The Epic Bible
Summary
The Epic Bible is a massive, graphic novel version of major from each book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Produced and published by Tyndale House Publishers, it is a well-crafted and mesmerizing journey through the Bible.
Assessment
As with all Tyndale publications, quality and first and foremost with the Epic Bible. The artwork is cohesive, despite multiple different styles across the whole of the project, adapting slightly to each book. For example, the more literal books (such as Genesis, Exodus, Acts, etc.) typically have a more straightforward art style. The more abstract books (such a Hebrews) have a more artistic and expressive style. There are a few edits and extras to help the overall flow and provide some historical context to the Biblical stories, but none make a serious impact on the Bible’s overall message and order.
While this cannot be used as a replacement of an actual Bible, it appears to be an excellent tool for evangelism or simply another way to see and understand the various stories and histories of Scriptural events. It could also be a great collector’s item for Christian comic book fans.
Light-o-Meter
Artwork: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Writing: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Age-Appropriateness: 6 out of 7 Little Lights (it doesn’t shy away from some of the more R-Rated Bible stories, but it doesn’t make them super graphic)
Theological Message: 5 out of 7 Little Lights (for the intent, not the Bible itself)
Overall: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
The first thing that I want to clarify is that this isn’t a Bible, proper. It is a collection of comics based on Biblical stories and themes, told on a narrative framework (i.e. someone is telling the Bible’s story). And, honestly, it’s fantastic and a great resource for people being first introduced to Bible as a teen or adult or for comic book fans that enjoy visual interpretations of Biblical stories. It sticks to the narratives without adding too many “extras” — although it fills in a few gaps here and there to provide additional context or minorly improve the flow of the story in comic form — and handles the Bible with a great deal of respect , providing Scriptural references on nearly every page.
I’m always very cautious with interpretations of Bible stories that are not specifically retellings, regardless of format. Once we start trying to make the Bible follow the rules and flow of a work of fiction — like a T.V. show or a movie or a comic — then there have to be some adjustments and, in those adjustments, the God’s true message can be obscured, misinterpreted, or lost. Overall, I think the Epic Bible manages to avoid tampering with the original message, despite the extras, by not trying to reinterpret the stories of the Bible. Yes, the extras may smooth out the overall flow or provide context from trusted extrabiblical references and historical documents, but that is as far as they go. There is no attempt to “lead” the Bible to express one kind of message or the other.
The artwork manages to be cohesive despite the dozens of pencillers, inkers, colorists, and letterers (many of whom are from Marvel and DC!) that went into producing each book of the Bible. The overall style is variations on classic, American comic book artwork throughout the decades. In general, I think this would be a great resource for either comic book fans or recent coverts to Christianity who didn’t grow up on Sunday school Bible stories.
Wrap-up
Tyndale’s Epic Bible presents the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a nearly-complete collection of comic book-style chapters. While no replacement for an actual Bible, the high-quality artwork and respect for the original source allow this book present itself as an approachable tool for evangelism and introducing Biblical stories to those who have never heard them before.
Where to Enjoy
Amazon: The Epic Bible: God’s Story from Eden to Eternity: 9781414396675: Kingstone Media Group, Inc.: Books
Christianbook.com: The Epic Bible: God's Story from Eden to Eternity: Kingstone Media Group Inc.: 9781414396675
Barnes & Noble: The Epic Bible: God's Story from Eden to Eternity by Kingstone Media Group, Inc., Hardcover
Focus on the Family: The Epic Bible: God’s Story from Eden to Eternity
Tyndale: The Epic Bible
This review is for this specific product and this product alone. In no way, shape, or form is this review meant to be an endorsement of the private lives, individual choices, lifestyles, or behaviors of those company(ies), publisher(s), creator(s), producer(s), author(s), artist(s), etc. associated with this product. It is God's sole providence alone to judge, and we make no claim to this right. With our reviews, we're simply looking at the value and merits of this specific product alone through the content and perspective of a Christian worldview. We pray you find it helpful and useful.
