Comics

Review: ‘Miniature Jesus’ #4

Published

11 years ago

August 9, 2013

When a writer opens with a quote from one of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s featured essays in “The Conduct of Life”, expecting anything less than a convoluted and provocative journey is unrealistic. Given that the writer in question is the brilliant Ted McKeever, his disorienting and thought-provoking approach to storytelling supports the complexity of the narrative, and challenges readers on an intellectual level. With one more issue set for release next month, the author has no problem keeping the intrigue alive in “Miniature Jesus” #4. How he plans to end the series is still anyone’s guess.

WRITTEN BY: Ted McKeever
ART BY: Ted McKeever
PUBLISHER: Shadowline/Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: August 7, 2013

As far as literary devices go, McKeever’s take on the Good Angel, Bad Angel trope is refreshingly unconventional, considering the lack of ‘good’ which has yet to challenge the archetypal devil on Chomsky’s shoulder. But with the release of issue #4, readers will see a more traditional handling of this aspect, as the eight-inch Jesus finally interacts with the series’ protagonist. What’s interesting about the interplay between these two characters is the fact that Chomsky’s disillusionment with faith does not stop him from feeling slightly chagrined upon realizing he has met the miniature messiah and unknowingly called him a douche-bag.

It’s a hilarious and authentic commentary on the hypocrisy of modern society, and links back to Emerson’s quote concerning the power of uncovering and obeying human thought, in hopes of harmonizing them [to appease the mind]. Chomsky clearly has his embittered opinions on the shallow excuse of a higher power, but the marginal change of behaviour he exhibits as he engages with the second coming, seems to neglect them, in a way. It’s funny how a tiny broken Jesus can do that to a faithless wanderer.

In terms of plot development and writing, the fourth installment sees the recovering alcoholic succumb to his addiction thanks to the forceful persuasion of demons at the end of issue #3. In his drunken state, McKeever makes it mildly difficult for readers to distinguish between Chomsky’s reality and his hallucinations. Not that many pages are devoted to dialogue in this month’s issue, as the author lets his writing take a backseat to his artistic vision. He continues to produce an intense and raw atmosphere by highlighting the relationship between light and dark. Some of his best panels feature his use of contrasting light to achieve a sense of volume in Chomsky’s body. And all while forgoing a colour palette.

The final page of this installment is as bizarre and confusing as one would expect, considering McKeever’s established universe. Readers will definitely be scratching their heads, wondering what the last issue has in store for the tormented protagonist.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – ShadowJayd

Related Topics:Image Comics Miniature Jesus Ted McKeever

Lonnie Nadler

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Meagan Navarro

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.