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DC Cancels Comic Where Jesus Learns From Superhero After Outcry (theguardian.com)

AmiMoJo writes: A new comics series in which Jesus Christ is sent on "a most holy mission by God" to learn "what it takes to be the true messiah of mankind" from a superhero called Sun-Man, has been cancelled by DC Comics. The move follows a petition that called it "outrageous and blasphemous". The Second Coming series, from DC imprint Vertigo, was due to launch on 6 March. Written by Mark Russell and illustrated by Richard Pace, its story followed Jesus's return to Earth. "Shocked to discover what has become of his gospel," he teams up with a superhero, Sun-Man, who is more widely worshipped than him.

189 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. Damn... by rnmartinez · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This sounds like something I would totally read.

    1. Re:Damn... by Mikkeles · · Score: 1

      Well, there's always The Last Hangover on Netflix.

      --
      Great minds think alike; fools seldom differ.
    2. Re:Damn... by psergiu · · Score: 4, Interesting

      There's the Japanese version.
      Saint Young Men

      --
      1% APY, No fees, Online Bank https://captl1.co/2uIErYq Don't let your $$$ sit in a no-interest acct.
    3. Re:Damn... by EvilSS · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Really? Because it sounds like hot garbage to me. I'm guessing DC agreed since they didn't fight very hard for it.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    4. Re:Damn... by Ragnarok89 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This. I'm not a reader of comic by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I religious at all. However, the idea behind this story sounds intriguing. Not only would it be interesting to see what Jesus would think of what became of His Gospel, but of us as well. The idea of him having a discussion with a superhero who is "worshiped" more than Him sounds fascinating... Especially since the "worship" would be of a completely different kind.

      Imagine the discussion about superpowers? Gifts of God to a select few? Were they Chosen? Was it random? Did God have anything to do with it? Do superpowers make them "more" than Jesus is (given He can't fly, no super strength, no laser vision, etc). This would be an incredible analysis/discussion on what it means to be a superhero vs the son of God.

      I can only imagine some of the other discussions and story arcs that might have come from this premise. A shame we'll never know.

    5. Re:Damn... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      Really? Because it sounds like hot garbage to me. I'm guessing DC agreed since they didn't fight very hard for it.

      It all sounds like hot garbage to me... never personally understood comic book-love, but to each their own. A lot of people probably don't like what I like... ... nonetheless, them cancelling this will probably make whatever editions they've already published valuable in the future.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    6. Re:Damn... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This. I'm not a reader of comic by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I religious at all. However, the idea behind this story sounds intriguing. Not only would it be interesting to see what Jesus would think of what became of His Gospel, but of us as well. The idea of him having a discussion with a superhero who is "worshiped" more than Him sounds fascinating...

      It would be difficult to write such a comic though that wouldn't fall into one of three traps:
      Preachy,
      Blasphemous,
      or Boring.

      If you get too much into moral conduct it could come across as preachy. If Jesus has any flaws, or resorts to kicking arse, it could come across as blasphemous... trying too hard to avoid either of the above could become boring.

      A skilled writer could probably come up with some very intriguing story lines as you suggest. But if a less than stellar writing team is involved if would end up a disaster.

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    7. Re:Damn... by EvilSS · · Score: 3, Funny

      Literally anything else. This premise makes the Emoji Movie sound like a brilliant idea.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    8. Re:Damn... by ilguido · · Score: 1

      never personally understood comic book-love, but to each their own.

      There are good comics out there, even though superhero comics are usually rubbish.

    9. Re: Damn... by rnmartinez · · Score: 1

      Yeah, true it would be easy to botch but it should be out there. Seems like a waste of resources.

    10. Re:Damn... by glitch! · · Score: 2

      Do superpowers make them "more" than Jesus is (given He can't fly, no super strength, no laser vision, etc).

      Give Jesus the special power of knocking over tables with a wave of his hand and give him a magic bull-whip that glows when a banker is near.

      --
      A dingo ate my sig...
    11. Re:Damn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It would be difficult to write such a comic though that wouldn't fall into one of three traps:
      Preachy,
      Blasphemous,
      or Boring.

      Just stay clear of preachy and boring.
      Being blasphemous is more a virtue than a crime and has been a part of comedy for a long time.

      Either way I doubt it will be more outrageous than the source material.

    12. Re:Damn... by tomthepom · · Score: 1

      If Jesus has any flaws, or resorts to kicking arse, it could come across as blasphemous...

      A non-blasphemous, flawless Jesus would be, pretty much by definition, both preachy and boring.
      Not quite sure why you would even list blasphemy as a 'trap'. Even though it's been done before, a blasphemous, flawed, kick arse Jesus would be the only hope of making any Jesus story even vaguely interesting. At the very least it might garner enough outrage to sell a few copies.

    13. Re:Damn... by Cryacin · · Score: 2

      You would think so, and you would be right until you figured out that true omnipotence brings impotence. It's a game of not exercising your powers, and rather influencing those around you. Very much like C-Level office politics. You rule the world, seas will rise when you give the word, and how many people need to die so that you can fish from your balcony?

      --
      Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
    14. Re:Damn... by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      It would be difficult to write such a comic though that wouldn't fall into one of three traps: Preachy, Blasphemous, or Boring.

      It would be hard to write one that didn't fall in to all three of those.

      --
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    15. Re:Damn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      That sun god thing didn't work out so well for King Tut, either.

      Tutankhamun? I think you mean Amenhotep/Akhenaten.

      The Sun god thing didn't work out very well for Akhenaten.

    16. Re:Damn... by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      I would have thought a graphic novel of where Jesus uses Linux to Hack the servers in Rome a more entertaining read.

    17. Re:Damn... by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Flawless Jesus would not necessarily be boring, or preachy. In fact, you could make him very real human emotions.

      Imagine the struggle of always being perfect. It would be tiresome to everyone around him, and he'd probably be very lonely during large stretches of life.

      And he wouldn't be "preachy" because that has a definitive negative connotation. To come across as not "preachy", he'd have to have perfect execution in whatever he did.

      Writing such a character would be nearly impossible long term, as contradictions would appear and cause failures, which would indicate less than perfect Jesus.

      And for the record, the Jesus in the bible did kick ass, with a scourge (whip, with nail bits) that one time. ;)

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    18. Re:Damn... by Sarten-X · · Score: 1

      It's pushing the borders of that "blasphemous" label, but I'd recommend Adam Black's comic "Locus". The actual blasphemous parts are supporting details for a bigger story about the sort of things a deity might fear.

      --
      You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
    19. Re:Damn... by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

      How about one where Mohammed is sent on "a most holy mission by God" to learn "what it takes to be the true messiah of mankind" from a superhero called Sun-Man?

      They picked what they thought would be a low-hanging fruit.

