The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book - 1

The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book Phillip C. Otiss Brown HUM-3170-JY01: Popular Culture in America Professor Sally Sugarman May 05, 2010

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Abstract
Being a member of the CCAS (Christian Comic Arts Society) should let it be known that I love comics and graphic novels, especially, Christian or what others might call religious. In addition, because of the passion, I have for evangelism; I have become very concerned about the content that is showing up in some Christian-created comics and graphic novels. At times, I have a problem with the art, for a great story told in horrible pictures doesn't do much for the story. Then there is the content, especially when it is incorrect or inaccurate, if it is to be Christian, then the theology has to be right. Long Sentence main things that I call into question as a Christian, is the messages of the Trinity, (Father, Son [Jesus Christ] and the Holy Spirit), the infallibility of the Word of God, and the Salvation message (focusing on the Law, sin, the penalty for transgression of the Law, Christ as the perfect and only Sacrifice for sin, the Atonement, God's Grace, repentance, and faith in Christ as Savior and Lord), not told correctly. This paper includes reference on pages 30 32 and a Appendix on pages 33-50.

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The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book

Because of my beliefs and being a member of the CCAS (Christian Comic Arts Society), I hope to look into the issues of what makes up a Christian comic or graphic novel and what is the difference in them and the world's genre. Things like the ratings and if the Bible as a graphic novel or comic book is becoming R-rated are even worst. For in our culture, Christian books show reality and offensive stuff just as all the books of the same genre do. However, is it right for Christian genre items to show the same things as the body, killing, mutation, murder and so forth. Is it right for the Christian genre to use the occult in it genre and more importantly how ii it used evangelistically and does it come across offensive? If you open a magazine, read a book, watch any television, and even when you talk to family, friends and neighbors, you have to see that our culture is stumbling around looking for some sort of philosophical or spiritual truth, and it is usually buried deep within their popular culture. Even from our Humanities class, Popular Culture in America it seems each week, we dealt with what each of us was watching, reading, and listening to, not to leave out what we were benefiting from the past. With this in mind it is no surprise that comic books and graphic novels were a heating popular culture subject, now imagine what it would have been if we would have dealt deeply into the Christian genre of these genres. First off, it seems like the comic book, truly has been left outside the box, looking in at literature, while Christian comics and graphic novels are not even in the box, as of

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yet. Yes, I do know that the graphic novel and comics in general have started a frenzy, but that is all, but it is gaining strength, mainly, because of courses, as this one. For some reason, this genre has not achieved the creditable it deserved in literature and even in art. Then, if one attempts to put this genre into the Christian world, well, if they do their job less than perfect, the whole genre suffers.

A Creditable Work
One of the first attempts at making a comic book a creditable work of art was by H. Michael Brewer in his book Who Needs a Superhero (Appendix:1). Brewer book seems to be following a major trend that is sweeping through the evangelical subculture attempting to redeem popular culture. Just a generation ago, movies, television shows, pop music, literature, comic books, virtually anything produced by the mainstream entertainment industry was deemed corrupt by definition. While in our present generation there are still some evangelicals that follow this theology of a few years ago, as to them these things are regarded as a guilty pleasure (Carmody, 2008). While the pendulum seems to have moved the other way, it seems most church groups, do not find the evils of Hollywood, television, rock and roll and even fantasy games and literature as evil. In addition, it seems that there are many of these groups that, once cried loud and hard against evil, now have books, websites, and sermons that seek to unearth the Christian image, messages, and even the literal Word of God. As I stated before, I do not want to demonize the cultural product or the people who create them, as long as they do not change the message. I agree, it is time for the church and others to stop and listen to the message that is in the Christian comics and

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graphic novels (Garrett, 2006). For in most of them, I have found we all stand on the same common ground. Take Brewers book, Who Needs a Superhero, and look at the parallels between what we know about Superman and Jesus. They are remarkable: Both have amazing abilities and powers beyond that of mere mortals Both came from humble origins and were raised by surrogate parents Both stand up for truth and justice Both are considered a menace to authority Both do battle with humanity archenemies However, is all this biblical? Did both, Jesus and Superman, have amazing abilities and powers, beyond that of mere mortals, I do not think so? Jesus was an example to us on how we should live; we can have the same powers, if we live the same life, sinless (see Appendix 2 pages 1-3). Long Sentence were men in the Old Testament that did this, (I know most would say they did not live a sinless live, but at times in their life, they were sinless and God because of their belief and love gave them these same powers) Elijah, Habakkuk, Daniel, Esther, Jonathan, Samson, Ruth, Gideon, Rahab, Caleb, Joshua, Job, for just a few examples (See Appendix 3 (a-f.). Next did both come from humble origins and were raised by surrogate parents, well yes, both were raised by surrogate parents, but Jesus was raised in a single home as Joseph died when he was in his teen years and then to say that either Jesus or Superman had humble origins is an

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understatement. Superman came from super humans, very well educated from another world while Jesus came from heaven, itself. Superman talked to his parents through a system they made, after they died, Jesus talked to his Father, daily, as God is alive. However, I have to agree with the last two, but as one can see how easily it is to get the true message crossed up. Just as Brewer admits in his book that Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster that two Jewish boys from Cleveland created Superman, but he is quick to say that they probably did not intend for their Superman to mirror Jesus as he did. But the problem comes in with this is, whether it is intentional or not by either group the parallels do not lead others toward Jesus Christ as Savior. I will recognize that the book does on an unconscious level, could possibly prepare others to recognize and identify with Jesus Christ, at a later time, as supposedly others suggest, music does. After all, as Brewer points out, the heroic saga, legend, and myth are ultimately a variation on one universal story: When all seemed lost, a hero stepped in order to rescue us from the evil around and within us. As it turns out, this story happens to be true, and the hero is absolutely real. While Brewer does have other characters, and they cannot be so closely linked (this would cover other Christian comics and graphic novels, also) to Christ as the Superman. However, they could be said to exhibit character qualities or even spiritual truths, which teach something about God. There is: Incredible Hulk, an enormous, green statement on our inability to overcome our own sin Batman, who shows us that even the best among us, can only be made perfect by God

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Wonder Woman, who is a study in the power of truth the Fantastic Four, who teach us about living in community Some have even done a comparison between the Punisher and the Green Arrow, who illustrate competing images of God. Just as the characters above, the authors, used them to teach parables as ones that are in the Holy Bible and some even Jesus told to us. Stories, sermons, books and even Christian comics and graphic novels can be funny and cute and even bizarre, morbid, risqu, violent, just as some of the stories Jesus told were at the time. Just as it seems the worldly comic book and graphic novels have had a tremendous impact on popular culture, then why shouldnt the Christian genre do the same?

