Alexandro Jodorowsky and Moebius created one of the most influential graphic novels in the history of comics with The Incal, a sprawling cosmic opera that redefined the possibilities of the medium. First serialized in the French magazine Métal Hurlant beginning in 1980 and subsequently collected into albums by Les Humanoïdes Associés, the series follows the improbable adventures of John Difool, a lowly “Class R” detective whose mundane existence is shattered when he comes into possession of a mysterious glowing artifact known as the Incal.
The narrative unfolds across six volumes, carrying Difool from the depths of the sprawling galactic capital city of Adomis to the farthest reaches of the universe, pursued by a bewildering array of forces including corrupt technocrats, shape-shifting Bergs, fanatical priests, and the terrifying Orn woman Animah. Jodorowsky’s screenplay weaves together elements of mysticism, political satire, psychological exploration, and sheer absurdist invention into a tapestry of remarkable complexity. The story draws upon the filmmaker’s extensive study of esoteric traditions while never losing sight of the essential humanity of its deeply flawed protagonist.
Moebius, the artistic pseudonym of Jean Giraud, brings this universe to life with line work of breathtaking virtuosity. His pages flow with an organic grace that perfectly captures the dreamlike quality of Jodorowsky’s vision, whether depicting towering alien architectures, intimate character moments, or action sequences of cosmic proportions. The collaborative synergy between writer and artist produced images that have become iconic within the medium.
The 1988 Graphitti Designs limited edition represents the first English translation of this masterpiece, published in a numbered edition of fifteen hundred copies signed by Moebius himself. This volume, running nearly three hundred pages, collects the complete saga in a single smyth-sewn hardcover volume that reflects the care and craftsmanship of an era when comics were beginning to be recognized as a serious art form.
