However, my personal crusade to find Christian professionals in the mainstream Comic Industry has yielded few returns. Perhaps some are on this site, but I am also open to suggestions on blogs, magazine/news articles, and preferrably interviews on podcasts, secular or Christian.
If you know of any, please post.
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God gave the Law, the prophets, and the Messiah to the Jews. The Jews are the chosen people of God; He has a land covenant with Israel, and, as evidenced in 1948, in 1967, and 1972, He fights for them. Prophesy must be fulfilled; God cannot lie. Still, there is no other way of salvation than through Messiah Y'shua (Jesus Christ), so earthly blessings do not equate with eternal salvation. Jew and Gentile alike must come to that Cornerstone and be broken (lest He fall upon them and they be ground to powder).
The Jews are natural storytellers (and for good reason; they were to evangelize the world---but didn't---and if the 144,000 of Revelation are Messianic Jews, then they shall indeed do within a 3 1/2 year space what the Gentile believers failed to do in 2,000 years), and Jewish comic creators also know how to spin a good yarn with the best of them. Stan Lee raided the King James Version of the Bible for ideas in the 1960s (probably after writing five issues of BIBLE TALES FOR YOUNG FOLK in the '50s did he realize what a treasure trove of plots/characters the Bible is), and it is evident with titles like "If Thine Eye Offend Thee" or paraphrased spinoffs like "A Blind Man Shall Lead Them" (a Daredevil story); with characters like the Watcher (an angel is called a 'watcher' in the book of Daniel), and with stories of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others ("This Man...This Monster" from FANTASTIC FOUR #51, 1966 being a classic example). The Gospel isn't there, but many Biblical principles are there, and a generation of children and young-at-heart grew up with those being a character-shaping source.
That's all gone now. The moral Jewish writers of the Golden and Silver age have been replaced with immoral and amoral 'hipsters' who do not know how to write noble or innocent characters, being depraved at heart themselves. Even sideline comic book characters are anti-heroes. Cynicism, eroticism, brutality, and the occult are in full flower. Now I don't have a rose-colored view of the past, as there were some titles that got out of hand in the '40s and '50s, hence the comics code of 1954, but the code pretty much lost its legs forever by the 1980s.
What I've encouraged Lee Weeks to do is to write his own stories as well, as he has a good handle on what makes a crackling good yarn and the mechanics of visual storytelling, his Spider-man DEATH AND DESTINY mini-series being one such example, and I know he has more in the works. I think Scott McDaniel (a brother in Christ) and writer Chuck Dixon have paired up for similar reasons (not just economic, but moral). Most Christian artists in secular comics, however, do not have that benefit, and are often assigned scripts by ungodly but popular writers which they either turn down (a good way to eventually end a career) or they acquiesce and become callous to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Someone earlier (perhaps in another thread) referred to drawing Christian comics as "preaching to the choir." Not so! I've had many unbelievers (and more importantly, genuine seekers) purchase my books, and at least one fellow comics professional gave his heart to the Lord as a direct result. These have given me many opportunities to share Christ with former editors, publishers, and fellow artists, writers, etc. in the secular industry, as well as on secular message boards, and good fruit has come of it. Ralph Miley has shared a number of testimonies of how the CCAS booth and comics there have provided an open door for evangelism at the San Diego Con and the like.
No, I don't agree that we need more Christians in secular comics. Rather, I'd like to see the Lord's artistic workforce leave off toiling for "Pharaoh" and create openly Christ-exalting material that will glorify the Lord, edify the church, and challenge the lost. Too many siblings in Christ have told me that they're too busy with their secular work to do anything for God via comics. I understand and sympathize with supporting a family, but I believe God has greater for us---without neglecting our homelife responsibilities---if we consecrate ourselves in prayer and obedience to His Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Alec
I would say that outward example and message are the most important thing for me. If someone says they follow Christ I would not expect perfection, but that their values would come through in the story as much as possible. When it comes to worldly topics and worldly characters that creators use to tell stories, I do not expect them to portray them through a rosy Christian lens. Though, I would expect be a bit more reserved with that sort of thing when writing to those 17 and younger.