History
The Christian comic book is, in fact, a very old genre (Schultze). I can remember ones from the sixties as the, Heroes of Faith Series, then in the seventies, there (get PDFs of the comics at the link) The Cross and the Switchblade, http://www.christianknightcomics.com/downloads2/Cross-and-theswitchblade.pdf Hello, Im Johnny Cash, http://www.christianknightcomics.com/downloads2/hello-im-johnny-cash.pdf Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys, These are a few that I had. However, the Christian comics began many years before that. A History lesson is:

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1920s

1930

1940s

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1950s:
I remember both of these collections very well; we received them at revivals and church meetings, possibly, as a tool for keeping the children silent, and not so much evangelical.

Billy Grahams

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Oral Roberts

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1960s

1970s
"Run Baby Run" [USA]- Published in 1971 by Logos International

Live it Up
Spire/Barbour series [USA]- 59 titles (reportedly), including at least 19 "Archie" titles,12 biographical and autobiographical titles, 6 Bible story adaptations, 3 other book or movie adaptations, 9 "Kiddies Christian Comic" titles featuring "Barney Bear," and others - First books (The Cross & the Switchblade and God's Smuggler) published in Sept 1972 - 32 pages + cover, full mechanical color - Majority written/illustrated by Al Hartley "The Crusaders" series (11 issues) plus "Alberto" (6 issues) [USA] - Begun in 1974,

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published by Chick Publications - 32 pages + cover, all full color - Written by Jack Chick, illustrated by Fred Carter -

"Eternal Truth" [USA] - Vol. 1, No. 1 published July by Sunday Funnies Comic Corp., a division of Avalon, 24 pages in black & white with a full mechanical color cover Jungle Doctor" series [Australia] - 12 titles - Began publishing black & white comics with color covers in 1975, new color comics series begun in 1981, all published by Paul White Productions - 10 pages + cover, all full color Written Paul White

"Dennis and the Bible Kids" series [USA] - Six 1977 titles (Jesus, shown here, Joseph, David, The Girls, Moses, More about Jesus) and Four 1980 titles (The Lord's Prayer, Stories Jesus Told, Paul - God's Traveler, In theBeginning) Christian "Dennis the Menace" series published by Word Books/Waco, TX

"The Picture Bible" [USA] - First published as a book in 1979 by David C. Cook - 750 comics pages, full mechanical color, hardback and paperback editions

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The History lesson continues with the 1980s and Christian comics as, (some):
The Heroes of Faith Series The Diabolus Seeks Revenge collection GLAD - The Christian Humor Magazine The Road to Abundant Life" ("Camino a The Jeremiah series The COSMICS" series Pearly Gates series la Abundancia") series [Mexico] Dan Red Eagle" series [Canada/USA] Denmark/Australia King's Salt" [Netherlands] The collection from Belgium "David", "Gideon","Esther", and "The Christmas Story

To even attempt to make a list to list of the Christian Comics from the 1990s would be exhausting. So I will show a list of known professional publications deemed to be significant for historical, artistic, cultural, or circulation reasons: The 1990s is:
"Aida-Zee" [USA] - Published in 1990 by The Nate Butler Studio; "My Witness" ("Mi Testimonio") series [Mexico] "Apocalypse" ("Apocalipsis") series [Mexico] A Personal Testimony Series [Japan] Middle East Media Series [Arabic] "Manga Introductory Series" ("Manga Nyuumon Shiriizu") [Japan] "The Universe Upstairs" [UK]; "Oboe Jones" [USA] Une Historie du Journal Tournesol" series [France] Jungle Village" series [Malaysia]; "Christian Crusader" series [USA] Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft (German Bible Society) series [Germany]

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Jesus Messiah ("Jezus Messias") [Netherlands] Kidz of the King" original 1st series [USA] Parables of Jesus" ("Manga Seisho Iesusama no Tatoebanashi") [Japan] Micro Mini Messages" [USA] The Most Important Story Ever Told" [USA/Canada] Archangels: The Saga" original series [USA]

New Pilgrim's Progress" [HK/China] Truth for Youth Bible" (with comics) [USA] Revelation: The Comic Book" original series [Canada] "True Love Waits" [Japan; Pakkins' Land" series [USA] "The Graphic Bible" [UK] Dr. Doctrine's Christian Comix" series [USA]; are just a few of the many

The twenty-first century, 2000 to present day, has thousands of more that should be listed and I did not even cover the graphic novels genre.

First of the First, by the Jews

However, to ready get into the history of the Christian Comics one has to know that the first comic book, the first graphic novels, was created by Jews. They were behind the Comix or underground comics movement of the late sixties and early seventies as well as being the founders of Mad Magazine. Arie Kaplan, wrote a book, From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, that tells these stories and how they brought a uniquely Jewish perspective to their work and to the comics' industry as a whole. This over-sized and in full color books is filled with sidebars, cartoons graphics,

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original design sketches and even photographs. It is a must for any students that are interested in comic and are popular culture, to read, at least. But after I have written many words about the history of the Christian genre, I have to remember that the religious graphics or art have been around from the beginning. I can remember some of the pictures in the Holy Bible that I had as a child. These Bibles had some very graphic type pictures, of women as Ruth and Mary and even the disciples. Even some of the pictures Showed on Sunday school of the wars and killing were very graphic, indeed. As an example these are some done by William Blake (1557 1827) from my family Bible.

Cain Flees from Genesis 4:13

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The Book of Job Job 2:7

Rating
Writing about the graphic and pictures, one has to know that there is a rating system for Christian comics and graphic novels, just as we have for movies and games. The rating chart below is known worldwide and this one from the CCAC:

CC-G (suitable for all audiences)

Although this rating does not signify a comic designed specifically for children, most parents may let younger children read this comic unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations. Most CCCs are regarded as CC-G unless otherwise noted.

CC-PG (parental guidance suggested)

Many parents may want to read it with their younger children or read it before the children do, to prepare for any questions arising from the art or story. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or the comic contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D).

CC-14 (parental guidance strongly recommended; not for children under 14)

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Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring the reading of this comic and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 read it without discussing the problematic issues. This comic contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).

CC-MA (mature; not for audiences under 17)

This comic contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L). It is assumed that CC-MA CCCs will have thematic elements not intended for children.

Robert Flores a member of the CCAS (Christian Comic Art Society) spoke on a Webcast on April 8, 2010, Showing Reality and Sin in Comics, in which he talked about showing reality and offensive stuff in comic, without actually showing the offensive stuff, particularly in the realm of testimonial comics. He also stated that Christian comic artists are called to use discernment in all they create. During the Webcast, there were many discussions on when Christian advocate showing offensive stuff in their comic work, they inevitably bring up the fact that the offensive stuff is in the Bible. Well of course it is, the Bible is a history book and at the same time is a reality book, and truly it could be listed as the first reality written, anything! There is rape as the Benjamites concubine was raped and killed in Judges 19. There are people getting their heads cut off, even whole towns and countries being destroyed in fields of blood, and one cannot forget about Jesus and what happen to him on the cross. Then there is the book of Revelation, it got everything in it. Nevertheless, the Bible does not have to go into all the gory details as we see in the movies and read in worldly books. In the Bible, is it as if God pulled a veil over the disgustful sins and the gory details of them?

