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L'Incal

The Incal, Vol. 4: What is Above

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Dans un futur lointain, une autre galaxie ou un autre espace-temps, l’Incal et l’immense pouvoir qu’il confère exacerbent toutes les convoitises. John Difool, minable détective de classe R adepte d’homéoputes et de bon ouisky , se retrouve embarqué malgré lui dans cette course à l’Incal. Il aura affaire à des mouettes qui parlent, des extraterrestres idiots, un empire dictatorial ultra violent, des rats de quinze mètres commandés par une déesse nue, un combat mémorable dans une fourmilière, une secte adepte des trous noirs, et enfin une bataille intersidérale entre le bien et le mal.

60 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

39 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

Alejandro Jodorowsky

692 books1,942 followers
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.

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5 stars
254 (37%)
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248 (36%)
3 stars
146 (21%)
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27 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Cathy .
1,930 reviews295 followers
May 11, 2019
Took me a bit to get back into the plot. Probably because the plot is a mess. In the first half of this volume I was mostly scratching my head. In the second half a story emerged that made sense and that I even enjoyed. Considering that this is considered the best comic series ever by some, I have to assume that I am not smart enough or that I am reading this wrong.

Three POVs, which is a bit confusing at first. I mostly continue reading, because I bought this first set of six comics in one go. Was the first volume great and then the story just fizzled out or is there something I am not getting? Why is this series so famous?

Ok, the crazy ovulation battle thing up the cone was funny... and the climax very, very weird.

Have I mentioned strong Star Wars and Dune vibes? Dune is a bit of a given, as Jodorowsky had been planned to direct the movie adaptation. I do wonder how that would have looked. Better than David Lynch‘s version? Probably crazier. Anyway...

Sometimes amazing colours and good page layout. At times great visuals. There has to be something that accounts for the fame of this series, right?

After having read these first 4 volumes of the Incal, I am not very happy with the way he portrays women and how he utilizes sexual inuendo. I did a little online research about him and I think I probably would not like him much, if I met him in real life. Difficult to say.

The Incal on Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_I...
Profile Image for Paul Spence.
1,559 reviews74 followers
July 3, 2025
In order to best enjoy The Incal you really need to get into the same headspace as Alejandro Jodorowsky. Ideally, this entails psychoactive drugs, but barring those, 70s rock and roll suffices. I paired today's volume with the ever-reliable David Bowie, to great effect.

First thing I want to emphasize is that cover art. Oh my GOD that cover art. Look at it. Look at that BLUE. The way it plays against the harsh shadows and warm undertones of the gladiators' armor. The way John is almost becoming one with the sky. I admittedly haven't been paying the covers too much attention until now, they're all great, but this one just stood out to me.

Now to the book itself. Many of the pieces put in place throughout the first 3 volumes really come to a head here. So many big shake-up events take place it's almost too much. The first 3 chapters are all longer than average, which I think greatly helps in pacing these larger set pieces in tandem with the smaller scenes.

Previously, John Difool always read to me as an asshole with a heart of gold. In this volume however, he's just an asshole. And I'm honestly here for it. This guy is making one brash, stupid decision after the next, and now that he's not being completely coddled by the Incal he's actually facing an ounce of conflict and hardship. It's the most interesting thing that's happened to his character. After the Incal gave Difool a decked-out one-man-army of a battleship complete with embroidered uniforms, he got cocky, and over the course of this volume he gets rightfully knocked down a peg. You love to see it.

Difool's relationship with Animah is going more or less how I'd expect it to. The romantic relationships in general have shaped up to be my least favorite aspect of the series honestly. All of the jealousy just feels so played-out. Animah doesn't want to be with Difool but now that he's got this other hot chick on his radar, now she's jealous and her mind changes real fast. Even the Metabaron falls into this, going on about "how could Animah love that worthless bum Difool" (true!), and then, while she's GRIEVING, suggest they try to cure her of her "foolish love" for Difool (oh-). It's hard to face facts but sometimes you gotta realize your goat is washed. The way he throws a little tantrum when Solune tells him that Animah will never pick him over Difool is simultaneously sad and hilarious.

