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norapalooza's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.25
jaredwill_'s review against another edition
5.0
What is Jesus came back and lived with a superhero who solved all his problems with punching.
This is the Jesus of the Bible, the one who takes care of the poor and the foreigner, offers forgiveness.
This book was controversial when it came out (which is why DC dropped it) but, after finally reading it I don't think Evangelicals hated it because Jesus was living with a superman but, because this Jesus hates noone and is a repudiation of everything awful certain sects of Christianity have become. We need more of this.
This is the Jesus of the Bible, the one who takes care of the poor and the foreigner, offers forgiveness.
This book was controversial when it came out (which is why DC dropped it) but, after finally reading it I don't think Evangelicals hated it because Jesus was living with a superman but, because this Jesus hates noone and is a repudiation of everything awful certain sects of Christianity have become. We need more of this.
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
I love Mark Russell's satire, and the premise of this book is brilliant. Some of the jokes are repeated word for word in his hilarious condensed version of the whole bible, [b:God Is Disappointed in You|17689005|God Is Disappointed in You|Mark Russell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375480004l/17689005._SY75_.jpg|24710699], which has become my favorite irreverent piece of media from the past handful of years. I have actually bought multiple copies of it and bring it with me to dive bar patios to read aloud from. This comic miniseries, though, didn't quite do it for me as much as God Is Disappointed in You, The Flintstones, or possibly even Wonder Twins. It's still a great bit of religious satire perfect for the ex-evangelical in your life.
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
I was interested in the concept of this graphic novel. It was original and I could see the potential for comedy here. It was not as well executed as I had hoped for. There were laughs to be had. I liked the flashback sequences. The troubles of the Superman analog, Sunstar, were realistic (if that term can be applied to a comic like this). The group therapy sessions were funny.
The end of the graphic novel was one to make me think. I am still pondering whether or not I am satisfied with the way Russell chose to end this. It is definitely a surprise. And that's all I have to say about that.
Overall I really enjoyed this.
The end of the graphic novel was one to make me think. I am still pondering whether or not I am satisfied with the way Russell chose to end this. It is definitely a surprise. And that's all I have to say about that.
Overall I really enjoyed this.
dantastic's review against another edition
5.0
When Jesus decides to take another crack at saving humanity, God persuades Sunstar, Earth's greatest hero, to take His Only Begotten Son under his wing. What could possibly go wrong?
Mark Russell is the Bee's Knees as far as I'm concerned. How could he go wrong with Superman and Jesus teaming up? That's right, he couldn't.
Similar in tone to Lamb by Christopher Moore, Second Coming is a tale of belief, faith, and religion, a tale of what might happen if Jesus returned. Russell tackles a lot of the same themes as it his titantic Flinstones run, like mega churches, organized religion, and people performing acts of cruelty and/or violence in the name of religion. Sunstar is a light yet surprisingly realistic portrayal of how Superman might live, the most powerful being on Earth yet unable to save everyone. Jesus, even the idealist, tries to preach his message in the modern world to an unfortunate but cynically realistic end.
Mark Russell's take on God might be my favorite part of this, an omnipotent creator who is far from omniscient. As Jesus said, "He's the life of the party but doesn't stick around to clean up afterwards." The irreverent tone might turn some people off but, like The Flintstones, this is a bleak, thought-provoking, hilarious book.
Richard Pace's art is a great mix of super hero and serious. His depiction of heaven is to my liking, a place with space whales in the sky and defunct chain restaurants like Burger Chef on street corners. The end of season 1 wraps up a lot of threads but I'm pretty eager for season 2.
Second Coming is easily as good as The Flintstones. Bring on Volume 2! Five out of five stars.
Mark Russell is the Bee's Knees as far as I'm concerned. How could he go wrong with Superman and Jesus teaming up? That's right, he couldn't.
