This is the first collection in a set of trade paperbacks reviewing the independant work of the classic comix artist Jean Giraud, better known as Moebius. After starting as a house artist for French comics publishers, Giraud co-created the French graphics magazine "Metal Hurlant," later published for American audiences as "Heavy Metal" magazine. Under the pen name 'Moebius' Giraud rocked the comix world with the dark fantasy "Arzach," then produced the bizarre sci-fi adventure "The Airtight Garage of Jerry Cornelius". Interviews with the artist, in which he discusses his career, philosophy, and new directions in his life and art, are also included.
All but one of the stories here (the exception is "Aedena," written by Giraud's guru, Jean-Paul Appel-Guery) are illustrated in Giraud's version of the Ligne Claire ('Clear Line') style, with minimal details instead of the obsessive detail characteristic of much of his work.
"The Repairman" introduces two seemingly genderless protagonists, the space-travelling mechanic Stel and his associate Atan, who are called to repair a vehicle on an alien planet. However the repair demands more than mechanical know-how and Stel must reach into his memories to achieve a breakthrough.
"The Star", originally produced as a private printing for the French car manufacturer Citroën, again features Stel and Atan, who crash-land on a strange planet where they find an ancient camp of aliens contemplating a mysterious pyramid. Giraud later decided to expand upon the story, which continues in "Moebius 5: The Gardens of Aedena" and "Moebius 7: The Goddess."
The volume concludes with "Celestial Venice," a paean to Venice, CA.