I think I probably said this last two reviews as well, but I'm continually blown away by how Moebius and Isabelle Beaumenay-Joannet show improvement in their skill with each chapter. Moebius really ran wild with the space and underwater environments; some of the most impressive compositions yet are here, densely-packed yet elegant, and the coloring steps up to match it every time.

The direct and indirect influence The Incal has had on subsequent science fiction can really be felt. This volume made me wonder if George Lucas took any cues from the series. The start of this volume focuses on a trip to a secret underwater city, which, combined with the mission to escape the planet by going down a whirlpool and into the planet core, is basically the first act of The Phantom Menace. I can see a possible Moebius influence on Gungan aesthetics too. Maybe a stretch but something I thought about while reading.

In turn, more of the comic's Dune influence is apparent in this volume. There's great extended scene where the Metabaron is training Difool with a combat robot calibrated to his skill level, which seems to draw from the similar scene of Gurney Halleck training Paul. We're also introduced to Greyfield, a loyal servant of the Empress who has undergone great mental training and conditioning like one of Dune's Mentats. He's given the totally original and legally distinct title of Mentrek. Though the part of Greyfield's conditioning we see here is more akin to that of the Suk Doctors of Dune: it prevents him from betraying information that compromises the Empress. The Iman Horlog, whose position of power, successful coup and general body type all echo Dune's own Baron Vladmir Harkonnen, seeks to break Greyfield's conditioning by threatening the life of a beloved family member, in a pretty 1-to-1 equivalent of the Baron's blackmail of Suk Doctor Yueh. I don't point any of this out to accuse anyone of plagiarism or say that it's a bad thing at all, it's just fascinating to me the way creative works can influence each other, and how similar pieces can be put together in brand new ways.

Anyway, my complaints (which are minor at this point) aside, I'm very much enjoying The Incal. That cliffhanger on the last page really has me excited to check out the next volume soon.
Profile Image for Shannon Appelcline.
Author 30 books169 followers
September 23, 2020
Well, this book certainly goes big picture here, as we're suddenly fighting for the life of the galaxy. It's nonetheless a nice continuation of what came before, even if the ending feels a bit simple. And though the characterization is still light due to the size of our crew, what we get is nice. Overall, a good continuation of this series, after volume 3 went a little woo-woo.
Profile Image for G.A..
Author 8 books34 followers
October 23, 2019
Dal fondo alla cima per salvare l'intero universo!
Profile Image for Tristan.
1,449 reviews18 followers
January 11, 2020
Now that’s better. The fourth episode has much better graphics and writing than the last, and is as frantic and complex as the first two. There’s a lot going on with dystopian city rebellions, intergalactic war, space-spy treachery, eco-warrior mystical claptrap, and a misogynistic sword and planet style middle section that ends up giving our heroes the means to save the day. But there’s a cliffhanger too, at the end, introducing a new danger! Not subtle, pinching ideas from all manner of sci-fi classics, especially Dune, but a good laugh nevertheless.

