Holy super-heroes?
Yes, a new breed of Christian comic-book characters is beginning to make inroads into the industry.
Comic books today have generally become more violent, sexy and godless than ever. One exception is a group of newcomers to the industry — Christian-based comic books.
You won't find these Christian comics in the mainstream comic book stores yet, and there isn't a huge demand for them, store owners say. But they are out there and have attracted an increasing audience.
They are currently only found in Christian bookstores or online, but the hope is they might one day make their way into mainstream comic stores, according to John Thompson, senior vice president of marketing for B&H Publishing — a division of LifeWay Christian stories in Nashville, Tenn.
These slicker and better-produced comic books are technically called "graphic novels."
"I'm grateful to be a part of something like this," Thompson said, "to bring light to a usually dark medium."
"Spirit Warriors" is the thrust of what B&H and LifeWay have going now.
It's geared for preteen to young adult readers, in hopes of exposing a niche of the population that isn't reached by traditional Christian resources and programs to Jesus Christ.
"'Spirit Warriors' has a very strong, unapologetic Christian message," Thompson said.
Issue No. 1 of "Spirit Warriors" ($9.99) came out last July and will be reintroduced soon. The second issue will be out in February, followed by the third six weeks later.
Thompson said his 13-year-old son, a skateboarder, loved "Warriors" and reading it in one sitting.
"They're 'cool,' not your typical Christian product," Thompson said.
He admits a reader will either think the product is cool, or simply a bunch of Christian stuff they don't need. Thompson said Christians are obligated by God to get the good word out as best they can. The rest is up to God.
He said some negotiations are in progress with Diamond Comics, which distributes DC, Marvel and other mainstream comics, in hopes of getting works like "Spirit Warriors" in the hundreds of U.S. comic book stores someday.
"Spirit Warriors" was invented and written by Stephen Baldwin, the youngest of the Baldwin brother actors.
"After 9/11 and my wife's conversion (to Christianity), I came to understand something. The impossible was possible," writes Baldwin in "Livin It: What It Is," a new book from B&H Publishing Group. "And if anything's possible, then Jesus Christ could come back to this planet tomorrow. I want to be ready when He comes."
Baldwin has now converted to Christianity and has launched a new ministry, "Livin It." "Spirit Warriors" is a part of that effort.
The ministry focuses on a bold campaign to encourage young extreme sports enthusiasts to live out their faith.
Livin It uses music, books, graphic novels, nationwide skateboarding demonstrations, skate DVDs and evangelical events to bring the gospel to young athletes.
Baldwin, who has starred in more than 65 films, including "The Usual Suspects" and "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," gave his "Warriors" a comic book style and fast-paced action. "Spirit Warriors" follows the antics of six fictional characters who battle against good and evil. One of the heroes does amazing things from a wheelchair; another is blind but can see what others can't.
Baldwin said mainstream graphic novels are a popular new trend among young people, and he believes "Spirit Warriors" has the potential to reach many non-Christians with the gospel.
"The response to this book has been so positive," Baldwin said in a press release.
"If you bring the kids dorkville they don't listen," Baldwin said. "If you bring them really cool, they'll listen ... because all of this is really about sharing the news about a man named Jesus Christ."
"Arch Angels" is an older type of Christian comic that LifeWay also carries.
Salt Lake's LifeWay store reports that demand for "Spirit Warriors" isn't great, but a few customers are really into it.
Mancuso's Religious Gifts and Books, 1816 S. State in Salt Lake City, also carries a few religious-oriented comic books. There's a comic book of "Pope John Paul II" ($7.95) and of "St. Elizabeth" ($1.95).
Other recent Christian-themed comics include "Acts of the Spirit," "Marked," "Serenity" and the "Guardian" series. There's also "Manga," a popular Japanese-style comic that focuses a lot on relationships and everyday life. However, the stories do include some violence and sex.
Some graphic novel Christian-slated products are found, for example, in LifeWay's Christian store at 880 E. 2100 South. It also has a store at 4039 Riverdale Road in Ogden. LifeWay is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
For more information about Livin It ministry and Livin It products visit www.bhpublishinggroup.com.
More details on the "Guardian" comic are available at www.theguardianline.com.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com