When Punk Rock Jesus (PRJ) hit the comic stands, I admit that I ignored it. I heard about from the media outlets about it and because of who was doing it artist Sean Murphy, who I became a fan of in Joe the Barbarian, was doing his own 6-part series, as well as being the writer for Vertigo. It got my attention, for sure but when it comes to buying single comics, I do (mostly) stick to the big two, DC and Marvel. So I skipped out on it, even with all the critical acclaim it was getting. In fact, I rarely buy secondary comic comics like Image, Dark Horse, or Vertigo unless it's in trade form, has some overwhelming critical acclaim, and I can get it at my comic shop for a really great price. So for some weird way or another, a part of me just took a chance and bought PRJ for the heck of it. Well I can tell you right now I regret not picking up this series in comic form, but I fully do not regret buying it in collected form. This is truly one of the best mini-series I've read in a while and I see what all the fuss is all about.
PUNK ROCK JESUS tells the story of a not-too-distant future in 2019, where reality television has ruled the airwaves, which the next big show on the list comes Christmas time is J2: a reality show starring a cloned Jesus Christ, all by having a virgin teenager girl named Gwen, give birth on the air, for the second coming of Christ. The news creates massive chaos across America and the world itself, with religious zealots NAC (New American Christians) that defend the old ways of Christianity and see this act as heresy, atheist who see it all as a joke, politicians who are afraid for what it could have on the world's influence, a scientific community unsure what to make of the whole thing, and people that simply see money from this whole thing. On December 25th, 2019, Chris (AKA Jesus Christ) is born into the world, to which the following story goes over Chris growing up in front of live television 24/7, on a enclosed island shut off from society, to finally one day rebelling and becoming a punk rock star to the world.
So the basic premise sounds really cheesy, predictable, and could have easily gone south real fast, but Murphy uses it and perfectly sets up an ambitious tale that is equal parts intelligent, rich, diverse, and satirical fantasy in a real world setting. For starters, Murphy makes the book out to entail to what would be a realistic reaction to Jesus being reborn into modern times with personal and practical point-of-view, as well as religious, legal, scientific, and social perspective. Second, the title notion of Chris being "Punk Rock Jesus" doesn't even happen until halfway through the book. And third, Murphy makes the book to be a dense read with expositions, depth, and complications among the cast from the very get-go that makes us feel for the characters, especially since they take up the first half of the book without Chris being the star. And the notion of time as the Chris grows up, the implications of everything takes it toll on our cast.
Characters like Chris's 18-year old mother, Gwen, who starts out sweet and temperamental when she gives birth, starts seeing the horror of living like a prisoner on an island away from her friends and family, on television 24/7, and spending years dealing with corporate control start corrupting her mind and body. Gwen and Chris's bodyguard, Thomas McKael, an ex-IRA member and overall badass head of security who has a dark past starts out being a cold protector, but slowly and surely starts gaining emotions for Gwen and Chris, as well as his own faith. Tim, a technical engineer for the island and on-air father figure with Gwen. Dr. Sarah Epstein, the woman who created Chris and is Chris teacher/moral compass to the world. And owner and proprietor of J2, Rick Slate, the very evil businessman that all of the main cast hate and despise in control of it all. The cast is so rich and multilayered from the moment Chris is born, to getting a play date as a baby, going to public school(?!), and leading up to Chris's epiphany to rebel against society and become a punk rock god. This is the heart and soul of Murphy's story that is equal parts touching, humorous, interesting, and just well done. To which all of the characters react and grow accordingly with all of the events in order of time. No one breaks out un-accordingly of character. Everything has a reason and progression that makes sense for the motives of the characters.
And many of these characteristics are just the first half of the book! The first half alone influence Chris as he is growing up away from society, to which he just a shy boy with good intentions to the later half that he dons the punk motif as a symbol to rebel against society itself. And when that happens, many new followers of Chris come along on his growing attention to spreading news across the country and even the world, with many characters from act 1 coming full circle from helping Chris in the very end. It makes a strong metaphor for the interactions Chris and the cast have on one another that again, goes with the passage of time that makes a strong emotional ending all the way through.
The biggest thing I think Murphy does right is not seem over preachy. The book examines religion, society, entertainment, science, and global perspective without seeming one-sided. Murphy himself is an Atheist, but he never lets his personal perspective get involved with the story. He lets the characters actions and beliefs over the course of time do the talking, especially for Chris's ideals shocked and broken by the second half make perfect sense in context. Further more, Murphy doesn't preach to the choir about really any specific subject matter, instead giving readers' skepticism, challenge, and question all subjects matter in this book, even Atheism and punk rock itself. This makes it so there is no self-importance, holier than thou, self martyring to be had here. It makes the book actually feel fair and open minded in all of the content presented, which is truly impressive. It's just a book with no real clear side to take but just being a good person at the end of the end, faith or not.
As for art, the real reason I picked up the book, it is simply phenomenal. If you are familiar with Murphy's art, then this will not disappoint. If you haven't seen his art, go open a tab and look it up on Google. The book is done in black and white, yet Murphy's art is top notch. It's a mixture of gritty, sketchy, and utter detailed at the same time. His finishes show that a black and white book do not need color at all to show exceptional art and tell a gripping story, or show blood splattering everywhere, or the huge splash pages of masses of people out in the streets. Sean Murphy's art is definitely something people should look out for, especially this year for Scott Snyder fans, since he's doing the art for Snyder's book The Wake.
As for bonuses, a few added pages of the original covers with color, some promotional art, a unused cover, and three biographies on Chris, Gwen, and Thomas. And a epilogue at the very end on Sean Murphy's simple explanation of becoming an Atheist.
I personally had very little weaknesses, only with the ending being a little too sudden and out of place (don't want to spoil anything, so you'll see what I mean) but I'll give a few possible setbacks. One is the content itself. This is for mature and level-head readers. There is plenty of F-bombs here and there, middle fingers, graphic gore, and adult situations concerning the discussion of politics, science, and religion, especially the mere creation of Jesus Chris, Chris, himself is enough where some readers will not get over. I'm sure there will be other Amazon reviews where people will hate this book simply because of the Jesus Christ theme, but with all do respect, this is not meant to be offensive in any way of what Murphy is trying to say and you are warned before hand. Please don't be one of those reviewers that hate the book because of the Jesus Christ motif only. Know what you're getting into before buying. And again, the book is in black and white with semi-low quality paper. Again, I think the black and white does the comic justice (and it's Murphy's original intent to have it that way!) and I do not mind the paper quality. I think it goes with the punk rock vibe of not being squeaky clean having high gloss paper, I don't know but I don't mind it. And for those who might hate it because of the lack of color, maybe one day Vertigo will re-release PRJ with color? We'll see.
So PUNK ROCK JESUS truly lives up to the hype. Everything about this book feels like it might live on to be a classic one day. I know that is a bold statement, but truly, there isn't anything quite like Punk Rock Jesus on the comic stands now or in quite some time. This really might go down in some top 100 best graphic novels of all-time level of awe and importance. So do yourself a favor: pull out your lighter and stick it up real high in the air, rock out, live life, and give this book a worthy place on your book shelf.
