Second Coming (comic book series)
Second Coming is a religious satire comic book series written and illustrated by Mark Russell and Richard Pace. The series was originally going to be published by Vertigo Comics, an imprint of DC Comics, but after criticism from conservative and Christian news outlets as well as a petition the series was canceled and the rights were returned to Russell. The series was later published in March 2020 by Ahoy Comics and was followed by two sequels titled Second Coming: Only Begotten Son and Second Coming: Trinity.
Background
The series is written by Mark Russell, visuals by Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk, colors by Andy Troy, and covers by Amanda Conner and Richard Pace.[1][2] The comic book series was first announced in July 2018 at the San Diego Comic-Con, but in January news outlets such as the Christian Broadcasting Network, Christian Headlines, and Fox News began criticizing the series.[3] The series was originally going to be published on March 6, 2019, however, on February 13 Russell and Pace announced that the series had been canceled.[4][5] DC Comics was going to include it in their relaunch of their imprint Vertigo Comics, but after the online petition criticizing the series DC Comics decided to cancel it.[6][7] DC Comics had requested that profanity and nudity be removed from the series leading up to its cancellation, but Russell and Pace weren't comfortable with the requested changes.[8] DC Comics decided to cancel issue #88 of Swamp Thing in 1989 for similar reasons.[9] After the series was cancelled Russell asked DC Comics to have the rights to the story and they gave it to him.[10] The comic book was later picked up by Ahoy Comics in July 2019 and the first issue was published in March 2020.[11][12] Russell has previously published books that were similarly focused on Christianity such as God is Disappointed in You and Apocrypha Now.[13] Russell and Pace both cited Monty Python's Life of Brian as their favorite example of religious satire.[14] The series was originally intended to be composed of six issues, but Russell planned to write as many as 18.[15][16] Russell intends to portray Jesus in a subversive manner in the series.[17] The second series was titled Second Coming: Only Begotten Son.[18] The second series was written by Mark Russell, drawn by Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk, colored by Richard Pace and Andy Troy, lettered by Rob Steen, and cover art by Richard Pace.[19] The third series was titled Second Coming: Trinity.[20] The third series was written by Mark Russell, art by Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk, and cover art by Richard Pace and Tom Fowler.[21]
References
- ^ Franey, Christopher (February 26, 2020). "Second Coming TPB Review • AIPT". aiptcomics.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ White, Cody (July 18, 2019). "Second Coming #1: Things Will Be Different the Second Time Around". Comic Watch. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Gustines, George Gene (March 12, 2019). "Comic Book With Jesus as a Character Finds a New Publisher". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "DC Relinquishes Rights To Comic Book Series About Jesus After Conservative Backlash". HuffPost. February 18, 2019. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Grunenwald, Joe (February 14, 2019). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (February 13, 2019). "DC Vertigo Cancels 'Second Coming' of Jesus Comic Book Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (July 10, 2019). "'Second Coming' Writer Defends Controversial Comic With Author's Note". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Adams, Tim (February 19, 2019). "Second Coming Writer Explains Why DC Canceled the Superhero Jesus Comic". CBR. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Mozzocco, J. Caleb (April 27, 2020). "Second Coming". The Comics Journal. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Burke, Minyvonne. "DC cancels comic book about a second coming of Christ amid backlash". www.nbcnews.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "New comic book series features Jesus as a character". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Alverson, Brigid. "The Second Coming of 'Second Coming': PW Talks with Mark Russell". PublishersWeekly.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "Second Coming". CBC. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "How a cancelled comic about Jesus and superheroes found its resurrection". Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Nevin, Will (March 18, 2019). "Portland writer's Jesus comic sees revival after cancellation". al. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Tucker, Reed (July 5, 2019). "'Second Coming' comic resurrects Jesus as controversial superhero". New York Post. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Dominguez, Noah (May 23, 2019). "Mark Russell Explains Second Coming's Approach to Jesus Christ". CBR. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Arvedon, Jon (November 11, 2021). "Jesus' 'Superman' Sidekick's Origin Revealed in Second Coming: Only Begotten Son #1 (Exclusive Full Issue)". CBR. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Grunenwald, Joe (July 14, 2021). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Epps, Justin (December 15, 2022). "Ahoy's Second Coming: Trinity Reunites Jesus and His Superhero Roomie (Exclusive)". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Brooke, David (January 10, 2023). "EXCLUSIVE AHOY First Look: Second Coming: Trinity #2 cover art • AIPT". aiptcomics.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.