    20. Re:Damn... by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

      Do superpowers make them "more" than Jesus is (given He can't fly, no super strength, no laser vision, etc).

      So, raising the dead, resurrection, transmutation of materials, walking on water and hands on healing (to name a few) don't cut it?

    21. Re:Damn... by Scarletdown · · Score: 2

      It would be difficult to write such a comic though that wouldn't fall into one of three traps:
      Preachy,
      Blasphemous,
      or Boring.

      It would be hard to write one that didn't fall in to all three of those.

      South Park managed to pull it off without falling into any of those three through the Super Best Friends. Nope, not blasphemous either; since you have to be religious to be able to commit blasphemy, due to it being a religious law and not secular.

      Or was Seaman blasphemy against poor Aquaman?

      --
      This space unintentionally left blank.
    22. Re:Damn... by Scarletdown · · Score: 1

      But you have to look away while he is doing the transformation.

      His main super power is self resurrection.

      Now come, Swallow!

      --
      This space unintentionally left blank.
    23. Re:Damn... by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

      Jesus did kick ass, though. Remember the story in the Bible about how he flipped over merchant tables and literally whipped them out of the church for disrespecting the house of His father?

      That's true, although, my favourite story is when he tied his ass to a palm tree and walked into Jerusalem.

      That was a true miracle. Either that, or Jesus was related to the stretchy man from that group of 4 that has that rock man in it. (name escapes me... sorry, not a comic book person).

      --
      "That's the way to do it" - Punch
    24. Re:Damn... by Kyr+Arvin · · Score: 2

      South Park managed to pull it off without falling into any of those three through the Super Best Friends. Nope, not blasphemous either; since you have to be religious to be able to commit blasphemy, due to it being a religious law and not secular.

      The environment changed in between Super Best Friends (aired July 2001) and 201 (aired 2010). In Super Best Friends, Muhammad was drawn, and it caused no controversy. In 201, Comedy Central forced all depictions of Muhammad to be heavily censored over Matt's and Trey's objections, even though it treated Muhammad with respect, the only "offense" being he was depicted.

      Super Best Friends was pulled in 2010 and is no longer available for purchase.
      200 and 201 are similarly unavailable and has not re-aired since its premiere.

      It's pretty clear that there was nothing wrong with the episodes (especially compared to how other figures, religious or not, get lampooned), but Islamic radicals have shown a willingness to murder anyone in any country for any offense.

    25. Re:Damn... by tbannist · · Score: 1

      Frankly, those aren't very flashy "superpowers". Transmutation of materials and walking on water aren't nearly as impressive as super strength, shooting lasers, or flying. Healing and raising the dead, on the other hand are pretty impressive powers in their own right, but those powers push the user into a supporting role. In stories, the healer keeps the other people alive so they can do their stuff, the healer is rarely the main protagonist in a heroic epic. The healer tends to be the sidekick.

      Although, the transmutation ability could become a first class ability if it's scaled and applied correctly. Imagine a man who can transmute a wall into air with a wave of his hand or the reverse, or who could wave away a hail of bullets, instead of, say, turning a jug of water into wine.

      As I was thinking about this, I realized that on many levels, Dr. Manhattan's power are just the scaled up powers of Jesus, except, of course, that I don't think that Dr. Manhattan could actually return the dead to life. I think the point, is that while Biblical Jesus has amazing powers for the real world, in a superhero comic book world, his powers are far less impressive than those of many well-known superheroes.

      --
      Fanatically anti-fanatical
    26. Re:Damn... by Kyr+Arvin · · Score: 1

      If you take away all the things that clump is into neat little buckets, the implications are profound.

      You might as well say "if only we didn't act like human beings, or living creatures."

    27. Re:Damn... by cmdr_klarg · · Score: 1

      If Jesus has any flaws, or resorts to kicking arse

      Like he did in the temple? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      --
      THE SOFTWARE, IT NO WORKY!!!
    28. Re:Damn... by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Jesus only had to be a seventh level cleric! (Not sure about new rules).

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    29. Re: Damn... by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 1

      Call him Buddy Christ, that'd work.

    30. Re:Damn... by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 1

      social mediaâ(TM)s anger-made-easy platforms

      Love that phrase, will have to remember it for future use.

    31. Re:Damn... by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      It would be difficult to write such a comic though that wouldn't fall into one of three traps: Preachy, Blasphemous, or Boring.

      It would be hard to write one that didn't fall in to all three of those.

      South Park managed to pull it off without falling into any of those three through the Super Best Friends. Nope, not blasphemous either; since you have to be religious to be able to commit blasphemy, due to it being a religious law and not secular.

      Or was Seaman blasphemy against poor Aquaman?

      True but that was one episode not a whole thing. the 200 and 201 double did get a little preachy though.

      --
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    32. Re:Damn... by JThundley · · Score: 1

      Christians don't want their kids reading Harry Potter because it tells stories of sorcery (other than god's). Doesn't that mean that the entire concept of superheroes is blasphemous on it's face?

  2. Remove Jesus, insert other religious figure... by hiroshimarrow · · Score: 5, Funny

    and someone would get crucified if it were one that was less forgiving.

    1. Re:Remove Jesus, insert other religious figure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Maybe replace him with Allah. What do you think would happen next?

    2. Re:Remove Jesus, insert other religious figure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      >What do you think would happen next?

      Probably someone in some nerd news comment section correcting you where you meant to say Muhammad?

    3. Re:Remove Jesus, insert other religious figure... by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Maybe replace him with Allah. What do you think would happen next?

      Same person. Or god. Or whatever.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    4. Re:Remove Jesus, insert other religious figure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Funny thing.

      Muslims believe that Muhammad was a Prophet who was divinely inspired by God, but not a God himself.
      Co-incidentally, they also put Jesus into the Prophet category and reject any idea of the Trinity or godliness of Jesus.

      Hilarity ensues

  3. No problem.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Ignore those touchy bigot Christians and just switch the book to use Muhammad and the religion of tolerance and peace. That works...right?

    1. Re:No problem.... by mpercy · · Score: 1

      Islam is a religion of peace...an Brutus is an honorable man.

    2. Re:No problem.... by Megol · · Score: 1

      Brutus is indeed honorable by helping removing a dictator abusing the system. We should all strive to show the same strength and determination!

    3. Re:No problem.... by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Brutus, at great personal risk, assassinated a criminal who had seized power from the established civil government by force of arms in order to escape trial, demolished all limitations upon the power that one individual may wield, and established himself as an unrestrained and unaccountable dictator for life.

      Sic semper tyrannis.

  4. Thor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, if this is real, then it may finally be time for Norwegians to stand up and demand the halt of this blasphemous portrayal of Thor Odinson, the god of Thunder!

