery and t ...more

I am sorry, but I couldn't like "The Incal" as much as I wanted. Its art is what an epic space opera should be. Colossal scale but with attention to detail, really beautiful exotic environments with the necessary disregard of physics and it succeeded in immersing you in that degenerate galaxy. Being true to the sci-fi genre, it also dealt with pressing social subjects, like the indifference of the individual and the media manipulation by the leading elite, which allowed (in my view) the Darkness
...more

Jun 28, 2013
David Gallin-Parisi
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
videogames,
comics
The legendary, always-mentioned-but-rarely-seen, influential, and illustrious Mobius and Jodorowsky work is a must read for anybody interested in the following things. Bear with me, this is a long list. Check this out if you find yourself in any of these listings: fantasy lover, sci-fi dreamer, trip-mode druggy adventure, video games, Star Wars, art comics like Ben Jones' or CF's contemporary works, comics like X-Men or X-Whatever, desert dystopias, blade runner dystopias, rainbow industrial par
...more

EDIT: Getting it for Christmas!
Proposed animated movie trailer, very good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Vkyz...
Saw this in 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die. Holy crap.

...more
Proposed animated movie trailer, very good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Vkyz...
Saw this in 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die. Holy crap.

...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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COMIC BOOK CRAZIES: The Incal | 1 | 33 | Nov 24, 2015 09:16PM |
Also 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. ...more
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. ...more
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L'Incal (Collected Editions)
(3 books)
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