Review- WEAPONS OF THE METABARON

WEAPONS OF THE METABARON (Humanoids, 2012; Hardcover)

Originally published as Les Armes du Meta-Baron by Les Humanoides Associes in 2008

Writer: Alexandro Jodorowsky

Artists: Travis Charest and Zoran Janjetov

This fits nicely between The Metabarons and The Technopriests. It is a story about the Metabaron No-Name, the son of the Father-Mother that we saw in The Metabarons series. There are eight wise men types who try and steer him to acquire the four secret weapons that will make him the most powerful warrior in the universe.

This is probably the most “fun” Humanoids book that I have read, filled with huge battles and action galore. It's more of a gut punch than a head trip, which is fine and dandy, especially when I have been lulled into a sense of expecting more cerebral reads from Humanoids. Cleverly written and exquisitely rendered, this is another winner from the little company that could, Humanoids.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Humanoids produces high-end hardcovers that are beautiful and spare no expense. This book is printed in India and has a delectable odor to it.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Expect only the best from Humanoids. Beautiful, thick coated stock paper with a slight sheen, this may well be the thickest stock since the second printing Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1.

Binding rating: 5 out of 5. Sewn binding, but it's a bit on the stiff side. Will lay flat for about 2/3 of the book. The paper is super thick, which also prevents the book from laying flat. This book is on the thin side at 64 pages, so it's no big deal, really.

Hardback cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. There is no dustjacket on this book. The cover image is printed on the hardback itself and sealed with a super thick, high quality coating that will provide a lifetime of durability and reading enjoyment.

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Review- THE TECHNOPRIESTS SUPREME COLLECTION

THE TECHNOPRIESTS SUPREME COLLECTION (Humanoids, 2012; Hardcover)

Collects The Technopriests Nos. 1-8 (cover dates April, 1998- August, 2006)

Note: Originally published in French as Les Technoperes by Les Humanoides Associes

Writer: Alexandro Jodorowsky

Artists: Zoran Janjetov and Fred Beltran

Like every other book in the “Jodoverse” that I have read, this is told in a flashback narrative by two hosts. This time it is the star of the story, Albino, and his alien animal sidekick Tinigrifi who tell the tale of a futuristic Moses (Albino) who leads his 500,000 Technopriests to the promised land “where healthy human relationships are valued more highly than technological advances corrupted by an excess of science and a total lack of consciousness”. 

Jodorowsky's writing is incredibly witty this time out, with sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes scathing views of technology, religion, and human nature. Think of this as a commentary of the human condition at the turn of the century wrapped in an elaborate science fiction wrapper. The story of Albino coming of age, realizing his dreams, and discovering what it means to be co-opted by the system is among the best of the Humanoids books that I've read so far. If only we all had the courage to basically say “screw it” and do what we want. If only...

The artwork by Janjetov (pencils/line art) and Beltran (computer coloring) is simply beautiful. I snapped a few pictures to give you an idea of how brilliant this team is, but I could have used every page in this book as an example. From the quietest of scenes to the loudest galactic battles, there is a grace and beauty here. These guys all take years to produce their art, but the end result is worth it. It is easy for me to say this with the complete story in front of me, of course. Waiting a year in between albums had to be excruciating.

Like all Humanoids books, I give this the highest of recommendations. I am admittedly more of a mainstream comic book reader, but even the “unwashed” comic book buying masses can see the value of this stuff. It's accessible high art.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Humanoids produces books that are as much a work of art as the material presented therein. This deluxe slipcased hardcover is no exception. This book is an absolute beast, weighing in at 4.8 pounds and measuring roughly 12.5 X 9.5 inches, basically the same dimensions of an EC Library hardcover or a DC Absolute. This is a numbered limited edition, with my copy being 934 out of 999 worldwide. The built in ribbon bookmark is another high end touch.

This is the first time that this has been published in English with the original color palette. That's an automatic OCD +10%!

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Incredibly thick coated stock with that delectable toxic Chinese ink smell to it.

Binding rating: 5 out of 5. Superb sewn binding that allows the book to lat flat, with nine, count them, nine stitches on each signature. Wow!

Hardback cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Super thick coating on a super thick hardback, this book is built to last. This is especially refreshing in light of the recent decontenting of hardcovers by publishers such as Marvel and DC.

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Review- THE METABARONS ULTIMATE COLLECTION

THE METABARONS ULTIMATE COLLECTION (Humanoids, 2012; Hardcover)

Collects Metabarons Nos. 1-17 and the Metabarons: Alpha/Omega one-shot (cover dates January, 2000- May, 2002), originally published in France as a series of eight graphic novels between 1992 and 2003

Writer: Alejandro Jodorowsky

Artist: Juan Gimenez

The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son. This age old concept goes back to The Bible and probably even earlier than that. Metabarons takes this concept and spins it into a multi-generational science fiction epic, with each son having to kill their father in order to assume the title of Metabaron. 

The robots Tonto and Lothar tell the stories in a sequential flashback narrative. There are a total of five Metabarons, each more disturbing than the last. Mutilation rituals are enacted on each descendant, a result of wounds incurred by Othon von Salsza, the first Metabaron. 

Jodorowsky occasionally steers into adolescent sexual fantasy areas. Either that or it is my American hang-ups over such things being in comic books that makes a few of these scenes seem sophomoric. Here in America we don't even wince when someone gets shot, but show a breast and everyone is up in arms. 

These Humanoids books are definitely adult fare and are sophisticated, dense reads that require revisiting. I probably should have read this twice before even reviewing it, as I have undoubtedly missed things. These books are beyond the scope of my admittedly more mainstream tastes but I enjoyed them nonetheless.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- This is a superb, high-end package. If you like your books with top notch production values and built in ribbon bookmarks, then Humanoids books are right up your alley. They even have great stories in them! Win-win.

The US single issue comics were censored from the original French publication. Since this is divided into eight chapters with a few assorted extra chapters in the back, I am going to assume that this is presented unedited as originally published in France. Any clarification about this would be greatly appreciated.

And yes, the remaining original cover art for the US comics are included in a cover gallery in the back of the book.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Beautiful, thick coated paper stock with a slight sheen.

Binding rating: 5 out of 5. Superb sewn binding. The book block is not glued square to the spine, allowing the book to pay flat, a must when you get into the 500+ page range. 

Hardback cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. The image is printed on the hardback itself, and is coated with an extremely thick coating which should hold up well. The Metabarons logo is a reflective silver dye and a nice touch.