February
8 The Flying Friar #1

Creators: Rich Johnston, writer; Thomas Nachlik, artist

Speakeasy Comics, 48 pages, black and white

So? Religion has been sneaking its way more and more into the comics in surprisingly thoughtful ways, and this is no different. Johnston, best known as the U.K.-based writer of the long-running news and rumor column Lying in the Gutters on Comic Book Resources, tells the tale of St. Joseph, a real 17th century friar from Italy who reportedly had the power to fly. This is a terrific concept for a comicbook, one that has earned some good press in Europe and helped the book sell out almost instantly. (Johnston’s making the issue available for download for a small fee at his website while a second-printing is being arranged.) The book is well-paced, well-scripted and beautifully drawn by Nachlik. Johnson has added a few bits that make it fun for comics fans, such as a bald-pated adversary for the good saint named Lux, descended from Martin Luther. Still, the story stands on its own as a solid and interesting comicbook read. Grade: A-