Punk Rock Jesus #1 of 6 (The New New Testament)

Story and Art By: Sean Murphy

Letters By: Todd Klein

Assistant Editor: Joe Hughes

Editor: Karen Berger

Vertigo

In a world where technological advancements take place in both the biological and electronic fields almost daily, literally anything can happen and at this point, be made. We are obsessed with battling our neighbours, as if it somehow affects anything, and arguing mindlessly about religion or whether PS3 or 360 is a better console. We lead a pretty selfish existence here in North America and thus far we have dealt with little repercussions to our actions. One thing you can do though, that will guarantee a wide reaction and global backlash is cloning none other than freaking Jesus. Bring that kind of person into this world, as it stands today, and I think we all should get ready to burn.

Damn people are such gluttons for punishment.

Not that this issue has any punishment, (unless you are Jesus’ twin sister) but you can clearly see it coming. Pro-Christ cloning and anti-Christ cloning citizens are ready to have each other’s heads already. So, I can only imagine, now that Jesus’ DNA has been successfully cloned and birthed, the public is going to go WILD. Chris, as his mother names him, is not guaranteed to be our Savior, considering the changes made to his DNA and lack of concrete proof it was his DNA to begin with, but I can imagine he’ll always be treated like one by many. But, hated and feared by many more.

Nothing like a kid born with an ego the size of the world because it was on live TV and from a suspected Savior’s DNA. All hail the freaking king.

These spiritual passions people have, the triggers by which they create a moral compass, are what Sean Murphy manipulates throughout this issue. What is the ultimate battle, morally? How to deal with murderers? How to deal with rapists? Not any more – Ask yourself, and be honest, how do you deal with the return of Jesus Christ, 2.0? How would the possibility of his return, and thus proof of his first coming, change your everyday life. Would you have lead yourself so far astray from the bible? Or done the same and hold blame for our sorrows on him now, that we would know his father’s existence? I personally don’t think this will go any better than the first time, maybe just a little more urban and gruesome and thought-provoking at the hands of the ever talented Sean Murphy.

To be honest, I only really purchased this issue because of his name to begin with. After his work with Grant Morrison on Joe the Barbarian, I was anticipating an artistic follow up and with his product this issue, both art and writing, being of such high quality I’m betting he will be offered many more comic opportunities to come.

As normal with a first instalment, there is only so much to be said in terms of plot quality, and overall essence, but, from what I’ve seen thus far I think we will all be taken aback by the story he’s preparing to tell. There is an insurmountable amount of paths he could taken from here, let’s just keep our fingers crossed that he brings us on an exciting one!

8 deadly syringes out of 10. If you enjoy any form of sci-fi, futuristic, or mysterious government focused plot lines I recommend you give this series a go. Sean Murphy has a background of impressing comic fans and I don’t see that changing with a series as obscure and oddly realistic as Punk Rock Jesus. (Ps. I hope in next issue he is truly punk, liberty spikes and all!)