Following along on the tails and trails of Inside Moebius 2 comes the third volume from Dark Horse Books.
Moebius, the late French cartoonist/ illustrator, continues his self-examination in greater detail in Volume 3. For those of us familiar with the first two magnificent volumes released earlier this year, this too is mind-expanding and compelling material.
The narrative, as loosely constructed as it is, is basically this: Moebius, now aged, is in “Desert B”, in his bunker. There, he is looking back at his life and the characters that he has created for comic books during his lifetime. He is talking with his younger selves, who appear on the scene. It’s like the Christmas Carol, that famous story by Charles Dickens; Moebius present is visited by Moebius past, and they discuss their outlook at those times in his life. His characters too, come to visit, or just drive by on the nearby desert highway.
It’s an absolutely frank and unflinching self-examination, where Moebius tears apart the fourth wall, is aware of himself being read and observed by us, the reader, while in the middle of his own thoughts. He plays around with the stereotypes of comics and storytelling, all the while showing that he is self-aware. He experiments with his ‘cartoon ability’ of being able to fly. He sleeps with his own characters. Is nothing sacred?? Moebius, being in a desert full of rocks, leaves no stone unturned!
The drawings in Volume 3 are detailed and obviously well thought out. One unforgettable sequence in the midst of the book shows Moebius in a long long series of ‘selfies’ that are the most psychedelic, mind melting selfies I have ever seen. RRivalingSalvador Dali’s famous surrealist renderings, these rendering are astonishing and memorable.
It’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s well translated from the original French, it’s unforgettable. If you are Moebius fan, please add this volume to your collection!!
Dark Horse Books, Inside Moebius Part 3, $39.99 for 288 pages of content. Mature Readers
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