John DiFool is probably the most iconic part of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Incal. Sure, the Metabaron gets his own series and mythology. But when you change a classic like Dune, you gotta find someone to make your vision unique. Otherwise it’s just famous for being famous.
Isn’t The Incal About…
For those who don’t know, The Incal is probably one of most recognizable French comics of all time. Tintin and Lucky Luke don’t count because they’re Belgian. It’s considered a masterpiece and arguably one of the “best comic book[s]” in the medium’s history.
But… at the expense of being pelted by Jodorowskians, I thought it was mostly okay. The plots and characterizations weren’t too interesting. It just felt like the whole thing was trying to stuff as many symbols and themes into itself. Not to mention, the characters were more like plot elements than people; that includes John. I was wondering if this was high on GlobalComix because it’s famous. Well, that and the artwork by the late Moebius.
So Why John DiFool?
As for our guy, he’s the only part that’s actually memorable. Back on that symbology thing, John literally wears his role. He represents The Fool Tarot.
What’s that Tarot followers? Right side or upside? In his case; why not both?
To avoid boring people with the details, John represents infinite possibilities and chaos. Due to John being an everyman, this is a given. And I don’t mean the vanilla version, John is probably the most grounded person in the whole plot. Meaning he’s really just some guy who got into everything at the wrong place and time to the point of being mopey. Any time he tries to handle something, he does it pretty badly and has to use the titular MacGuffin to get out of it. Except forget everything and go home.
Why would anyone want anything with such a crybaby? Well he’s got a genetic trait that this woman Animah wants for her androgynous son Solune. Who when John gets a chance to talk with, basically commands him like the captain of a spaceship. And Solune is the spaceship. Back on Animah, she manipulates John who’s looking for love to follow the Incal’s plot of-
Do you see why John stands out so much?! He’s probably the closest anyone in the Jodoverse is to normal! I normally like when things get weird, but I was getting tired of it as John. Except when it expands John’s character like how John creates a new species with his bitter cynicism reflected at him.
The Greater DiFool
Character development is what gives the prequel and sequel so much weight, making John DiFool more interesting. Because let’s be real, who wants to identify with a man-child in the long run?
Before The Incal is where John gets his tragic backstory. John’s attitude comes from his upbringing by scavenging criminals along with a few traumas. His sex worker mother couldn’t take the pressure and killed herself, and his father chose to forget him and his mother. John had nowhere to go until a kindly cop robot took him in and got him a job. Sure he was a low-ranking detective, but the perks of the gig like a budding star-crossed love should be enough.
Only for this case to get John to lose his memory including the last act of kindness by his missing father. The traumatic event basically regresses John socially. The only thing John has to look forward to are blackjack, hookers, and a concrete bird as his only friend.
The Final Incal meanwhile is where John becomes sublime from his adventures. It allows him to recover his lost memories and set him on a better path. That includes reuniting with his lost love with help of some alternate selves. Meeting his apparently “better selves” gets John to realize how good he actually has it. John DiFool doesn’t define himself by his looks or accomplishments, but how he he can keep living and enjoy life with his loved ones.
John DiFool: The Omega Male
In a universe full of weird and amazing things, the most ordinary person is the most outstanding. That doesn’t mean some best of the mundane or always expecting the worst, people are complicated. Seeing John DiFool succeed, ridiculed, and humbled perfectly describes the everyman. A lot of people would rather quit when things get too tough, but they don’t because there’s always something that keeps them going. Whether that’s responsibility, love, or their next helping of booze. John’s results might be messy, but the chance to turn your life around is worth the risk. That is what brings people back to The Incal.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.