Jesusfreak by Joe Casey and Benjamin Marra is an original hardcover graphic novel coming out from Image on March 20th, and it’s just received what could be either a massive boost in awareness…or a huge boost for a campaign to prevent the book’s publication.
This morning on Fox & Friends, CBN commentator David Brody alerted viewers to the existence of the comic – which presents a view of the historical Jesus as more of an action hero, who kills when he has to, a view Broday compared to other blasphemous portrayels. The CBN stands for the Christian Broadcasting Network a network founded by televangelist Pat Robertson which frequently comes out against such things as the War on Christmas, the lack of school prayer and other Christian identified issues.
Talking to @ainsleyearhardt today about the new comic book that depicts Jesus as a killer. “The good news here is that this is fiction… the nonfiction version is actually bloody as well but it’s bloody on the cross for Jesus who died for all of us… paid for our sins”@CBNNews pic.twitter.com/wlVCawRliN
— David Brody (@DavidBrodyCBN) March 6, 2019
“Its one of these crazy comic books and kids are going to read it, and that’s the disturbing part,” Brody told host Ainsley Earhardt. “Jesus is a super but not THIS superhero.”
Somewhat bafflingly, he added “The good news is that this is fiction, can you imagine if it was non-fiction” in which case it would have been….true?
Anyway, he went on to say that the non-fiction Jesus was bloody as well but “it’s bloody on the cross for Jesus who died for all of us.
“He’s not a killer, he’s a savior.”
The segment was the most prominent attack yet on Jesusfreak, which is already the target of a petition to stop its publication similar to the one that brought down Vertigo’s title Second Coming recently. That comic also dealt with Jesus, but in a much less obviously transgressive way as it’s about Jesus returning to earth and being disappointed by what he finds. While the subject doesn’t sound overtly offensive, after online outcry from religious groups – and attacks on Fox News. DC cancelled the book and gave the rights back to writer Mark Russell.
Jesusfreak is being taregtted by similar group. Writer Joe Casey (Officer Downe, Sex) and artist Benjamin Marra (Night Business) have a reputation for violent, action oriented comics, and this seems to be firmly in that genre. In a promo for the book Casey explained the historical context for their approach.
“All Marra and I did was construct a character that contained, what we hoped, was some substantial measure of historical accuracy in order to provide a level of authenticity to the story we wanted to tell,” Casey says. “Our character is on a particularly existential journey. It’s a search for self. He doesn’t know what he is yet. But he’s learning. Over the course of the story, he has to come to terms with forces that are greater than he is, both from within and without.”
“Violence—as depicted in most genre fiction—is usually meant to be symbolic of a deeper thematic struggle occurring within the story. In our book, it’s no different. In a visual medium like comic books, you want to convey conflict in as visceral a way as possible. The so-called ‘historical Jesus’ certainly would’ve lived a life of conflict, preaching certain beliefs at a time when doing so would’ve gotten you killed. The fact that Jesusfreak presents that character’s journey in such an obvious genre setting meant showing a level of violence that we felt was true to both the genre and the character.”
Asked for comment on the current kerfuffle Casey responded “Read the book.”
An Image Comics spokesperson’s only comment was “The book speaks for itself.”
At least one fan of the book captured some impressive Chyron action in the segment.
https://twitter.com/COM1CBOOK/status/1103269814284546049
You can watch the F&F segment in question at this link, ot at about 22 minutes in on the below.
Religions can be very sensitive. We’ve all seen what happens when the prophet Mohamed is portrayed. As long as the publisher and artist stand their ground I’m not worried. When I think of the underground comics of the 1960’s (New Adventures of Jesus among others) I’m a little surprised that the religion pays attention to this. Funny thing about faith; you can’t buy it, sell it or measure it, but you surely know when it is offended.
There is no place in a civilized society for any trash as this.
“Jesus is something we wrap up in the flag and hide behind, not a character who would fulfill our dreams of actually killing undesirables!”
If an omnipotent being can’t handle this… Maybe it’s not omnipotent… (Or real)
Speaking as a Christian? While I may find the premise fairly offensive, I refuse to get consumed by rage over it. Casey and Marra are well within their rights to tell this story. I will not impose my beliefs on other people. I certainly won’t fall in lockstep with Fox and Friends on this.
Read Jane Mayer’s New Yorker article, “The Making of the Fox News White House,” about the VERY cozy relationship between the Trump administration and Rupert Murdoch’s network. It’s the closest thing to “state TV” the U.S. has ever had.
It would be pretty tight if those herbs read OMWOT cover to cover
What about CNN, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Newsweek, etc cozy relationships with the DNC?
What about the fact that most government workers, particularly if they are female or black can be counted on to vote for the DNC, reliably, and are exempt from the Hatch Act?
Conservatives have on a decades long losing streak and progressives are closing in for the kill while pretending they are still being oppressed.
“Religions can be very sensitive”
Imagine if the subject matter had been a member of a “marginalized group”.
The uproar would have been enormous
I think it’s important for Progressives to take into account that Intersectionality IS a belief system.
and that they are hold beliefs that are dear to them just as much as a devout Muslim, Christian or Orthodox Jew.
that are not supported by empirical evidence.
Comments are closed.