The Incal: The Epic Conspiracy

L'Incal #1-3

by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Mœbius (Artist), Sasha Watson (Translator)

The The Epic Conspiracy begins one of comics' greatest masterpieces illustrated by Moebius and written by Alexandro Jodorowsky, Together they present the classic adventure of sci-fi detective John DiFool, a low class detective in a corrupt world. He finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient artifact called "The Incal." DiFool's adventures bring him into conflict with the galaxy's greatest warrior, the Metabaron, and pit him against the awesome powers of the Technopope. These encounters and many more make up a tale of comical and cosmic survival, but also the survival of the entire universe.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Art, Comic Book

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

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.

Reviews

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

The then-unpublished origin story of the Metabaron's "son" is included at the end.

Neither the story nor the art is as good as one would think based on it's legendary reputation. Moebius' work often looks hurried and/or unfinished and Jodo's script bounces around too quickly without enough background to help it make sense.

I don't know how I shall acquire the second half of the story. I wanted to buy the full six tomes collected as one but the price is never even close to affordable. This edition finally fell to my price-point, so I settled with this for now to at least whet my appetite.

[Simon MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is buck wild which makes sense considering the two minds behind it. The art by Mœbius is everything you'd want from a sci-fi series. The plot by Jodorowsky is pretty crazy which is what I'd expect from the man. If you haven't watched the documentary "Jodorowsky's Dune" you owe it to yourself. It suffers a bit from its chaotic nature but it is otherwise enjoyable.

My biggest quibble with the book was the choice of font size for the word balloons. The word balloons are quite large but the text does not take advantage of all that room. I suspect the font size wasn't adjusted when they did the translation from French to English.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a weird trip. I didn't really like the language used, Techno-Techno Science has it's limits. Some neat artwork. The concept was a bit weak. It needed a bit more background and history.

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first volume of Jodorowsky and Moebius' excellent classic science fiction epic The Incal. Set in a galactic empire that brings SF classics like Herbert's Dune or Lucas' (original) Star Wars films, the story centres around John Difool, a class "R" licensed private investigator who just happens to have the conscious (almost divine) artefact the Incal fall into his hands, and who is consequently drawn (reluctantly) into an epic adventures with a host of characters (both friends and enemies); including the Metabaron, the Technopope, Kill Wolfhead, Deepo, Solune, Animah, Tanatah, the Necrodroid, and many, many more.

This is a first class science fiction adventure of galactic proportions with absolutely first class art by Moebius.

I cannot recommend this comic enough.

[Ben Nash · Rating 2 out of 5]

John DiFool gets hired for another run-of-the-mill job as a PI, but when he discovers the White Incal, things get turned upside down.

I recently watched the documentary Jodorowsky's Dune where Jodo talks about, among other things, his comics. The panels they showed combined with how they talked things up led me to check some of them out from the library.

Well, they didn't approach the hype. Sure, there were interesting elements, but they just didn't come together. Scenes didn't flow into each other as much as they crashed, jarring me into thinking, "how did we get here?"

There's an extra story added back in at the end of this volume. Apparently it was cut out and condensed to three panels in the original comic run. I'll give Jodorowsky the benefit of the doubt because of this, at least until I look through another of his comics.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Nobody has done counterculture/drug influenced space opera in comics better than Jodorowsky and Moebius. If The Fifth Element is one of your guilty pleasure movies consider this a must read.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this before, probably twice: once, when it was serialized in Heavy Metal, and once when it was released by Marvel/Epic. This would have been back in the 80s. This version is a different translation, and different coloring, than the previous versions I've read. I think the coloring and translation are better here, though it was a long time ago, so I don't remember it that well.

This is just about as weird as I remember it being. It's a lot of fun. The artwork is amazing. If you've never read it before, and you like weird sci-fi comics, you should definitely give it a try. It's a classic. It might not be everyone's cup of tea though. It might be a little too abstract and grandiose for some people.

[Ostrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't know about this edition but I'm done with the first half of Jodorowsky's science fiction masterpiece, El Incal. Will have to finish it later but while awesome it's a bit flat in the middle...

