Comicbook Review: Voices of The Martyrs (Ben Avery, Art Ayris and Various Artists)

Summary: Journey through the early church and meet the martyrs with this 500 pages omnibus from Kingstone Comics. This 23 story, fully-illustrated and full-colored comics from previous one-shot releases, and some are from other collections. Perhaps some are created for this volume. Some previously released comics included here have extra stuff so be on the look out with that. This might be the first volume of a “series”, it pretty much covered all the apostles, Mary mother of Jesus and a few Christians martyrs outside the Bible. It’s a great way to show that Christian persecutions are not exclusive inside the New Testament.

Previously, I reviewed a comicbook titled Martyrs which is also about Christian martyrs. It’s short but it has four good stories. That comic is an appetizer for this massive buffet that I read and reviewed. The only difference is that they carry stories outside the Bible.

Comicbook Review: “Perpetua” (Art Ayris and Jeff Slemons)

Summary: Perpetua is a story of one of the earliest Christian women recorded outside of Scriptures that suffered persecution because of her faith. Little was known of her but here death under the hand of Rome is an incredible story.

Cover Art: Similar to cover the of Martyrs comicbook but Slemons gives a sweeping cinematic look that you’ll always want to stare at. While that comic is minimalist cover, this one is masterpiece in itself. If this comic is on the shelf with other comics, surely this is an eye grabbing cover and you’ll be picking it up and read it on the spot. Slemon rendered his art on the cover (and interior) that can only be called epic.

Comicbook Review: “Justin Martyr” (Art Ayris and Richard Bonk)

Summary: In this one-shot comicbook, Ayris and Bonk teams up to give a legit brief biography of this early Christian apologist, his conversion to Christianity, his teachings, death and legacy.

Storytelling: This comic is straight forward biography of this ancient Christian philosopher. Ayris gives us all meat without the extra i.e. heart wrenching stuff because there isn’t much in the life of Justin Martyr. However, as I have said if you want the meat, you’ll find it here. If your into that stuff without falling asleep then get this comic.

Comicbook Review: “Moses” by Art Ayris and Danny Bulanadi

Summary: The book is about how God used Moses to deliver His chosen nation, Israel from Egypt’s bondage by showing how powerful He is by sending plagues. Plague after plague, God blast the gods of Egypt. It covers also the birth, the rise to power, flight out of Eygpt and calling of Moses to lead his people out of oppression.

The King’s Comics: Delighting Grace Interviews Art Ayris of Kingstone Comics

Finally, Kingstone Comics hits the Philippine shores with gorgeous artworks and unforgettable stories that teaches the Bible. We are praying and looking forward for the impact of these great graphic novels that it may shed biblical and eternal perspective to its readers. We recently chat with Kingstone comics founder and CEO, Art Ayris,and we talk more about Kingstone Comics:

Delighting Grace: What sets Kingstone graphic novels among other Christian comicbook companies and their products?

Art Ayris: We are alike in that we all want to reach people with the gospel of Christ. Maybe what sets us a little a part is that we have a passion to become the Marvel of the faith market.

Most of our artists have worked with Marvel and DC so it has a decidedly western comic style flair.

Delighting Grace: How is like working with Randy Alcorn and Ravi Zacharias? Can you tell us the process on getting them aboard in a different format of their works?

Art Ayris: Both men are top shelf individuals whom God has used to reach multitudes of people with the gospel of Christ. Randy Alcorn actually came to our booth at a Christian retail show and we found out that he was a comic book fan! We told him we had a passion of doing a comic on heaven and hell and who better than Randy Alcorn?

When he has an opening in his writing we did a project together and he and his team have been a  joy to work with. With Dr. Zacharias, one of our investors supports his ministry and connected us.We actually did the licensing agreement with random House and then Dr. Zacharias was with us at the International Christian Retail Show. He is a brilliant communicator and we look forward to doing more projects with him.

Delighting Grace: What is your favorite comicbook of Kingstone?

Art Ayris: The Last Convert of John Harper by Kingstone Comics

Delighting Grace:  Who is your favorite superhero?