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There are many times that God could have told us of every little detail, but he did not. Why? Because God does give glory to sin by going into a lot of detail, for sin is sin and sin destroys oneself. In addition, because God left out the gory details, the reality of the story is the same, and you feel and know what has and is happening. So, if God is willing to keep the veil of all the gory details away from us, then why do Christian comic writers and artist have to show it all? (Flores, 2010). There has got to be ways of talking about reality that what we are seeing in the industry, today or to put it in comic book terminology: there are other ways of showing evil, without actually showing it.

During the Webcast of the Christian Comic Art Society, Robert Flores, brought up an idea, called the bottom-up principle. This is in regard, to showing adult-level evil in Christian comics: 1. If you dont have to show adult-level evil in your comics, then dont. Just show evil that teenagers can see without it being a stumbling block to them. 2. If you have to show adult-level evil, then show it without actually showing it, i.e. closure. (There are, no doubt, Christians who would go one step further and show evil in ALL its disgust, which is so sad in my opinion.) 3. There is the term closure, which is used in comic terminology; it is used to describe showing parts of a whole Showing things without actually showing them. It means a Christian artist can show real evil without:

a). going into a lot of detail

b). not causing your readers to sin

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c). not compromising the reality of the evil

This is accomplished by showing parts of a whole: silhouettes, hand gestures, thoughts, metaphors, symbolism, etc. For there is no excuse; even in comics are graphic novels for Christians to cause or put a stumbling block in front of their reader. It is called the Bottom-up principle, because as Christian artists or writer, you are working from the bottom to the top, with the top being the most evil of the subject matter. For Hollywood, as a matter of fact, most of all of the music and movie industry follows the exact opposite: if there is any possibility to show great evil, in the name of reality, they will show it without blinking an eye. Now, do not misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong in showing reality in your work, but it is in how you show it. For if one is a Christian, that is writing or drawing in this field and truthfully everyone else, will be held accountable for the work they create. (See Romans 14, I Corinthians 8 and Philippians 2:3 in Appendix 4 pages 1-2).

How can we do this?

Now, we get to the point, we know what to do, but how, do we do it, truthfully. I know I have written about the gory things, but there are the simple things a violence, fighting, drugs and, etc. First with the theme of fighting, it is a necessity, I guess, whenever we are dealing with the truth versus everything else. So I do not believe one can get away without writing and showing fights in comics and are graphic novels, the Bible did not, we just have to be careful how we show and write about them.

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To portray physical violence, one should use the bottom-up principal; the bottom for fighting would be close to wrestling (as with Jacob and the Angel). From there one would go to the next step of the brawl or rumble. At this point, there would be the weapons as knives, guns, hands, feet, swords, guns, and so on. That all depends on what the subject or story line dictates. However, from the Christian point of View and to deliver the correct message of GOD, one has to know, not just remember, that there is a correct and a wrong way. A sword fight or gun battle does not have to show or give the details of what the weapon did as dismemberment and all the details of how the blood stream out is eyeing balls popped (Flores, 2010; Oropeza, 2005).

I know at times the action is part of the story, just as the dismemberment and all that is and when this happens, it needs to be shown, are written in a matter of silhouettes and or other people reactions, like have the gory/violence happen off the screen. In addition, even if you have to show or write the most brutal thing, you can think of, violence or even torture, you still do not have an excuse to glorify the violence, of it. For if your God has called you to write or draw a particular story for a comic or graphic novel and then your God can show you the proper way to do it. Mine can! Remember, we do not rely on our own wisdom and creativity, God is the One with the ideas, He is the One with the plan. If God gave you a story to draw or write, He will show you how to do it. It is important to know that the most important thing is to follow Gods Word, in everything we do and not to place our great ideas above HIS. (Some Biblical examples of this are in Appendix 5, pages 1-2).

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In this section of my paper, I am not arguing against Christian artist are writers using are detailing sin in their work, I am arguing on how the artist and the writer portray sin in their works. For I understand that Christian Comics and graphic novels, in order to be effective in the market place, the genre has to be real and match reality, just as the real world is full of sin. Therefore, I will say that if it is applicable, and it cannot be shied away from, then you have to put sweat and tears into your prayer. If you have done this, then do it. I know that for our Christian genre to be effective, it has to treat sin as something from the depths of hell. Likewise, if the genre treats Gods grace as pudding or as a life upgrade, it will not work either. For Christianity is a totally new life, a complete change, and because of that Christians in this field have to know where the balance is and that is only found by the Holy Spirit.

Offensive
Can Christian comics, graphic novels, tracts, well can even the Word of God be offensive? Wow! This is a question with a lot of facets and could be a whole college curriculum. However, if we stop thinking about it, and we experienced it in our class this semester, there is nothing in this world that is not going to be eroticized in the mind of someone. You cannot get away from. You might write about or draw a blonde girl and just because of the blonde hair, someone out there is going to be obsessed by it. One can even go back to the old comics, as Archie, and remember how some were just obsessed with Betty. So, it does not matter how squeaky clean you draw it, write it or speak it, someone will be offended.

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Being offensive happens most of the time because of lack of knowledge, not thinking, and the differences in culture and even sub genres in a culture. As a matter of fact, it happens in families. There are things that Americans have no problem with and then other cultures as muslins will find highly offensive, and the same back to Americans. There are groups as the ultra-conservative Arabs, who expose nothing but hands and faces and only the other end, there are the Amazonian natives who spend their entire life half or all naked. This I why it is best to study and learn about cultures and beliefs before you begin to write are drawing them. Recently in the Huff Post Internet newspaper, Bruce Wilson wrote an article, Aimed at Children, Nationally Distributed Christian Comic Book Called a "Training Manual for The Next Pogrom Against Jews wrote: For several years now, I have been tracking and studying the covert aspects of Christian Zionism but today an anonymous source a devoted and concerned student of the spread of anti-Semitic ideas within American Pop-culture and religious culture --- sent to me a product, currently sold at Barnes and Noble bookstores, that suggest the historically covert anti-Semitism within America Culture is mutating, changing and entering a new phrase: the anti-Semitism is becoming convert. The Christian Zionism of Tim Lahaye and of Senator John McCain recently renounced political endorsed Pastor John Hagee, (http://www.talk2action.org/story/2009/11/2/141343/402/) which has traditionally perpetrated coded attacks on jaws while also declaring them

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to be blessed by God, especially if they move to Israel, may be entering as new and very dark phrase.