    1. Re: Thor by Frankzy · · Score: 2

      Just Norwegians? What about Swedes and Danes?

    2. Re: Thor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Just Norwegians? What about Swedes and Danes?

      The Swedes are blasphemous non-believers, and everyone knows that the Danes killed Thor!

    3. Re:Thor by Larry+Lightbulb · · Score: 1

      The Norse deities would probably be quite pleased by their appearance in comics, which are pretty much modern day sagas.

    4. Re:Thor by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      The Norse myths are great. I recommend Neil Gaiman's take on them, especially the recent BBC adaptation.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    5. Re: Thor by Evtim · · Score: 1

      There's only one God, m'am, and I'm pretty sure He does not dress like that!

    6. Re:Thor by laie_techie · · Score: 1

      So, you're saying Thor had something to do with it?

      Was Jesus a Christian, or a Jew? Is there no irony?

      Jesus was a Jew, raised in the Jewish faith. He reformed much of the tradition Jewish leaders added through the centuries, but kept the faith intact.

    7. Re:Thor by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Until his followers later tossed almost all of the Jewish aspects of the religion away as the new religion adapted to more easily fit with Roman culture.

    8. Re:Thor by laie_techie · · Score: 1

      Until his followers later tossed almost all of the Jewish aspects of the religion away as the new religion adapted to more easily fit with Roman culture.

      Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18 NASB)

      Christians kept the religion while removing cultural traditions. Blood sacrifices were no longer required, because Jesus fulfilled that part through his atonement.

    9. Re:Thor by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Blood sacrifices. Dietary laws. Circumcision. Most of the festival observances. By the time Christians were done removing those 'cultural traditions' they wasn't much left to mark the religion as Jewish in origin at all.

    10. Re:Thor by fustakrakich · · Score: 1
      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    11. Re:Thor by laie_techie · · Score: 1

      Blood sacrifices. Dietary laws. Circumcision. Most of the festival observances. By the time Christians were done removing those 'cultural traditions' they wasn't much left to mark the religion as Jewish in origin at all.

      Jesus is our Paschal Lamb - he fulfilled the need for further blood sacrifice; all previous sacrifices were symbolic of the sacrifice Jesus would make. Festivals that got left by the wayside were mostly cultural. Circumcision and dietary restrictions were cause of conflict between early Christians who were Jews by blood and early Christians who were Pagans. Revelation introduced these practices, so revelation was needed to end them. What was left was the theology. Yes, Christianity evolved from Judaism. Christians equate Jesus with Jehovah of the Jewish faith.

  5. April Fools! by goombah99 · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is an april fools joke right? Who would greenlight this?

    Or did Southpark acquire DC comics? Will Jesus defeat Santa Claus?

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re: April Fools! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Who would let a religious majority dictate art in a free society?

    2. Re: April Fools! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You forgot the /s tag.

      Try drawing Mohamed in a comic.

    3. Re:April Fools! by turp182 · · Score: 2

      Let's ask Brian Boitano!

      --
      BlameBillCosby.com
    4. Re: April Fools! by goombah99 · · Score: 1

      plus Olive, the other reindeer.

      --
      Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    5. Re: April Fools! by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Not that easy, all that beard and the towel on the head... Stick to Jesus. A halo is easier to draw than a hairdo on fire.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    6. Re: April Fools! by AnonyMouseCowWard · · Score: 5, Insightful

      So instead of getting shot at, you just get censored due to religion...It's better, for sure, but that doesn't make religion better. It's just a religion, you (not you literally, the figurative you) believe what the heck you want and others can do what the heck they please, including drawing comics about your figurehead. Drawing Jesus comics doesn't infringe on your religious rights; however, if you decide to censor, or worse, retaliate against the creators, that just means religion is given way too much power or you're a terrorist.

    7. Re:April Fools! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      It sounds kinda interesting. Say Jesus came back today, he would be competing for YouTube views with Beyonce and PewDiePie. Okay it's comics so it has to be a superhero in spandex, but the basic premise is there, and was probably an issue back in his time.

      These days there would also be a backlash against an SJW telling people what to do and making them feel guilty about stuff. Then there is the way his teachings have been re-interpreted and corrupted from their original meaning over the last 2000 years. The outrage seen when people discover that their favourite character is actually gay would be multiplied by a million when Jesus introduces his boyfriend to the world.

      Seems like he would need a PR manager at the very least.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    8. Re:April Fools! by MitchDev · · Score: 1

      Jesus wouldn't be gay, he'd be bi- or pan-sexual. Jesus loves everybody!

    9. Re:April Fools! by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      I am a religious person, but I don't see this story blasphemous myself. Currently in our culture there is a disconnect between the teachings from the Christian traditions and the actual actions and call of actions from many predominate Christian leaders.

      I feel the outcry is because the hypocrisy that we all face is being exposed, and the one thing everyone doesn't want is to be shown that they are wrong or immoral.

      A lot of "Religious" people want is a simple If you do these things then you are good. However the Christian teaching actually offers a more complex set of morality then most of us want to deal with. A story set in modern times I feel would help reinforce the Christian teaching, in a non-dogma related media.

      If well written this could be a powerful story to allow people to re-assets their stances and actions, without having to be all preachy. Because people don't like to show they are wrong or immoral, if they can come to the realization themselves, then all the better.

      I expect there would be some outcry, but those are often from the same groups that just hate comic books anyways. I guess it sparked a bigger nerve.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    10. Re:April Fools! by malkavian · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Ah, you've fallen into the age old trap of believing that a deity/messiah would behave the way you want.
      I have a sneaky suspicion that the any returned Jesus would decry the SJWs as much as the political machinations of the church/political parties and the rest of the divisive ideologies.

    11. Re: April Fools! by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      The Religious Majority didn't Dictate it, DC wouldn't be put in jail for their comic book. However... as you state it is the Majority, so I expect declining profits would be the reason to stop it.
      It is a redefined version of progress just because someone can do a thing, it doesn't mean they must do that thing.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    12. Re: April Fools! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Is this really any different that them deciding not to move ahead with a show that featured gay people in some unfavorable way due to a huge response from gays?

      Bet you'd support that 100%

    13. Re:April Fools! by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      I am a religious person

      Why?

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    14. Re:April Fools! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Jesus went against the grain of society, stoop up for the oppressed, advocated equality and social justice for all, disliked the 1%... He even sent himself death threats and his followers have a near-religious fervour. Eventually conservatives got fed up with his BS and constantly claiming to be the victim - "waaah thy nailed me to a cross waaah!" Suck it up, Jesus.

      Sounds like an SJW to me.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    15. Re: April Fools! by orlanz · · Score: 2

      Only a little religious and not Christian but I will take a stab. For me, it's mentally comforting. And God is a personal and selfish concept for me.

