All posts by A. David

Keshet Calls for LGBTQ Jewish Superheroic PoC

Keshet, the organization for LGBTQ equality in Jewish life, has put out this call on Twitter for multiracial queer superheroes for inclusion in their poster series:

Are you a character with an eligible character? Know of one you want to recommend? Follow this link to their form and aid in their efforts “to do better and reflect the multiracial reality of the Jewish people.”

Depictions of Jesus in Comics – the Sioux City Reporter Speaks to Dr. Coody

Elizabeth CoodySacred and Sequential‘s own Elizabeth Coody was featured by the Sioux City Journal this past week for her work at Morningside College and recent participation in the “Graphic Novels and Comics across the Humanities” conference. Food and Lifestyle reporter Earl Horlyk notes Dr. Coody’s astute observation that illustrations of Jesus as Caucasian or even quite muscular say “more about an artist’s interpretation than anything in the Bible.”

Additionally, S&S would like to further applaud our colleague for the wonderful sentiment behind her quote: “Well, I think it’s a sin to depict Jesus as dull.”

Sacred and Sequential Recognized as ISSN 2688-5336 (online)

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)As of August 15, 2019, Sacred and Sequential has been assigned, by the U.S. ISSN Center at the Library of Congress, the following designation:

Sacred and Sequential
ISSN 2688-5336 (online)

We are extremely proud to have the years of work posted here at S&S recognized by the Library of Congress. Moreover, this ISSN allows scholars and interested parties greater ease in citing and referencing our materials.

It remains our pleasure to make this space possible, and, with this designation, we hope to continue doing so with even greater ability in the years that follow.

The Atlantic Questions Amar Chitra Katha

Logo for ACKA search of its archives results in this compelling December 2017 article from The Atlantic on the  potential influence of Amar Chitra Katha (ACK)  on cultural intolerance:

[…S]ince its debut in 1967, ACK has also helped supply impressionable generations of middle-class children a vision of “immortal” Indian identity wedded to prejudiced norms. ACK’s writing and illustrative team led by [Anant] Pai as the primary “storyteller”) constructed a legendary past for India by tying masculinity, Hinduism, fair skin, and high caste to authority, excellence, and virtue. On top of that, his comics often erased non-Hindu subjects from India’s historic and religious fabric. Consequently, ACK reinforced many of the most problematic tenets of Hindu nationalism—tenets that partially drive the platform of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, currently under fire domestically and internationally for policies and rhetoric targeting religious minorities and lower castes.

Atlantic contributor Shaan Amin also notes the normative beauty standards that ACK tacitly endorses along with class distinctions.

Yet, concludes Amin, the curative here might be as parents discussing the comics with their children and questioning these issues: rather than modify or condemn ACK, a push for early critical reading and inquiry may be the best solution…as could be the case with so many products of popular culture and/or religion.

ReligionProf James F. McGrath Talks with A. David Lewis on Kismet and More

Professor James F. McGrath (aka ReligionProf) sits down with Sacred and Sequential‘s own A. David Lewis to discuss Kismet, Man of Fate from publisher A Wave Blue World. This March 2019 episode of the ReligionProf Podcast also features linkbacks to S&S‘s discussion of the Second Coming debacle and Matthew Brake’s news of the new Religion and Comics series from Claremont Press. It all comes full circle!

ReligionProf Podcast with A. David Lewis