According to Chip Berlet, senior analyst at Political Research Associates, based near Boston, the portrayal of Jews found in a Manga comic now sold in Barnes and Noble depicts "A colorful comic training manual for motivating young leaders of the next pogrom against Jews. Not just offensive--ghastly and horrific in content with a clear enemy scapegoat identified for venting apocalyptic religious bigotry" (Wilson). Tyndale House, one of the largest Christian and Christian Zionist publishers in the United States, was built largely on the breakthrough publishing success of Tim LaHaye's and Jerry Jenkin's "Left Behind" books, movies and other paraphernalia attached to the now enormous "Left Behind" brand name and Tyndale publishes books by James Dobson, head of the enormous Colorado Springs Christian conservative nonprofit organization "Focus On The Family" (Wilson).

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The above Christian Comic can be found at your local Barnes and Nobles and other stores as also many other Graphic Novels and comic books that have a message you might find offensive, or you might not. When one is writing and drawing for the Christian genre, one has to put more into than the work. You are doing something that represents all Christians and even God, himself.

Tracts, Comics, and Chick

Probably, the most well known and a company that has done more in this genre than any other group is Chick Publications. (http://www.chick.com/default.asp). As I stated they probably have the best selection of tracts, comics, videos, books, e-books, are what I would call witnessing tools, than anyone. [most of it one can be downloaded for free at http://www.chick.com/reading/] And to top it off they are a very cheap, price wise on the items that you might need or want to buy. Also, almost all, of Chicks items come in 100 different languages. [Some of the hundreds of tracts can be downloaded free or just read at http://www.chick.com/catalog/tractlist.asp] I have been a customer of them for years and will be for years to come. And at the same time, tracts in general, can be a great witnessing tool and have been around for a long time. They are probably the first comic book type item, many people have seen, especially in other countries. Chick tracts are world know and this one is considered to be a worldwide favorite: This Was Your Life; you might have seen some of these laying around in restrooms and other public places:

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You can download it are look at it at; http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0001/0001_01.asp Nevertheless, Chick has not had it problems, mostly from catholic and muslins. They put out a whole lot of material about Catholicism, Ecumenism, evolution, Islam, Jehovahs Witness, Mormonism, Masonry, eastern Star, Occult, and fantasy games. They do not water down anything and believe, totally in what they write and not much if any has been proven wrong. There is a whole section of books and comics on the Alberto series, about a Jesuits Priest named Alberto, which saw the light and change to Christianity. It is based on information this Priest written and has given. Alberto Rivera was a Jesuit priest. His job: infiltrate Protestant ministries and destroy them. But one day, while reading his Bible, he came face to face with the truth... salvation doesn't come through good works and the sacraments. It comes only through faith in Jesus! Obeying the Scriptures, he placed his faith in Christ alone and left the Roman Catholic Church (Alberto Series).

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In this collection of full-color comic books, Rivera tells his story, and reveals how the Catholic Church has manipulated history in her drive to rule the world. You will see how she helped start World Wars I and II, her place in Bible prophecy, and even how she was involved in the startup of Islam, which later turned against her in rebellion (Alberto Series). I would have to say that many find Chick publications to be offensive, but you have to admit he based everything he does on the Bible and does not glorify the violence and sin. I would also say that Chick publications had withstood the test of time and as proven that what they put to out get results and change peoples lives.

Conclusion
In the foreword to The Gospel According to Superheroes (Oropeza) a book examining superheroes and religion, legendary comic-book writer and Editor Stan Lee says he always scrupulously avoided any mention of specific religions in his stories. "I thought of myself as an 'equal opportunity writer,'" he says. Others have said that when comic books first appeared in the late thirties, have said that America was supposed to be a melting pot. That was our cultural metaphor, just as religion and ethnicity were supposed to be subordinate to our role as Americans. However in our culture, today we are more in a multicultural phrase where people are trying to discover their so called roots. Just as most people do not know that we have a Comic code, even though it is not enforced or even read by most in this genre. The Comic Code:

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Restricted content such as nudity, drug use, graphic sex, etc It also specific restrictions about religious content. For many years, part of the reason that there was effectively a "religion taboo" that severely limited overt recognition of real-world religious affiliation among comic book characters was that the Comics Code that the major publishers adhered to specifically prohibited many types of religiously-oriented content. Such prohibitions may have been inspired by the Hayes film code, which contained very similar restrictions against negative portrayals of clergy and realworld religious denominations.

Religious restrictions were still in the Comics Code in 1989. A copy of the 1989 Code can be read at Appendix 6.

I have found that the readers of comic books are in general, a very intelligent audience and because of this we have to look at thing, also from a Philosophical way. Especially, with the Christian comics and graphic novels, the reader is reading in search of finding out how to live their lives and along the way they will engage in religion and theology. One can see this in the American and Asia cultures more than others (maybe in the Arab cultures they are used as teaching, more). There has become an interrelationship in these cultures between the comic books/graphic novels and the arts world. It has become more than just superheroes and funny papers, it has become philosophy. They now have a lasting importance, not as comics of old as collector items, but as teaching methods, teaching lifestyles, and even showing how other cultures, survive and live.

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Just as I stated in the beginning this is more than just writing a paper on a subject, being a member, myself in the CCAS (Christian Comic Arts Society), I have a responsibility to get it right. So in closing what makes up a Christian comic or graphic novel and what is the difference in them and the worlds genre. I hope that I was able to show in this paper what works, what is done well, where the ball was dropped and how one can blow it. If I have gotten the reader to be able to do these things, then I have succeeded. Are these comics for Christians? Are the evangelistic? Are they just created by Christians outside the first two options? Whichever type they are, do they accomplish the task? Is the story good? Does the story make sense?

Is the Art consistent with the story Is the message in the work, the same as the Bible

I guess that is, the most important question, has the message been changed, for the Bible, does not change. Also, does the works have influence for the Bible has influenced my view of the world, more than any other book? From the Bible comes my understanding of who I am, who I was, what ails me and what hope I have.

I ask, does the Christian comic book or graphic novel that you are looking at, reading, are giving away, do the same thing. If not then we have all failed.

