Originally published last year in an oversized format, Moon Face is one of the latest offering from legendary creator and visionary Alejandro Jodorowsky. This new standard hardcover edition is perfectly timed to help celebrate his 90th birthday and another example of why he is one of comics’ most legendary creators.
The arrival of the mute Moon Face on the island of Damanuestra is the catalyst for revolution! A grandiose tale about power, strength and madness. Known as the “wave tamer”, a young boy turns the tiny island of Damanuestra upside down, threatening the oppressive political and religious hierarchies.
This is the second collaboration between Jodorowsky and François Boucq, the first being the Western themed Bouncer playing off Jodorowsky’s film El Topo. This story returns to the sci-fi fantasy realm Jodorowsky is most comfortable in when writing comics and you can immediately tell this is classic Jodorowsky as you read it. Many of the themes from his previous works are revisited including the oppressed masses, political corruption and the problems with organised religion. Moon Face meanwhile makes a perfect revolutionary figurehead and can stand alongside Jodorowsky’s memorable protagonists such as John DiFool from The Incal.
You can add Boucq to the list of great artists who are able to channel the out-of-this-world-ideas that Jodorowsky comes up with. His art does a terrific job in highlighting the corruption and perversion that runs rife on Damanuestra. The political hierarchy come across as a twisted version of both historical and modern politicians which aren’t too far removed from reality, and Boucq’s depiction of Jodorowsky’s twisted take on Christianity is particularly harrowing. The more lecherous parts of the comic are offset however by the presence of Moon Face. Amongst all the ugliness that populates Damanuestra, he has a level of grace and innocence that adds a degree of levity to the otherwise bleak and twisted narrative. Whilst most of Boucq’s characters have very detailed facial features, the mute Moon Face has the bare basics of eyes and mouth – with most of his expressions coming from his actions and body language (just look at the cover for an example) which helps him stand out even more.
This is a worthy celebration of Jodorowsky’s 90th birthday and a perfect example of why his comic work is so memorable. A must read for any fans of his work!
Moon Face is out now from Humanoids
9781643376608 – H/B – £22.99
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