I understand there’s at least another two episodes, and a lot of spinoffs, that I’ll have to discover at some point.
524 reviews
September 30, 2022
O combate pelas trevas continua.
No planeta Aquaend, Kamar Raimo e a sua equipa são salvos por Edo e a sua medusa, que após a aceitarem de forma física, mental e psíquica, podem respirar e descobrir o que se encontra debaixo de água . E surpresa , pois vão encontrar a Imperoratriz viva , numa traição dissimulada por Changri. Na nave estrela descobrem que eliminar os ovos sombra é mais complicado do que parece e o Incal leva-os para Aquaend onde diz que aí se vai encontrar a solução para esse problema .
Entretanto Iman Horlog descobre que foi traído por Changri e chantageia-o com a ameaça de morte sobre a sua filha para que ele diga, mesmo sob condicionamento, onde se encontra Imperoratriz. Mas os technos não acreditam que ele consiga mesmo com uma bomba implantada dentro de si destruir a Imperoratriz pois ele é um mentek e decidem contaminar Changri com o vírus da treva.
Quando os 7 heróis chegam a Aquaend descobrem uma cidade submarina, algo não referido no mapa galáctico e são surpreendidos ao descobrirem que a Imperoratriz vive.
Com a explosão do coração sagrado do planeta, os guardas da floresta de cristal têm agora de ajudar as cidades refúgio a aprenderem a sobreviver na superfície plantando e tecendo sem a dependência da holo 3d. Nas cidades refúgio o caos e guerra está instalado e quem toma o lugar do presidente é o rei do lixo .
Em Aquaend Raimo não acredita que o Incal como emanação de poder divino possa fazer milagres e Deepo faz aparecer uma rosa, flor já extinta. John está apaixonado por Animah mas ela rejeita-o inicialmente e pede que ele ajude no plano de com o Incal de criar uma mutação nas medusas gigantes e transformá-las numa arma capaz de combater os 10.000 ovos sombra a serem lançados pelos tecnos. Em paralelo o Incal decide que J.D.F. deve ser treinado para a cerimónia louca de fecundação da rainha dos Berg que será no seu planeta pelas suas regras em que os guerreiros humanos terão de combater entre si e subir a uma pirâmide, do qual o primeiro terá o prazer de a fecundar . Para ter capacidade de combate fica encarregue o metabarão de o treinar mas apenas consegue chegar ao nível 6. Durante o treino e quando o Kill arranja o robot do pres o J.D.F. decide passar uma nova mensagem para todos os mundos e aumenta ainda mais a revolta global galáctica pois revela quem são os traidores e que a Imperoratriz está viva e escapou ao atentado e que os tecnos querem devorar os sóis com os ovos de sombra.
Na cerimónia da fecundação onde J.D.F. tem a ajuda da nave estrela e a Z reduzidos a uma dimensão microscópica , a única forma de fazer com que ele ganhe é no momento do fim da escalada do cone sagrado que o Incal lhe dá a levitação temporária que o faz chegar em
primeiro lugar ao topo e ganhar a prova. Para tornar este momento ainda mais perigoso como esta é a fecundação 24.000 a lenda diz q a raça Berg conhecerá a idade de ouro. Para o momento da fecundação a rainha Berg percebe que tem que criar uma imagem física da paixão do J.D.F. e claro que é com a imagem cópia de Animah que ele vai realizar as bodas reais mas ela diz-lhe que depois da procriação vai ter de iniciar a desintegração. Aí ele diz à rainha Berg que tem algo melhor que a sua vida e que é o Incal, mas que só o poderá dar depois dos Berg destruírem o planeta Techno. Em paralelo com a coordenação de Raimo as medusas vão transformando os ovos de sombra em invólucros de plasma solidificados .
Após a destruição do planeta Techno e no encontro apaixonado de J.D.F. com Animah a rainha Berg fica louca de ciúme sofrendo a prova da emotividade e dos sentimentos e desintegra J.D.F. mas os seus átomos ficam à volta da nave estrela . O Incal diz-lhes que os Berg começaram a realizar a profecia da idade de ouro com o processo milenário da formação do Incal Berg e só com uma força de amor criando um vértice macho fêmea será possível a união dos átomos de J.D.F.
É Tanatah e o Incal que dizem ao metabarão que Animah nunca poderá ser dele pois amam-se mas que o metabarão pode ter Tanatah e com a sua energia conjunta conseguem fazer regressar J.D.F.
No final descobrem que Changri os impedia de chegar junto da Imperoratriz pois ele já lhe tinha inoculado o vírus da treva implantado pelos Technos.
Surpreendente , maravilhoso, cheio de humor com um final cliffhanger. Difícil ser melhor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kevin.
401 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2020
Los dibujos de Moebius nunca dejarán de gustarme. Pero la narrativa de Jodorowsky me está cansando. Los personajes, salvo una minúscula excepción, no tienen voz. Todos parecen ser máquinas de exposición. Lo que empezó siendo una lección de cómo construir un mundo, se volvió el exceso de esto. Sigue creando conceptos unos encima de los otros y debería haber un límite para eso. Aún sigue siendo divertido ver todo esto, pero no estoy muy conectado con la historia como debería. Voy a terminar la serie por compromiso, pagué por ella y me da curiosidad saber cómo termina todo este embrollo.
Profile Image for Ed.
746 reviews13 followers
June 18, 2017
Just when I thought Jodorowsky & Mœbius couldn't get crazier, they do. The Berg battle royale was just hilarious and fun.
Profile Image for Pascal.
909 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2020
On continue de suivre avec une certaine jouissance les aventures du héro malgré lui...un dessin très beau, une scène de science-fiction de référence, et une trame unique...
Profile Image for Ned Netherwood.
Author 3 books4 followers
July 24, 2020
It's a barmy mess but so charming and sleek at the same time. I'm not blind to its faults, I just dont care about them because I'm having a good time.
651 reviews5 followers
July 29, 2020
Fantastic!

