Christianity and its themes has been a pretty prevalent thing over the years for good or not so good since it came to be. And its no surprise that its themes would be explored in something like Comic Books and with that said, here’s a list of a few of those Comics where Christian themes were explored in some manner! Some of you long timers may even remember past coverage of these books as well! So if you’re ready… Let’s get Biblical!
Hound Comics’ Brimstone And The Borderhounds
To many, Hell is a place of demons and fire. The place where all evil souls go to be tortured for the rest of eternity; and Heaven is the place where good people go to eat ice cream and float on clouds. Unfortunately, it’s all a load of crap. Hell is just a place in another reality, like Long Island but not as annoying. Turns out that the horrible truth about post-prime existence is that the corporeal life we lead in this reality is a lie and just a “training seminar” for a career of servitude in whichever afterlife we end up in. In the high stakes, high profit and high risk enterprise of post-prime existence labor, whichever “afterlife” can procure the best and the brightest workforce is better positioned to gain power and influence over our corporeal world.
The organizations that run those alternate universes (Hell, Heaven, Nirvana, Valhalla, Where the Sun Don’t Shine, etc.) have spent eons cultivating the worlds of our reality, through religion and passive influence, into breeding grounds for future slave laborers in the competition to end all competitions. The best souls plucked from the “Nexus”, an orchard (of sorts) of the consciousnesses of the recently deceased, are brought to their respective “afterlife” and put into the roles they were unknowingly bred for. So the business of keeping, retrieving and even stealing this precious commodity has become a very large and lucrative business and black market operation. Thus a cold war of sorts exists between all these rival existences in order to claim victory over one another.
Whether through subversive means like sabotage and bribery to outright skirmishes of violence that have spilled over to our worlds, the unsteady truce that has existed is eroding and many members of these factions as well as privateers see opportunities to grab power.
Enter Brimstone.
Brimstone is a half human, half native son of that realm known to us as Hell, who works as a freelance employee of the Border Enforcement and Retrieval Department in a private squad of Borderhounds.
Issue 6 Cover!
These independent contractors are hired by the Corporation to re-capture these souls who happen to escape their consigned fates either through assistance from rival corporations, their agents or any number of growing dissident movements. Joined by his team of human companions, the brothers Dawg and Luscious, Brimstone ekes out an existence retrieving escaped “Weepers” from the wastelands of “Hell” with the occasional trip back to our universe for imported beer or designer clothes for the wife. Brimstone’s hybrid nature makes him unique as one of the only beings of “Hell” who can safely traverse (with whomever he takes with him) the continuum and exist corporeally in other universes. The only drawback is that once outside of his home, even though he still possesses Forza Infernis… Brimstone is vulnerable.
This trait has made Brimstone a target for many who seek to control the balance of power between existences or end the stalemate once and for all. Constantly looked down upon and threatened for his genetic heritage and his chosen companions, humans as his team and a human wife and children, he has to fight every day for his right to exist in the only home he has ever known.
There are currently 13 issues released so far along with two titles more suitable for children. Head here to buy!
Zeno Telos Press’ Satanic Hell
Broke and directionless, the three members of the metal band Satanic Hell arrive in Texas for a chance tour set up by a mysterious promoter. Death Priest, Dante, and Exodus quickly find trouble in the bizarre world of Texas, now controlled by a council of religious fanatics. The quixotic tour is Satanic Hell’s last chance to keep their rock’n roll dreams alive but doing so means going through their own version of hell on earth. Can three guys in a metal band save the Holy State from itself and survive?
This is the complete seven-issue series of the metal band’s raucous tour through the dystopian Lone Star State.
While there is a trade for Satanic Hell, its only available in digital format at this time.
Jon Lock Comics’ Afterlife Inc.
The afterlife is under new management…
When corporate con-artist Jack Fortune’s life comes to an abrupt and brutal end, he discovers a business opportunity on a previously unimaginable scale. A mysterious Calamity has struck the afterlife, wiping the ruling body from existence and plunging the Empyrean – the great golden city of the dead – into chaos. The time is ripe for modernisation.
With the vision, the business-smarts and a ragtag collection of allies behind him, Jack strives to reinvent the afterlife as a modern-day corporate entity. Establishing a new business is always challenging, but now Jack must balance the demands of a free market with rampaging archangels, a misplaced God and the dark secrets at the heart of their world.
This may be the job he was born to die for, but has Jack’s reach finally exceeded his grasp?
One might argue this isn’t necessarily a Christian/Bible themed comic but considering it does feature the Afterlife heavily and has Heavenly elements to it like the Angels, I figured its good to place here. Head here to check out the archive of the long running web strip and as well being able to head directly to the store to get a copy of the series!
Big Dog Ink’s Penny For Your Soul Volume 1: War
Danica is mucking up the system. With the help of Mary Magdalene, among others, she is out to make a name for herself in the millenia old poker tournament between Heaven and Hell. Heaven versus Hell, good versus evil… Is that all there is? It’s time for a change and the Devil’s own granddaughter has gone into business in the Las Vegas desert buying souls for ten thousand dollars.