      I understand it isn't necessary for others but it is for me. And it adds quite a bit of relief and quiet internal happiness to believe that there is a higher power above me; above all humans. That one day they would answer for their transgressions. And wrongs not as defined by me but as defined by a greater, more fair power. Kind of like an idealistic Judge. I find it easier to let things go and not become preoccupied with something that happened in traffic and ruin the rest of my good day. I can judge all transgressions before me, but don't have the burden of executing a just punishment.

      I have found my need to talk, ask, beg, thank, and joke with my inner voices I call various Gods to be not only comforting, but also supportive, strengthening, and therapeutic.

      I know some others who believe in their beliefs for similar if not the same reasons. I am sure there are many more that have yet other reasons. To each his own.

      Maybe I am mentally disabled in some way and this is my way to cope with society or appear normal to others. I could probably get the same treatment with drugs and therapy. Or maybe a cure. But that's OK, I am good with the way I am.

    16. Re: April Fools! by meglon · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You're worried about the comic "getting things wrong?" Seriously?

      Jesus taught to feed the hungry, to treat strangers with compassion, to cloth those without, to look after the sick, to give to the poor, and to sell ones possessions and share so as there would be no needy.

      BUT, this is the US. In the US we have conservative "christians" who actively do exactly the opposite, and denounce the teachings of Jesus every chance they get.... and yet still call themselves christians. The biggest threat to Christianity is the fake conservative "christians" in the US who are adulterating and abusing his teachings EVERY SINGLE DAY. The only things they teach are being anti-abortion (Jesus never mentioned abortion being wrong, or being against it...even though herbal abortion was commonplace at the time), and being anti gay marriage (again, Jesus never mentions gay marriage). Conservative "christians" are not Christians, they're a cult of anti-Christians.

      But you're worried about if the comic books might get it wrong....

      --
      Fascism: An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. See also: NAZI's
    17. Re:April Fools! by The_Revelation · · Score: 1

      Probably someone with a great sense of humour. A visionary perhaps? Jesus Christ, vampire slayer was great

    18. Re: April Fools! by segwonk · · Score: 1

      "...even though herbal abortion was commonplace at the time)"

      Wait, what??
      How do I learn more about this?

      --
      - ------ Go 'til ya know.
    19. Re: April Fools! by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      ((:-{>

      Mohammed.

      ((:-{>8

      Tranny Mohammed.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    20. Re: April Fools! by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      I do not know if "commonplace" would be accurate, but it's noteworthy that there is one reference to abortion in the bible. It's the 'ordeal of the bitter water' and consists of instructions to carry out an abortion in the event of suspected adultery. Old testament though, Numbers, so pre-Jesus.

    21. Re:April Fools! by tbannist · · Score: 1

      Really? I don't think I've ever seen it used in any other way.

      Here's the Webster's definition of SJW:

      SJW (noun): A term used by fuckwits to describe people they don't like.

      Seems accurate.

      --
      Fanatically anti-fanatical
    22. Re:April Fools! by painandgreed · · Score: 1

      This is an april fools joke right? Who would greenlight this?

      Or did Southpark acquire DC comics? Will Jesus defeat Santa Claus?

      Vertigo Comics. Way back in the 80's, DC hired some writers who started doing stories for older audiences. One of these was Neil Gaiman who did Sandman off of DC characters but added his own. He's done several movies you've probably heard of and currently known for his books and TV show, American Gods. Anywa, there was still a Comics Code which prevented pretty much everything stories for older readers might want, so DC spun off the applicable series into Vertigo Comics which would not adhere to the Comics Code. They currently do mostly non-superhero stories and often in short series that is over once completed. THis sort of thing is right up their alley, and no doubt acts as a test market for what the DC parent company can or can't get away with, which was the original intention.

      Otherwise, you can always just go read the God Is Dead comic where all the gods, including Jesus, reappear on the world, and the (non-domgmatic) apocalypse that happens afterwards.

  6. Re:Oh noes! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Judge and my therapist says I shouldn't.

  7. Special fun-pak games section planned too by goombah99 · · Score: 2

    In the middle of the comic they were planning to have a connect-the-dots Mohamed image.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  8. Sounds pretty ridiculous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    hard to believe somebody would actually invest in this idea

  9. That sounds like a compliment! by ZorinLynx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Outrageous and blasphemous"? Bring it on!

    There's always going to be some people who are pissed off at something. If you always listen to them, you'll never put anything out at all.

    They should have just doubled down and rolled with this.

    1. Re:That sounds like a compliment! by thereddaikon · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Easy to say when its Jesus and the worst you get is bad press. Show me how much you really believe in free speech. Do an arc on Mohammed.

    2. Re:That sounds like a compliment! by alvinrod · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It reminds me of when Kevin Smith made Dogma, which received similar backlash from Christian groups. Smith actually went out to one of the protests( which wasn't very large) and joined in with them, which was caught on film by a news crew covering it.

      Comic sales are in the tank and I don't think Christians are the main customer base for DC. If anything, the extra attention would just drum up sales for the first issue because people would buy it just to spite the holier than thou religious types.

    3. Re:That sounds like a compliment! by eepok · · Score: 1

      Exactly. They could have just called Kevin Smith and asked, "Hey... we got these angry Christians... is this worth it?" to which he could respond, "Look, you know that's a stupid question. You're calling me because I wrote 'Dogma' which fucking killed it and you know it. Read the Wiki."

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      300% return on investment on a film that was WIDELY protested due to blasphemy. And then people shut up about it.

    4. Re:That sounds like a compliment! by aybiss · · Score: 1

      Nobody gives a fuck about your "what about..." attempts to justify believing in fairy tales.

      --
      It's OK Bender, there's no such thing as 2.
    5. Re:That sounds like a compliment! by thereddaikon · · Score: 1

      Who said I was justifying anything? I am an atheist. I think you are the ones justifying your cowardice. Hating the religion of a bunch of people who aren't going to retaliate and the ones who really need ridicule get off. All because you know they will use violence and you're too much of a pussy to stand up what you believe in.

  10. Religious fundamentalism is always harmful. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Whether it is middle-eastern suicode bombers, Vatican boy rapists, or this kind of fake-victimhood terrorism.

    Not being allowed to take the freedom of other people does not equal you having your freedom taken away, dear terrorists. It is not harm, to forbid somebody to harm you.

    And free speech is one of he most fundamental guaranteed freedoms.

    You even have the right to *say* you want to take the freedom of others.
    But we are not obliged to comply. And we have the right to say you are morons and terrorists.
    I know factual reality is not your thing, but in his case, such statements are not slander, as they are factually true.

    1. Re: Religious fundamentalism is always harmful. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Religion is harmful. There is fixed that for you.

    2. Re:Religious fundamentalism is always harmful. by Oligonicella · · Score: 1
      All fundamentalism is bad. This includes atheists.

      But we are not obliged to comply.

      Neither was DC, so what's your point? Oh, sorry. Wrote that before reading your last paragraph. Painting Christians as terrorists was your point.

  11. "holy mission by God" by Daralantan · · Score: 1

    Just like the Blues Brothers???

    1. Re:"holy mission by God" by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      I consider it a missed opportunity to see Jesus with shades. Would've been the coolest messiah ever. And turned water to beer.

      I can only do that the other way 'round.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    2. Re:"holy mission by God" by frank_adrian314159 · · Score: 1

      I can only do that the other way 'round.

      Somehow, I don't think you're actually talking "water" anymore.

      --
      That is all.
    3. Re:"holy mission by God" by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

      Just look it up. There are plenty of pics, statues with that.

  12. Eh - I'd still like to see it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This isn't completely new territory. Miracleman was notable for its release from the 'superhero' concept once the main character realized his life was a simplistic morality play written for children - and then decided to ACTUALLY start making things better for everyone.

    There's the usual beating someone with the same powers as them (basically superman), with horrific results, and then ... then they legitimately improve the world. Rebuilding, undoing death, creating a post-scarcity society, becoming part of the larger universe.

    And they didn't ignore or shy away from the religious overtones.

    Made for a really good exploration of concepts - shame that it was basically tied up in legal ownership muck for many, many years.

    Think of it this way - if we got time travel, or the ability to re-create things/people from the past - woudln't one of the absolutely first things folks would do would be to visit/recreate Jesus of Nasareth? Even if just to see what that story really was?

    This guy made a fictional story where the Jesus and God are lesser characters in a story. A certain self-proclaimed prophet Mohammad did the same thing, I suppose. There's a lot to learn as long as you don't take it as gospel, so to speak.

  13. Sun-O-God by circlekhaos · · Score: 1

    Long ago - late '60s or early '70s - among the counter culture comic books like Zap, there was Sun-O-God Comix that was pretty outrageous in a wacky way. So this is hardly new. Central character was a yeshiva student. It'd be considered wildly anti-Semitic now but I'm sure the Christian Right would be the most offended. After all, this was back in the '60s. The whole point was to offend people. Like long hair and beards and no bra. Shocking!

  14. Typical racist bullshit by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can have a Norse superhero, you can have a black superhero but god forbid we get a Jewish superhero!

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    1. Re:Typical racist bullshit by The+Original+CDR · · Score: 1, Informative
      Sorry to break your bubble. Superman was a Jewish immigrant.

      Superman’s possible Judaism shouldn’t be a surprise. The hero’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were the children of Jewish immigrants. The comic book industry, where they spent a significant portion of their young careers, was created in New York by Jews like Max Ginsburg, Bob Kahn, and Jacob Kurtzberg, who hid their ethnicity behind names like Gaines, Kane, and Kirby. Over the years there have been scores of books and articles on the subject with punny names like Up, Up, and Oy Vey or “Mensch of Steel.”

    2. Re:Typical racist bullshit by rsilvergun · · Score: 2

      What about Bernie Sanders?

      --
      Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    3. Re: Typical racist bullshit by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Right. He wouldn't work as a character in a story. I mean, who'd want to read about a perfect character, that's boring. Such characters are usually very uninteresting, bland and one-dimensional.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    4. Re:Typical racist bullshit by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Hmm... no cape, can't fly, what kinda super hero is that supposed to be?

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    5. Re:Typical racist bullshit by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

      Would that the Opportunist had taken the opportunity to check out Wikipedia beforehand. Forty-three of them. I especially like Bernie Rosenthal.

    6. Re:Typical racist bullshit by meglon · · Score: 1

      Well, there's always the Hebrew Hammer.

      --
      Fascism: An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. See also: NAZI's
    7. Re: Typical racist bullshit by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 1

      Can you imagine how hard it would be to write an omnipotent character in a superhero story. That would have to be the most boring story ever.

      --
      Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
    8. Re:Typical racist bullshit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You are such a lunatic creimer! Also, you are so stubborn that you can't even admit your own mistakes.

      How is the anti Bill Maher campaign going you big dummy?

      Attacking well known people like this is sure a great strategy to insure your long tail revenue streams!

      No target is too large for creimer given creimer's size.

      You know what? Bill Maher is right, only lunatic dummies like yourself attach such an importance to Funko Poops and super heroes!

      The rest of the comic cons attendance is just normal people like me that watch this type of material once in a while and go to comic cons for fun. They are far from being retarded maniacs like yourself.

      Good luck, you fifty year old child!

    9. Re: Typical racist bullshit by aybiss · · Score: 1

      One Punch Man - watch it now!

      --
      It's OK Bender, there's no such thing as 2.
    10. Re:Typical racist bullshit by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Here's another wikipedia article you might want to read. Maybe you won't miss one again.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  15. If someones faith is that shallow by pgmrdlm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Then they truly do not believe.
    I am religious, and have faith. But I also enjoy reading fiction that some would find blasphemy. What I read does not shake my faith. If these people are so offended, their faith has been brought into question. Then they are not as religious as they think they are.

    --
    Anonymous comments are as pathetic as the anonymous "sources" that contaminate gutless journalism from the New York Time
    1. Re:If someones faith is that shallow by karlandtanya · · Score: 1

      yes, absolutely.

      I have a friend who's pagan (first nations; not new age).
      When the evangalists come by his house to proselytize, he asks them "Why should I believe in your God? You don't."
      Their response is generally a good indicator of the sincerity of their faith.

      --
      "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick
    2. Re:If someones faith is that shallow by grep+-v+'.*'+* · · Score: 1

      What I read does not shake my faith. [If it does...'

      THAT was my exact line wrt: The Da Vinci Code. If a single movie can shake your faith, you don't have any to start with. "Protecting them" from evil movies, books, ideas, etc is just keeping the sheep together and dumb.

      --
      If the universe is someone's simulation -- does that mean the stars are just stuck pixels?
    3. Re:If someones faith is that shallow by pgmrdlm · · Score: 1

      Same here. I both read the book and watched the movie. Neither bothered my faith at all. And I enjoyed both the book and the movie. The book was better of course, but that is besides the point.

      --
      Anonymous comments are as pathetic as the anonymous "sources" that contaminate gutless journalism from the New York Time
  16. Re:The definition of a bully by Opportunist · · Score: 1

    Jesus, Muhammad, Krishna, Xenu... same bull, other flavor.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  17. Lame by dbrueck · · Score: 1

    I'm sad to see they buckled to a petition.

    To me the comic sounds dumb and offensive and likely to lose money, but it's far better to let the market prove this out than to preemptively censor them via an outrage posse.

    1. Re:Lame by Shotgun · · Score: 1

      They didn't cancel until the day after the pre-sales numbers came out. I think they DID wait for the market proof.

