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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