But now, events foretold thousands of years ago seem to be falling into place and with the opening of an ancient scroll, and the sounding of an angel’s trumpet, the End of Days has begun…
Currently, BDI has three of the Penny For Your Soul storylines collected in trade format with the 4th storyline in single issues so far. Really gotta get the rest of the series myself!
Wisdumb Productions’ Escape From Jesus Island
Escape From Jesus Island is a creator-owned and published comic book series about an attempt to clone Jesus that goes a little off the rails. ReGen Corp. eventually succeeds in its quest, but only after creating scores of horrific near-Jesus freaks and a monstrous twin brother, Yeshua (aka Damien).
The dying pope hears of Christ’s return and sends an elite Vatican Black Ops team to the remote Malsum Island Research Facility to steal the one man who can heal him, just as Yeshua is about to launch a mutant insurrection. Horror and hilarity ensue.
Created by illustrator Mortimer Glum, writer/filmmaker Shawn French and editor/letterer Shawn M. Greenleaf, Escape From Jesus Island is a twisted retelling of the prophecies from the Book of Revelation. It’s a story loaded with monsters, mythology and carnage, as science and religion slam into each other at full speed.
Crucial Crisis Comics’ IV Armageddon
Every new cycle begins with the destruction of the last. For countless millennium, this has been the recognized order of events. And even though it was a struggle amongst Gods for ultimate dominion, there were still rules that needed to be abide. This struggle, these rules…is called The Armageddon.
Yet, this time around, those very rules were ignored. There was the introduction of chaos into what used to be order. And because of this a Sage did something that had never been done before, he interjected himself into Armageddon. And unbeknown to him, because of his actions, Armageddon did not conclude, it was just delayed.
This story shows the consequences of his actions.
Famine
An interesting thing about this story as long time readers of the site may recall is that, rather then start at the normal order of issue numbering, the team behind IV Armageddon chose to start at 50 and count down from there with each new release. You can either head directly to their website or go to IndyPlanet to start your read today!
Creator’s Edge Press’ Prince of Pieces GN
For two thousand years you’ve been eating His flesh and drinking His blood…Now it’s His turn ! In Prince of Pieces, the Son of God is back and He’s mad as hell. After two millennia of being exploited by purveyors of greed, violence and hypocrisy, Jesus returns with a vengeance. No longer turning the other cheek, He disposes of sinners and religious hypocrites with biblically inspired justice. Only one thing is certain in the shattered world the rampaging Christ leaves in His wake – – it will take more than nails to stop Him this time!
While it appears the Creator’s Edge site is no longer around, thankfully Amazon is around for us to get a copy!
Frank Martin’s Modern Testament
Humanity has changed since the days of antiquity, when biblical beings ruled the Earth. But these legendary creatures of mythology struggle to be understood and find their place in today’s society. These tales chronicle them on their journey of self-worth and purpose. They’re stories of discovery we’re currently writing every day in our very own Modern Testament.
Interesting note to mention is that Braiden Cox’s Reclaiming Godhood can also be found on Frank’s website and to further that, there’s an awesome crossover between Modern Testament and Luke Cooper’s Hollow Girl called Hollow Testament!
The Apocalypse has come to the town of Promise, perhaps the last town in all creation. One by one, the Horsemen of the Apocalypse visit devastation on good Promise, challenged only by a small cadre of townsfolk – an arrogant tycoon, a socialite mayor, a hardened sheriff, and a grizzled hired gun. They are the only obstacles to the destruction of everything that keeps their town alive!
Head on over to the Inverse/Flatline website to get this series and its follow ups!
Mad Cave Studios’ Knights Of The Golden Sun
Knights of the Golden Sun is a biblical epic set during a time of great turmoil. Four Hundred years separate the Old Testament from the New Testament during which neither man nor angel could hear God’s divine message. In His absence, a power struggle erupted among the Archangels and the Fallen over who will control Father’s throne. Providence, the Angels, and humanity would never be the same…
All the Biblical action you can handle in two trades in Print and Digital!
Aegis/Wayward Raven Media’s The Ascendant
The ongoing adventures of the Escaped Duke of Hell. After a millennia of vice and debauchery, Cail has begun to feel remorse for all of the horrible things he’s done. Now, as the armies of Hell seek to escape into our world, he has ascended onto Earth and begun to send the demons back to hell…violently!
This is awesomely available in Print and Digital!
David Paul and Gary T. Becks’ JOSEPH!
What do you do when God tells you to raise his one and only begotten son? Anything it takes!
As long timers to IndieComiX may recall, JOSEPH! used to be ran on the original version of the website, and while the strip is no longer being continued, those interested in checking out the strip can find links at these locations: Original Site, Bad Halo Site, and Facebook
Bob Salley’s Self-Published Title The Beholden
Am ambitious, nerdy Agent and the Museum Cleaning Lady team up to fight a Succubus and the 72 Demons of the Seal of Solomon.
Folks may have to hit up Bob on Facebook and or Twitter to find out the status of this title!
