(note this recording is actually a rendering form MakeMusic's free notation software "Notepad") and it doesn't do repeats, expressions, or even loudness very well....)
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(note this recording is actually a rendering form MakeMusic's free notation software "Notepad") and it doesn't do repeats, expressions, or even loudness very well....)
Black, The Birth of Evil, (Book 1 The Circle Trilogy) Ted Dekker (writer), Ig Barros, Eduardo Pansica, Ricardo Ratton (artists), Published by Circle Media/Westbow (a division of Thomas Nelson), 2007, 131 pp., $14.99 each.
This book is the first part of three graphic novels composing the Circle Trilogy by Christian novelist Ted Dekker. All three original Circle Trilogy prose novels were published in 2004, and writers Matt Hansen (Black and Red), Bob Strachen (Black), J. S. Earls (White) and Mike S. Miller (White) have adapted them to graphic novel format.
The trilogy follows a young man named Thomas Hunter who, after he fends off an attack by a mysterious assailant on a dark Denver street, finds himself transported to a fantasy world when he falls asleep. This world is divided by a river into two regions - the abysmal Black Forest and the beautiful Green Forest. The evil and cunning black bat-like Shataiki dominate the Black Forest, while intelligent and good white bats dwell in the Green Forest along with a human population. Both worlds seem all too real to Hunter, with the fantasy world appearing to be the future of the modern world, and Thomas falls into a pattern of waking in one when he falls asleep in the other. The story switches back and forth frequently from the modern world to the dream world, and both worlds quickly come to crucial moments in their respective histories - a viral pandemic with the potential for ending billions of lives threatens the modern world, while the fantasy world exists in an uneasy balance between the two forests that could collapse if compromised. In the dream world Thomas meets the lovely Rachelle and her father Tanis, both of whom will play pivotal roles in the unfolding drama, and in the other world he kidnaps Monique de Raison, designer of the vaccine that could mutate into the deadly virus, in an effort to stop its production. Readers should be aware that this is a trilogy in the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, with one story spread across three volumes, and these are not stand-alone stories.
The story is very fast paced with many twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. It is easy to recognize that these are prose novels adapted to comics format with much expository dialogue included. For the most part the frequent talking heads work and add a needed counterpoint to the action sequences. This is certainly a strength to the extended graphic novel approach. The artists from Big Jack Studios do a very credible job with this volume; Big Jack Studios artists are also responsible for volume two (Red), while volume 3 (White) is handled by Mike S. Miller, the cover artist for all three volumes.
www.thecircletrilogy.com
As an artist, it's great to find some active groups of like minded people who can share ideas, network, and get a chance to vent a little about the challenges of art in the secular world.
I hope I can get a chance to meet some of you - this looks like a good place online (it's been tough finding christian artist groups out there!). I really love being creative, and would be excited to help anyone out who needs it. I'm a big believer in donating my talents for a variety of evangelistic and ministry avenues - if you know of any, let me know! I also have many projects on my own. Currently I'm working on a graphic novel/children's story. But I enjoy taking a break from this and working on whatever catches my eye.
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Changing mediocrity in Christian entertainment first requiresrecognizing the problem and finding a solution. Please consider thefollowing:
We have more means to spread the Gospel in the 21st Century than everbefore, be it through TV, books, the Internet, yet the Church is moreineffective now than ever, with reportedly 80-90% of people makingdecisions for Christ falling away. That statistic is another topicaltogether, but it's related in that the Church is killing itself by 1)Preaching a man-centered Gospel and 2) Preaching to the choir. We'vecreated our own little niche sub-culture away from the rest of theworld where we don't have to be ridiculed yet where we also reach noone. And the message, as Tozer put it, "were it poison, it wouldharm no one, and were it medicine, it would heal no one".
That being said, any Christian entertainment with the intention ofministry should first, not compromise Biblical Truth, and second notrestrict itself to Christian media.
Next, should one consider Christian entertainment, especially with theintent of having a message, he should take the Bible as an example. TheBible covers a few thousand years of human history and yet it effectslives to this day. Other than it being the Word of God, why is this?Because it's written and accounted for in a manner that makes ittimelessly relevant to its readers. Though the culture may be vastlydifferent than our own, the human elemant is universal, as is man'srelation to God's principles.
So in summation so far Christian entertainment should:
1. Not compromise Biblical Truth
2. Boldly minister in the secular marketplace
3. Take example from the Bible's timeless human relevance
Point 4 is the toughest, in that, any good entertainment requires goodwriting. Playing off the third point I made, one's story should showpeople in their element, both good and bad. Biblical characters grewand fell, learned and were lost, etc etc- any good character in aclassic novel does the same. If the story's intent is ministry, itrequires the writer to be able to see and write multiple points of viewfrom all kinds of people, to be all things to all men, yet remainedanchored in and properly apply Biblical Truth.
As sincere and admirable the intentions of most Christian artists andstorytellers can be, unfortunately we find that it's typically verycheesy, and I often believe it's because of a very one-sidedperspective. One can't have believable dialogue if the perspective isonly one-sided. Showing multiple points of view all falling under theuniversal answer that is God's Word will give strength to the writing,the argument, and the characters themselves.
Additionally though, every word of dialogue doesn't have to be anApologetic argument. Again, show people in their element. Circumstanceshave a way of working toward those discussions. This again requiresgood writing assisted by observing real life.
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Seraph
"Seraph is an ambitious modern comic project based on a hypothesis. Itis primarily an action-adventure series focused on characterdevelopment and inter-personal relationships.
Much of the comic industry produces titles helmed by authors that pushtheir own world view and general philosophies in varying degrees ofsubtlety. The stories flow, the plot develops, yet their philosophiesalways interlude or carry the materiel. Being a Christian and a writer,it's only natural my world view and perception influences my writing attimes, as one can only write what they know.
The title character for Seraph is a bible-believing Christian seeminglyin far over his head. Faith considered, Seraph is not a Christiantitle-- that would be too limiting a scope and market. It is my beliefthat this character, handled and written properly, can fit right ontothe shelves of a secular comic market next to Batman and Spawn, yethave an unadulterated scriptural foundation woven within, just as othersecular titles do with their world views. In essence, it is my goal towrite a real christian character with a comic angle-- one who liveslife with problems and concerns in front of a lost world; a characterwho grows (and falls) in faith and experience and is used by Godwhether he realizes it or not.
This project is intended for ministry, make no mistake. The best way todo so is to minister in the secular market and not to the Christianone, in a down-to-earth message paired with a fantastic adventure. Thebottom line: Work from the Natural to the Spiritual, like Jesus did."
After my last post I did some thinking...dangerous, yes, I know.
I recall having discussions with my good artist pal Steven Butler before about the decline of quality in comics. Any of us could go on for great lengths about how The Dark Knight changed comics.
While I will be one of the first to agree that TDK was a very well-done and very good work, it was the turning point that sent comics on a dark spin. So many comics are "dark" now.
What Steven and I used to talk about (and I'm not trying to put words in his mouth--the words are all mine, but I have great respect for the guy!) is how in the "old" comics there was always a clear "good" and "bad." No, the good guys didn't always win, but it was always clear who was good and who was bad. PLUS, there were always repercussions to decisions made--bad decisions usually brought about negative repercussions.
Our conversations almost always went back to Stan and Jack. I've always wondered about the religious background or moral beliefs of Stan. I don't know what they are, but you have to assume he's got some strong religious foundations because of the positives of all the characters he created, co-created, and/or wrote.
Reading Michael Brewer's book reminded me of all those things.
Got the first four pgaes back dang fran did good
tampa comic con this weekend please pray i break even and all the comics i got from the people in ccas sell well or give us some new blood
It seems hopeless to ever be able to say thank you enough to Christ for what he did in that one amazing act of love, and impossible to truly understand the grace of God. So I wonder why I feel condemned when Christ came so we wouldn't be condemned?
My pastor said something that touched my heart:
"Jesus who knew no sin, became sin, so that us who know no righteousness can be righteous!"
Everything he is I was not, everything I was he became. Every failing I have I want to surrender them to God, I want to focus on Christ and glorify him everyday in my life. I don't want to do good works having an ulterior motive of looking good in front of God I want to do good works because it's a side effect of truly knowing God. To know and say Jesus you are everything, everything...
Beloved in grace,
Souba
Hello Overcomers of CCAS,
I just read Psalm 51.
Sin is a serious matter and can leave scars for life, even though it is forgiven. Yet to the one who has fallen we can offer encouragement. I have counseled with former ministers of the gospel who were in despair because they had brought reproach on the name of Christ. They knew their transgression had made it impossible for them to serve as they had before. I assured them, however, that they could still live useful, Christ-honoring lives. Their sad experience could enable them to be effective in helping others who might fall into the same snare. Apparently David had this in mind when he wrote Psalm 51. After confessing his sins of adultery and murder, he pleaded with God to restore him the joy of His salvation. He promised, "Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee." This great king could speak from experience as he sought to lead others in the way of righteousness.
In a well-known poem, the writer points out that a bird who had fractured its wing "never soared so high again." Then he adds, "But the birdwith the broken pinion/ Kept another from the snare,/ And the life that sin had stricken/ Raised another from despair."
Yes, sin in the life of God's children can leave ugly scars and lasting regrets. It may even permanently handicap them for certain types of service. Yet when any transgression is confessed and foresaken, the Lord not only completely forgives but He usually opens new and profitable doors of opportunity. So NO ONE NEED DESPAIR!
Love you guys and gals.........
This has been an Overcomer's moment...............HK
I've just finished reading Who Needs A Superhero? written by H. Michael Brewer.
While I suspect that there are some here who've read this, let me just say that I think everyone in this group should read this book. In a nutshell, Brewer takes some of the all-time favorites and "finds virtue, vice and holiness" in them.
Without giving anything away, he tackles various heros and heroines and then shows us how the communicate Biblical truths. Characters included are: Superman, Batman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron man, Wonder Woman, Thor, Daredevil, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Punisher, Green Arrow, Captain America, and The Spirit.
For those of us who've read and loved this things for years, Brewer doesn't really tell us anything about the characters we don't know--however, he does put them in a Biblical light, something we probably haven't done. I know that I hadn't, not for the overwhelming majority of them anyway.
The cool thing is that Brewer really knows his stuff: comics AND Bible. I enjoyed the way he summarized what we know about the hero...and then brought in Biblical truths revealed by the character and their story.
I can't say it enough--everyone on this list should read this book. Most of us are here for two reasons: 1)our love for Christ; 2)our love for comics. Brewer ties them together very nicely.
Go read this book!
This is actually a cool concept--retelling the story of the later kings of Judah, with prophets and all, AND as a literary device, retelling the stories of the judges and earlier kings as well. There are many elements taken directly from scripture, just enough license to make the stories three-dimensional. My problem was keeping the story chronologically linear. A list of the judges and kings along with the accompanying prophets would have helped greatly in keeping the separate stories in their place, and both issue one and two had blank pages at the end. Maybe I can make my own list there, but one provided would have helped in the initial appreciation of the book.
Another problem I had was with the art. I'm not familiar with Matt Brome's style, but he has worked with both Marvel and DC, so I found it odd that some of the facial drawings were asymmetrical, it was sometimes difficult to tell characters apart and, strangely, most times his drawings of people holding things (spears, swords...things with obvious bulk) looked like objects drawn down on top of closed fists instead of hands holding the items. Open hands look overly cartoony. I can only imagine the pace of having these books drawn, so perhaps it was the rush of getting the book done on time that led to these flaws, but the other 5 books in the ZGN line did not have observably poor art, although some were at a looser style than the artist usually produces (like Sergio Cariello's Son of Samson, which appears more sketchy and cartoony at points, but worked well with the story and concept). From what I have seen of Broome's art, this is not up to his usual quality, unless he is going for a drastically different style than usual.
Anyone who wants to pay close attention to the diverse characters and who enjoy period adventures (Lord of the Rings, Braveheart) should appreciate this book for the behind-the-scenes machinations and warfare as well as the overarching story of the fictional royal advisor Iddo trying to hold the nation and his family together through this difficult time in Israel's history. The story, although dwelling on issues of God's presence, providence and power, is not preachy at all, relying on matter-of-fact issues that are covered in scripture, and do not even attempt to convince the reader that this really happened, merely stating it as fact. Since this is a series of stories taking place long before Christ was born, there is no evangelistic material here, outside of any foreshadowing that exists in the stories themselves.
THe art shifts a bit in issue two, with Harold Edge taking over the major art chores and Broome assisting. I'm not sure the reason for the redistribution is, but Edge's work moves closer to the cartoony than seems good for this title, which would benefit from a more technically accurate art style to lend weight to the story and more individually to the characters themselves. Writer Ben Avery (Hedge Knight, Lullaby) does a great job presenting the various stories (which cover centuries) and weaving them into a coherent narrative, but, as stated before, a timeline would have assisted greatly in piecing the biblical puzzle together, and this coming from someone who knows a bit about the Bible. I can only wonder how someone unfamiliar with the Core Text will understand it.
(Review by Steve MacDonald)
zgraphicnovels.com
That's where I got this idea of a t-shirt or maybe a hat or backpack design that simply showed a red upside down cross on a simple one-color background...and maybe it also had text reading "this is the best I can do for my Lord" or something....I mean Christ told us we had to "pick up our cross" but many of us display them in a more pious or even arrogant fasion...perhaps this design could straghten that out for most people...
What do y'think?