      --
      Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
      Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
    2. Re:Lame by dbrueck · · Score: 1

      Ah, thank you.

  18. A bit ironic by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 1
    So I decided I would rather keep the story intact,” he said. “Nobody really wants a watered-down, one-size-fits-none version of this story, so they graciously agreed to let me have it back We also want a publisher who can get it to fans in the near future, so we hope to be able to announce a new home as soon as possible.”

    It looks like the story will get out, just that DC didn’t want the controversy.

    CitizenGo claimed the decision as a victory, telling Syfy Wire that Second Coming “portrays a false view” of Jesus, who is “not a failure”. It added: “Most children grow up reading about iconic DC superheroes like Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman. It would be a shame to market this false view of Jesus as an equal read to these figures.”

    Let me get his straight. Stories about mythical persons who die, come back, have evil twins, cavort with God figures and can have multiple conflicting story lines are iconic but don’t you dare touch Jesus because someone my think your version is the one true story? I wonder if Wonder Woman would be so iconic to CitizenGo if she were gay. Maybe, just don’t put her likeness on a bus.

    --
    I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
    1. Re:A bit ironic by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      They petitioned Portland to drop ads on busses featuring lesbians, so I'm guessing they would take a dim view of Wonder Woman being one.

      Of course an impractical skin-tight costume is fine.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  19. Re:Just swap Jesus/Christianity with Muhammad/Isla by Opportunist · · Score: 1

    Jesus had the cooler story. And he was the better Copperfield.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  20. Reminds me of the film Hamlet 2 by turp182 · · Score: 1

    It's a film I really enjoyed.

    It's about a high school theater production where Jesus comes back but has to be cool and he time travels to save characters from Hamlet. Super well made (it's a movie with an actual musical at the end).

    "Rock me, rock me, rock me sexy Jesus!":
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    --
    BlameBillCosby.com
  21. So DC is bringing back "Bible Man" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Holy shitballs who thought this was a good idea.

    Just as taste of how shitty this idea is I present to you.

    BIBLE MAN!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3thXw-pso

  22. Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The Christians are acting as butthurt as the Muslims

    1. Re:Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Let me know when the Christians try to murder everyone involved like Muslims would

    2. Re:Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      You will note:

      1. There were no riots.
      2. No one died
      3. It didn't even make the national news until after the fact.
      4. There were no death threats

      Contrasts that with say, some series that portrays LBQTWERTY in a bad light.

      1. There would be protests.
      2. There would be boycotts.
      3. There would be mass Virtue Signalling on all the social media.
      4. There would be talk of how the LBQTWERTY is being attacked and could cost someone their life.
      5. There would probably be death threats.
      6. Some idiot Congressmaggot would try to hold hearings.

      And finally, contrast that with an animated series on Mohammad.

      Riots, murders, etc. You know thew drill from past experience.

    3. Re: Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      As a Christian, I say the concept is fascinating. Then again, I'm of the opinion that we've completely botched the gospel and the mission of the church, so " what would Jesus think of what we've made it today" resonates with me.

      That said, it would be very easy to muck up the writing for all the reasons posted earlier in this thread.

    4. Re:Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Let me know when the Christians try to murder everyone involved like Muslims would

      They've already done that.
      Then there where a couple of wars regarding how strict we would allow Christians to be that makes ISIS looks benign in comparison.

      Modern day Christians are mostly nice because they were beaten into submission, but judging from how some of them behave we might need another round of that to prevent them from becoming like ISIS again.

    5. Re:Holy shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Let me know when the Christians try to murder everyone involved...

      The Crusades?

      Or the Spanish Inquisition.

      Shall I go on, or is that enough go get you started?

    6. Re:Holy shit. by Scarletdown · · Score: 4, Funny

      Let me know when the Christians try to murder everyone involved...

      The Crusades?

      Or the Spanish Inquisition.

      Well, I for one certainly was not expecting that...

      --
      This space unintentionally left blank.
    7. Re:Holy shit. by Linux+Torvalds · · Score: 2

      Then there was that whole Great Flood thing, but never mind that. Mysterious ways, etc., etc.

    8. Re:Holy shit. by Shotgun · · Score: 1

      So how many centuries did you have to reach back to try to prove a point? He said "Christians", not "Christians that died 500 years ago."

      --
      Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
      Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
    9. Re:Holy shit. by ilsaloving · · Score: 2

      Except they haven't murdered anyone (that I am aware of) over a comic book.

    10. Re:Holy shit. by Megol · · Score: 1

      I could provide some examples, one well known being about 0.3 centuries ago, but I'll not do that. We all know that the result would be a no-true-christian argument of the quality that would equally apply to muslims, ..., buddhists. Instead let's just jump to the "logical" conclusion that nobody is ever killed because of religion.

    11. Re: Holy shit. by SuricouRaven · · Score: 1

      Currently Christian denominations number in the tens of thousands. All of which believe that all the other denominations have botched the gospel to some extent, and they alone have interpreted it correctly and follow it as intended.

    12. Re:Holy shit. by Scarletdown · · Score: 1

      And I for one was also not expecting some random AC to totally miss the obvious and obligatory Spanish Inquisition cue.

      --
      This space unintentionally left blank.
    13. Re:Holy shit. by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      How dare you compare me to Fox News!

      Also the 'J' is capitalized.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  23. It matters more by louzer · · Score: 1

    I am sure this will matter more than censorship of right wing views.

    --
    Heroes die once, cowards live longer.
  24. Jesus, the first Trump Republican by NEDHead · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Makes up stories, claims to do AMAZING THINGS, lies about where he spent the weekend, then wants 10% of your income.

  25. Offense culture leads to blasphemy culture by sinij · · Score: 1

    Offense culture inevitably leads to blasphemy culture and these are early signs of this phenomenon. If West ends up living in Theocracy, we can all thank SJWs for that.

    1. Re:Offense culture leads to blasphemy culture by bug_hunter · · Score: 1

      Nope, you can't blame SJWs for absolutely everything you know. Religious people banning stuff existed well before modern organised "SJW" movements.

      --
      It's turtles all the way down.
  26. Re:Imagine by radja · · Score: 1

    I've seen hundreds of Mohammed cartoons since the Charlie Hebdo massacre. In general, publishing a Mohammed cartoon isn't a problem.

    --

    No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee's frothy goodness.
    --Sheikh Abd-Al-Kadir, 1587
  27. Hi Son-man, I'm Dad-man! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    Oh, the Christians might be upset about a trivialization of Jesus?
    I thought they were worried the Aztecs would be upset of the representation of Nanahuatzin in a comic book. Boy, you sure don't want to piss off those Aztecs!

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    1. Re:Hi Son-man, I'm Dad-man! by scdeimos · · Score: 1

      Oh, the Christians might be upset about a trivialization of Jesus?

      They don't seem to mind wasting their money at Christmas time. Heaven forbid we should forget the day Jesus was born, pass me another present so I can celebrate the religion of Commercialisation!

  28. Theocracy by johnstrass1 · · Score: 1

    And who says we don't live in a theocracy...

  29. Controversy as Marketing by bussdriver · · Score: 1

    They ditched when they saw it wasn't going to do well; otherwise, they'd pull crap like killing Superman just to sell some more tired old crap.

    Hey, isn't Superman a SUN powered god? Didn't superman become a Jesus proxy? They didn't have the guts to use superman; it had to have crossed their mind.

    As stupid as it sounds it could have been funny to see a make over Jesus in spandex and a cape multiplying food and being a preachy un-dead immortal trying to appeal to little boys -- who tend to resolve their emotions physically... in a comic book character fashion.

    I sure hope somebody at South Park catches wind of this story! This could turn out so much better...

    1. Re:Controversy as Marketing by tbannist · · Score: 1

      Well, the sun-powered superhero is obviously a proxy for Superman, however, the people writing the story aren't DC employees and DC wouldn't want to expose a lucrative property like Superman to the potential ridicule that the story could trigger up if it wasn't done well. Also, I get the feeling that the sun-powered superhero is likely to have some un-superman traits, because Superman is a bit too good to contrast well with the direction they are most likely to take with Jesus.

      --
      Fanatically anti-fanatical
  30. So much for "Free Speech" by The+Faywood+Assassin · · Score: 1

    Aren't the people getting bent out of shape about this the same people who go on and on about "free speech" when they have to demonize other religions?

    --

    "I'm a humble person really,

    I'm actually much greater than I think I am"

  31. Re:Special fun-pak games section planned too by houghi · · Score: 1

    That would be on the first few weeks. Later it would be a "fold here" like they used to have in Mad Magazine a gazillion years ago. (80-ies?)

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  32. Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by Comboman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Pretty much the only religion unarguably less forgiving than Christianity is Islam.

    Clearly you've never offended a Scientologist.

    --
    Support Right To Repair Legislation.
    1. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

      Maybe the guy hanging out with Sun-Man should be Tom Cruise.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    2. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by mark_reh · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You've mistaken scientology for a religion.

    3. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by Kyr+Arvin · · Score: 1

      I think he was comparing Christians to Scientologists in terms of forgiving. Rewrite it as "pretty much the only religions unarguably less forgiving than Christianity are Islam and Scientology."

    4. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by cmdr_klarg · · Score: 2

      You've mistaken scientology for a religion.

      Why? Scientology has all the hallmarks as any other religion does. And it is just as valid as the rest of them too.

      --
      THE SOFTWARE, IT NO WORKY!!!
    5. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by HornWumpus · · Score: 2

      Charlatan that founded it is dead. So yes, religion not cult.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    6. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by grep+-v+'.*'+* · · Score: 1

      Pretty much the only religion unarguably less forgiving than Christianity is Islam.

      Clearly you've never offended a Scientologist.

      You think you're funny, but you're not. Do Scientologists literally behead you? Or did I miss that particular Tom Cruise scene on the TV nightly news?

      --
      If the universe is someone's simulation -- does that mean the stars are just stuck pixels?
    7. Re:Remove Jesus, insert L Ron Hubbard by SuricouRaven · · Score: 2

      Scientology is a religion when it is legally convenient to be a religion, and a business when it is legally convenient to be a business.

  33. Yes how dare they by DrXym · · Score: 1, Insightful

    How dare they concoct a ridiculous fictional character and use it like this? I'm outraged. Also, the other character Sun-Man deserves a better story line.

  34. "He was like us in all things but sin" by karlandtanya · · Score: 1

    At least, that's what they told me in religion class.
    Thus, those who call it blasphemy to show the Son of God taking a lesson from someone his Father created have told us that God wouldn't do that.
    Like us in all things but sin; unlike us in $act; therefore $act is sinful.

    I see their unspoken position--taking a lesson from you means I'm less than you; to show God as "less than" would be blasphemy.
    For them, hubris is a virtue (they call it being "righteous")

    In this case I can't fault them for hypocrisy; they are self-consistent here.
    I dispute their fundamental premise--that letting someone teach you something makes you "less than".

    --
    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." - Philip K. Dick
  35. Fundie Follies by JackSpratts · · Score: 1

    I think the religious fundamentalists and critics who are trying to stop Second Coming aren't interested in protecting Christ so much as their ability to control his narrative... They probably (correctly) suspect that it's not Christ who's being parodied, but themselves and how they've twisted his teachings of mercy for the powerless into a self-serving tool of the powerful. - Comic's Author Mark Russell

    breath of fresh air that.

    - js.

  36. Re:Just curious here.... by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    "News for Nerds, Stuff that matters" I seem to have heard that around here once upon a time. Stereotypical nerds are interested in comics.

    On a different front, these guys probably didn't want the competition.
    Tthe R. Crumb book of Genesis came too late for poor little Sheldon Cooper.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  37. Re:Theocracy by Voyager529 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And who says we don't live in a theocracy...

    Is the government threatening DC with fines/jail time/threat of life if they publish it?
    Is there any county, state, or federal law preventing DC from publishing it?
    Is there any county, state, or federal law preventing retailers from selling it?
    If DC were to publish it and retailers were to sell it, and people were to cause quantifiable harm to either of them as a result, would the government fail to arrest those who caused that harm?

    No, no, no, and no. Therefore, I can conclude that we do not, in fact, live in a theocracy.

    What we have is DC making a decision about what they want to publish. Exercising their right to the freedom of the press as they are choosing to not-publish something is basically the antithesis of what a theocratic government would do.

  38. Um... Preacher? by Tyler+Durden · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Whatever you do, don't show these petitioners a copy of Preacher. Their heads would explode.

    On second thought, do. Do show them copies.

    --
    Happy people make bad consumers.
  39. i was expecting an atheist uproar. by Voice+of+satan · · Score: 1

    When reading the title i was expecting non religious people to be miffed by the intrusion of religious fanfiction in their stuff. Well, it was the other way around. But i know next to nothing to seperheroes and the public interested in them.

    Isn't all sort of advert a good advert ? Coudln't they sell the comic surfing over a wave of comical christfags whining ? For the fun of it ?

  40. Second Coming by PPH · · Score: 1

    So, he was here before?

    Oy vey!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  41. Incentive by Sloppy · · Score: 1

    If we don't extend permanent copyright protection to the bible and derived works, then its authors will retroactively lose all their incentive to have created the work.