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly language, bizarre cuts, and deus ex machina. Not for me.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can definitely see why they sued luc besson for the fifth element.

i like the illustrations, i will read the next part

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have long been interested in the work of Moebius, since I have seen his art in many places at it has always looked intriguing. But sadly it is not readily available, nor is it obvious where one would want to start. I think this one cropped up as a suggestion here on goodreads, and my library system had it so I put it on hold. I wasn't impressed. It is interesting in some ways, but overall is just kind of weird. And not a good weird, but rather an excessively silly weird that often veers over into outright stupid. It reminded me of the movie the Fifth Element, which I remember initially enjoying but finding similarly dumb on a reviewing-- and appropriately enough the back of the book reveals that Moebius worked on that movie.

[Steve Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great graphics and somewhat interesting story, but quite bizarre. I checked this book out after watching "Jodorowaky's Dune", a documentary of the movie adaption of Frank Herbert's Dune that was never made. It had an amazing storyboard that went scene by scene for the whole movie; wardrobes; actors picked ... would have been a fantastic movie and blown Star Wars away! Literally! But it was a few years ahead of its time and they could not get the money to make it. However, a lot of the ideas for his Dune have shown up in a ton of movies since then and all inside Hollywood recognizes it as the sci-fi go-to for great ideas.

Anyway, I loved the artwork on the storyboard drawn by artist Moebius and found that Jodorowsky had collaborated with him on a comic series.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but I didn't love it. World-building/design were obviously priorities (apparently there are lots of allusions to the tarot and they knew they were setting up a "'verse") and it felt like creating a cogent story or engaging characters were lacking. About halfway through I looked up some of it's history and learned that it's hailed as a masterpiece, foundation of "the Jodoverse," etc. The sci-fi designs were the highpoint, the art was very much in the Mœbius style (which is a great style if you like that sort of thing, which I do), the story was psychedelic and followed a dreamlike logic, and the characters were... sort of unlikeable, actually. I don't feel compelled to rush out and finish the series, but I'd pick it up if I found it used somewhere.

[Astral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mu very first introduction to Jodorowsky ( even before Holy Mountain) i remember going to the comic book store and reading this at a very early age and being transported into a space beyond, i knew there was some other force trying to communicate with my young brain, but i could not quite grasp it. Years later i went back to it , to find that held some of the most inspiring ideas for me in it. I love Jodorowsky- with the invention of internet social forums, i have since become " friends" with him, he is a truly modern day sage.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this novel in part as it was serialized in Heavy Metal and then it left a strong impression on me. Möbius's artwork became part of my DNA and to this day I hold it as a gold standard to which other sci-fi artists are compared. The art holds up well all these years later and Möbius's detail and design still look fresh and original now. I found the writing confusing and disappointing, but not much since even back in '82 I realized I was not following the story. Worth a read for the art work alone!

[Mark Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've missed Moebius's graphic works since his "Heavy Metal" days. When I worked in record stores in the seventies "Rolling Stone", "Heavy Metal", and "High Times" were the best selling magazines. I got the Moebius bug back then. A treat to see his work again all these many years later. I hope his work comes back into regular affordable circulation again soon.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5. This is a rather picaresque SF tale in which a third-rate PI opens the box a dying alien told him never to open and so becomes host to the cosmic Incal. Which in turn, make the gumshoe a target for everyone seeking to possess or destroy it ... Part of an ongoing series, so not a lot wrapped up, but quite entertaining.

[Devowasright · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'd really like to give this three and a half stars, because i did enjoy it. it just got a bit tedious toward the end, probably as a result of it having initially been serialized. it was nice to read the entire story, however, after having read a few chapters in Heavy Metal back in the early 80s.

[Nat Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

far out sci fi shit from two serious bro dogs

having hard time figuring out which of the chapters this one covers and which one the next vol "journey" covers, versus the other versions released: please advise in comments!

[Sasha Boersma · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a whole lot happening in this small collection! Fascinating collection of characters. Love the dystopian feeling. The story itself is incredibly detailed. Only drawback was how confusing it can be if you read through it too fast. Not necessarily the fault of the creators though ;)

[Charles Baudelaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmm...this one is mysteriously absent from my collection.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent art as usual by Moebius, and written by Alejandro Jodorowski? Yes, does it get any better, no.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the screw did I just read

[Ma'Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

'80s sci-fi genderfuck, oh my!

[Charles Baudelaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

just awesome! Jodorowsky the great! Of course he's the director of "holy Mountain and Sante Sangre.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jodorowsky. Weird plot, cool art, definitely worth checking out.