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Forget Spawn, The Antichrist Is Here

© Jenna Doscher

Superman and Spiderman beware. There’s a new comic on the block that has its editors laughing all the way to the bank. It’s a comic with a message. Not the kind that tells kids to brush their teeth or recycle their soda cans. The message is about being a good Christian or facing the consequences, like dealing with the Antichrist and not going to heaven. (This ain’t no “After School Special.”) And the first two issues of the comic have reached “X-Men”-level sales.

The comics (or graphic novels) are an adaptation of the megahit Christian book series “Left Behind” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. The original 12-book series details the last days of Earth from a Christian perspective. The series begins with “The Rapture.” During the last days of Earth all of the good Christians are whisked away to heaven. Of course all of the other unmentionables are left behind to battle the Antichrist, hoping that one day they will get their just rewards with the Second Coming of Christ. Can anyone say, “What would Jesus do?”

Many companies have tried and failed to create religious comics, often they are too preachy or drawn by neophytes. Perhaps the success behind this new series is that it is aimed at comic junkies and not Bible thumpers. Hiring the people at Wildstorm (an upstart publisher created by refugees from Image “Spawn” Comics) to adapt the books was a smart way to attract comic zealots. If Jesus can’t attract them, maybe Wildstorm can.

Each book of the original “Left Behind” series translates into five graphic novels. In other words, a monthly publishing schedule will stretch out the series for five years. The first two comics were released in November and sold more than 300,000 copies. Keep in mind that few mainstream comics break the 100,000 figure. Obviously Christianity is a big hit.

It’s not a shocker that a graphic novel based on a wildly successful book series, which sold more than 50 million copies and climbing, is coattailing its way into the big leagues. And in light of recent events, perhaps many people don’t have an issue with a moralistic story about the Great Beyond. Or maybe the Antichrist is the new Dr. Doom. Whatever your reasoning, it’s now cool to read Christian comics. Thank God.

If you want to get your hands on a copy check out http://www.leftbehind.com for more information. And heathens beware.

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