Joe Casey and Benjamin Marra no doubt think of themselves as cool, edgy, and courageous, unafraid to incur charges of blasphemy from furious Christians. In fact, they’re banking on those charges: “Reports say the publisher is banking on blasphemy protests to propel sales.”
This is part of the West’s cultural suicide. It’s cool, edgy and courageous to hate one’s own culture, history, and civilization, and to mock and defame its central figures. But Casey and Marra are unlikely to be as courageous when it comes to a religious figure who actually did behead his enemies. Muhammad, according to his first biographer Ibn Ishaq, beheaded between 600 and 900 men of the Jewish Qurayzah tribe after the Battle of the Trench. Will Casey and Marra publish a graphic novel about Muhammad? Not on your life. Not only would that not be courageous in the eyes of their peers, it would be “hateful” and “Islamophobic,” even if it contained accurate material drawn from Islamic sources.
“Jesus is stone-cold killer in new graphic novel,” WND, March 3, 2019:
What’s the last taboo?
Maybe it’s the new graphic novel from Image Comics, publisher of “The Walking Dead” series and other hits – “Jesusfreak,” in which Jesus of Nazareth is portrayed as a stone-cold killer.
Oh, and by the way, it comes out just in time for Lent.
The previews show the Messiah beheading foes with a whirling sword.
Promotional material explains: “The year is 26 C.E. A young Nazarean carpenter is having some trouble adjusting to the violent world around him – and finding his place within it. He knows he’s different, but he doesn’t know why. Not yet, anyway. A bloody, two-fisted tale of historical heroic fiction …”
Reports say the publisher is banking on blasphemy protests to propel sales.
“‘Jesusfreak’ is less inspired by any strict religious traditions and is instead more concerned with exploring the unique tension that exists between depicting a mythical figure and a historical figure – a tension that is compounded when, for many, they’re considered the same person,” said Joe Casey, the writer, when the project was first announced.
“It’s also a chance for [co-writer Benjamin] Marra and I to indulge in a specific style of hard-pulp storytelling that we think perfectly fits this material.”…
mortimer says
Sophomoric.
Seth says
Satanic.
Lydia Church says
Yes.
They can’t even keep that straight, Jesus is the peacemaker.
Mohammed was the battle ax sword flinging pedophile!
Ugh!
Rufolino says
Why doesn’t this “graphic novel” include fun inventions about Jesus’ sex-life ??
Am very disappointed. Not what I call freedom of the press !
Unless they are planning another “novel”, devoted to the subject.
Mary says
Ban the novel
gravenimage says
It should not be banned. I just hope it suffers from very low sales.
Victoria says
There is no level to which the Jesus/God haters will not sink. However, the belief in in our religion that has survived for thousands of years will survive this assault. It is what this constant wearing behavior does to the perpetrator that is of concern. Gathering thousands of the uninformed and uncaring followers they proceed through our history creating mayhem and unrest. It is important to our survival that Christian soldiers never tire of the battle. Onward and upward! Lancelot, where are you?
mortimer says
This is a supposedly meant as an artistic fantasy exploring far-fetched ideas. Compare this with ‘Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer’ and you get the nonsensical frame of mind of the immature and even delusional comic book crowd.
You and I are not taking enough mind-altering substances, Victoria. That’s why we don’t ‘get it’.
CogitoErgoSum says
Did you say comic book, Mortimer? Don’t you know that comic books are a thing of the past? The modern lover of illustrated literature today reads “graphic novels” —- not comic books. And yes, the topics dealt with are of a much higher cerebral nature than in the past. Come on now, hasn’t everyone at some time or another wondered what would have happened if Abraham Lincoln had fought against vampires instead of wicked slave owners? Here’s an idea — what if Muhammad had sold his soul to the devil and is now aligned with Satan in a battle with Jesus and his army of warrior archangels. It would make an epic movie franchise too in my opinion —- bigger than “Lord of the Rings” — if the people involved in making it can keep their heads.
WCM says
Publishers may sell a “graphic novel” (read expensive comic book) to lovers of illustrated literature at a higher price. Furthermore, its readers won’t have the additional exercise/work of moving their lips as much, compared to reading an actual novel.
Or Else! says
It’s also “safe” to mock Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist figures. ONLY ONE of the bunch promises to kill you. The one that claims to be a “religion of peace”.
There will be NO “Life of Muhammad (Brian)” in theatres, or “The Book of Allah (Mormon)” on Broadway. Oh, don’t get me wrong…BOTH would receive RAVE reviews. RAVING, LUNATIC MADNESS.
The West has to start examining IDEAS and their HISTORIC AND PRESENT IMPLEMENTATION…and stop protecting Islam under the dome of a “religion”.
FYI says
I like the sound of “The Life of Brian Muhammed”….it should be made.
Brian,a total loser bored with his comfortable life,converts to islam in the tragically mistaken belief that it is a religion of PEACE.After joining isis and growing the required islamic beard and adopting the necessary false piety,Brian{now farooq muhammed ibn Jahesh As-Sultan Al Amriki}realizes that he had completely misunderstood that the “peace” part of the religion of peace didn’t actually mean peace.Having realized the koran is replete with over 40+ scientific errors,logical and theological falsehoods and finally realizing that the fat,cross-dressing,
Black slave trading,midget “prophet” muhammed couldn’t possibly be the Perfect Man,Brian decides to wisely abandon islam…
Featuring a cast of…millions of..victims{Hindus,Christians,Ex-muslims,Jews,atheists,gay people…lefties who didn”t see it coming..}
What reviewers say about the Life Of Brian Muhammed
“A disgraceful movie full of hate”
muhammed {UK}
“islamophobic”
muhammed {USA}
“death to infidels!Peppa pig was insulting enough..but THIS?”
muhammed {Australia}
“I’ll bet the Israeli Zionist Jews are behind this”
Leftard Movie Review
“Great movie!It shows how peaceful is the koran and how non-violent is islam”
pope francis
CogitoErgoSum says
I hope if “Life of Brian” is ever re-made they find a way to have Brian Muhammad sing the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” as he is dying from eating a poisoned goat at the end. It’s great to leave the theatre in a happy mood.
gravenimage says
While pretty silly, “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer” at least had Lincoln acting on the ethics he really held. Not so “Jesus Freak”.
Hans van Zundert says
Jesus said to those who mocked and insulted hem: “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”. But these artist are not to be called courageous in any way, they are just cowards.
AuthorLee says
Will someone please publish their home address, phone number and business address? And yes, they would not dare to publish “Muhammadfreak” for surely they would loose their heads.
gravenimage says
Are you asking for the addresses of the creators or the publishing company?
I don’t want any harm to come to the writer and artist–except that I hope the book is a failure. No on should publish their addresses.
As for the publishers, they used to be located in Berkeley–right in my backyard. They are probably best known for publishing The Walking Dead.
If anyone wants to complain, they can do so here:
Image Comics, Inc.
2701 NW Vaughn Street, Suite 780
Portland, Oregon 97210
Please be polite–don’t sink to their level.
small-town Roger says
This just cries out for someone to do a nuclear Revenge.
That would be where someone looks at this Jesus novellette, and creates one in exactly the same style with Muhammad in it instead.
Then spreads it around to places like Dearborn Michigan and various airport lounges.
Minimum distribution maximum exposure.
And watch them run screaming from all the people pursuing them thinking that they created this
Kuffar 'n Proud says
There will be no riots around the world over this.
There will be no accusations of any percieved “phobias,” no flag burning, no looting, no calls to “behead those that insult the Prophet,” no rapes, no murders and no places of worship burned to the ground.
In fact, not much at all.
Why?
Because it’s a load of trash and everyone knows it.
Change the main character to you know who though, and it will all change in an instant!
gravenimage says
+1
Gene says
Expect to see the following sequels soon:
1. MOTHERLOAD: Mother Teresa is a mass murderer patterned on Jack the Ripper who slashes her way through the back streets of Bombay.
2. THE COOK: Jeffery Dahmer is a mild mannered chef who heroically saves thousands from starvation.
3. MESSIAH: Hitler rescues the Jews from the intolerant Swedish and English anti-Semites in war torn Europe.
4. AGENT 000: Hillary Clinton as a master counter intelligence agent who protects the nation’s secrets from Russians and other international terrorist organizations, and exposes false political dossiers.
Hopefully, no one will be stupid enough to buy Jesusfreak. Unfortunately, it will probably be a big seller in the Muslim community, on college campuses (where it will be used as a history textbook), and with Democrats.
eduardo odraude says
Somebody should make a comic book that sarcastically portrays Muhammad’s whole life, episode to episode, in exactly the opposite way that it really happened — showing him as insisting on a separation of religion and state, turning the other cheek, abolishing pedophilia, establishing monogamy, being an absolute pacifist, etc. The conquest of North Africa and the Middle East could portray unarmed Muslims convincing the people to establish democracy and grant women’s suffrage. Then the Muslims could kiss babies and run for office and win. Etc.
Unfortunately, no matter how obvious the sarcasm, the thing would probably be used as propaganda for Islam, since suckers are truly born every minute. But maybe the sarcasm could be done in such a way as to make the thing impossible to use as propaganda.
thebigW says
If this stupid comic book were about the Muslim Jesus “Issa” it would be very accurate all of a sudden.
