February 98 Newsletter: Jesus Drew Crowds

With the rise of interest in comic books and cartoon art it's not surprising that Christianity would want to stake its claim in the genre. On the sublime side we have the cartoons of Raffaello Sanzio decorating the antechambers of the Vatican. And in the realm of the horrific we have the works of Michael Diana from his zine Boiled Angel. A jury in Pinellas County, Florida, found Diana guilty of violating local obscenity laws. Part of his probation requires that he not draw anything that could be considered obscene. In addition his personal papers are subject to unannounced searches and seizures without a warrant. Michael Diana commonly incorporates themes of religious abuse in his grisly drawings.

This month Adult Christianity features Christian comic books and comic book art. On my last trip to L.A. I had the pleasure of meeting with Monte Wolverton, whose father Basil Wolverton penned grotesque cartoons for MAD magazine. Basil Wolverton also created an Apocalypse Series which Monte allowed us to feature in this issue.

Many thanks to Dwayne Walker for providing us with a copy of Chuck Colson's "Born Again." It's a comic book AND a major motion picture! Find out what really happened with Watergate in Colson, Penned!

Christopher Paris offers this month's Testimony. Mr. Paris is the author of the comic book series "Reverend Ablack, Adventures of the Antichrist." Chris is an excellant writer, enjoy his story.

If you've never heard of Jack T. Chick and Chick Tracts, or think he's a harmless old fart, then read Jack T. Chick's Fairy Tales. His virilent hate and unabashed ignorance should make your skin crawl. He has all the sensitivity of a severed arm.

Curiosities of the Bible features its eighth installment, The Full Surrender. This Month in Fashion Prophecy provides diet tips from the Bible in Diet Jesus.

Rob DiGiacomo interviewed me last month for his column Drag 'Net in both the Philadelphia Gay News and Southern Voice of Atlanta. And I'm now honored to be counted among Joe Bob Briggs Web Chicks! Yay! We've already gotten mail this month with a Southern drawl. Many people protesting this site have started leaving their e-mail addresses (don't let me stop you from responding if you're so inclined).

Thanks to everyone that filled out our reader's survey. Check the results and tell us who you would cast as the perfect, dream Jesus.

Write to me!!! Now!