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geekwayne's review
3.0
'The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation' is part of the Action Bible. This is a graphic novel version of the Bible, but it's best, at least in this case, to think of it more as a loose paraphrase than an exact translation.
The story starts in the time before the events in Genesis with the start of the fall of Lucifer story. Michael and Lucifer have differing opinions about this new creation idea, and Lucifer feels like he should be more important. This is setting the stage for later. We then move to the creation story with Jesus being the one doing the creating. We see John 1:1 quoted here, and this explains his part of the Holy Trinity and why he would be present during creation. God creates Adam, and Adam comes across as a bit slow on the uptake. He runs around shouting out names for animals and seems generally clueless. We then see the fall of Lucifer and his tempation of Eve and Adam followed by their ejection from the Garden of Eden. The book finishes with a scene from the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in the New Testament.
The art by Sergio Carillo is quite good. I've liked his style in the Lone Ranger book that I read. This is my first read of the Action Bible series, and it looks like he does most of the art for this series which would give the series some nice consistency. Where I guess I might have taken issue is with some of the interpretive nature of the book. We know that Lucifer was cast out of heaven over pride issues. We know that he shows up in the Garden of Eden as a serpent, but we don't know the exact details, so what we get here is not a strict scriptural interpretation of those events, but a writer's paraphrase of events. The portrayal of Adam struck me as a bit strange. He seems clueless and a bit of an airhead. Granted, he's a newly created being, and maybe I've never given much thought to it, but it still seemed like not a very idyllic state, especially when he meets Eve and jumps up, ADD-like, to name a gazelle. Jesus is nice, but he seems not very clued in to the dissatisfaction happening with Lucifer. I wanted him to be more powerful and all-knowing. I liked it, but just not as much as some of the other reviewers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from David C. Cook and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The story starts in the time before the events in Genesis with the start of the fall of Lucifer story. Michael and Lucifer have differing opinions about this new creation idea, and Lucifer feels like he should be more important. This is setting the stage for later. We then move to the creation story with Jesus being the one doing the creating. We see John 1:1 quoted here, and this explains his part of the Holy Trinity and why he would be present during creation. God creates Adam, and Adam comes across as a bit slow on the uptake. He runs around shouting out names for animals and seems generally clueless. We then see the fall of Lucifer and his tempation of Eve and Adam followed by their ejection from the Garden of Eden. The book finishes with a scene from the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in the New Testament.
The art by Sergio Carillo is quite good. I've liked his style in the Lone Ranger book that I read. This is my first read of the Action Bible series, and it looks like he does most of the art for this series which would give the series some nice consistency. Where I guess I might have taken issue is with some of the interpretive nature of the book. We know that Lucifer was cast out of heaven over pride issues. We know that he shows up in the Garden of Eden as a serpent, but we don't know the exact details, so what we get here is not a strict scriptural interpretation of those events, but a writer's paraphrase of events. The portrayal of Adam struck me as a bit strange. He seems clueless and a bit of an airhead. Granted, he's a newly created being, and maybe I've never given much thought to it, but it still seemed like not a very idyllic state, especially when he meets Eve and jumps up, ADD-like, to name a gazelle. Jesus is nice, but he seems not very clued in to the dissatisfaction happening with Lucifer. I wanted him to be more powerful and all-knowing. I liked it, but just not as much as some of the other reviewers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from David C. Cook and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
shelfesteem's review
4.0
Wow! I continue to be amazed by Sergio Cariello’s artwork, it’s so complex. What stands out is: the layers within each frame, the variety of viewpoint angles, and the imagination that it takes to create each person’s diverse facial expressions. Sergio’s illustrations are vivid and captivating. If you are a parent who is looking for a way to pull your child’s attention away from video screens, put this book in their hands!
With regards to the biblical accuracy of the graphic novel I have a few thoughts to share. Missing from the text are scriptural references which allow the reader to know where they can find this story in the Bible. I found support for most of the story between Genesis 1-3, Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:14-17, and Revelation 12:7. The illustrator highlights quotations taken directly from scripture within yellow banners. Creative license is taken for most of the dialogue between characters; including two references to God as “Dad” by Adam and Eve. You will also find that the Archangel Michael and Lucifer are present at the creation of the world. I am not a biblical scholar that can argue the validity of this depiction but I will comment that the illustrator uses their imagination to show Lucifer’s desire for power, jealousy toward man, and rebellion against God.
I didn’t care for the author’s passages following Adam and Eve’s consumption of the forbidden fruit, as Adam begins to burp and pass gas… In turn Eve laughs and Adam takes offense, calling her names! Unlike his mother, my son thought this “addition” to the story was hilarious. I’m not sure if the change in the characters behavior is a result of sin being introduced into the story or the author’s attempt to win laughs from boy’s like mine.
Know the maturity of your own child: When the once the beautiful, warrior angel Lucifer is banished from heaven he becomes ugly. He and his fellow fallen angels become reptilian. Be it the serpent from Genesis 3 or the dragon from Revelation 12:7 – he is scary. This book was age appropriate for our son (9) but not our daughter (6). She wanted to read along so I had to ask her to avert her eyes on a few pages. Don’t worry about nudity in the garden–the images are drawn modestly…i.e. shaded or covered.
In graphic novel format, The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation depicts how the earth came into existence, the origin of Lucifer (Satan), and the fall of man. Drawing from scripture this book conveys the effects of sin on God’s perfect creation. When sin entered the picture it brought with it pain, suffering, hard work, and death but God had a plan for redemption – in the form of His Son. The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation is sure to delight both the young (kids ages 8-12) and the young at heart.
I received this book free as a member of the Family Christian Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
With regards to the biblical accuracy of the graphic novel I have a few thoughts to share. Missing from the text are scriptural references which allow the reader to know where they can find this story in the Bible. I found support for most of the story between Genesis 1-3, Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:14-17, and Revelation 12:7. The illustrator highlights quotations taken directly from scripture within yellow banners. Creative license is taken for most of the dialogue between characters; including two references to God as “Dad” by Adam and Eve. You will also find that the Archangel Michael and Lucifer are present at the creation of the world. I am not a biblical scholar that can argue the validity of this depiction but I will comment that the illustrator uses their imagination to show Lucifer’s desire for power, jealousy toward man, and rebellion against God.
I didn’t care for the author’s passages following Adam and Eve’s consumption of the forbidden fruit, as Adam begins to burp and pass gas… In turn Eve laughs and Adam takes offense, calling her names! Unlike his mother, my son thought this “addition” to the story was hilarious. I’m not sure if the change in the characters behavior is a result of sin being introduced into the story or the author’s attempt to win laughs from boy’s like mine.
Know the maturity of your own child: When the once the beautiful, warrior angel Lucifer is banished from heaven he becomes ugly. He and his fellow fallen angels become reptilian. Be it the serpent from Genesis 3 or the dragon from Revelation 12:7 – he is scary. This book was age appropriate for our son (9) but not our daughter (6). She wanted to read along so I had to ask her to avert her eyes on a few pages. Don’t worry about nudity in the garden–the images are drawn modestly…i.e. shaded or covered.
In graphic novel format, The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation depicts how the earth came into existence, the origin of Lucifer (Satan), and the fall of man. Drawing from scripture this book conveys the effects of sin on God’s perfect creation. When sin entered the picture it brought with it pain, suffering, hard work, and death but God had a plan for redemption – in the form of His Son. The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation is sure to delight both the young (kids ages 8-12) and the young at heart.
I received this book free as a member of the Family Christian Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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