As for a definition of Christian (using American English only) I would say they are the people who try to consistently adhere to the teachings of Christ. I doubt it is always easy to tell who is and isn't, but for those who are both outspoken about their faith and their lives mostly demonstrate that. Yet, as you have said Daniel, I would not expect perfection to classify them, just integrity.
Daniel Conner said:
Thank you for the names. I will start my research there. I understand why so many Christians would leave the industry. At some point the worldly point of view of the secular industry may no longer permit individual freedom to create, especially if God is calling his followers on to something bigger and more fulfilling.
It is the stories of the individuals who have participated in or are currently participating in the secular comics industry that I am interest in. A major reason for this is that worldly references will at most mention the faith of the Christian professional.
Thank you for your input.
Calvary Comics said:
Favian Ee said:
I'd love to hear more about your ministry and see what I can do to help you with it. After eight years of working on Eye Witness and talking to people from coast to coast about my mission in creating it, I'd like to begin doing more speaking to youth ministries and helping pastors create visial arts based ministries in their communities. We'll have to talk soon!
By the way, when you mentioned Dominic was from a Catholic background, did you mean he came from a Catholic family or that he is currently one? Is he a comic artist?
i could give you another list of Christians who do "mainstream" comics- but it is also a question of "what is mainstream?"
if you're referring to only marvel and dc by "mainstream" there are others, i think the best way is to look at people's facebooks and stuff like that, you'll definitely find them.
if by "mainstream" you mean secular and are including other publishers, there are Christians working for all manner of non-Christian publishers, again, i'd say facebook, etc. can be a good way to find this info out, but i'll say that i know or know of Christians all over the place- usually with work which is either "family friendly" or does have Christian content.
but again, Christians in comics are like Christians period. do some Christians curse in their non-Christian comics? Yes- but then, i'd say finding any group of Christians without at least one person who curses in conversation is a challenge. I'm not goign to say they are Christians, but I will say I wish the cursing wasn't there. There are all manner of Christians and all manner of people's definition of what is Christian. I try to stick as close to the Bible as I can, realizing that I am still a sinner who is saved by grace.
It's a struggle, it really is.
City Harvest Church
http://www.chc.org.sg/eng/index.php
Faith Community Baptist Church
http://www.fcbc.org.sg/
New Creation Church
http://www.newcreation.org.sg/
"Pray without ceasing." "The Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills." "Do not despise the day of small beginnings." If there are no other Christians in Singapore who are ahead of you in this arena, you may have to be the frontrunner there. Check your available resources. I have a former college student, Dominic Chan, who used to attend my Bible study (though he is from a Catholic background) who lives in Singapore. His email addy is (or was) mdscuzzy@hotmail.com Feel free to make mention of me to him. He has been teaching in one of the local Polytechnics.
You may wish to make your artistic services available to local missions offshoots of larger ministries. Contact some other local churches, and make some connections with fellow creative believers there. Pray together, pooling your spiritual resources, and see what the Lord opens up for you. "You do not have because you do not ask. You do not have, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your own pleasures." If our heart intent is always, "Not my will, but Thine," we can expect God to move on our behalf and we can enter into the work that He had planned for us "from the foundation of the world." He has so much more available for us---if only we tap into it!
Kind regards in Christ Jesus,
Alec Stevens
www.calvarycomics.com
I think Alec is right to say "Today's 'PG' is yesterday's 'R'". Just about a decade or 2 ago people here were complaining about the values in sitcoms, but now it's everywhere and worse and people are liking them (many Christians included).
I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on opportunities to work on Christian comics/animation/film. In Singapore where I live, the movie/animation industry is extremely young, not to mention Christian movies/animation/comics, which are almost non-existent.
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