Endless Myth and The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel
— Jodorowsky’s Artistic Vision and the Myth of Fragmented Reality —
The novel Endless Myth and The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel both depict realities that go beyond ordinary perception.
At the same time, this work strongly reflects the artistic vision of Alejandro Jodorowsky.
One expands reality through an omniversal structure,
while the other destabilizes reality through the fragmentation of consciousness.
This article compares the two while focusing on Jodorowsky’s artistic approach.
1. Treatment of Reality: Structure vs. Fragmentation
In Endless Myth, reality exists as a structured system.
Multiverses and parallel worlds are clearly defined.
In The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel, reality fragments.
The protagonist’s perception collapses, and multiple realities overlap.
In short:
Endless Myth: reality as structure
Alan Mangel: reality as fragmentation
2. Jodorowsky’s Artistic Vision: Symbolism and Inner Worlds
Alejandro Jodorowsky is known for blending symbolism with psychological and spiritual exploration.
In The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel, this appears as:
A fusion of reality and illusion
A succession of symbolic imagery
A narrative experienced rather than logically explained
This approach connects to his films and works like The Incal.
3. Depiction of Consciousness: Expansion vs. Collapse
In Endless Myth, consciousness expands outward.
Human thought has the potential to become cosmic.
In The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel, consciousness collapses.
The boundaries of the self dissolve, destabilizing reality.
4. Narrative Structure: System vs. Fragments
Endless Myth is built as a structured system.
Multiple layers are organized coherently.
The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel is fragmented.
Scenes and events flow without a single consistent logic.
5. Form of Myth: Cosmic vs. Internal
Endless Myth is a cosmic mythology.
The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel is an internal mythology.
The individual psyche itself becomes the myth.
6. Art and Myth: Understanding vs. Experience
Endless Myth invites understanding through structure.
Jodorowsky’s work invites direct experience.
It does not explain meaning—it confronts the audience with it.
Conclusion: Is Reality Structure or Experience?
Endless Myth and The Strange Tale of Alan Mangel present two approaches to reality and myth:
Endless Myth: reality exists as a structure
Alan Mangel: reality collapses as an experience
The former systematizes the universe.
The latter deconstructs reality itself.
And this comparison leads to a fundamental question:
Is reality something to be understood—
or something to be directly experienced?
