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Notable Comics of the 20th Century
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This is not an exhaustive history of every Christian comic ever produced worldwide during the 1900s. It is a list of known professional publications deemed to be significant for historical, artistic, cultural, or circulation reasons.
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"Aida-Zee" [USA] - Published in 1990 by The Nate Butler Studio - 32 pages + cover, full mechanical color - Various writers and artists including Gaylord DuBois, Nestor Redondo, others - Distribution information: "All 10,000 copies of the original print run [were distributed], but probably only 50-60% of this number represents 'true sales', as many were donated or given away to prisons, other ministries, individuals - The other A-Z Comics productions, Paro-Dee (1993) and Behold 3-D (1996), both sold considerably fewer copies." (From packager/publisher Nate Butler, March 2001) |
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"My Witness" ("Mi Testimonio") series [Mexico] - 5 issues (Issue 5 shown here)- Published in 1990 by Editorial Vida Abundante - 32 pages in wash tones + color cover - Written by Graciela Pedraza - Illustrated by Luciano Perez & Mario Jimenez - Published in Spanish only - Find additional series information here. |
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"Apocalypse" ("Apocalipsis") series [Mexico] - 5 issues (Issue 4 shown here) - Published in 1990 by Editorial Vida Abundante - 32 pages in wash tones + color cover - Written by Graciela Pedraza - Illustrated by Ricardo Castanon - Published in Spanish only - "Literally hundreds of thousands of all these (Editorial Vida Abundante) comics were distributed by missionary organizations that purchased them for distribution throughout Latin America." (From Dan Nase, Harvest of Life Ministries, February 2002] |
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A Personal Testimony Series [Japan] - 3 books (Testimony of Yamakawa Chiaki - Heaven's Newscaster/"Tengoku No Nyuusukyasuta", Testimony of Yoneko Tahara - A Wonderful Life/"Subarashiki Jinsei", pictured here, and Testimony of Morofuji Kenji - Touched by the Light/"Hikari Nifurerarete") Published in 1990 or 91 by Sinsei Undou/New Life League - 24 pages in black & white, with 2-color cover - Illustrated by Madoka Mako - Published in Japanese only, now out of print - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBNs: 4-88281-035-2, 4-88281-036-0, 4-88281-037-9 |
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Middle East Media Series [Arabic] - 5 titles (Book 5, The Parables of Jesus, shown here) - Published in 1991 by Middle East Media - 32 pages, self cover, all in full color - Published in Arabic only - No distribution/circulation figures available |
"Manga Introductory Series" ("Manga Nyuumon Shiriizu") [Japan] - 3 books (First issue shown here) - Published in 1991 by Word of Life Press Ministries - "A serious Bible study for middle or high school youth (seekers as well as believers) in easy-to-read cartoon format ... text edited by Christian pastors" [From the publisher, 1996] - 178 pages each in b&w, with full color covers, hardbacks - Illustrated by Toshio Katsuma - Published in Japanese only - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBNs:4-264-01265-1, 4-264-01281-3, 4-264-01255-4 |
"The Universe Upstairs" [UK] - Published in 1991 by Frameworks, an imprint of InterVarsity Press - "The first ever cartoon guide to world views" [From the publisher's back cover text] - 129 pages in black & white, with color cover - Written & Illustrated by Merve Jones - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBN: 0-85111-215-3 |
"Oboe Jones" [USA] - Published in 1992 by Cornerstone Press - 96 page paperback book (40 pages of full color comics, 48 pages of black & white comics) - Written and illustrated by Kevin Frank - Distribution information: "The strip itself ran in Cornerstone Magazine from 1985-1998. In it's heyday, it was being seen by 100,000 readers. (at least that's how many we printed back in the 80's, but later it began to shrink.) The Oboe Jones book was published in 1992, with a press run of 2000 books. They're all gone now (well maybe 100 or so left, not sure) with no plans of a second printing. How many of those were actual sales, and which ones were give-aways I couldn't say." (From Kevin Frank, March 2001)