Blackbox Comics/Brian Hawkins’ Devil’s Dominion
Devlynn St. Paul sold her soul to the Devil to stop the horror being done to her by her brother. However, Devlynn reneged on the deal and now uses her demonic powers to hunt others who are demon possessed and have lost control of their lives.
Head here for all the Dominiony goodness!
123 GO! Publishing/Jeffrey Haas’ Malek: Reigning Devil
A new Devil reigns in Hell. Betrayed by God, the fallen angel Malek is burning to get revenge.
You can find Malek and the rest of 123 GO!’s books right here!
T. Garrett Petersen’s Deliverance
How far would you go to save your child’s soul?
God has abandoned Heaven. But what three parents don’t know is that each of their children possess a Spark of Divinity. Each of them has the potential to wield divine power as a “Nu-God” and to take God’s place in Heaven to keep the lights of eternity flickering for just a little longer.
The catch? They must compete in a tournament to the death against the forces of both Heaven and Hell to decide who will wield the power.
Only one will be left standing. Winner takes all of creation.
While Deliverance had a successful Kickstarter for its first three issues back in November 2021, there doesn’t seem to be many updates since. But you can always check out T. Garrett’s Twitter for any updates!
Jarred Lujan’s All The Devils Are Here
A 44 page horror-thriller comic about an elderly man with dementia possessed by a demon and the man tasked with saving him.
Now given this is more about Demonic Possession and the mission to save someone from it, I figured it fit here regardless. Head to Jarred’s Twitter to find out how you can get yourself a copy!
Dauntless Stories/Frankee White’s Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood
John and Lisa are engaged and looking towards their future when John receives a letter from his past. John’s estranged father is dying, and his mother wants him to meet with them both for mass at their parish. Lisa, curious about this mostly blank spot in her fiancé’s life, presses him to heal his family wounds. John agrees on one condition: Lisa must join him. What comes next is a dive into a uniquely absurd romantic horror by the creative team behind the critically acclaimed graphic novel, BROKEN BEAR, that asks:
“HOW FAR WILL YOU GO TO BE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE?”
Man, this was a fun one to read back in March! And if you haven’t gotten a copy yet, what are you waiting for!?
Gary Proudley also included a suggestion of his own for some Biblical Comic goodness in the form of The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb.
Nominated for three 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: From Creation to the death of Joseph, here are all 50 chapters of the Book of Genesis, revealingly illustrated as never before.
Envisioning the first book of the bible like no one before him, R. Crumb, the legendary illustrator, reveals here the story of Genesis in a profoundly honest and deeply moving way. Originally thinking that we would do a take off of Adam and Eve, Crumb became so fascinated by the Bible’s language, “a text so great and so strange that it lends itself readily to graphic depictions,” that he decided instead to do a literal interpretation using the text word for word in a version primarily assembled from the translations of Robert Alter and the King James bible.
Now, readers of every persuasion―Crumb fans, comic book lovers, and believers―can gain astonishing new insights from these harrowing, tragic, and even juicy stories. Crumb’s Book of Genesis reintroduces us to the bountiful tree lined garden of Adam and Eve, the massive ark of Noah with beasts of every kind, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by brimstone and fire that rained from the heavens, and the Egypt of the Pharaoh, where Joseph’s embalmed body is carried in a coffin, in a scene as elegiac as any in Genesis. Using clues from the text and peeling away the theological and scholarly interpretation that have often obscured the Bible’s most dramatic stories, Crumb fleshes out a parade of Biblical originals: from the serpent in Eden, the humanoid reptile appearing like an alien out of a science fiction movie, to Jacob, a “kind’ve depressed guy who doesn’t strike you as physically courageous,” and his bother, Esau, “a rough and kick ass guy,” to Abraham’s wife Sarah, more fetching than most woman at 90, to God himself, “a standard Charlton Heston-like figure with long white hair and a flowing beard.”
As Crumb writes in his introduction, “the stories of these people, the Hebrews, were something more than just stories. They were the foundation, the source, in writing of religious and political power, handed down by God himself.” Crumb’s Book of Genesis, the culmination of 5 years of painstaking work, is a tapestry of masterly detail and storytelling which celebrates the astonishing diversity of the one of our greatest artistic geniuses.
Nominated for three 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: Best Adaptation from Another Work, Best Graphic Album, Best Writer/Artist.
Head here to get a copy today!
Play Comics also nicely chimed in with a suggestion from Ahoy Comics known as Second Coming!
God commands Earth’s mightiest super-hero, Sunstar, to accept Jesus as his roommate and teach him how to use power in a…more powerful way. Jesus, shocked at the way humans have twisted his message over two millennia, vows to straighten them out.
Head here to get started on your read of Second Coming today!
Honorable Mentions Include: Dirge of Viqdis, Man Of God, Vatican: Angel Of Justice, CruZader: Agent Of The Vatican Volume 1, Preacher, Planet Of Daemons, Roman Ritual, Hobson’s Choice
Put together by: Rob Wrecks