The Original T.E.A. Vol 2. # 1& 2 (2007), Vol 2, #3 (2006), Pop Comics, Henry Chmielefski (writer, colorist #1-3), Frank Humphris (artist #1 &2), Veli Loponen (artist #3), Mike Melton (colorist, #3), Full color
The Original T.E.A. (Teen Enforcement Agency) has a very long history. Henry Chmielsfski started his TEA characters back in the early 1970s as a fan project. Henry joined the Christian Comics Apa, Alpha-Omega in 1989 and revived the TEA and began rewriting and drawing their adventures. Henry dropped out of Alpha-Omega in 1992, but returned in 1998 again showcasing the adventures of T.E.A. In 2004 Henry teamed up with British artist Frank Humphris to produce two issues of the Original TEA for Brian Bradley's Kingdom Comics. While Humphris supplied the pencils and inks and Chmielsfski provided colors and letters. These two issues, combined in one volume (2007), were reprinted with added pages and many changes under Chmielefski's own Pop Comics imprint. Issue number three (2006) starts a new three part series centering on the SpaceLad character with Finnish artist, Veli Loponen, doing the pencils and inks.
The Original TEA is youthful super hero group cut from the same cloth as the X-Men, Legion of Super Heroes and the Teen Titans. The group consists of Captain Ash, Speeder, Brain Boy, Occult Mistress, Starr, and T-Lad. They are a special metahuman CIA task force created to deal with extraordinary threats. In the combined issue #1-2 they face and defeat a terrorist threat in southeast England. Perhaps as interesting as the main storyline is a subplot involving Occult Mistress who is possessed by familiar spirits. This tells of her struggle against these demons which leads to her embrace Christian faith at the end of the story. This plot thread caused quite a stir in Alpha-Omega when Chmielefski first introduced it in the early 1990s. The strongest aspects of Humphris artwork are his excellent facial drawings and the architectural backgrounds. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair makes a guest appearance in this issue (as he does in #3) and Humphris does a good job portraying the world leader. The story in #1&2 takes place in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England (the artist's hometown) and Humphris makes excellent use of reference to produce very nice location shots. Humphris is probably less successful in dealing with the overcrowded fight scenes. Veli Loponen (#3) uses a style heavily influenced by John Bryne and Jack Kirby to produce a conventional super hero look for the book. The story takes place in Loponen's hometown of Tampere, Finland where alien flying saucers threaten to destroy the city. Loponen concentrates on the individual exploits of SpaceLad and does a commendable job with the visuals. The story ended with a cliffhanger but we don't know when issue #2 is coming out.
The problem with fan based super hero group comics is that the creator (s) has so much backstory for each character that can't be told in any issue. Why should I as the reader care about these characters? When the Teen Titans were introduced in the mid-1960s each character has a fairly extensive publishing history open to the comic book reader. The X-Men were produced on a monthly basis, as was the Legion of Super Heroes, so we not only saw the heroes battling the villain of the month but also included were characterization tidbits about their history and relationships. Chmielefski's task is an arduous one to make us care about what happens to these characters (from his youthful fan days) that are published infrequently. He is moving in that direction with the Occult Mistress subplot and the concentration on SpaceLad. The question-can he make the characters (and the stories) so compelling that will bring the readers back after several month intervals?
www.original-tea.com
I'll most likely not even do the blog section here as I am already blogging elsewhere... feel free to check out and check back from time to time... if anything, I'll post that there is a new blog up.
Resurrected Destiny: [LINK]
The Arterran Chronicles: [LINK]
So of course, if you need a copy, go ahead and order it through Target.
I've been thinking of blogging...
Part of what has given me pause are all the blogging sites--just where the heck should I go to blog? I belong to handful of different groups, like this one, which have blog areas. My problem is that I don't want to have to blog for 10 different sites.
Is it possible to blog one place and "share" that blog with all the other areas?
I'm hoping you more experienced bloggers can help me out, here.
TimeFlyz, Vol 1 & 2, Ben Avery (writer), Adi Darda Gaudiamo (artist), Published by Zondervan, 2007, 160 pp., $9.99 each.
This is a cute little series that I had trouble getting into, maybe because the protagonist is a ten-year old girl, and I have very little in common with ten-year-old girls, for some reason. The concept is kinda cool, with cybernetic time-traveling flies and a neat little mystery of a plot that has really got me thinking. Adi Darda's art is a great fit for this book, and the flies each have their own look, although similar enough to cause confusion until they all get sorted out, which happens pretty quickly. The plot, however, might be difficult for the target audience to follow, as it delves into history, physics, and time paradoxes, among other things, but could be a fun ride for kids who don't take all that too seriously.
(Review by Steve MacDonald)
zgraphicnovels.com
