Moebius (Jean Giraud) visited Madrid yesterday to present for the first time his most intimate & mentally masturbated work: “Inside”. A trip to Moebius’ personal state of mind when he decides to leave such an inspirational “tool” as it’s the marihuana; told through his different alter egos and most beloved characters (Blueberry, Arzak, Mayor Fatal…).
“Inside Moebius” has been translated for the first time into a foreign language probably because Spain has become one of the few markets where Jean Giraud can sell a few “hundred” copies of his Moebius-signed BDs without needing huge promotion (no expectation around the Fnac that day, we were only around 200 in the room). A problem which affects the whole European comic industry, in the same way Jean Giraud defended the arrival of Manga to Europe years ago, now accepts that they’ve just simply invaded us with a consume-not-collect mentality.
Moebius considers himself as a true artist he “walks next to Leonardo, Rafael…” although during the presentation he gave a tremendous human and humble image, not like the one his friend Jodorowsky constantly portraits (and maybe that’s why Moebius has decided to stop collaborating with for quite a while…).
“Inside” begins when Giraud decided to stop smoking marihuana (he started at 16) and although he’s always “considered it as a tool” he admits that using it as such required a very small amount of it, if not, it became harmful like any other substance. A diary of the constant and radical changes of mind with maybe not the richness and oniric quality we would expect from any other BD signed by Moebius (probably because as he reckons he’s developed the piece just as the ideas came out of his privileged mind… improvising).
He wanted a much more simple and talkative work, he just couldn’t waste so many days per page as with previous comics, if not the ideas would disappear. He loved designing himself and says that his own mocked portrait has become his favourite creation.
Inside Moebius is also a parody and a critic of modern society, from personal matters to global ones (like turning Bin-Landen into a woman…).
Norma has edited only the first two parts (of the six existing) for now in a single volume… at a pricey 29€ (Norma… always so expensive).
See you @ Madrid