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"Une Historie du Journal Tournesol" series [France] - 3 titles - Terres glacées ("Frozen Ground"), shown here, Inis: le prix de la paix ("Inis: The Price of Peace"), and L'évangile en Chine avec Portes Ouvertes ("The Gospel in China with Open Doors") - Published in 1992, 1999, 2000 by Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible - 34-65 pages of full color comics - All paperback - Scripts by Edith Barnaud, Mireille Clavé, Philippe Hochet, Kristina, and Sylvie Croisy - Art by Philippe Hochet, Didier Le Rest, and Jacques Defosse - Editing, Mock ups and Desktop Publishing by Jefko (Jean-Frédéric Kohler) - Published in French only, some are now out of print - No distribution/circulation information available- ISBNs: 2-85031-204-5, 2-85031-355-6, 2-85031-407-2 - Find additional series information here. |
"Jungle Village" series [Malaysia] - 2 issues published in 1992, by Asia's Little Ones/AoG - Repackaged first issue (shown here) published in 1997 by JV Comics/AoG - 28 pages + cover, full computer color - Written by Steve Benintendi and Illustrated by Loh Sy Huey - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time |
"Christian Crusader" series [USA] - 3 issues (Issue 1 shown here) - Begun in 1992, published by CC Comics - 72 pages, black & white with color covers, paperback - Written and illustrated by John Celestri - Distribution information: "Around 30-40,000 of all three." (From John Celestri, March 2001)
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Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft (German Bible Society) series [Germany] - Began publication in 1992 with Jesus der Galiläer, Bd.1 and Jesus der Galilaer, Bd.2. - Published in the UK by the British and Foreign Bible Society as Jesus the Galilean and Jesus the Victor - Four additional books David und Saul, David und Sohne (shown here), Ruth and Adam, Eva und Co. published in German only - 48 pages, full painted color, paperback - All illustrated by Rüdiger Pfeffer - No distribution/circulation figures available
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Jesus Messiah ("Jezus Messias") [Netherlands] - Published in 1993 - Paperback, 64 pages, full color, 15 x 20 cm, for ages 10 & up - Written & Illustrated by Willem deVink - Translated into more than 25 languages and dialects (including Albanian, Arab, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Koerdisch-Bahdini, Latvian, Mongolian, Dutch, Nepalese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swahili and Turkish) - No distribution/circulation figures available |
"Kidz of the King" original 1st series [USA] - 4 issues (Issue 1 shown here)- Begun in 1994, published by King Comics and KOTK Publishing - 24 pages, full airbrushed & painted color (first 3 books) - 24 pages, black & white with color cover (4th book) - Written and illustrated by Reggie Byers - Distribution information: "Total sales from the original series up to now... approximately 12,000 books." (From Reggie Byers, March 2001) |
"Parables of Jesus" ("Manga Seisho - Iesusama no Tatoebanashi") [Japan] - Published in 1994 by Word of Life Press Ministries - 152 pages in b&w, with full color cover, hardback - Illustrated by Masakazu Higuchi, edited by Noboru Yamaguchi - Published in Japanese only - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBN:4-264-01508-1 |
"Micro Mini Messages" [USA] - Published in 1994 by Gospel Light Publications -30 pages of reproducible comics and cartoon tracts - Paperback - Illustrated by Rick Bundschuh and Tom Finley - No distribution/circulation figures available
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"The Most Important Story Ever Told" [USA/Canada] - First published in 1995 by WorldServe Ministries - Comic/cartoon booklet explaining Bible, Plan of Salvation - 32 pages + cover, all full color - Team of artists - Distribution information: "Over 10 million copies... in more than 40 countries" (From WorldServe's web site) "There is much fruit from this publication. 4 million are on the presses just now. It is available in more than 70 languages today." [From Frank Arthur, Director of Publishing, WorldServe Ministries, November 2001] - ISBN for first edition: 0-896658-01-6 |
"Archangels: The Saga" original series [USA] - 9 issues (Issue 1 shown here) - Begun in 1995, published by Eternal Studios - 28 pages + cover, all full computer color - Co-authored and co-created by Patrick Scott, John Leger, Andy Orjuela - Distribution information: "In May of 1995 we released ATS issue one. We sold 12,132 issues (give or take a few) through Diamond comic book distributors ... Last year, we finished issue nine of ATS ... the finally book from the first series of Archangels: The Saga ... We have sold over 600,000 copies of our comic book series to date." (From a letter to the Xn Comix message board posted by Patrick Scott, Eternal Studios president, May 2001)
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"New Pilgrim's Progress" [HK/China] - Published in 1995 by China Alliance Press - 190 pages in black & white + color cover - Adapted & Illustrated by Choy Chin-ming & Leung Mei-see, Edited by Fan Yuen-kwan - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBN: 962-244-434-2 |
"Son of Man" [Denmark] - Published in 1995 by the Danish Bible Society (and by Delcourt in France as Jésus de Nazareth, shown here) - 136 pages + cover, full painted color, hardback - Illustrated by Peter Madsen - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBN for French edition: 2-84055-074-1 |
"Truth for Youth Bible" (with comics) [USA] - First published in 1996 by RevivalFires /Tim Todd Ministries - Paperback - Various writers - Distribution information: Total in print: 450,000 copies; First edition (KJV with black & white Jack Chick/Fred Carter comics) 100,000; 2nd edition: (NIV with black & white amateur comics) 150,000; 3rd edition (NIV w/full computer color comics, illustrated by Frank Fosco and Danny Bulanadi) 150,000 with 95,000 distributed - 3rd edition (with 53 pages of color comics) is in its third printing. (From publisher Tim Todd, March/July 2001, and print broker Harold Buchholz, January 2001)
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"Revelation: The Comic Book" original series [Canada] - 6 issue series (Issue 1 shown here) + graphic novel compilation - Begun in 1996, published by Draw Near Art Studios - 32 pages in black & white, with full color painted covers - Written & illustrated by Leo Bak - Distribution information: "They were mostly sold across the USA, distributed by Diamond Comics. The mini-series sold about 1000 of each... about 200 units of the graphic novel sold." (From Leo Bak, March 2001) - ISBNs for issues 1-3 of the original series: 1-896788-01-7, 1-896788-02-5, 1-896788-03-3 |
"True Love Waits" [Japan] - First published in 1996 by ICM Press (shown here), republished in 1999 with different cover - 32 pages + cover, all 2-color - Written & illustrated by Madoka Mako - Currently available in Japanese only - Distribution information: "Total printing: 56,000 copies, balance on hand 8000..." (From publisher Jim Blocksom, March 2001) |
"Even Though You Believe, You Still Have Questions" ("Shinjitatte Naiyanjau") series [Japan]- 2 books (First one shown here) - Published in 1996 and 1999 by Word of Life Press Ministries - 138 and 136 pages, black & white, paperback - Written and illustrated by Nanami Minami - Available in Japanese only - "Through the means of engaging manga, readers receive insights on how to deal with society's problems as Christians." (From information in WLPM's online catalog) - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time - ISBNs: 4-264-01610-X, ISBN: 4-264-01757-2
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"Pakkins' Land" series [USA] - First published in 1996 by Caliber Comics ("15 comic books, a 'zero' issue and one trade paperback" From the Shipmans, March 2001) - 1 issue published by Image Comics - Now being self-published - 32 Pages, black & white with color covers - Written by Gary & Rhoda Shipman, illustrated by Gary Shipman - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time |
"Lammy Chan's Bible Character Collection" ("Ramii Chan no Seisho Jinbutsuden") [Japan] - Published in 1997 by Creation Productions/Word of Life Press Ministries - 156 pages + cover, part color/part black & white, paperback - Illustrated by Hanna Miyashita - Available in Japanese only - "131 manga (cartoon) stories. Easy to read with furigana above all kanji. In delightful style this book introduces Bible characters from both the Old and New Testaments. Enjoyable informative reading suitable for either adults or children." (From information in WLPM's online catalog) - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time - ISBN: 4-264-01677-0 |
"Down the Road of the Narrow Gate" ("Chiisana Mon ni Tsuzuku Michi") [Japan] - Published in 1997 by Word of Life Press Ministries - 128 pages, black & white with color cover, paperback - Written and illustrated by Nanami Minami - Available in Japanese only - "Evangelistic manga-style book with prose reflections interspersed. A heartwarming testimony of the author's encounter with Christ and the power of God to change her family. Her journey to faith from first exposure in Sunday School, through her rejection of Mormon and Jehovah Witness teaching, her meeting loving Christians as a high school foreign exchange student in the USA, and her return to Japan and work here." (From information in WLPM's online catalog) - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time - ISBN: 4-264-01681-9
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"Basic Faith and Life Abundant" series [HK/China] - 2 books (First one shown here) - Published December 1997 and July 1998 by Renewal Resources - 192 pages in black & white, color cover, paperback - Written by Lai Pak Lok and illustrated by Lau Wai Sang - Available in Chinese only - Distribution information: "Total of 14000 copies were printed of the 1st edition), 12000 were sold. Total of 11000 copies were printed of the 2nd, 8000 were sold." (From Lau Wai Sang, April 2001) - ISBNs: 962-8329-02-2, 962-8329-09-X |
"Empire" series [USA] - 2 books (Issue 1 shown here) - Begun in 1997, published by O-Positive Press - 32 pages in black & white + color covers - Written and illustrated by Christine Kerrick - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time |
"Proverbs & Parables" [USA] - Published in 1998 by New Creation Publications and the Christian Comic Arts Society - 131 black & white pages + color cover - Foreword by Al Hartley - Unaltered KJV text of various scripture verses, with a wide range of visual interpretations by (primarily) North American comics professionals and aspiring amateur illustrators - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time |
"The Graphic Bible" [UK] - First published in 1998 by Lion Publishing/UK - 256 pages, full painted color cover and interior, hardcover - Adapted/illustrated by Jeff Anderson with dialogue by Mike Maddox - Adaptation of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation - Distribution information: "Sales have topped 110,000 copies ... translated into 17 languages." (From a Lion press release, January 2000) - Also released as a 72-page paperback New Testament version titled Messiah in February 2000
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"Ballyhoo Burny in The Marathon Race of Life" [Australia] - Published in 1998 by Evangelism for Healing and Wholeness - 44 pages + cover, full color - Text by Mark Bohr, illustrated by Sean Gaskin - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time - ISBN: 0-646-35734-4 |
"Manga Bible Story" ("Manga Seisho Monogatari") [Japan] - Published in 1999 by Word of Life Press Ministries - 880 pages, black & white with color dust jacket cover, paperback - Illustrated by Masakazu Higuchi, edited by Noboru Yamaguchi - Available in Japanese and Chinese - "A collection of the entire 5 volume best selling manga series for children (Cartoon Bible Stories), now republished in one volume, appealing to adults. From Genesis to Paul's letters." (From information in WLPM's online catalog) - Original WLPM hardcover editions of the "Manga Bible Story" series were published as follows: Life of Christ ("Manga Seisho Monogatari - Iesu Kirisuto")(Dec 1986), Genesis (Dec 1988), Moses (Dec 1990), David & Solomon (July 1992), Parables of Jesus (Dec 1994), and Acts/Paul (Feb 1998) - The Parables of Jesus (which expanded on the parables included in the Life of Christ volume) were not included in this 1999 collected edition - Life of Christ has also been published as a separate 200-page paperback - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time
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"Comicsoup" series [HK/China] - 3 Books (second book, The Childhood Life, shown here) - Published April 1999, January 2000 and January 2001 by Renewal Resources - 144 pages, full color cover with mostly black & white interior, some color pages, paperback - Compiled/Adapted by Lai Pak Lok and Chui Chung Po, Illustrated by Lam Tak Sung, Cheung Wai Tong, Lau Wai Sang, Suen Wai Kwan, Wan Sai Kun, Edward Hui, Tse Po Yu, and To Wai Man - Available in Chinese only - Distribution information: "Total of 8000 copies were printed of the first book, 6000 were sold. Total of 5000 copies were printed of the second book, 3000 were sold. Total of 4000 copies were printed, number sold is unknown." (From Lau Wai Sang, April 2001) - ISBNs: 962-8329-18-9, 962-8329-33-2
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"Dr. Doctrine's Christian Comix" series [USA] - 4 issues, including "...on the Word of God" (shown here), "...on the Christian Life," "...on the Trinity," and "...on Biblical Images" - Published July 1999 by InterVarsity Press - 48 pages, black & white with color covers - Written and Illustrated by Fred Sanders - "Laugh and learn as Dr. Doctrine brings to life classic Christian theology. This combination of little cartoons and big ideas adds up to serious fun! Features & benefits: entertaining, accessible, fresh approach to understanding key Christian truths, useful as a teaching resource, appeals to college students and young adults" (Publisher's Description) - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time
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"Lena Maria" [Japan] - Published in 1999 by Shohgakanban Gakushu - 160 pages in (primarily) black & white + color cover - Testimony of Christian singer Lena Maria - Written by Atsuo Sugaya, illustrated by Sayuri Abe - Published in Japanese only (?) - No distribution/circulation figures available - ISBN: 4-09-270015-6 |
"PowerMark Comics" series [Malaysia/Singapore/USA] - 12-issue series (Issue 1 shown here) - Begun in 1999, published by PowerMark Productions/Light for the Lost (AoG Church) - First issue is 40 pages, 2nd issue 32 pages, the rest 24 pages, all with full computer color covers and interiors- Adventure/superhero style comics combined with Bible stories - Illustrated by Steven Butler, with various inkers - Distribution information: "Our first print was for 640,000 of issue one in English. Quebecor said it was the biggest print run of any comic within the last five years." (From publisher Steve Benintendi, February 2001) |
"A Short History of Christianity: 10 Decisive Moments" [HK/China] - Published 1999 by Renewal Resources - 176 pages in black & white, color cover, paperback - Written by Lai Pak Lok, Illustrated by Lau Wai Sang - Available in Chinese only - No distribution/circulation figures available at this time - ISBN: 962-8329-28-6 |
This is Page 2
1990-1999 |
Go to Page 1
1900-1989 |
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This entire web site and all its contents (except where other individual copyrights are specified) is Copyright © Nate Butler. All rights reserved worldwide. "COMIX35" and "Creating Christian Comics for Your Culture" are trademarks of ROX35 Media Inc. "Christian Comics International", "Christian Comics Catalog", "International Christian Comics Competition (ICCC)", "Christian Comics Pioneers", and the series title "Personal Testimony Comics" (in continuous use since first publication in Christian Comics & Games Magazine in 1996) are all trademarks of Nate Butler. All rights reserved worldwide. Other names, logos, and/or images used on this site that are not DBAs or trademarks of Nate Butler or ROX35 Media Inc, or are not copyrighted by Nate Butler or ROX35 Media Inc, are TM and/or Copyright © by their respective owners. Please note that it is impossible to screen all the text on all the external links listed on this site. Please do not assume that all opinions expressed on externally linked sites are identical to those of Nate Butler or COMIX35 / ROX35 Media Inc.
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