Anjuli Pandavar says
Woah, man! Some serious balls on Joe Casey and Benjamin Marra. Straight to the top of every Christian death list, no question. 24/7 security for them from now on. If we weren’t such cowards, we would all be insisting on our right to free speech. Just look at the risks *they’re* taking. I hang my head in shame.
gravenimage says
Ha ha
Of course, it is unlikely that the witless Casey and Marra face any real threats.
eduardo odraude says
The worst kind of phonies. How “brave” they are! Tell lies about someone who won’t do anything but verbally upbraid you in return and who might at the same time even generously look for things to compliment in your work. Meanwhile, the real jihadists are left alone and even helped by the curtain of smoke laid down by the “bold” artists.
Absolutely contemptible.
Jack Cade says
It’s comic book–read by adults who live with mom and whose bff is their free hand.
Rarely says
Interesting reactions.
Isn’t the right to Freedom Of Speech meant to cover those things that are really offensive to you? Even when insulting to your god?
Ban the books? Kill them?
So muslims aren’t the only ones overly sensitive when it comes to insulting their god and prophet.
Mirren10 says
I noticed ‘Mary’ wants this banned, but I haven’t seen anyone saying they should be killed – where, and who ?
somehistory says
Mirren10
++1
gravenimage says
Exactly, Mirren.
And *no one* has called for them to be harmed, as the dishonest Rarely pretends. *Ugh*.
eduardo odraude says
To commenter “Rarely”
You refer to “interesting reactions” ??
Because one commenter here says “ban it,” you seem to talk in your 3:24 pm comment as if most of the commenters here had said to ban it and further you suggest we have been saying the Jesusfreak artists should be killed!
No comment here that I see suggested violence against the artists. And only one person said to ban it, an idea I and most others here will disagree with. I totally support the artists’ freedom of speech. So why do you slander the people on this thread? If you are only going to read one or two comments, why do your respond as if you are addressing everyone here?
One comment here spoke in a quasi-Christian crusader mode, and from that you seem to have jumped to the conclusion that most commenters here are here to fight for Christianity or something. As if that’s why people here are annoyed by these comic books. In fact most of the posts here indicate nothing of the sort. For example, I criticized the artists not because I wanted to defend Christianity. I don’t think Christianity, regardless of whether its true or false, is going to be hurt by a comic book fantasy. I’d have no problem with their Jesusfreak comic if they would mess with Islam as well. What galls me is that these artists pretend to be brave where there is in fact no risk, but they are total cowards when it comes to a real risk like Islam, which the artists know damn well can destroy the artist both economically (“you’ll never get work again, you Islamophobe!”) and in terms of getting more literally axed by some jihadist.
If the artists want to create all kinds of fantasies about Christianity, I don’t have a problem with that, that’s their right and their business. But if they pretend they are being brave, then they should expect ridicule and contempt, because they are ridiculous and contemptible.
They should realize that their neglect of Islam and use of Christianity as a whipping boy really makes the artists look like bullies, i.e., cowards who beat up only on people they know won’t hit back.
gravenimage says
Fine post, Eduardo.
WPM says
People on Jihad watch are not saying that they should kill them .Making fun of Christians is done on a regular basis with no violence. Broadway plays, TV shows movies, ,artwork like piss Christ ect. with nothing more then nasty letters to museums ,shows producers and newspaper opinion sections .Write a book that puts Islam down even it is fiction you face death threats against you for life and go into hiding .Do a movie about Islamic rape victims and have your throat cut on a public street like what happen to Van Gogh in Northern Europe in broad daylight ,have a draw a Mohammed contest in Texas have jihadist show up armed with automatic rifles to kill you like what happen to Robert Spencer in Texas. Islam is the only religion in the western world that gets a free pass not to have any comedy against it ,with violent jihad promised to anyone performing it. Do I like people making fun of Christ with idiotic stoner comic book art no ,but I will not threaten or do violence against the so call “artist” .I would boycott any artist and others connected with his art.
I do not think public funds should be used to support this “art”. I do not think this art should be ban because it is in poor taste if it is privately funded.You have people killed all over the world for doing any art work,plays ,debated ,comic book drawing that make fund of Islam. Making Christianity the foil of comedy is accepted in all the western world even when it is sometimes in very insulting bad taste no one is killed over it. No Christian suicide bomber, no one with their throat rip open in the name of Christ on busy public streets in major cities in Europe. No one shooting up and killing the writers and magazine editors of a satire comedy magazine in France over making fun of the Pope ,Christianity ,or even Jews , only Islamic jihadist have that privilege if the same magazine does a Mohammad picture in it.