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References
Alberto Series. Comic Book Series from Chick Publications about Jesuit Priest Alberto Rivera. Retrieved mine own collection and from http://www.chick.com/catalog/assortments/0931.asp Appendix 1. Cover of Michael Brewers Book, Who Needs A Superhero?: Finding Virtue, Vice, And What's Holy In The Comics. Appendix 2. (pages 1-3). Words from the King James Bible and my own interpretation. Appendix 3 (a-f). (1996). Out of the Holy Bible, King James Version. Super Giant Print, TN: Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers. Appendix 4. ( pages 1-2). (2010). Bible Gateway. Verses from the New King James Version. http://www.biblegateway.com/ Appendix 5. (pages 1-2). Stories interpreted by me from the Holy Bible. Appendix 6. (pages 1-4). Comics Magazine Association of America Comics Code 1989. Retrived from http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comics_code_1989.html Brewer, H. Michael. (2004). Who Needs A Superhero?: Finding Virtue, Vice, And What's Holy In The Comics. Ada, MI: Baker Books. Baker Publishing Group. Carmody, J. Thomas. (2008). Chapter 14: Converting Comic Books into Graphic Novels and Digital Cartoons. Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing

The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book - 31

Face of Christian Communication. By Ouentin J. Schultze & Robert Woods. Madison WI: InterVarsity Press, InterVarsity Christian fellowship/USA. Retrieved on April 25, 2010 from http://intervarsity.org Chick (2010). Chick Publications. CA: Ontario. http://www.chick.com/default.asp Family Bible. Keepsake from the Sisters id Our Lady of Fatima, in New Orleans. Giving to me in 1971. Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims & Clementina Vulgata. Oil City, PA: Baronius Books limited (1945). Flores, Robert. (2010). CCCA Christian Comics Art Society April web meeting. Watched on April 8, 2010 at 10 P.M. eastern standard time. http://christiancomicart.ning.com/cast.April8. Garrett, Greg. (2006). Holy Superheroes! Revised and Expanded Edition: Exploring the Sacred in Comics, Graphic Novels, and Film. Louisville KY: Westminster John Knox Press. Orginal published in 2005, NavPress. Kaplan, Arie. (2008)From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, Kindle Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society of America. RFB&D: downloaded on April 27, 2010. Old Testament Heroes. (2010). Retrieved at http://www.wildwoodchurch.org/Bible Studies/Old Testament Heroes Study.pdf Oropeza, B. J. & Editor Stan Lee. (2005). The Gospel According to Superheroes: Religion And Popular Culture. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.

The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book - 32

Schultze, J. Quentin & Robert Woods. ( 2008).Forward: Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing Face of Christian Communication. Madison WI: InterVarsity Press, InterVarsity C hristian fellowship/USA. Retrieved on April 25, 2010 from http://intervarsity.org. Wilson Bruce (2008). Aimed at Children, Nationally Distributed Christian Comic Book Called a "Training Manual for The Next Pogrom Against Jews. HuffPostPolitics: The Internet Newspaper. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/makehome/ http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/5/29/18132/7644

The Bible as a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book - 33

Appendix

Appendix 1
(1). Who Needs A Superhero?: Finding Virtue, Vice, And What's Holy In The Comics:

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Appendix 2 page 1
However is all this biblical? Did both, Jesus and Superman, have amazing abilities and powers, beyond that of mere mortals, I do not think so. Jesus was an example to us on how we should live; we can have the same powers, if we live the same life, sinless (see Appendix 2).

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness; but unto the Gentiles foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Keep in mind that the word gospel simply means -- Good News. The Jews and the Gentiles were in a unique position to witness firsthand the impact and power of Jesus life and earthly ministry. They were privileged to witness the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus as He went home to be with the Heavenly Father and sit on His right side. "'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'" (Acts 7: 56) They were blessed to witness the impact and the power of the Holy Spirit as the apostles shared the good news of Christ with them. Oh! How privilege they were to witness the power of the gospel first hand. Pure Faith

In order for you to grasp this, it will take pure faith on your part, when it comes to trusting in God's awesome word. You will need this faith in order for us to benefit from these conclusions that I'm about to point out. True Christian faith will allow us to see that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is definitely a thing of power. The same power that caused

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Appendix 2 page 2
Christ disciples to willingly give their lives for what they believed. The same power that caused, 'Saul of Tarsus' to convert from one who murder the followers of the One True God, to Paul the Apostle, one of the greatest ambassador's and soul winners that represented that same true God. That Same Power! That same power - causes a child of God to be totally devoted to delivering God's message in the face of opposition to all four corners of the earth. That same power - that gives a child of God the courage to stand before a person who is dying and suffering, from some type of affliction in their body, and pray a prayer of faith and healing and know that God Almighty has already answered them. That same power - that gives a child of God the courage and strength to be a martyr for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while being mocked and taunted, in the midst of dying and suffering for what they believe. The Power of Transformation? That same power - which will allow a child of God to totally turn their life around. Through the renewing of their mind, and give up the temporal, and corrupt things of this world. That same power - that would allow someone who believes different from you, to look at you as weird or peculiar, eerie or eccentric and still, you love God for how He has made you. That same power - that causes you to be appreciative of the gifts and talents that your Heavenly Father has planted inside of you. Set Apart?

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Appendix 2 page 3
That same power - that will allow you to understand that the reason why you are not seen as the same as the world, is because you have been transformed and set apart. Thanks to Jesus, you are now a child of God and heir to the Eternal Kingdom. Because of this transformation you now realize that it's an honor and privilege to be made in God's likeness and image. A priceless opportunity to be able to exist and play a role rather small or large in God's magnificent creation. Appreciative of the gifts of salvation and redemption through the blood and sacrifice of our blessed Saviour. Thankful and joyful of God's gift to us when it comes to mercy and grace. Recognizing and benefiting from the power of our spiritual guide, teacher and comforter the Holy Spirit. Bottom line? These are the things that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us. Nobody teaches these things, except the gospel. You must understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is God's word, which brings wisdom in abundance into our daily lives that is unmatched by no other. It gives the child of God great insight into our natural life and beyond. The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a high understanding that constantly confounds the world's socalled greatest minds. Understand that Christ is the gospel, and therefore is the wisdom of God. The more you adhere to the teachings of Christ the more you will be molded into what God created you to be. This is why our Christian beliefs gives us the faith, that empowers us to boldly and courageously talk about, The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It all comes down to this one little statement.

"Without faith it is impossible to please God Hebrews 11" (:6)

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Appendix 3 (a)
We live in tough times. Many have rejected God and have chosen to follow their own way withtragic consequences. Is it possible that God might want to use us to change the world? In the bookof 1 Kings, the true story is told of another man who lived in tough times, the prophet Elijah. Elijahhad faith in God in a godless society, and God changed the world through him. We might be tempted to think that Elijah was some kind of superhero, but James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was a man just like us. Elijah trusted God and because of that God did great things through him in the midst of tough times. Do you want to live a life that is used by God to change the world? Then dive in this week as we look to the example of faith from the life of Elijah, found in 1 Kings 17-19.

