Poet and Killer

La Caste des Méta-Barons #5-6

by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Juan Giménez

The history of the ultimate bloodline of warriors continues in this volume, featuring intense action and plot twists that are bizarre even for the Metabarons. The cyborg Metabaron, Steelhead, who may be the most ruthless of all the Metabarons, shakes the galaxy with a reign of violence and murder. But when he falls madly in love with Doa Vicenta, the daughter of one of his many victims, Steelhead decides to prove himself worthy of love. He searches out Zaran Krleza, the last poet in the universe. Joining Krlezas head with his cyborg body, Steelhead and the poet become one person, Melmoth, and in his new form Steelhead wins Doas heart. The two conceive twinsbut tragedy strikes: as Steelhead cradles his dying wife in his arms, the fate of the Metabarons clan hinges on his decision of which child to save.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Adventure, Sequential Art, Space Opera

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[David Turko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art's a five but the story is a 2. Jodorowsky's idea of romance is crazy and not in a good way. There were some sexists moments in the book that made me cringe. But there's no denying that the art is incredible. This would've been an incredible book if it didn't get so creepy at times.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This generation of the Metabarons’ ancestral story still has some imaginative twists and gruesomely tragic turns, but its excesses are close to becoming a weakness instead of a strength. I wouldn’t say any generation so far has been especially relatable or emotionally grounded, but much of Steelhead’s tale is particularly cold and ruthless and the series could use a tonal correction in the other direction instead of doubling down on more of the same. There’s hints of such an upcoming correction with the next generation, and the contemporary era frame story of the two robots sees some intriguing updates as well, so I’m definitely still interested to check out the final volume.

“Paleo-fool! Not one of the Metabarons was ever happy! Happiness is the paleo-opiate of the bio-masses! What fueled the energy of those titans was a force unknown to us simple robotic entities, the one the humans call ‘suffering.’”

“We are no more than trails of foam glistening on the crest of a wave.”

[Rex Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing the tale of the line of Metabarons, we move onto the vicious Steelhead, so called because his when he was a child, his father actually shot off his head and his mother later replace it with a computerized brain, encased in steel. He kills his father and assumes the mantle of Metabaron. His travels run him further afoul of the woman he loves, her father (whom he kills and brings back to life) and the incursion of the religious entity known as the Technopope. Fun science fantasy with Gimez's stable fantastic artwork

[Viel Nast · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third volume is the more epic more dark and more sinister than the two before. The casta is faced with incredible problems and nearly succumbs to oblivion but meta magic with supreme science find solution that are more bitter than sweet. The metabarons live on but they change they are something different. The latest metabaron is involved in epic quests commits acts of supreme evil but is capable of the purest manifestations of good. His story is tragic to the core. Another excellent sci fi comic book.

[Arturo Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good comic, so far it is the one that I liked a little less about the saga. Yes it has shocking moments and illustrations as good as the previous ones.


Español
Buen comic, hasta el momento es el que me ha gustado un poco menos de la saga. Si tiene momentos impactantes y las ilustraciones tan buenas como las anteriores.

[Bria · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's good that at least this couple's "love" isn't the product of magical hypnosis, I still think Jodorowsky's idea of what love is and how it works is a little, let's say.... shallow and insane. I definitely want this guy to be my therapist.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The graphic art is impressive in places, and the story is reasonably interesting. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Drizztl · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow more insane than the first two volumes. I must give Jodorowsky for being able to up the stakes and insanity in each volume.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to these Metabarons books, I think I like the idea better than the execution.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume lost a bit of steam for me with too much political talk. The art is amazing however and Jodorowsky never lets you down on the overt violence and sex.

[Жанна Пояркова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Это просто праздник какой-то

[Sergio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story keeps getting better, though definitely more tragic. Art is top notch, befitting Juan Gimenez.

[Oliver Hodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full on

[Avatonqp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art: 5

Story: 3

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great SiFi comic. Excellent art and story. Not the normal comic story, a very well done SiFi comic. Very recommended