Wonderful graphics and plot! Will read further. Adventures of John DiFool are gripping and engrossing. This is a masterpiece of space opera.
Profile Image for Ridanwise.
150 reviews
September 17, 2020
How is this a cult classic? This seems written in the very early age of comics. It's so incredibly bad I cannot even begin to--
194 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2021
The Incal#4

One can be Difool , but also a Hero.
The story is certainly interesting. The art is great.
Story is funny.
Profile Image for Mars.
24 reviews13 followers
April 24, 2022
je salue parmi vous le valeureux qui saura pénétrer le mystére ineffable du noyau nuptial. Les ténébres s'assombrissent et la jalousie des Protoreine s'envenime.
Profile Image for Corbin.
56 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2022
This was a big mistake to take time in between this and the 3rd one. I was so lost. Whatever plot was here didn’t hold my interest.
4,418 reviews37 followers
February 28, 2024
Darkness rules

Good color artwork from the heavy metal era. Moebius and jodorowsy a powerful team. Deepo and difool, survive and breed.
Profile Image for Simon.
77 reviews
December 12, 2025
Ça part toujours dans tous les sens mais au moins c'est un peu plus compréhensible. Par contre Difool il change d'apparence à chaque album
47 reviews
May 21, 2024
The plot is finally coming together only to reveal that the end is not quite here yet!

Although there is a big cliffhanger on the final page of this volume, some of the very many strands of the story culminate. Unfortunately, I am a little bit disappointed. I enjoyed the art (especially the colours and shapes) and the surrealist turn of events, but the underlaying story is not that original at all. What we get is one more reincarnation of the classic 'great evil in the galaxy and the only hope is a very special object' type of narrative. Still, I can kind of see why this has the 'cult' status, and I will read the remaining two parts.
Profile Image for Fugo Feedback.
5,084 reviews172 followers
August 19, 2014
¡Se pudrió todo!... Por un rato. Otro tomo que había dejado a medio leer y del que no recordaba nada de nada. Ya arranqué el 5 y hasta ahora no me suena. Espero que sea porque verdaderamente no lo leí en su momento y no porque mi memoria ya esté en las últimas... :(
Profile Image for William Thomas.
14 reviews
June 27, 2018
Genius

Probably one of the most visionary graphic novel series ever created, an absolute must read.Jodorowsky and Moebius are known visionaries and this work has influenced countless other works including films, books and music
Profile Image for Carlos Rioja.
Author 11 books21 followers
August 24, 2011
Algunas partes me han aburrido un poco, pero la historia es tan fascinante y el trabajo de Moebius tan hermoso que merece la pena leerlo.
Profile Image for Santiago Giraldo.
151 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2014
See my review for Incal 1. The story just keeps getting better and better as John Difool and his mates try to save the universe!!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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