Select delivery location
See All Buying Options
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Deconstructing The Incal: Oversized Deluxe Hardcover – October 24, 2017

by Christophe Quillien (Author), Jean Giraud (Illustrator), Alejandro Jodorowsky (Contributor)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
See all formats and editions
The second reference guide to the Jodoverse, focused on unveiling the secrets of the Universe's fiercest warrior clan: the Metabarons.

Deconstructing The Incal lifts the veil on many of the mysteries and secrets surrounding the seminal science-fiction graphic novel, which has become the cornerstone of the Jodoverse.This encyclopedic reference book, is packed with fascinating insights from The Incal's creators, Jodorowsky and Mœbius, alongside revealing text, and rare and unseen preliminary illustrations.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    112 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Humanoids, Inc.
  4. Publication date
    October 24, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    9.4 x 0.6 x 12.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1594656908
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1594656903
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

***2018 Eisner Award nominee in the Best Comics-Related Books category***

About the Author

When he was little, Christophe Quillien dreamed of being a superhero. Alas, he quickly realized that life had given him a single super-power: writing. Since then, he has busied himself by writing books on comics. He published Grandes aventurières et femmes fatales de la bande dessinée (Huginn & Muninn), Méchants, crapules et autres vilains de la bande dessinée (Huginn & Muninn), La Bande dessinée (Gallimard Jeunesse), Le Guide des 100 bandes dessinées incontournables (Librio), La Bande dessinée à Paris (Parigramme). Il a aussi écrit des articles sur la BD (et d’autres sujets moins sérieux) dans la presse: The Good Life, Rolling Stone, Epok, Le Magazine Littéraire, Le Monde, Les Inrockuptibles, Télérama Sortir… He has also written articles about comics (and other less serious topics) in the press: The Good Life, Rolling Stone, Epok, The Literary Magazine, The World, Inrockuptibles, Télérama Sortir ...

Born February 7th, 1929, in Tocopilla, Chile, of a Jewish Ukrainian immigrant family. Jodorowsky was multi-talented from an early age, becoming skilled in puppetry and mime, in addition to writing, by his late teens. He traveled with a pantomime troupe in the 1950s, and within a couple years had made his way to Paris where he collaborated with the world-renowned mime Marcel Marceau. In the 1960s, Jodorowsky ventured further into the world of theater, creating in Mexico, the Panic Movement. This innovative artistic movement allowed him to creatively participate in over a 100 theater productions. The 1970s saw him transition into the world of film where he quickly put a defining stamp on all his cinematic works. He directed several cult films, namely the infamous "El Topo," a Midnight movie favorite. Shortly thereafter, Jodorowsky became attached to direct the adaptation of the famous Frank Herbert sci-fi epic novel "Dune." At the preparation stage of the film, he brilliantly assembled a team of extremely diverse and gifted artists such as HR Giger, Chris Foss, Dan O'Bannon, and Moebius, all of who would later be hired as concept artists on Ridley Scott's "Alien." The development of "Dune" came to a halt due to financial problems, but Jodorowsky, having been exposed to such immense visual talent, propelled himself into writing graphic novels, pairing up with the artist Moebius. This collaboration resulted in what many consider to be one of the most creative European sci-fi graphic novel series of all time, "The Incal," which went on to sell millions of copies worldwide. Since penning "The Incal," Jodorowsky continued writing top selling comic books with a wide variety of Europe's most talented artists, such as "The White Lama" (with Bess), "The Metabarons" (with Gimenez), "The Technopriests" (with Janjetov), and most recently "Bouncer" (with Boucq). Along with nurturing his many other talents, Jodorowsky remains a unique storyteller whose published contributions have secured his status as one of the world's most prolific graphic novel writers.

