I will be the first to admit that when it comes to comic books can be sort of a nerd. I’m the one that does to the marvel movies having already read the source material (fancy word the comic book) and mental and later vocally Express how close they came to the original content. Ie how long are wolverine’s claws? ( six inches), who’s the first Green Goblin? ( Norman Osborn always until they changed it). Who are Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch? (Magneto’s kids if Disney had the rights to mutants sooner). I love the fantasy the story that never seems to end. I also love God and credit him for being the ultimate storyteller. As I write this I’m fresh from watching The Avenger Endgame movie, I apologize if you’re reading this and the film has been memed to death or highly overrated. However as for this moment in time it’s the crescendo of what the Marvel Universe has been trying to do. Like I said before I’m a long time comic book admirer. From Marvel to DC, Wolverine to Superman. It’s a combination of imagination and storytelling that I just love, add to that graphic imagery and I’m more than satisfied. However as I said earlier I love God; and when you get into these storylines you have to accept that at times worldview and morals of the writer are going to be different than the ones you know ad truth as presented by God’s word. Everyone doesn’t agree with what the Bible says or even accept that there’s a God. It’s unfortunate but I accept this truth. Which is why I was brought to awe when a certain graphic novel came my way.
The first few thoughts when hearing about a Christian graphic are typical. It has to be lame and corny simply because that’s the box we’ve put christian art in. And so is any art that is created with God in mind, forgetting that the most beautiful masterpieces were created using God as our muse. We seem to think that he somehow has a expiration date, that he has no place in our songs, paintings, writings or any form of creativity. Which is insane if you stop to think about the fact that we create art but we ourselves are a work of art by the master creator, at the same time we think he can’t outdo us at his own game?
So I ran across this book: Forbidden house: Loved you to death by Jason White (aka Artist J). The book is actually an illustration from The Book of Proverbs, (chapter 5: 1-13 to be specific). It targets are young teens and the relevant issues they face.
Follow a young son struggle as he would cause his father’s wise words of advice. Warnings of a strange inheritance who steals the lives of all who would venture nigh to the doors of her abode. Will the Proverbs of an old man hold true? Can no one walk away and return with his life if that one has set his mind or entering the forbidden house
Seems rather straightforward right? Of course the bulk of the text comes directly from the bible (New Kings James Version), so what’s added is the imagery. It is that same imagery that brings you into the story, which is even more fascinating at a second glance when you remember that this was written thousands of years ago. The art says fantasy, however the content is so relevant it’s almost frightening. You put yourself in the young son’s journey, at times you want to scream at him through the pages, by the time you finish you see how much of his journey mirrors our own.
Support Artist J at
Deviant Art
