Incal Universe Returns as Official PSYCHOVERSE Cover Revealed (Exclusive)
Coming this May, Humanoids Publishing will be launching back into the wild fantasy universe of The Incal with a preview of Psychoverse; a new tale of the epic saga's central character, hapless detective John DiFool.
The Incal - a wild, meditative and philosophical ride through a science-fiction reality - was originally conceived in 1980 by the legendary team of Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jean “Moebius” Giraud, drawing on extensive yet rejected work on a treatment for the film Dune. Imagining a dystopian world populated with quirky, unpredictable characters, Jodorowsky’s world would expand through the years to tell the story of a universe on the brink of total destruction, and the band of lovable heroes who come together to save it. Foremost among this sprawling tale was the character John DiFool, who falls into the category of “protagonist” mostly by default. Portrayed as a down-on-his-luck detective turned savior of the universe, DiFool is known for his everyman qualities, which often trend towards bewilderment thanks to the bizarre situations he's constantly faced with.
Thanks to the supreme craftsmanship Moebius applied to his comic book art, the visual sense of the series - along with Jodorowsky’s otherworldly mysticism - have led some to call The Incal the ultimate science-fiction saga for its brutal action, incredible visuals, and psychedelic dramedy storytelling. Now, with Jodorowsky’s blessing, Humanoids Publishing is returning to the universe of The Incal with Mark Russell (Exit, Stage Left!: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) and Yanick Paquette's (Wonder Woman: Earth One) Psychoverse, which will preview in Free Comic Book Day: The Incal Universe Special. Screen Rant is proud to share the cover for Psychoverse ahead of this release.
The Incal is a beloved world associated with titans of the comic industry, and its return is sure to cause a stir among fans of sci-fi, especially as the stories in Free Comic Book Day: The Incal Universe Special promise to expand this world even further. Speaking exclusively to Screen Rant, Yanick Paquette says of the project:
Having spent my childhood reading Mœbius I couldn’t imagine a bigger honor, nor a more daunting task, than to be tackling his seminal work The Incal. But with Mark Russell’s fantastic script and Dave McCaig’s colors, I felt daring enough to venture my feet into the biggest shoes there are and give it my best.
Known for its roller-coaster-like ride through human ontological philosophy, fans will be looking forward to returning to the universe that birthed iconic characters like the fearsome Metabaron and Solune, DiFool’s estranged, awesomely powerful psychic son. In an exclusive comment to Screen Rant, writer Mark Russell says:
The Incal is one of my all-time favorite comics and it's such a rich and deeply spiritual universe that it felt like the perfect place to tell a story about the divide between the physical and spiritual that resides in each of us. I've always admired Humanoids and their commitment to providing top notch art, and seeing what Yanick is doing with this series makes me proud to be part of this tradition.
With a movie adaptation in the works from Taika Waititi, it's the perfect time for fans of The Incal to return to this universe, and for newbies to see why this masterpiece of comic history is still beloved, as The Psychoverse arrives in Free Comic Book Day: The Incal Universe Special, with a hardcover collection of the story slated for release November 24.
Free Comic Book Day: The Incal Universe Special will be available from Humanoids Publishing May 7.