Boom! Studios 2017
Written by Jeff Loveness
Illustrated by Jakub Rebelka
Lettered by Colin Bell
After his betrayal of Jesus, Judas found himself in Hell with Satan himself. Whom he has learned was the voice guiding him all along. Now after learning his life was a lie and he was always meant to be right where he is Judas has the chance to learn what his friend knew. Jesus is in Hell but why and how?
Every time I turn around, see read the next issue, Jeff pulls me back into this in a new way. This issue explores not only the relationship between Judas and Jesus but also why Satan is involved and how he ends up in Hell and not up there with dear old dad. I absolutely adore the fact that this isn’t a pro or con for the bible and what is in it or what it represents just a story where someone is filling in blanks in a way that seems natural to the events. Also as a nice Jewish boy who isn’t as familiar with all that I have to say that this is beyond what I could ever have hoped for!
The way this book is structured is so well done that the flow of what we see here has that quality to it where you don’t even notice when the attention shifts away from the here and now and goes back to what was. The transitions are amazingly well portrayed and the fact that this has such an impact when it comes to it’s characterisation tied up into how the story unfolds and how we as the reader see it is superb. The sheer fact that what Jeff is giving us in this story is something that while never written down before could be that reasonable assumption of truth. The fact that someone can read this and while they may not find fault it would never be accepted as truth but the fact that I can see this for what it is and what it could be makes Jeff one of the writers to watch out for.
Jakub is an artist with a style all his own and while I may not appreciate as much as some would like I will say this, this project wouldn’t be the same without him. Pages 9 and 10 were some of the most amazing things I have seen and the idea brought to life by him was breathtaking in its scope and depiction. While this is historical fiction it is based on a certain time in earth’s history and there are some things where creativity and imagination merge with that and Jakub is able to blend that with such skill. His use of page layouts with how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off his eye for storytelling.
I love the way this whole story is being told and how it’s affect on the reader isn’t what you always think it will be. Seriously I cannot get over how the story shapes the minds of the characters as it moves forward so that we see recognition and discovery in them as they learn things. As they see what is happening around them that changes how they feel in that moment is something you don’t expect to see. Neither are the actions taken by those who appear here and while it’s mainly three men who do all the talking that doesn’t matter. Satan may be the god of lies but why does he need to lie when the truth is so much more damning.
Every month now it seems this passes all my hopes and expectations and that it does is something unique, special and rare. I hope people remember this when it’s time to vote on those stories, creators and company’s that left impressions like this one does.