Elijah:

Habakkuk
Habakkuk lived in a world where violence and wickedness surrounded himand the law (Gods law) was ignored. Sounds a lot like the world we live in today doesnt it! Habakkuk was grieved by what he saw and cried out to God for help, but God didnt seem to be listening . . . nothing was changing! Have you ever felt that way? What do you do with those feelings? Lets look at the life of Habakkuk, a man of faith, as he tries to make sense of the world he lives in while also growing in his understand of the Eternal, Sovereign God.

Daniel
Daniel is the ultimate example of how a man of God can live by faith and glorify the Lord while living in a secular society. By fully trusting in the Sovereignty of God, Daniel, a Jew and captive, was able to overcome insurmountable odds and become one of the most highly favored officials in the empire. Through Daniel, God displayed grace and love toward His people in captivity, and revealed key prophecies regarding the coming of Christ and the end of the world. Although Gods choice of Daniel was sovereign, Daniels choices enabled him to accomplish Gods will. Because Daniel fully trusted in the Lord, and sought His guidance daily through prayer, the power of God was revealed to the most powerful kings and simplest citizens at a time when Gods supremacy was seriously questioned.

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Appendix 3 (b)

Esther
Esther was a young Jewish woman when she was thrust into a position of potentially great power. When faced with the possibility of great evil and life and death tragedy, she showed compassion while seeking out and humbly receiving wise counsel. Though isolated, she had a heart for the people of God and risked her own life to save them all. Though she was not living a life of perfect holiness, proscribed by the Law of the Old Covenant, that should have set her apart as a child of God, she had faith in Gods promises. God used her in a special and mighty way to save His people, destroy His enemies, and bring great glory to Himself among the Jews and Gentiles. Esther responded to Gods abundant answer to prayer by creating a public celebration of Gods provision. Esthers story teaches us that we do not have to be perfect to be used by God. Gods sovereignty has placed you in your current sphere of influence for such a time as this and He desires to use you within your boundaries. As people of God in a secular society we can be a part of God manifesting His mighty work on earth without ever even saying His name.

Jonathan
At the end of Samuels time as Judge of Israel, the people begin to petition Samuel for an arthlyKing to lead them against the pagans still occupying the promised land (1 Sam 8). Though Godviews this request with great sadness (1 Sam 8:7), He gives the Israelites what they want, and Saul isanointed as the first King of Israel around 1051 B.C. (1 Sam 9) What kind of man is worthy of being Gods representative King? The book of 1 Samuel gives us the answer to this question. This man would be a man of action, who embodies the spirit of a king. This man would display loyalty that leads to sacrifice, and become an encouragement to Gods people. This man would trust God in the face of impending destruction and slavery, forging his courage with dynamic faith. Most of all, this mans heart passions would align with Gods own, to carry out Gods will. Sadly (for the people of Israel), Saul was not that man to live out these qualifications. As we look at the life of Jonathan (eldest son of Saul), though, we will see a mighty man of faith who embodies all of these qualities and seems destined to be Gods representative as King. Ironically, it is Jonathan whom God uses to encourage and preserve another man for the throne of Israel. Rarely do we feel that life treats us fairly, and our obedience and faith suffer as a result. As for Jonathan, he ultimately ends his journey as he began it: as a mighty warrior who possessed aneternal perspective that allowed him to be obedient to Gods will.

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Appendix 3(c)

Samson

Samsons story is both one thats awe-inspiring and tragic. He was set apart from birth by God to bea saving figure for the Israelites. His feats of strength were supernatural; with Gods spirit with him, he was invincible. The tragedy, though, was that despite Gods presence in his life, Samson often chose his own path instead of following the Lord. Ultimately, this selfishness led to Samsons demise. It should be noted, however, that God considers Samson a man of faith, as evidenced in Hebrews 11:32-33, mentioning him in the same breath as David, among others. But for all the supernatural elements to Samsons life, we see that Samsons struggles and failings are no different than what we experience today. The perspective we can gain from his awesome feats and tragic end can without a doubt aid us as we seek to grow closer to the Lord.

Life can be tragic. Echoes of this thought resonate through our lives and the lives of those aroundus. They also resonate through the lives of a family who lived 3200 years ago near Bethlehem, Israel. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons moved from Bethlehem to Moab to avoid a famine. Though there may have been more bread on the Moabite side of the Dead Sea, all this family found was tragedy. Within a short time of their arrival in Moab, Elimelech and his two sons die, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in law (including Ruth) alone and in great need. These events are the tragic beginnings to a beautiful love story of redemption, hope, and grace. If your life has ever been filled with tragedy, you need to read this book to see the character of God providing for His people. If you ever anticipate going through tragedy (and who will avoid pain in this life), you need to read this book to find a gameplan for living out your faith in difficult times. The same God who provided for Ruth and redeems her from despair desires your faith during difficult times.

Ruth

Gideon
The Midianites were Bedouin nomads and descendents of Abraham and Keturah who occupied the plains that bordered the Arabian Desert to the east of Moab and Ammon. They were raiders who descended on the Israelites at harvest times, stole their crops and possessions, and then retreated to their own land. They did not want to kill the Israelites and take over their land. They preferred to let the Israelites sow and harvest the crops and then steal what Gods people had labored so hard to produce. The Midianites conducted their raids

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Appendix 3 (d)
on camels that made them very hard to overtake in pursuit. To conceal their harvested crops and other valuable possessions the Israelites hid them in caves and other holes in the ground. The Amalekites and other tribes that lived in the Arabian Desert east of Canaan joined the Midianites in their raids. These desertdwellers were the sons of the east (Judges 6:3). The raids extended all the way to Gaza on the Mediterranean coast (v. 4), far into Israel. After seven years of these locust-like raids the Israelites were at their wits end and called out to Yahweh in their misery (v. 6). In response to their cries God sent a prophet (v. 8) to explain the reason for their discipline. They had disobeyed the Lord (v. 10). (Background info resourced greatly by Dr. Tom Constables notes found at http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/judges.pdf)

Rahab
A couple years ago a woman crossed my path with blazing orange hair, faded tattoos covering her arms, crooked teeth and outdated glasses. A middle aged woman, her body bore the added weight of middle age, her eyes darted around the room, excited yet still aware of the happenings in the crowded room. She came to me in the midst of coffee time, bowling up to me at full speed with something obviously on her mind. Someone had told her where I was from and she wanted urgently to meet up for a chat. Taking a look at her, first glance, I was a little concerned: Is shesafe? So many people came to the bible studies, so many off the streetsAfter organizing to meet she walked off to talk to some of the leaders in the group. I sat there a little relieved to see that she was interacting with people I knew to be safe, solid Christians; perhaps this wouldnt be a mistake. On the day of our meeting, within five minutes she began recounting details of her past: startingfrom the age of 15 she had been a sex worker, selling sex for alcohol to numb family life and adolescence, a down and outer late in life whom the doctors had written off as good as dead. Yet as we talked, she was six years sober, celebrating two years as a believer in Jesus, a year into Bible college, (which she finished even though shed never finished high school!) and bursting of the wonderful grace God had shown her. There was no way she would have imagined life being so full, God being so faithful, or the possibilities of what he could do in her life, yet it all began with faith in Jesus Christ. Thinking of Rahab, this woman comes to mind as a modern day example of the gutsy yet simple faith Rahab exudes, who had witnessed first hand God delivering abundantly more than she could ever think to ask. Rahabs story is smattered with unknowns: How old was she when the Israelites

