Christian comic books find audience

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Zap! Pow! Amen!

Whether it’s fanciful tales of jewel-colored angels battling demons for a man’s soul or retellings of familiar stories from the Bible, Christian comic books are taking wing.

“Christians have the best stories to tell,” said Sherwin Schwartzrock, a Christian comic book artist and graphic designer. “The world is full of hurting people, with drug abuse and with all types of problems that we have as human beings. Jesus Christ is an answer.”

Creating comics is a delicate balance for Christian artists and writers using a medium sometimes viewed as frivolous or tawdry. But Mr. Schwartzrock said comics are like movies: They can spread an uplifting message as easily as an immoral one.

The number of Christian comic books has grown rapidly in the last few years. Some creators teamed up to form Community Comics LLC, a cooperative that links Christian comic-book artists and helps promote and distribute their books.

While reliable sales figures aren’t available, the number of titles has at least doubled, if not tripled, in the past year alone, said Steve MacDonald, who runs the Web site www.christiancomicbooks.net, which lists Christian comic books and graphic novels and where to get them.

Mr. MacDonald estimates there are 40 to 50 ongoing Christian series.

Mr. Schwartzrock has adapted and illustrated Old Testament stories, including Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Absalom’s revenge against his half-brother. Other comics use superheroes: The PowerMark series, published by PowerMark Productions of Springfield, Mo., has a hero who wears a suit emblazoned with a cross.

Mr. Schwartzrock, 35, who works at his studio in suburban Minnetonka, said Christian comics don’t get a pass with fans just because of their content.

“We have to create professional-quality stories that will stand on their own two feet and not be labeled, ‘Well, it’s Christian and God will bless it,’ even though it looks” lousy, he said.

Among other titles is “David’s Mighty Men,” an adventure featuring King David and his three warrior companions created, written and drawn by Javier Saltares, who has worked for Marvel, DC and Dark Horse Comics.

Coming this month is “David: The Shepherd’s Song,” a retelling of the early life of the boy who became king of Israel, by Royden Lepp. “ArmorQuest,” written by Ben Avery and illustrated by Mr. Schwartzrock, is an allegorical tale of a boy putting on the “full armor of God” from Ephesians to battle the Dragon Prince. It’s set to be published next month.

Mr. Schwartzrock said comics can help reach preteen boys, who are attracted to the bright images and action.

“Most boys learn to read by reading comics. I was reading comics in the newspaper before I could read,” said Mr. Schwartzrock, who learned to draw while herding goats on his family’s small farm near Rollag in western Minnesota.

But children don’t want to be preached to, Mr. Schwartzrock said. “If you’re going to spend three dollars on a comic book, and you’re a kid, you don’t want to be educated — you want to be entertained.”

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