Similar in tone to Lamb by Christopher Moore, Second Coming is a tale of belief, faith, and religion, a tale of what might happen if Jesus returned. Russell tackles a lot of the same themes as it his titantic Flinstones run, like mega churches, organized religion, and people performing acts of cruelty and/or violence in the name of religion. Sunstar is a light yet surprisingly realistic portrayal of how Superman might live, the most powerful being on Earth yet unable to save everyone. Jesus, even the idealist, tries to preach his message in the modern world to an unfortunate but cynically realistic end.
Mark Russell's take on God might be my favorite part of this, an omnipotent creator who is far from omniscient. As Jesus said, "He's the life of the party but doesn't stick around to clean up afterwards." The irreverent tone might turn some people off but, like The Flintstones, this is a bleak, thought-provoking, hilarious book.
Richard Pace's art is a great mix of super hero and serious. His depiction of heaven is to my liking, a place with space whales in the sky and defunct chain restaurants like Burger Chef on street corners. The end of season 1 wraps up a lot of threads but I'm pretty eager for season 2.
Second Coming is easily as good as The Flintstones. Bring on Volume 2! Five out of five stars.
wesleyboy's review against another edition
3.0
Rereading this now, I think I was generous with the three stars. It’s an interesting book, but they spend far too long dragging out a bland plot.
jagussow's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book - funny, philosophical and engrossing. The art by Richard Pace is phenomenal and the story is both entertaining and makes you ponder big questions about Christianity and what it means to have power and how to wield it.
God is disappointed and angry with the world and how they treated Jesus the first time and decides to reach out to a Superman-esque hero, Sunstar and have Jesus become roommates with him and learn what it means to have power to change the world.
Highly recommended this book - if you enjoyed Good Omens or Dogma, this is a great read
God is disappointed and angry with the world and how they treated Jesus the first time and decides to reach out to a Superman-esque hero, Sunstar and have Jesus become roommates with him and learn what it means to have power to change the world.
Highly recommended this book - if you enjoyed Good Omens or Dogma, this is a great read
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
3.0
“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” - G.K. Chesterton
This graphic novel is blasphemous in every sense of the word . . . but also absolutely hilarious? Jesus returns to the earth again (you know, after being executed the first time). His not-so-great Dad (yes, the Big Man Himself) wants Jesus to love with Sunstar (a spoof of Superman) and learn some lessons from him about getting even and winning. Oh yeah, Satan also wants to get back into God’s graces.
I laughed out loud way too many times:
Baptist evangelist: “As Paul says in First Corinthians—“
Jesus: “Who?”
Baptist evangelist: “The Apostle Paul.”
Jesus: “What?! I don’t know any ‘Paul.’”
I can choke down the blasphemous stuff but the John Lennon “Imagine” philosophy that forms the background of the story is a bitter pill to swallow
This graphic novel is blasphemous in every sense of the word . . . but also absolutely hilarious? Jesus returns to the earth again (you know, after being executed the first time). His not-so-great Dad (yes, the Big Man Himself) wants Jesus to love with Sunstar (a spoof of Superman) and learn some lessons from him about getting even and winning. Oh yeah, Satan also wants to get back into God’s graces.
I laughed out loud way too many times:
Baptist evangelist: “As Paul says in First Corinthians—“
Jesus: “Who?”
Baptist evangelist: “The Apostle Paul.”
Jesus: “What?! I don’t know any ‘Paul.’”
I can choke down the blasphemous stuff but the John Lennon “Imagine” philosophy that forms the background of the story is a bitter pill to swallow
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the concept of Jesus coming back to hang out with a super hero, not too unlike Superman. And some of the humor of God with a potty mouth was funny, but it got boring after a bit. There are only so many fight scenes, and extra stuff that I can handle.
So, good story idea. OK execution. I probably will not read the next colleciton.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, good story idea. OK execution. I probably will not read the next colleciton.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
4.0
The ending wasn't quite what I wanted it to be, but otherwise, fantastic concept, interesting execution, and enjoyable all around.