For their first non-[b:Incal|10842223|The Incal|Moebius|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328039960s/10842223.jpg|15756581] collaboration, the creators of the legendary science fiction graphic novel ventured into radically different territory. Popular philosophy professor Alan Mangel appears to have it all: A tenured position at the world famous La Sorbonne university, academic acclaim, a seemingly happy marriage, and wealth. On his sixtieth birthday his world crumbles. His wife leaves him for another man. His students lose respect for him. Only Elisabeth, a beautiful and young student, still believes in him. But she's not working with a full deck. After receiving a vision from God, Elisabeth declares that Mangel must impregnate her with the second-coming of John the Baptist. The late Mœbius proves equally adept at creating gorgeous intimate exchanges between very earthbound contemporary people as producing spectacular alien vistas. Jodorowsky steers this racy parody into unexpected places and scenes while successfully keeping the story firmly in reality. The magnificent Madwoman of the Sacred Heart showcases two storytelling masters at the heights of their abilities. ( )

An intellectually self-absorbed, incontinent university professor serves as the protagonist in this mystical adventure with themes of messianic apocalypse, and eventually psychedelic initiation. Supernatural elements are introduced very gradually, and at first it is easy for the reader to join Professor Mangel in dismissing them. There's a lot of sex, as Mangel struggles with the reintegration of his carnal consciousness, and his companions foster the revolutionary cult of the god-goddess Jesusa. As in other stories by Jodorowsky, such as his Incal tales, the skeptical ignorance of the protagonist drives much of the plot and its tension.

This collection makes for a good, self-contained read. It should be avoided by those who don't appreciate explicit sex, mystical blasphemy, or controversial politics.