Judas

Christianity’s archvillain is given a fresh and possibly controversial examination in this thought-provoking visual tour de force. After Judas Iscariot kills himself following his betrayal of Jesus Christ, his soul is relegated to the realm of the damned, where he begins contemplating his fate and culpability. Realizing Christ’s godhood-derived omniscience, Judas questions whether Jesus was fully aware, as he founded his ministry, that Judas would be destined as the traitor in the Savior’s story. (“I tried so hard... to believe. To be good. I never had a chance.”) Judas’s doubts are compounded when the unnamed Lucifer takes him on a guided tour through the all-star history of biblical villainy. Was Judas precast to sell Jesus out, his actions led by a “redeemer” who was nothing more than a fraud? As the story unfolds, the answers are provided in a tapestry of well-conceived panel compositions and rich colors, which evoke stained-glass scriptures, from fantasy illustrator Rebelka. The introspective script by Loveness (Nova) both entertains and prompts readers to approach Judas from an unexpected, sympathetic angle. (Aug.)