Art Ayris: Probably Captain America

Delighting Grace:  What is the hardest part in producing a comicbook with a Christian story?

Art Ayris: Trying to get the right artist on the right project. When you hire an artist it Is very much like hiring a director for a film. You have to trust they can really deliver the goods.

 Kingstone has rosters of writers and artist that worked for comicbook companies like Marvel and DC.

Delighting Grace: So whats the difference between working for your company and the secular ones?

Art Ayris: A lot of the ones that work with us are believers (thought not all). The believers see their work having a more eternal impact through Kingstone. One of our top guys who was a top guy at Marvel said he thought his current project was the most important he had ever done.

Delighting Grace:   If you are given a opportunity, which secular comicbook title would you love work on?

Art Ayris: Don’t really have a passion and vision for that. All the vision we have is within Kingstone. We are a very focused team.

Delighting Grace: Can you tell us a typical working day on Kingstone?

Art Ayris: We start at 6:00 for prayer time, 7-8:30 for answer e-mail, fulfill orders  9-5. I work as a pastor 6 to 11 to answer e-mails, edit and write comic books, sales etc. Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 PM each day. Sunday we  worship and relax.

Delighting Grace:   Please invite our readers to check out Kingstone and what are other projects to look forward from you?

Art Ayris: The Kingstone Bible is coming out over the next six months, The Apostle and the Revelation in about 2-3 months. Love to have people follow us on @kingstonecomics and @artayris and to like Kingstone on Facebook. We are very happy and excited to have our comics there in the Philippines.

Delighting Grace: Thank you pastor. God bless you and Kingstone Comics

Marianito “Nitoy” Gonzales is a 30 something blogger who wears many hats. But his passion is to preach the gospel and make God know to all men. He blogs at Delighting Grace (https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com). You can reach him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

 

Comicbook Review: Babylon by Art A. Ayris and Mario Ruiz

Now we come the last graphic novel for our Comicbook January (and I hoping there will be more of this kind to review).” Babylon”  is a biblical and historical fiction of the story of Daniel (check the below the pages for the chapters and verses it came from).For some biblical and historical fiction may raise eyebrows but as you read this graphic novel, Art Ayris is very careful in handling the different element of the story.  Follow his life from the Fall of Jerusalem to his predicament in the lion’s den. See how he is faithful to God in any circumstances he is facing. Not only that but it also highlights God’s faithfulness to Daniel as he serve three kings in his lifetime. God used Daniel to show how merciful He is even to the enemy of His chosen people.

Art Aryis story telling is superb and he made it easy to digest the story. One thing though, he left out the prophetic parts of the Daniel and concentrated to the narrative. Of course, we all know the Book of Daniel is the Revelations of the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the story is engaging.

Mario Ruiz did a good job on the artwork. He made the highlights of the story unforgettable. Some panels contain the usual images that have been used in other format of the story of Daniel but there are a few surprises in store for the readers as well.

“Babylon” is a good read for those who are in the faith and wants to have a visual of the story. Enjoy this comicbook and share it with others to help them appreciate the Book of Daniel.

Comicbook Review: 101 Questions About the Bible and Christianity by Art Ayris

Another ground breaking comicbook from Kingstone Comics, “101 Questions…” sets to visualize questions people ask about the Bible and our Christian faith when there are gazillions of books about it. I can certify you, those books left a space for this graphic novel to fit in.

It is refreshing to see a Kingstone Comics to bring out apologetics comicbook were other companies do not. Art Ayris writes answers to questions that will benefit both believers and unbelievers. From the evidence for the existance of God, answering evolution and many more this graphic novel reminds me of the books like “The Answers Book” or apologetics books by Josh McDowell. Different artist collaborating with the artwork which I think its hard to flesh out art in a book that is not the usual story-telling stuff. But I have to admit they did a swell job doing it here.

“101 Questions….” delivers accessable Christian apologetics in a very unique format. With this kind of book, I’m excited with Vol. 2! Paging CLC Philippines!

Marianito “Nitoy” Gonzales is a 30 something blogger who wears many hats. But his passion is to preach the gospel and make God know to all men. He blogs at Delighting Grace (https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com). You can reach him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.