Rarely says
I’m well aware of the muslim reaction to such things. This isn’t about them.
eduardo odraude says
Rarely, see my 7:18 comment above.
Why do you write your comment as if most or a lot of people here are saying to ban the comics? I saw one comment that said that. Why do you write your comment as if most or various people here are saying to kill the artists? I did not see any comment, so far, urging violence against them.
If you dislike Christianity, or some version of Christianity, go ahead and express your dislike if you want — but why do you make stuff up about what people in general here are saying? I think you have a problem with one or two commenters. Why don’t you respond specifically to them, instead of directing it vaguely at everyone, even though your comment seems to show you have not read most of the comments here, perhaps just the two you disliked.
thebigW says
Keep this page bookmarked so you can show “Rarely” next time he decides to do another drive-by how he just ran ‘stead of answerin’ your good questions.
somehistory says
Isaiah 27:1 “In that day the LORD will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, With His fierce and great and mighty sword, Even Leviathan the twisted serpent; And He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.” This is satan the devil, of course, being spoken of as a “twisted serpent” who will be killed.
Revelation says Jesus warns Christians who are not staying true to His commandments that He “will war with the long sword of (His) mouth.” he sets them straight.
However, Jesus will not go about as what moslims portray Him. And although Christians see this “novel” as blasphemy against our Lord, we do not react with violence. We leave the ****punishment**** for that and all other sins to Jesus Christ. He knows what, when, how and to whom this punishment will come.
eduardo odraude says
The artists should realize that their neglect of Islam and use of Christianity as a whipping boy really makes the artists look like bullies, i.e., cowards who beat up only on people they know won’t hit back.
na says
Jesus is neither a god or son of god. I have been praying for a good job and cure from diseases at least 15-20 years. Now I stopped prayer and church going , and realized that Jesus could not help himself , then how can he help others? Now I feel sympathy and pity. Poor Jesus . Gods helpless ……
One of my friend is a cancer patient. He spend millions for his diseases, Doctor told that his life is maximum 1 year. Now he lived almost around 10 years, But he is bankrupt. Now he decided to stop treatment and prayer, instead he is eating good food and travelling a lot enjoying his life by new friendships.Same effect through positive life.
Fear of God is a kind of anxiety.
But I am not claiming that there is no God or Satan. I am thinking about a new religion which is totally away from flying donkeys, horse(Pegasus-constellation) , muddy pool…..
gravenimage says
I’m sorry that you have been ill and out of work, na.
I’m afraid you understand little about Christianity, though.You do not just pray for goodies and receive them. Jesus is about salvation, not gaining worldly benefits.
na says
I think the idea(philosophy) or concept of Jesus works this way…
For example , suppose if we do a sin , then God may crucify Jesus. Still he is crucified. So his second coming is a dream and pending. Or we can say the truth “Seconds of Jesus is coming in every seconds”
Rich says
ARE YOU MUSLIM OR ATHEIST??
na says
I am a believer I believe in true God too much closer monotheism(Yah) but not exactly. But I do not believe in Jesus Alla or Other eastern deities. Once upon a time my favorite God was El Echad.
na says
*closer to
CogitoErgoSum says
Na, you are wondering about the meaning of life. Are we here just to suffer a while and die or are we here for some greater reason than that? Jesus tells me there is a greater reason and it is to love God (the one who put me here) and it is also to love the others that God put here with me. If I can do those two things I have hope of living forever — but I know I am weak and sometimes I fail in what I should and should not do. Even so, Jesus also tells me that if I keep trying and trust that my mistakes will be forgiven if I am truly sorry for them God’s love will keep my spirit alive even though my body should wither and die. Loving God, loving others and never giving up on God’s love being boundless for us all, even when it seems it could not possibly be so, is all I know to tell you about the meaning of life. If, as you say, you feel sympathy and pity for Jesus and for others I think you are on the path God wishes you to be — and never give up on believing you are worth everything to God.
Rich says
Islams Jesus was a prophet who came back to kill Christians and Jews
– DID WE FORGET THAT!!
CogitoErgoSum says
Islam’s Jesus is not Jesus just as Islam’s god is not God. Do not forget that.
gravenimage says
+1
Kepha says
Something on which Uncle Kepha will not waste his money. The Jesus described sounds more like the Islamic eschatological Isa, a figure I see as more scatological than eschatological.
As for the media moguls who push such nonsense yet tiptoe around Muhammad, I stick my thumbs in my armpits, dande around, and chant “cluck-ciuck-aaaaaaah!” at them. If they then choose to pat me on the head and congratulate me and other Christians for being such good sports, I’ll tell them I’ll give them grist for their mills, because I would be having a very hard time forgiving them, regardless of what I am taught to pray in the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer. God help me!