GroshLink

Picking up from The Manga Bible to The Rhyme Bible to The Manga Bible (8/19/2011) . . .

I particularly appreciated

• the emphasis on the Biblical story and the various storytellers involved. For example, framing the early history in Moses' encouragement to the people of God at the Red Sea with the Egyptians pursuing was stunning (see picture above, for more visit)* and Paul's writing of the letters in response to various appeals, concerns, and conflicts.**

"The rise and fall of God's chosen people . . .

The mysterious stranger who brought about a new world order . . .

And the ultimate showdown between the forces of good and evil . . . 

This is the greatest story ever told . . . as you've never seen it before.

Containing both Old and New Testaments, this is the first ever English manga of the most important book of all time." -- from the back cover.

• "Want to know more?" captions noting the Bible references for the sets of comic strip panels.
• Black-and-white: honestly, color probably would have been too much for me.
• Glimpses of "the story drawn for today," e.g., Job: A Story of Human Suffering (61), Psalm 18 (107), Temptation of Jesus (145), The Parables of Jesus: The Unforgiving Servant, AKA the Unforgiving Underboss (155), The Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ (framed by a 12 year old girl in the "Rainbow Children's Ward'" of the "21st Century - Newham General Hospital, London," 196)
• Portrayal of Solomon's reign/fall (108-111). As with the story of the disobedience of Moses (60), David (105-106) and Jonah (121-122), led me to prayer for myself and others called to lead the people of God.
• Emphasis on the prophets of God. Note: one might include the insertions of Jesus' parables into the telling of the Gospel story as the delivery of prophetic words.

Caution: Not surprising with Siku's Judge Dredd experience that the art is too much for little children. In addition to violence, a few (very few) panels expose nakedness and some edgy language is used periodically -- also not surprising as it is the Bible :) I'd place The Manga Bible: From Genesis to Revelation by Siku/Ankinsiku (Doubleday. 2007) in the teen section.

Personally, I'm hoping for an expanded version with more of the story

• More from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes -- I like the material woven into the story'
• More on Jesus' birth
• "I AM" passages
• Footwashing
• Letters/epistles beyond Paul
• More of Revelation -- which has some of the best art
• Central themes of creation care/culture-making (left out of creation account) AND the Shema (Loving neighbor question is answered by 'The Parables of Jesus: The Good Samaritan,' but I don't remember Loving God, Loving others being explicit)

But The Manga Bible was intended to be a taste which encourages one to seek more :) On Monday, more on Siku. If you've read The Manga Bible, I'd love to read your thoughts/comments.

*The art reminded me of Gandalf encouraging his fellow travelers with the history behind them, the story they are currently making, and the end redemptive end goal.

**E.g., the appeals of a delegation from Corinth followed by it's reading in Corinth.