An absurdly funny sci-fi graphic novel; two amazing new stand-up specials; and a smooth, sleazy jazz-pop record

Roundup 06/09/2024

Greetings from Read Max HQ, and welcome to our weekly roundup column, in which I pick out some worthwhile and often overlooked books, articles, movies, and music to recommend to paying subscribers. For this week’s round-up, I’ve got:

• A hilarious, absurdist French graphic novel about murderous mollusks and paranormal twin investigators;

• two bizarre, unbelievably funny new stand-up specials free on YouTube (one of which is focused on A.I.); and

• a gorgeous sleazy jazz-pop record with percussion arrangements by a Sade and Talk Talk collaborator; and

• some interesting new columns and interviews on A.I., misinformation, and art.

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Now, the roundup. First, as always, a dispatch from the future: