Reception
The critique that Siku does not use a traditional style of manga, but rather a style that is close to English independent comics, appears in several reviews. The Manga Bible is definitely influenced by the English culture, especially because it retells the story of a book that most people in the West are somehow familiar with.
Another point of critique is that The Manga Bible is too wordy for a traditional manga; Siku sees the need for that in the fact that he condenses the Bible in a 200 page graphic novel. To convey the message, more text is needed, or it would be difficult to follow the story line. It was also pointed out that due to the dense summary, the story moves in a fast pace and causes some theological flaws in The Manga Bible.
While most manga fans and reviews seem to be disappointed by the book and point out its weaknesses, the church praised the work. They see it as a book that opens up new ways of looking at the Bible. The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, says about The Manga Bible: “It will convey the shock and freshness of the Bible in a unique way.”
Siku himself sees in Jesus a superhero and not the traditional blond Christ, people know from Hollywood movies. He is currently working on a three volume book called The Manga Jesus. The first volume was released in November 2008.
Read more about this topic: The Manga Bible: From Genesis To Revelation
Famous quotes containing the word reception:
“To aim to convert a man by miracles is a profanation of the soul. A true conversion, a true Christ, is now, as always, to be made by the reception of beautiful sentiments.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Aesthetic emotion puts man in a state favorable to the reception of erotic emotion.... Art is the accomplice of love. Take love away and there is no longer art.”
—Rémy De Gourmont (1858–1915)
“He’s leaving Germany by special request of the Nazi government. First he sends a dispatch about Danzig and how 10,000 German tourists are pouring into the city every day with butterfly nets in their hands and submachine guns in their knapsacks. They warn him right then. What does he do next? Goes to a reception at von Ribbentropf’s and keeps yelling for gefilte fish!”
—Billy Wilder (b. 1906)