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Appendix 3 (e)
left Egypt . . . was she even alive? Why did she believe and no others in Jericho? How did the spies find her place to begin with? What happened after they left her home? What was her life following the fall of Jericho? Clues are left for us to see, but as with other heroes of faith, we are left with a skeleton to see this woman of God. However, what we do see in the brief passages we have of Rahab is a provoker of faith, a woman of the world, common as mud, who is keenly observant and fantastically brave. Her life affirms that no one is outside the reach of God. Her life challenges us to not only believe in the Lord but hand in hand, to trust that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Caleb
Within the Scriptures that bring Caleb to our eyes we see clearly the marked division and stark contrast between lives anchored in faith, and lives built upon the sands of self-reliance. Calebs simple, effective trust in God to be God shines as a beacon to us across the ages. He simply trusted God to do all that He had promised, and was ready at each opportunity to act on that belief. This trust transformed Caleb from an also ran to a mighty example of the boldness and confidence that marks the man or woman of faith, whose God is the LORD.

Joshua
Joshua was one of the outstanding persons of the Old Testament: assistant to Moses (Exod. 24:13;32:17;33:11), one of the twelve spies sent to check out the land of Canaan (Num. 14), and a very successful general (Exod. 17). He was both courageous and godly and was used greatly by God in bringing His people into the promised land of Canaan. The book of Joshua is a fascinating story of the faithfulness of God to care for His people. The story picks up where the story of Moses ends in Deuteronomy with the Israelites about to enter and take the land of Canaan by force with the blessing of Gods protection and provision. Where Moses was used by God to lead the Exodus he would not be the man God chose for the next phase the Conquest. Interesting to note, however, is that the book of Joshua is not really about Joshua at all it is fundamentally about God. As you read, take notice of how God is the one

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Appendix 3 (f)
providing the military strategy for victory and His strategies, as Joshua faithfully carries them out, are how they experience that victory. In this weeks study we will look at how God used Joshua to accomplish His purposes and examine some key theological aspects of the book of Joshua the principal theme being that God is a covenant-keeping God who is faithful to keep His promises to His people.

Job
Believing in God in spite of the immediate evidence...The book of Hebrews, chapter 11 is replete with folks from the Old Testament who did wondrous, things for God and were commended for their faith. But Scripture is a book about reality, and reality includes not only the great and glorious but also the horrific and terrible. Verse 35b and following says Others were tortured and refused to be released . . . some faced jeers and flogging while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword... These all were commended for their faith. Not exactly the type of list to which one aspires to belong! It seems that Job fits in, or at least has a part in, this type of list. Job is a difficult book, if for no other reason than the almost intractable theological, philosophical, ethical, and personal problems it brings up! Add to all of that, Job is a dialogue. It is not written as, nor does it seem to necessarily be intended as a neat, concise, coherent exposition or treatise of Gods answers to suffering and evil in the world. Yet the book is often portrayed as such. I have often heard well intentioned believers say when youre facing questions about the goodness of God and suffering in the world read the book of Job for an understanding of why God does what He does... Make no mistake, the themes of suffering and evil and Gods seeming lack of interest in human affairs are brought up in this book. It is what the whole discussion is about! However, it is not a work of formal philosophy. So, taking the New Testament injunction literally that all Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16) it follows that God has the book of Job in Scripture for us to learn from.

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Appendix 4 page 1
Romans 14 (New King James Version)
The Law of Liberty
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge anothers servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;[a] and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lords. For to this end Christ died and rose[b] and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.[c] For it is written:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.[d] So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way.
12 13

The Law of Love

I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things[e]is acceptable to God and
14 15 16 18

17

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Appendix 4 page 2
approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.[f] Do you have faith?[g] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.[h]
19 20 21 22 23

1 Corinthians 8 (New King James Version) apply the food

references to creating art
Be Sensitive to Conscience Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idols temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Philippians 2:3 (New King James Version)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
3

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Appendix 5 page 1
I would say that the Bible very clearly conveys the evil, but does not "glamorize" it. I think that's the real issue. What is the point of the badness being portrayed? Does it move the story toward the conclusion of God's goodness and righteousness? Let me elaborate on this more. Judges 19:25: But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. This verse is the entire account of the rape of the Levites concubine. In 44 words, God describes the beginning, middle and end of a 10-hour rape scene. Why one verse? Why not a whole paragraph or a whole chapter detailing this scene? If that is not a veil over sin, then I dont know what is! God could have easily expanded this scene to be more detailed and more graphicripping of clothes, screams of agony, brutal sexual violence and yet He chose not to. Why? Because God showed enough of what He wanted to show, and when He got His point across, He moved on. Lets look at another example. 1 Samuel 22:18: And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. Sauls henchman, Doeg, murdered 85 priests with a sword. How long did that take? Maybe an hour? And yet this verses 39 words describes the entire massacre. Certainly God could have detailed this slaughter with realistic details puddles of blood, severed limbs, screams of agony, violencemore accurately. But these details are missing from the narrative. Why? Did God not want to portray this real event as real as possible? Or did He just report the minimum details that had to be reportedand moved

The death of Jezebel is another example. 2 Kings 9:33-35: And he said, throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trod her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a kings daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Jezebels body is thrown out of her (third story?) window and some of her blood splatters on the wall. Even though this is a gruesome scene, God could have gone into more detail, but didnt. Actually, this is just the beginning of a scene that could have really been rated R. Verse 34 says that Jehu goes inside to have a feast, and when he comes out, there is nothing left of Jezebel

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Appendix 5 page 2
but her skull, feet and the palms of her hands. According to 1 Kings 21:23, Jezebel was prophesied to be eaten by wild dogs. If there was any scene that God could have shown in all its graphic detail, it could have been this scene. Imagine it with me: an evil woman having her flesh torn off by wild dogs. Do you hear the crunching of tendons and the snapping of bones? No? Well, either do I. Thats because God doesnt describe the wild dogs scene. This entire scene happens off-screen, in verse 34, while Jehu is eating his feast. He walks outside, in verse 35, and the scene has already taken place. So much for God glorifying violence. He takes care in how he portrays sin and reality and so should we. Lets take one look at another reality scene, namely the entire book of the Song of Solomon. This book is meant (among other things) to show the real love between a husband and his wife. The narrative indeed has sexual descriptions as well as descriptions of male and female anatomy. But if you read this book, you will notice that the language is highly poetic and allegorical. In writing this, God could have gone into a lot more detail of sexual, physical love between a husband and wife, and yet He doesnt. He knows how easy it is for us humans to lust and to turn His perfectly created love into something pornographic. He chose to write this book in a way that doesnt have to lead to sin in the audiences mind. (And if reading this book did lead the reader to sin in his mind, it is not on God; its on the readers unrenewed mind.) If God doesnt feel compelled to show reality in all its detail (whether in a good or evil context) then why are Christian artists compelled to?

