TGIF

TGIF

Thank GOD It's Friday!

Today, Netflix released Marvel's latest Superhero Project, Daredevil.  It's amazing, and you should be watching it right now.  And since its Friday and its somewhat related, I thought I would bring this superhero into my TGIF for the week.

Mainstream comics typically shy away from being overtly religious.  Some have vague allusions to some spiritual religiosity, but mostly it keeps things fairly secular.  One case where that is not present is in the pages of Daredevil.  In the comics, Matt Murdock (AKA Daredevil) is a Catholic.  No vagueness about that. Religious language and imagery permeate the book.  He's the only superhero who is seen entering a church on a regular basis, let alone confession.
I find this interesting.  Since most characters of the marvel and dc universe aren't consistently affiliated with an organized religion, I would assume it would mean something to the character that he was. I would guess it would inform his actions and his belief system, and set him apart specially from other heroes in his moral code or methods of crime fighting. 
But it doesn't.  Not even a little bit.
Daredevil is not different at all, when compared to the moral code that most unaffiliated characters have.  He fights bad guys, helps people, and keeps doing it no matter the cost.  Same can be said of any superhero.  If anything is different about him, its the fact that he is often more brutal and violent with assailents than others, and tends to be on the darker side of the street. Does he fight crime for the pope or jesus, or based on any scripture? Not in any obvious or even implied way.
So, why is he made catholic then?  To me, its to give him a unique cultural flavor amidst his superhero bretheren. The visuals, rituals, and context of catholicism add a unique culture to the comic that adds some interest.  Also, the fact that he belongs to a church that has a strong fixation with satan makes it all the more interesting that he would want to be percieved as a devil. 
So why bring it up? Its there, and it ought to be looked at for what it is.  Daredevil is a great character and a great hero.  But he is a hero by his actions, not b his faith.  His faith makes him unique, and gives him a cultural background that is less ubiquitous and more identifiable. 
Go watch the show!

TGIF

TGIF

Thank GOD it's Friday!

Rapture! The Video Game!

Huzzah! The triumphant return of TGIF! And to celebrate, I'm bringing back a piece of animation I did a few years ago.  For the uninformed, between Dayton and Cincinnati, OH, there was a gigantic/horrifying statue on the side of the highway that appeared to be rising like a kaiju zombie.
It was Jesus.

Because of its appearance, it was often called "Touchdown Jesus," or "Big-Butter Jesus."  Being gigantic and terrifying, the only logical thing for me to do was to convert the second coming into a monster filled video-game idea with Jesus as the main Kaiju. I called the idea: Rapture, the Video Game.

Incidentally, it actually DID get struck by lightning.  Sadly it did not come to life, but I weirdly made and posted that video a few months before it got hit and burned to the ground.
Now it has been replaced by "Five-Dollar-Footlong Jesus."

I Know, I'm working on it.

TGIF!

TGIF!

Thank God  it's Friday!

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais is a funny guy.  He created The Office and has written for dozens of shows and movies.  He's a talented stand up comedian as well, with his quirky mannerisms and delivery.  He's a thoughtful guy too, often weighing in on world events and commenting on society, which is a comedian's job after all.  He's also an Atheist.  

I decided on Ricky Gervais as the focus for this Friday's post because I needed a laugh and he's a great person to get one from.  Often times religious comedy is either harmless or harmful.  With Gervais, he is usually goofy as hell.  Take for instance his reading of the Noah story (Language advisory).

That was great!  "Why did the dove get a second go and not the raven?  Racist!"  He doesn't think the Bible has much credence to it, FYI.  You may have guessed that from a little movie called The Invention of Lying.  In it, his character lives in a world without lies, and he, the first person to lie, also is the founder of religion.

That's some pretty funny stuff.  I recommend seeing the rest of the movie too.  I want to share a few more of my favorite bits of his.  Come on it's Friday, have a laugh!

And This...

And this...

And Finally, this talk he had with Richard Dawkins...

Not just funny, but thoughtful.  A good human being.
Have a splendid weekend!

TGIF!

TGIF!

Thank God it's Friday!

Alan Moore

Now that we've been introduced to Alan Moore, I'd like to share his rather refreshing view of religious belief and practice.  He believes that spiritual pursuit should be decided by the individual, or that one religion for everybody doesn't make sense.  Everyone is different, and since everyone id different, we each have our own spiritual needs that we should seek to satisfy on our own.  If you don't have much of a spiritual hunger, then just get a salad and a diet coke.  But if you crave exotic tastes, then look into the ancient deities of the Mayans, Inuit, or Roman snake deities.

Moore, as I've said before, is a bit of a weirdo.  As a comic writer he has been incredibly influential on the medium, and has even been called one of the most in important contemporary writers in Britain.  Many of his comics have been turned into films, though you'll notice his name isn't on it.  Why?  Because for him, the movie is something  completely different than the comic, and he wants no part of it and thus, he gives his portion of the royalties to the other contributors.  At least he practices what he preaches.

He supports an open view of reality, religion, and personal values.  He also has some interesting views on the idea of magic and mysticism.  Simply put, magic  is Art.  Magic is manipulation of symbols, words, and ideas in order to change the consciousness of yourself and others.  This is so cool to me.  To think that being a magician is to someone who creates with words, with colors, and with objects what was not before is empowering to me.  I think I will be a magician.

Moore is a fascinating personality because he is at the same time mystical and rational.  He has poetic air bout him that is almost intimidating, yet he has a gentle sense of humor and an open mind that would invite you to join him for tea.  There are many great interviews with him on Youtube and other places, including an 80 minute documentary about him.  Here is a few (10 minutes worth) words from Kevin Smith and friends on the amazing run on Swamp Thing that Moore worked on in the 80s.

 I'll leave you with a quote from the video I linked to in the last article.  As Alan stands on stage a callous version of himself accuses him of having a messiah complex.  He responds:

"Would I have a haircut like this if I didn't?"

See you on the other side

TGIF!

TGIF!

My new gallery piece, "A Dialogue of Differing Religious beliefs."

For this week's "Thank God it's Friday!" I'm showcasing my new gallery comic about a religious discussion.  It is currently on display at the Dougherty Arts Center.
It's a series of contour line drawings that I sort of channeled Shel Silverstein in

Have a Nice weekend

TGIF!

TGIF!

Thank God it's Friday

The SHOPOCALYPSE!

Woohoo, its the end of the week!  Today in honor of this time of year, We will turn our hearts and minds to the true meaning of the season: What Would Jesus Buy?

And if you thought that was good...

Here's the Rest.

Thank You Reverend Billy