Category Archives: levity

levity, online

Hugh Jackman Is Not a Mohel

Maybe, perhaps this is sort of a religion & comics topic? That is, it could be…in a way.

Universal Press International (UPI) is carrying the story of Hugh Jackman’s likeness as the superhero comics and film character Wolverine being used to advertise a circumcision service in the Philippines.

“The advertisement went viral,” reports UPI,  “after a photo was shared online by Joey deVilla, a blogger and self-styled ‘rock accordionist.'”

The service, which does not seem to carry the spiritual and covenantal authority of a Jewish bris per se, costs just $28 USD.

The odd and likely unauthorized advertising campaign was joked about on this past week’s episode of Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me from NPR.

Whether Wolverine, with his regenerative healing factor, could convert to Judaism and be the recipient of a bris is an entirely different, though amusing, question.

levity, reviews

Having Fun with the Great Flood: Noah’s Brother’s Ark

Noah's Brother's ArkOn the lighter side of comics and religious adaptations, looks no further then the webcomic Noah’s Brother’s Ark. The story is precisely as billed: Noah’s brother Leon has his own ship, an ark with a jacuzzi, “bilingual puppet show,” and snacks galore — when Bigfoot isn’t eating all of it. While not quite a “scholarly” consideration of the biblical/Qur’anic tale, it does take the proverbial wind out the sails from overblown, overwrought adaptations of the same material, whether that be The God-Damned, Noah, or even Some New Kind of Slaughter.

That said, if your reading of the Great Flood feels lacking in chupacabras, dinosaurs, or aliens, then this treat by Andy Hunter might do the trick. It’s a nice breath of fresh air!