Christianity and Comics?? Religion

[erwin-k]

Strangely enough Sgt. Fury & his Howling Commandos #1 was a ground breaking issue in more ways than one. Stan Lee & Jack Kirby set out to create a diverse World War 2 Army unit within the confines of the overly sensitive Comics Code Atrocity Authority.

The members included:

Dum-Dum, of Irish descent, faith not specified, IIRC.
Dino, an Italian-American Roman Catholic.
Gabe, a Negro (in the terms of the time), serving with whites in a segregated Army, probably Protestant.
Izzy, a Jew from Brooklyn.

However, even in an early story about a highly bigoted replacement member of the squad, the words Jew & Jewish are not used. In the "no bigots in foxholes" scene Izzy says something like "So now you're not worried about my religion no more!"

Sgt. Fury #1 was also (AFAIK) the first comic to carry the term Marvel Comics with the picture of the lead character on the cover. Amazing Spiderman followed with issue #2 of that title.

[narfstar]

Basil Woverton did a version of the Bible aslo

[churnworks]

There is also this page for Christian-oriented comic book links and discussions: http://www.christian-comic-books.com.

Some of the comics discussed are listed here: http://www.christian-comic-books.com/apps/photos/

[narfstar]

thanks for the link

[SuperScrounge]

Of course religion in comics probably wouldn't be complete without some reference to Jack Chick and his Chick Tracts http://www.chick.com


Might be outside what you're looking for but here are some websites listing various comic characters religions

http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.html

http://www.comicbookreligion.com

[larrytalbot]

Bible Tales (Atlas Publ) 1953

Book of Genesis by Robert Crumb (Norton Publ 225 pp black & white hardback).  beware some nudity & violence.

Picture Stories of the Bible (1940s comics by EC publ) 2 vols NT, and at least 4 vols OT

Tales of the Great Book (Famous Funnies Publ) 1955

Story of Jesus (Classics Illustrated, 100 pp, Gilberton Co)

Samson and Delilah (Spectacular Features #11, 1950, Fox Publ)

[Soothsayr]

Story of Jesus (Classics Illustrated, 100 pp, Gilberton Co)

You can't mention that and forget about the "Ten Commandments" put out by Classics Illustrated/Gilberton! (special issue #135A)

While we're on Classics/Gilberton, there's also "The Crusades" (World Around Us #16).

[larrytalbot]

Quote from: larrytalbot on October 28, 2014, 10:16:38 PM

Story of Jesus (Classics Illustrated, 100 pp, Gilberton Co)
..................................................................................................

You can't mention that ....

Sorry, but why can't I mention that?

Thanks.

[darkmark (RIP)]

There were a number of Biblical or Bible-themed movies in the Fifties and early Sixties adapted to Dell comics.  I can think of BEN-HUR and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, for two.

[Soothsayr]

Quote from: larrytalbot on October 28, 2014, 10:16:38 PM

Story of Jesus (Classics Illustrated, 100 pp, Gilberton Co)
..................................................................................................

You can't mention that ....

Sorry, but why can't I mention that?

Thanks.

No no, I meant it as you can't just mention that issue alone and not also mention the Ten Commandments issue that was in the same series. I guess humor is lost in the emotionless forums

[larrytalbot]

OK, Sooth. Guess I was slow on the uptake. Also, wasn't aware of Gilberton's "10 Commandments" issue. Thanks.

[mr_goldenage (RIP)]

A more contemporary comic would be Shaloman Comics which ran from 1988 to 2012. A good comic with goldenage type art.

Mr_Goldenage

[paw broon]

The genius that was Dudley D Watkins not only created classic works such as The Broons and Oor Wullie and many other classics for D C Thomson, but was a committed Christian and produced a small series of Christian comics.  Have a look here:-
www.christiancomicsinternational.org/watkins_pioneer.html