Graphic Parables

I’m not the only Episcopal priest who appreciates comic books, graphic novels, and sequential art. In fact, one of my classmates from VTS is making a career out of creating graphic illustrations of passages from Scripture.

The Rev. Earnest Graham, who is part-time priest and part-time illustrator is using his fantastic gifts to communicate the Gospel in a unique way. Check out this piece for this week, depicting the parable Jesus speaks in Matthew 15:10-11, 17-20.

Click on the image to see it in full size.

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Comics Are My Religion: The Church & the LCS

Many of you may not know that by day I’m a priest, and by night I write for a site called Comicattack.net. I’ve been doing a monthly column for them called Comics Are My Religion, along with regular reviews of various books. I love comics, and find so many theological ties to them. The thought occurred to me that someone who reads my blog might be interested in what I’m writing elsewhere. It may even interest you to pick up a comic or graphic novel. There are so many kinds out there now. Keep in mind, the main audience of this column is diverse, so the themes are broad. Read more

What Should I Draw?

Lobsterfest is looming large over me. I’m really excited about the event, I really am, but due to Sue Halmrast twisting my arm, I agreed to donate a couple of pieces of original artwork to the silent auction. What was I thinking?

For those of you who may not know, I am somewhat of a cartoonist, and a deep lover of sequential art, not just comic books, but any art that tells a sequential story. I think the marriage between words and pictures is fascinating, and I’ve been a fan of such art, particularly comics, since I was a boy. I can remember copying Garfield comic strips by Jim Davis when I was younger, and learning just how to get those eyes right.

My high school years were when I was at my artistic peak. I spent most of my time in the art room, with my teacher Ms. Haroldson, whom I loved to pester as much as learn from. In my senior year, I received the Art Award on Honors Night, which is my only claim to fame from high school. I still have a lot of that work.

When I went to Berry, I had every intention of being an art major. However, my advisor and professor was too…well…artsy for my taste, and I didn’t think that I was going to make it in that program. So I switched to my other love, religion, and studied that instead. But I did my fair share of drawing in college. For two years, I was the editorial cartoonist for the Campus Carrier, which taught me how to draw on a deadline. There were nights where I was burning major midnight oil trying to get one of those single-panelled terrors in on time. Luckily, my editor was also a dear friend and Episcopalian, so she cut me some slack. Read more

Difference Between Us & Baptists

A friend of mine shared this with me yesterday. It was pretty timely considering I was just talking to some Baptist friends last night about the Episcopal Church and who we are and what we believe. So the next time your Baptist friends ask you what’s the difference between us and Baptists, maybe this cartoon will help.

You can find more lighthearted cartoons at Reverendfun.com.