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Appendix 6 page 1
Comics Magazine Association of America Comics Code 1989
PREAMBLE The Comics Magazine Association of America was formed in 1954 by a group of publishers committed to the principle that the public deserved decent and wholesome comic books as entertainment children. To that end, those publishers set content guidelines, created a reviewing authority and established the Comics Code Seal. This seal was to appear on covers of the CMAA member comics as a way of communicating to the public their shared commitment to uphold these standards. While the comic book industry has changed over the intervening three decades, as has almost every other facet of American life, the publisher members of the CMAA remain committed to providing decent and wholesome comic books for children. This new updated version of the Comics Code is a reaffirmation of that commitment. The member publishers of the Comics Magazine Association of America hereby reaffirm our joint commitment to our shared principle: that comics carrying the Comics Code Seal be ones that a parent can purchase with confidence that the contents uphold basic American moral and cultural values. INSTITUTIONS In general recognizable national, social, political, cultural, ethnic and racial groups, religious institutions, law enforcement authorities will be portrayed in a positive light. These include the government on the national, state, and municiple levels, including all of its numerous departments, agencies and services; law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, the Secret Service, the CIA, etc.; the military, both United States and foreign; known religious organizations; ethnic advancement agencies; foreign leaders and representatives of other governments and national groups; and social groups identifiable by lifestyle, such as homosexuals, the economically disadvantaged, the economically privileged, the homeless, senior citizens, minors, etc. Socially responsible attitudes will be favorably depicted and reinforced. Socially inappropriate, irresponsible, or illegal behaviour will be shown to be specific actions of a specific individual or group of individuals, and not meant to reflect the routine activity of any general group of real persons. If, for dramatic purposes, it is neccessary to portray such group of individuals in a negative manner, the name of the group and its individual members will be fictitious, and its activities will bot be clearly identifiable with the routine activities of any real group.

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Appendix 6 page 2
images and activites will be not used to degrade specific national, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups. LANGUAGE The language in a comic book will be appropriate for a mass audience that includes children. Good grammar and spelling will be encouraged. Publishers will exercise good taste and a responsible attitude as to the use of language in their comics. Obscene and profane words, symbols, and gestures are prohibited. References to physical handicaps, illnesses, ethnic backgrounds, sexual preferences, religious beliefs, and race, when presented in a derogatory manner for dramatic purposes, will be shown to be unacceptable. VIOLENCE Violent actions or scenes are acceptable within the context of a comic book story when dramatically appropriate. Violent behavior will not be shown as acceptable. If it is presented in a realistic manner, care should be taken to present the natural repercussions of such actions. Publishers should avoid excessive levels of violence, excessively graphic depictions of violence, and excessive bloodshed or gore. Publishers will not present detailed information instructing readers how to engage in imitable violent actions. CHARACTERIZATIONS Character portrayals will be caregully crafted and show sensitivity to national, ethnic, religious, sexual, political and socioeconomic orientations. If it is dramatically appropriate for one character to demean another because of his or her sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, political orientation, socioeconomic disadvantages should never assign ultimate responsibility for these conditions to the character themselves. Heroes should be role models and should reflect the prevailing social attitudes. SUBSTANCE ABUSE Healthy, wholesome lifestyles will be presented as desirable. However, the use and abuse of controlled substances, legal and illicit, are facts of modern existence, and may be portrayed when dramatically appropiate. The consumption of alcohol, narcotics, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco will not be depicted in a glamorous way. When the line between the normal, responsible consumption of legal substances

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and the abuse of these substances is crossed, the distinction will be made clear and the adverse consequences of such abuse will be noted. Substance abuse is defined as the use of illicit drugs and the self-destructive use of such products as tobacco (including chewing tobacco), alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, etc. Use of dangerous substances both legal and illegal should be shown with restraint as necessary to the context of the story. However, storylines should not be detailed to the point of serving as instruction manuals for substance abuse. In each story, the abuser will be shown to pay the physical, mental and/or social penalty for his or her abuse. CRIME While crimes and criminals may be portrayed for dramatic purposes, crimes will never presented in such a way as to inspire readers with a desire to imitate them nor will criminals be portrayed in such a manner as to inspire readers to emulate them. Stories will not present unique imitable techniques or methods of committing crimes. ATTIRE AND SEXUALITY Costumes in a comic book will be considered to be acceptable if they fall within the scope of contemporary styles and fashions. Scenes and dialoge involving adult relationships will be presented with good taste, sensitivity, and in a manner which will be considered acceptable by a mass audience. Primary human sexual characteristics will never be shown. Graphic sexual activity will never be depicted. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE I All comics which member publishers wish to bear the Comics Code Seal will be submitted to the code administrator for review prior to publication. The administrator will review them according to the guideance he has received from the permanent committee and will either approve them to bear the seal, or return them to the publisher with comments. The responsible editor from the publisher will either revise the comic in accordance with those comments, or discuss with the administrator the concerns raised with him and reach agreement on how the comic can properly bear the Code Seal either without being revised or within a mutually-agreeable set of alternative revisions. In the event no agreement can be reached between the editor and the administrator, the matter can be referred to the permanent committee, which will act promptly to determine if, or

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under what conditions, the comic in question can bear the Code Seal. Decisions of the permanent committee will be binding on the publishers, who agree not to place the Code Seal on any comic on which it is not authorized. II The members of the Comics Magazine Association of America include publishers who elect to publish comics that are not intended to bear the Code Seal, and that therefore need not go through the approval process described above. Among the comics in this category may be titles intended for adult readers. Member publishers hereby affirm that we will distribute these publications only through distribution channels in which it is possible to notify retailers and distributors of their content, and thus help the publications reach their intended audiences. The member publishers agree to refrain from distributing these publications through those distribution channels that, like the traditional newsstand, are serviced by individuals who are unaware of the content of specific publications before placing them on display. III Recognizing that no document can address all of the complex issues and concerns that face our changing society, the member publishers have established a permanent committe composed of the senior editor of each member's staff. The committe will meet regularly to review those issues and concerns as they affect our publications, and to meet with the guide and administrator of the Comics Code, and will replace the previous written guidelines of the Comics Code.