You can read the first part of the "Best Christian Comics You've Never Read" here:

Part One

It explains the ground rules, for the most part, of what I'm doing with this list.

Almost all of these comics should be almost readily available to you . . . in one form or another. Some you may have to hunt the back issue bins for, others you can find right here on our website, and others can be found on other people's websites, but here they are, in no particular order:


6 -- SEVEN SECONDS AND A DEAD FISH

And yes, the actual comic is just as strange as the title, but the comic itself is as moving and touching an example of independent comic work as I've ever seen.

It was created by Jesse Hamm, an artist/writer who is able to take the weirdness of our world, warp it a little bit, twist in some symbolism and warmth, and end up with a final product that is amusing, horrifying, and heart warming all at the same time. Jesse is a contributor to Modern Tales, the online comic website. He's been doing comics for years, though, and his Seven Seconds and a Dead Fish is a powerful work that displays the best of Jesse's style.

What makes it a great Christian comic, one worth your time and money? Well, what you get is a thought-provoking comic with an offbeat style of art and voice. It does make you think, which is essential in Christian art. For art -- any art, but especially Christian art -- to be effective, it HAS to engage the reader and that is where Jesse excels. This comic can be found on his website at: http://www.oklahoma.net/~silvrdal/jesse.html

Also, check out The Giantess while you're on his website. Really, all the comics he's offering for sale are well worth your time and money . . . but Seven Seconds takes the cake.


7 -- CREATURE TECH

Doug TenNapel created quite a stir with his graphic novel Creature Tech. It received rave reviews from anyone who reviewed it (including myself) and it became a runaway hit, selling itself to Hollywood before it ever hit the shelves.

The story? Well, amidst toilet humor, gun totting rednecks, alien symbiotes, and a romance, Creature Tech tells the story of a young man who finds himself confronted with the battle of good and evil, as a mad scientist attempts to destroy the world with a giant space eel.

Doesn't sound like typical Christian comic fare, does it? Which is precisely why it works. Infused with energy and frenetic storytelling, along with likable characters who are almost "real", TenNapel delivers a powerful (although some would say simplistic) message of faith. It's great storytelling by anyone's standards -- the core message takes it one step further.

(Be warned -- there is some language and disturbing images. For teens and older readers.)

You can find info about buying Creature Tech from TenNapel's website: http://www.tennapel.com/


8 -- EDISON'S FRANKENSTEIN

Your read that right. Edison's Frankenstein. Yeah, this is probably the least expected title for a list like this. It's a comic book based on the silent film from 1910 based on Mary Shelley's horror novel. That right there makes it a little bit strange. Now, I'll admit right now I'm a big fan of the silent movie era. I actually have a small collection of silent movies on DVD, although Edison's Frankenstein is not in it. Yet. The movie itself has an interesting story behind it. Yes, the Edison in the title is Thomas Edison. But fear not, this comic book is not just visuals taken from the movie and a reprinting of the title cards that they show to explain what's going on. The writer of the comic has taken Edison's story (which is quite different from the original movie) and expanded on it, taking this adaptation of Edison's adaptation to a whole new level.

I'll also admit that I believe the horror genre, if done correctly, creates some excellent symbols for Christianity. It's not easy, but it CAN be very powerful, and Chris Yambar skillfully does so with this comic book. Filled with powerful artwork almost puts to shame classic Bernie Wrightson (one of the most popular horror artists from comic history), this comic book is a moody, creepy look at one man's struggle to play God. The story itself has engaging characters and a strong plotline -- one which differs quite a bit from the classic novel, yet retains many of the same ideas. Somehow, through it all, Chris Yambar takes this story and extracts from it a moving message of forgiveness and redemption. (I say "extracts" because Yambar contends that all the elements he presents in his adaptation were already there, he just adapted them into another format.)

Those who are familiar with Christian comics from the past will recognize Chris Yambar's name. He's an artist/writer who has been around for a long time. His work is thought provoking and humorous, but Edison's Frankenstein is a different sort of tale for him . . . although not the last one.

The team of Chris Yambar, Thomas Edison, and Mary Shelley is a strange one, but the end result is one of the most powerful horror comics I've ever read.

Edison's Frankenstein is available from Community Comics on our ordering page.


9 -- THOR #59

Yeah, now you're asking, "What's a comic about a Norwegian god doing in a list of Christian comics?"

Good question.

First, the title of the story is "The Substance of Things Hoped For". The artist on the book is Trent Kaniuga, an artist who has produced Christian themed work in the past and the writer on the book is Priest (formerly known as Christopher Priest), is an outspoken believer in Christ.

Now, the story is an interesting one. It takes place in the future and Thor has been gone for a long time and the world needs a hero and there are some who believe that Thor will return, even though most of the people of the world don't believe he's coming . . . hmmm, sound familiar?

It is a story about faith. It has characters that make you care about them. It has action. Adventure. And a big hammer.

And symbolism that does not muddy the story but instead enhances it. It asks some questions, answers some questions, which leads to asking more questions. From Priest's website -- "Faith, in the final analysis, is a choice." His Thor comic seems to be a reflection on that statement.

You can find it in your local shop's back issue bin or Mile High Comics.


10 -- THE COP OUT

OK. I'm going to have people bite my head off on this one. You're going to say I copped out, aren't you. Especially when I give you my final Christian comic in this list.

Just remember the title -- "The Best Christian Comics You've Never Read" . . .

Now think on the common denominator in the comics I mentioned. They all had intriguing plots. Engaging characters. Thought provoking ideas. A Christian world-view behind the stories.

The last of my list of best Christian comics you've never read . . . well, you haven't read it because it hasn't been written and drawn.

It's in someone's head. Someone out there, reading this, is going to take these comics from my list and blow them all away, skillfully weaving a powerful parable that provides entertainment and insight.

Who? Well, it could be you.

Oh, there are so many more I'd like to include, but it would take forever. What I would like to ask you to do, though, is e-mail me about this list. Let me know what you think -- anything you REALLY disagree with? Why? Did I miss anything? Give me your nomination and reasoning. Send them to <mailto:submissions@communitycomics.com> and give it the header "Best Christian Comics". You know what I like and now I'd like to know what YOU like. I'll make a list of YOUR picks in a future Ben's Pen column.

~ Ben

NEXT: Art and Worship . . . SELAH: The Psalms Project