What Is The Incal?

The Incal is one of the most celebrated sci-fi graphic novels in comics history, written by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by the legendary Moebius (Jean Giraud), originally published by Les Humanoïdes Associés in France beginning in 1980. It follows John DiFool, a low-class detective in a dystopian future city, who stumbles upon a powerful artifact called the Light Incal — and suddenly finds himself at the center of a universe-spanning cosmic adventure. The story blends surrealism, spirituality, and wild space opera in a way that influenced countless creators, including Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) and the design of countless sci-fi worlds. It was later published in English by Humanoids Publishing, and if you love epic, mind-bending science fiction comics, it is absolutely essential reading. The saga also spawned prequels and spinoffs, including Before the Incal and After the Incal.