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Bible heroes get Japanese look in new line of comic books
Friday, October 31, 2008
What if the biblical David, instead of vanquishing Goliath with a stone and slingshot, used laser blasters and photon torpedoes?
This futuristic interpretation of the Bible is the backdrop for a new line of comic books called Mecha Manga Bible Heroes, published by New Jersey-based JMG Comics
Paul Castiglia, managing editor of JMG Comics, said Mecha Manga brings classic Bible heroes to life in a whole new way.
"What we've done is taken these Old Testament stories and put them into the future," Castiglia said. "They have robots, advanced technology, and we're using manga animation, which is the Japanese style of comics."
Castiglia, who's spent most of his professional life in the comic-book biz, said he had always wanted to undertake a faith-based project.
JMG's 32-page, full-color comic book will be available in Christian bookstores and online in November.
"In Mecha Manga, we've changed the setting, but the characters are the same. The names are the same. The themes and morals are the same," Castiglia said. "We tried to adhere to the Bible as closely as possible."
Jake Stefanow, assistant manager of Faith Christian Bookstore, 4 E. Main St., Fairborn, is familiar with the manga-style comics.
"We carry about 15 to 20 different series of the manga comics. They're really hot right now because kids love the graphics," Stefanow said. "We get a lot of people buying them because we're located right across the street from the public library. People see them in there and then come over here to buy their own. I'm anxious to see the new JMG series."
Castiglia and co-creator Tom Hall hope the giant robots, freaky aliens and funky spaceships will not only appeal to young readers but also steer them toward the actual Bible.
"The location of the stories in the Bible are printed on the front page of our comic books — chapter and verse," Castiglia said. "I hope the kids say, 'Hey, this story here is pretty cool! Let me check out the story in the real Bible.' "
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2167 or
kmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.