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    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  42. Re:Yeah, Jesus needs to learn from Sun-Man. Riiiig by cyberchondriac · · Score: 1

    Hey there Mr. 666, as an aside, did you know there was a Son of Satan comic? Marvel ran it in the mid-seventies.

    --

    Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
  43. Heh, just saw a comment up above by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    In the comic version, Thor is the hammer. Jesus is the nail.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  44. Buddha by jbmartin6 · · Score: 1

    perhaps they could do a one pager where Sun-Man says 'look I am more popular than you', and Buddha replies 'Is that so?', smiles, and goes back to Nirvana.

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    This posting is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, implied or otherwise.
  45. Jesus is the third rail of popular culture by mccrew · · Score: 1

    Jesus is the third rail of popular culture - you touch it and you die - as John Lennon famously discovered.

    --
    Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
  46. The Youtube Skeptic community made a good point by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    I say the community because the point keeps coming up: Christianity is just farther along than Islam.

    The Bible really only has 1 punishment: Death. And several of the Commandments folks like to ignore make it so that images of God are a huge no-no. Historically the reason for this was to keep power concentrated with the priesthood (folks who know their history know that government & religion were often the same thing for a very long time).

    This comes up when folks ask a YouTube skeptic "why so many videos on Christianity when Islam will kill you for drawing their prophet?". The answer is Christianity has a more immediate impact on their lives because of the countries they live in, and that they're more afraid of their country regressing back to the point where Christians have the same power to forcefully enact their will as many Muslims wield.

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  47. Re:What a feat of reality distortion! by dpidcoe · · Score: 1

    This is literally Christians acting like Muslim fundamentalists...

    Wait, did the studio receive multiple credible death threats after announcing it?

  48. It sounds interesting by fredrated · · Score: 1

    until zealots burn your house down.

  49. Been done, back in the sixties by whitroth · · Score: 2

    https://comixjoint.com/jesusco...

    "If you liked the New Testament, you'll love this new, improved testament"

    Alternatively: Even the grave couldn't stop him - he's coming after you and he WANTS YOUR SOUL!

  50. SJWs ruining comics again by darth_borehd · · Score: 1

    The SJWs (Super Jesus Warriors) strike again.

  51. Is marketing dead??? by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    I can't believe they canceled a comic with such marketing potential.

    If I were in charge of DC I would not only have NOT canceled this comic, I would have made a special edition cover with sun-man in gold foil, Jesus in silver foil, and in big letters proclaimed it to be the "Blasphemous Solarity Edition". Probably only 500k run at first just to be a bit safe, charging $20 a pop. You'd sell 100k copies just to the people who wanted to burn a copy on YouTube alone!

    In fact that brings to mind ANOTHER brilliant idea, an even more limited edition that contained strontium nitrate particles embedded in the cover that would cause the whole thing to burn with a brilliant red flame! Those would go for $50 and would look AMAZING being burnt in disgust on YouTube, and you could save on production costs by not even printing the insides.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:Is marketing dead??? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Maybe they could just store it in a freezer, so as to keep it cold so it doesn't hurt precious religious snowflakes.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:Is marketing dead??? by Miles_O'Toole · · Score: 1

      If they think THAT version of the "Second Coming" was blasphemous, it's lucky the Christ addicts don't know what I would do with the title.

      --
      Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
  52. Re: Looking forward by Evtim · · Score: 1

    It's already been described in Dune.
    Women breeders chained forever (like the latest Mad Max movie)... and they also made the most popular meat in the Empire. Crosbreed between slugs and swines if memory serves. Oh, and facedancers...

  53. Was this supposed to be a pun? by MobyDisk · · Score: 2

    The characters are "Sun-Man" and "The Son of Man" *facepalm*

    1. Re:Was this supposed to be a pun? by Daralantan · · Score: 1

      That pun is the true reason the comic was canceled.

  54. Re:Theocracy by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

    Hush. There's an agenda at foot.

  55. It's not about faith by rsilvergun · · Score: 4, Insightful

    it's about _control_. You want to be the exclusive source for comment and truth about your God so that folks have to get to God through _you_. Then you can charge them for the privilege.

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    1. Re:It's not about faith by strikethree · · Score: 1

      it's about _control_. You want to be the exclusive source for comment and truth about your God so that folks have to get to God through _you_. Then you can charge them for the privilege.

      You called this one correctly. (credit where credit is due)

      --
      "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
  56. Re:What a feat of reality distortion! by tbannist · · Score: 1

    Probably, but those death threats were from good American Christians and thus probably not news worthy. Or were you under the impression that there aren't any religious nut jobs in the ranks of the Christian Fundamentalists.

    Seriously, the publication was cancelled not because they received death threats, but because the Christian group promised to bring the death threats by making them a target. It was most definitely cancelled because they were afraid of violence from Christian nut jobs, not because they feared this group of people would continue not buying the comics that DC publishes, they even said as much near the end of the article.

    --
    Fanatically anti-fanatical
  57. Re:Theocracy by Shotgun · · Score: 1

    We do.

    Just go outside and yell "the n word".
    Just try to say you don't want to participate in someones wedding ceremony or do anything that says you condone their lifestyle.
    Just try to say that people with a penis are boys, and people with a vagina are girls.

    The theocracy is real.

    --
    Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
    Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
  58. The original story... by dbreeze · · Score: 1

    https://www.blueletterbible.or... John 1:1 KJV - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...is still better than anything written by mankind, before or since.

    If any of you would be interested in a good overall introduction to the Bible, I can't recommend Dr. Chuck Missler's work highly enough for "nerds"--> https://www.youtube.com/playli...
    He comes from an Information Technology background, and presents some insight into the authenticity of the Bible that I had not seen in my 35+ years of study. He doesn't "preach", he just teaches according to what he has found over many decades of Bible study. Could be the best 24 hours you'll ever invest in anything in your life....

    --
    When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law he tore his robes.2Kings22:11
  59. Re:Imagine by dbreeze · · Score: 1

    Depending GREATLY on what country you live in...

    --
    When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law he tore his robes.2Kings22:11
  60. Re:Theocracy by Megol · · Score: 1

    You got issues.

  61. How do you know he can't fly? by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    Have you seen him? A stiff wind and he's be airborne in a minute flat.

    And if getting America to talk seriously about single payer healthcare in 2019 isn't a super power I don't know what is.

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  62. Re:Just curious here.... by aybiss · · Score: 1

    Do we need any other reason than making fun of people who believe in things that aren't real? This is News For Nerds.

    --
    It's OK Bender, there's no such thing as 2.
  63. Re:Just curious here.... by mark-t · · Score: 1

    Like I said, I was just curious... it seemed like a lot of posts were pointing in that direction when I commented, which is why I asked.

  64. DC's had the Christian God in it for ages by rsilvergun · · Score: 1

    go look up Specter. The don't call him "God", he's The Presence. So this is hardly a stretch.

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