287 p. : col. ill ; 21 cm.
ISBN 978414316802
1. Jesus Christ – Comic books, strips, etc. 2. Bible. N.T. Gospels – Comic books, strips, etc.
226.09505
On the whole this is a successful harmony of the four gospel narratives that uses the convention of Japanese manga to produce a graphic novel life of Christ. Biblical citations run along the bottom of each page footnoting the story. However, as with any harmony, some inconsistencies crop up. For example, on page 74 John’s version of the scourging of the temple is presented and then on page 218 a shorter version from the synoptic gospels is given along with the accompanying text, “After entering Jerusalem, Yeshuah once again drove out the merchants and money changers.” An editorial chronology has been imposed to turn four different versions of the story into one. And since one is so different from the other three, the decision was made to imagine two scourgings at different points in history, one at the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry and again at the end. This is a possible, but hardly probable interpretation.
For the most part, these editorial insertions are kept to a minimum. So when these do occur there are all the more startling since the rest of the book adheres so closely to the original texts. Another example is Satan. He first appears as a black shroud with headlight eyes during the temptation in the wilderness and then again, editorially this time, in the same guise in the garden of Gethsemane to taunt Jesus before being transformed into a snake that’s stomped by a purple-winged angel with a green sword, presumably St. Michael.
Megillat Esther / JT Waldman, original translation, art, calligraphy; Elisha Somes, English letters.— Philadelphia : Jewish Publication Society, c2005.
172 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
ISBN: 0827607881
Includes bibliography: p. 165-172.
1. Esther, Queen of Persia – Comic books, strips, etc. 2. Bible. O.T. Esther – Comic books, strips, etc.
222.909505
A far more daring and imaginative interpretation of scripture in a graphic novel is JT Waldman’s version of the Scroll of Esther, the story behind the Purim festival. The artist incorporates the Hebrew text into the art along with the English narration and text balloons. The drawing and composition run the gamut from horrific to voluptuous as befits a tale of Oriental court intrigue and near genocide. As the story nears its climax the reader must physically turn the story around and switch from reading left to right in English to right to left as in a Hebrew. Thus reinforcing the narrative, as the slaughter and humiliation Haman the villain plans for the Jews is instead visited upon him.
Interleaved with this rich spread are parallels to other Biblical tales, genealogical information, messianic speculations, and guest appearance by prominent prophets. Plus the appended to the end matter of the book are a bibliography, rabbinic citations, and other notes. This is a cup that runs over its brim with delights, wonders, and mysteries.
Getting graphic! : comics for kids / by Michele Gorman; with a foreword by Jeff Smith and original comic art by Jimmy Gownley.— Columbus : Linworth, c2008.
xi, 84 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN : 978-1-58683-327-5
1.Comic books, strips, etc. – History and criticism. 2. Comic books and children.
741.509
This is a clearly written and highly useful tool for teachers, librarians, and school media specialists, a welcome and much needed annotated bibliography of 111 titles for children between the ages of four and twelve (grades K-6). Among the titles given a full review are a dozen representative of publishers’ series accompanied by a full list of the series. It includes plenty of sample illustrations, a glossary, an internet directory, and an index. It’s organized into three main lists for younger children, comic fiction, manga, and comic non-fiction. Each review ends with a suggested grade level. Plus there’s an Amelia Rules! comic introduction by Jimmy Gownley.
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