Religious Comics explores the surprising and significant role of comics as a medium for expressing, interpreting, and even challenging religious beliefs. Moving beyond simple entertainment, the book argues that comics are powerful tools for religious communication due to their accessibility and ability to synthesize complex ideas through visual metaphors. Consider, for example, how Bible comics have been used for religious education or how graphic novels promote specific theological doctrines.
The book begins with a historical overview of religion and visual culture, then introduces comics theory to demonstrate how elements like panels and speech balloons convey meaning. Structured around themes such as religious education, marginalized voices, and religious identity, Religious Comics examines diverse examples of religious comics across cultures.
By analyzing how individuals and communities use comics to construct and negotiate their religious identities, the book reveals the dynamic intersection of religion, art, and visual culture.