Jean "Mœbius" Giraud was a French artist, cartoonist and writer who worked in the Franco-Belgian bandes dessinées tradition. Giraud garnered worldwide acclaim predominantly under the pseudonym Mœbius and to a lesser extent under the name Gir, which he used for the Blueberry series and his paintings. Mœbius' most famous work was The Incal, written by Alejandro Jodorowsky. He also contributed storyboards and concept designs to numerous science fiction and fantasy films, such as Alien, Tron, The Fifth Element and The Abyss.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Humanoids, Inc.; Deluxe edition (October 24, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1594656908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594656903
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 0.6 x 12.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
33 global ratings
A great companion to the Incal series
5 Stars
A great companion to the Incal series
A fun book which explores the art, characters and philosophy behind the Incal series. It's a large format book with waffley and gushy but sometimes surprisingly insightful prose accompanied by a generous amount of gorgeous images. Although many of the images and ideas will be familiar to readers of the series it's still nice to have them so nicely gathered and presented here. Pull this book out to skim the beautiful surface or dive in and explore the symbolism and philosophy behind it.Probably not a great read for those unfamiliar with the Incal and who want to know what the fuss is about, get the Incal, Before the Incal and Final Incal and then if you want to explore the ideas and characters a bit more this is a fun reference.And because a picture paints a bunch of words...
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Attila Sohar
5.0 out of 5 stars For the fans of master artist Moebius.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
A must have for the fan of serious sci fi comics and fans of Moebius.
Helpful
 Report
Danielle C.
5.0 out of 5 stars must own for incal fans
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
the most thorough breakdown i could have imagined for the series.
Helpful
 Report
Thomas W Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Another really well put together book. This publisher never disappoints.
Helpful
 Report
Wes
1.0 out of 5 stars Needs More Substance And Detail!
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed the "Incal" series, and respect Jodorowsky as a creator. I jumped on the purchase of this book that attempts to explain and highlight all the profound aspects within his graphic novels, some of which are very deep and far-reaching in its scope and theme.
Sadly, I cannot recommend this book as it feels very lightweight. If you are going to write a reference and exploration of the series, and call it "Deconstructing," then you need to provide far more information, and as many itemized examples as possible, otherwise what is the point in only mentioning these themes/elements/inspirations and not going all the way with it? The book objectively explains what things are important and intended by Jodo for those who do not know who he is or what he believes/produces; but it doesn't go all the way, and merely banks on the name, and feels like a cash-in for die-hard fans of his work/media.
For example: there is one section in "Deconstructing" that mentions Jodo's fascination with the Tarot, which is nice if you know nothing about him and his relationship with psycho-magic and the Tarot, etc., but it only gives one example about a character's representation to a particular Tarot card. Why not go all the way and show us what each character/place/thing relates to in the whole Tarot deck, or at least to the points that Jodo designed for them that he could confirm? And this is only one lacking section in the book, and I'm annoyed to say almost every other chapter and sub-chapter is, well, lacking.
I hate to say it, but only get this if you want to shove it next to your Incal books on your bookshelf. You would probably do better having fun with your own research, and using your mind/soul to interpret his methods on your own, as Jodo would prefer humanity to personally put the effort in to ascend as they individually need to anyway.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Andrew
3.0 out of 5 stars Only for the collectors.
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
While it's nice to have on the shelf, it is unnecessary. It serves more as a glossary of terms and characters than as a deconstruction or in-depth exploration of the story. I must admit to being disappointed in this one, but I won't sell it. It'll sit on my shelf collecting dust as a testament towards more discerning purchases in the future.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
marina guenther
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
saving it for posterairity
Helpful
 Report
wunth
5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion to the Incal series
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018
A fun book which explores the art, characters and philosophy behind the Incal series. It's a large format book with waffley and gushy but sometimes surprisingly insightful prose accompanied by a generous amount of gorgeous images. Although many of the images and ideas will be familiar to readers of the series it's still nice to have them so nicely gathered and presented here. Pull this book out to skim the beautiful surface or dive in and explore the symbolism and philosophy behind it.

Probably not a great read for those unfamiliar with the Incal and who want to know what the fuss is about, get the Incal, Before the Incal and Final Incal and then if you want to explore the ideas and characters a bit more this is a fun reference.

And because a picture paints a bunch of words...
Customer image
wunth
5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion to the Incal series
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018
A fun book which explores the art, characters and philosophy behind the Incal series. It's a large format book with waffley and gushy but sometimes surprisingly insightful prose accompanied by a generous amount of gorgeous images. Although many of the images and ideas will be familiar to readers of the series it's still nice to have them so nicely gathered and presented here. Pull this book out to skim the beautiful surface or dive in and explore the symbolism and philosophy behind it.

Probably not a great read for those unfamiliar with the Incal and who want to know what the fuss is about, get the Incal, Before the Incal and Final Incal and then if you want to explore the ideas and characters a bit more this is a fun reference.

And because a picture paints a bunch of words...
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
don rumata
5.0 out of 5 stars Toller Band zu den Hintergründen und Protagonisten
Reviewed in Germany on March 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Gehört in jede Jean Giraud/Moebius Sammlung Hintergrundgeschichte zu den Protagonisten die Helden und die Bösewichte aber auch die Welt, das Universum wie es aufgebaut ist, natürlich dürfen Ideengeber Jodorowsky und Zeichner Moebius nicht fehlen tolles Buch!!!!
Sollte wirklich mal verfilmt werden!
Report