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sepitz's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kalagrace's review against another edition
5.0
Simply beautiful. I know the story, so I was shocked by my own surprise as the plot thickened, twisted, and resolved.
Cheers to more of the ideas at the bottom of the page, Loveness.
Cheers to more of the ideas at the bottom of the page, Loveness.
aglaia0001's review against another edition
5.0
I don't frequently review graphic novels as I don't always feel qualified to judge content and style; however, [b:Judas|36538872|Judas|Jeff Loveness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550549281l/36538872._SY75_.jpg|58267455] struck me with such power that I feel compelled to write a brief review.
Jeff Loveness and Jakub Rebelka's Judas tells the story of Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Christ. The Biblical account of Judas leaves him as an unforgiven betrayer who takes his own life. Loveness and Rebelka dive into his psyche and explore what drove him to his betrayal and his suicide in a compelling story that challenges the accepted perceptions and interpretations of Judas's narrative.
Loveness handles the characterization of Judas Iscariot, Lucifer, and Jesus in an especially sensitive and moving fashion. He centers each of the characters with a specific characteristic and plays it beautifully. Lucifer, as the master deceiver, offers compelling arguments and versions of truth that are believable, sympathetic, and yet decidedly misleading. Lucifer presents plausible defenses for many of the "villains" of the Bible including Jezebel, Goliath, Lot's wife, and Judas himself.
Judas Iscariot examines his own story with a critical yet very human eye. His anger against the seeming unfairness of his fate, his inability to do anything except betray Christ, is very human and understandable. His temptation by Lucifer is just as compelling as the Biblical temptation of Christ. Ultimately, Judas moves through stages of understanding -- much like many religious people would describe moving through their spiritual life -- from disbelief and misunderstanding to questioning and anger at life's "unfairness" to finally acceptance and, if truly blessed, understanding of one's place in a larger tapestry.
Finally, the depiction of Jesus is both respectful and challenging. For millions of people, Jesus is the Son of God, a deity made flesh, and the salvation of the world. Yet Loveness offers the very human side of Jesus as he confronts the frailty of humanity and horrors of sin. Ultimately, we recognize that Jesus is divine not because of any superhuman ability to conquer but because of his ongoing decision to love regardless of his circumstances.
There were moments in this brief graphic novel where I was truly surprised by the theology being presented. For example, Loveness observes that the Old Testament story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is not merely a display of human faith but that it is also a "test run" for whether God himself could stand by and offer his own son as a sacrifice. [b:Judas|36538872|Judas|Jeff Loveness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550549281l/36538872._SY75_.jpg|58267455] ultimately grapples with complicated theological concepts ranging from predestination to the nature of redemption to the often-asked question of "why do bad things happen to good people." It finally offers a redemption for Judas and the possibility that his story was truly part of a master plan, that in the final measure, God truly did mean it for good.
No graphic novel should be discussed without at least a mention of the visuals. Judas is no exception. Perhaps most striking is the choice of background theme colors. Depending on the section of the story, Rebelka chooses to use umbers, blues, and brilliant reds to evoke emotion and give a visual clue to readers. Of note, also, are the panels that feature Jesus' eyes. Rebelka captures pain, love, and grace in ink and lines with a mastery that surprised me. Additionally, my edition is covered in gold-leaf thorns that remind you of the intertwined nature of beauty and pain in the story of both Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.
None of us wishes to believe that we are the villains of our own story. Judas Iscariot is no different, and Loveness and Rebelka's version redeems this Biblical "bad boy" for a current generation in a lovely tale of grace in pain.
Jeff Loveness and Jakub Rebelka's Judas tells the story of Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Christ. The Biblical account of Judas leaves him as an unforgiven betrayer who takes his own life. Loveness and Rebelka dive into his psyche and explore what drove him to his betrayal and his suicide in a compelling story that challenges the accepted perceptions and interpretations of Judas's narrative.
Loveness handles the characterization of Judas Iscariot, Lucifer, and Jesus in an especially sensitive and moving fashion. He centers each of the characters with a specific characteristic and plays it beautifully. Lucifer, as the master deceiver, offers compelling arguments and versions of truth that are believable, sympathetic, and yet decidedly misleading. Lucifer presents plausible defenses for many of the "villains" of the Bible including Jezebel, Goliath, Lot's wife, and Judas himself.
Judas Iscariot examines his own story with a critical yet very human eye. His anger against the seeming unfairness of his fate, his inability to do anything except betray Christ, is very human and understandable. His temptation by Lucifer is just as compelling as the Biblical temptation of Christ. Ultimately, Judas moves through stages of understanding -- much like many religious people would describe moving through their spiritual life -- from disbelief and misunderstanding to questioning and anger at life's "unfairness" to finally acceptance and, if truly blessed, understanding of one's place in a larger tapestry.
Finally, the depiction of Jesus is both respectful and challenging. For millions of people, Jesus is the Son of God, a deity made flesh, and the salvation of the world. Yet Loveness offers the very human side of Jesus as he confronts the frailty of humanity and horrors of sin. Ultimately, we recognize that Jesus is divine not because of any superhuman ability to conquer but because of his ongoing decision to love regardless of his circumstances.
There were moments in this brief graphic novel where I was truly surprised by the theology being presented. For example, Loveness observes that the Old Testament story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is not merely a display of human faith but that it is also a "test run" for whether God himself could stand by and offer his own son as a sacrifice. [b:Judas|36538872|Judas|Jeff Loveness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550549281l/36538872._SY75_.jpg|58267455] ultimately grapples with complicated theological concepts ranging from predestination to the nature of redemption to the often-asked question of "why do bad things happen to good people." It finally offers a redemption for Judas and the possibility that his story was truly part of a master plan, that in the final measure, God truly did mean it for good.
No graphic novel should be discussed without at least a mention of the visuals. Judas is no exception. Perhaps most striking is the choice of background theme colors. Depending on the section of the story, Rebelka chooses to use umbers, blues, and brilliant reds to evoke emotion and give a visual clue to readers. Of note, also, are the panels that feature Jesus' eyes. Rebelka captures pain, love, and grace in ink and lines with a mastery that surprised me. Additionally, my edition is covered in gold-leaf thorns that remind you of the intertwined nature of beauty and pain in the story of both Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.
None of us wishes to believe that we are the villains of our own story. Judas Iscariot is no different, and Loveness and Rebelka's version redeems this Biblical "bad boy" for a current generation in a lovely tale of grace in pain.
jess_789's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fiarill's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dollikai's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
novelerachavela's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heavensnights's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense