Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Game of Thrones 3.07 "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" (Maester's Edition)

      Daniel Gehen
      May 19, 2013
      Columns, Paranoid Video
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • Civil War Crimes: Civil War #7

      Daniel Gehen
      May 5, 2016
      Big Two, Big Two Reviews, Columns, Marvel Comics, The Full Run
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update

      nguyen ly
      April 17, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • Singles Going Steady 7/17/2019 - Silver Age Bliss Starring Jimmy Olsen

      Daniel Gehen
      July 23, 2019
      DC Comics, Reviews, Singles Going Steady, Titan Comics
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 3.5

      Review: BLACK BADGE #1 Crosses the Line into Enemy Territory

      Daniel Gehen
      August 15, 2018
      Boom! Studios, Indie, Reviews
    Recent
    • Singles Going Steady – Vowels, Who Needs Them?

      Daniel Gehen
      March 8, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Kickstarter Spotlight: Video Interview: Howie Noel from Tara Normal

      Daniel Gehen
      May 17, 2015
      Interviews, Kickstarter Spotlight, Video Interview
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Omega the Unknown

      Daniel Gehen
      March 27, 2012
      Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story

      Daniel Gehen
      March 26, 2021
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • The Banshees are coming back!

      Daniel Gehen
      April 9, 2014
      Kickstarter Spotlight, News
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Review: 'The Furnace' is a Fascinating Graphic Novel of Ideas and Relationships

      Daniel Gehen
      July 9, 2018
      Books
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: 6 Most Expensive Comic Books April 2021 Update
  • Collecting Profile: Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Collecting Profile: 1990 Marvel Universe Trading Cards
  • Collecting Profile: Red Sonja
  • Collecting Profile: Dr. Doom
  • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Columns

SECOND COMING and Modern Religion

Daniel Gehen
January 31, 2020
Columns, Comics Bulletin Soapbox

And now for a topic that will not strike up any hostile feelings: Religion

The release of Second Coming #6, effectively ended the first “season” of Mark Russell and Richard Pace’s “controversial” comic. While Russell’s script certainly challenged the traditional orthodoxy of Christianity, it was far from the barn-burner that certain groups attacked it as. In fact, over the course of these first six issues, Second Coming showed itself to be surprisingly tame. It’s depiction of God, Heaven and Hell, and Satan were not too different from movies such as the Bruce Almighty and The Devil’s Advocate, or the comic series Spawn. If anything, Russell and Pace put superheroes under the microscope, asking readers if these costumed characters are deserving of our adoration.

Russell leans heavily into the teachings of Jesus as depicted in the New Testament of the Bible, while God is written as shown in the Old Testament. This is a logical choice, as Jesus is an active player in the New Testament, just as God is actively involved in humanity’s world in the Old. It sets up a dichotomy of parents and children that is very relatable – the fire-and-brimstone God and his son, the loving and gentle Jesus. Despite being family, they couldn’t have more different personalities. It’s a classic literary trope that is used to great effect to highlight the teachings of Jesus – the supposed foundation of Christianity – and the lack of empathy and tolerance seen from many modern-day Christians. In the world of Second Coming, that includes superheroes.

Image result for second coming ahoy"

While much of the press has focused on the portrayal of religious figures, much of Second Coming focuses on the character Sunstar, who is very similar to DC’s Superman. Though it hasn’t been confirmed or denied, it is easy to envision the Man of Steel in this book had it remained at DC/Vertigo. Sunstar is near invincible with the power of flight and super-strength. He is revered by the general populace, and is viewed as a Christ-like figure – sent from the heavens to save humanity. But when confronted with Jesus is a face-to-face interaction, Sunstar’s actions do not measure up to the religious figure.

 One of the most important aspects of Jesus’ ministry was his healings. Whether or not you choose to believe in the ones depicted in the Bible is a personal matter, but in a historical context there were healers throughout the ancient world. As early as the first issue of Second Coming, Sunstar is shown thwarting an attempted crime, casually beating up the perpetrators in the process. Then the wildcard that is Jesus comes into play, and he begins healing the “baddies.” When asked by Sunstar why he would do such a thing, Jesus responds with a beautifully simple, “Because they needed it.” This leads into a humorous exchange about good and evil, and that the “evil” is usually the result of pain… which requires healing.

This humanistic and compassionate depiction of Jesus does contradict religious teachings, but it does shine a light on the perversion of his ministry by certain religious and political groups. Mega churches prey on followers, asking for large donations by twisting the teaching “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20) for their financial gain. In this country in particular, many identify as a Christian and at the same time fetishise the wealthy, despite Jesus’ teaching “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

Image result for second coming ahoy"

Throughout Second Coming, Russell and Pace consistently point out the contradictions that is teachings of Jesus and the behavior of Christians through direct character interactions. Jesus even gets arrested at one point for vagrancy, the result of a heated exchange over the legitimacy of the writings of the disciple Paul that comprise half of the New Testament (who never actually interacted with Jesus, as Second Coming accurately points out). Essentially, Jesus is accused of blasphemy, a modern parallel to the stories from the gospels. The creative team also pokes fun at the use of a crucifix as a religious symbol, which is a fair criticism upon reflection. I mean, for the good the religious figure is said to have done while alive, it’s funny that the means of his death is what is most associated with him. Personally, I’ve been more partial to the use of the ichthys.

Russell and Pace’s comic use humor and satire to bring to light legitimate criticisms of modern Christianity. Yes, the majority of people that practice are good people with well intentions. But the public facing figureheads, like those that run mega-churches, have twisted teachings to fit what Al Franken referred to as “Supply Side Jesus” and the principles of modern capitalism. Whether or not your agree with the perspective Russell and Pace have presented in Second Coming, at least they had the courage to get the conversation started.

 

Ahoy ComicsMark RussellRichard PaceSecond ComingVertigo Comics

Share On:
Tweet
Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR
Collecting Profile: Birds of Prey

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • Ash & Thorn
    3.9

    Review: Ash & Thorn series so far

    Mike Nickells
    July 8, 2020
  • AHOY Comics Announces Its Return

    Daniel Gehen
    June 1, 2020

Latest Columns

  • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

    Daniel Gehen
    February 8, 2021
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

    Daniel Gehen
    December 4, 2020
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

    Daniel Gehen
    October 30, 2020
  • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

    Daniel Gehen
    October 27, 2020
  • What Looks Good for the Week of 10/14/2020

    Daniel Gehen
    October 12, 2020
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders