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Marked
An occupied country. A people infested with demons. a time of revolution. a liberator rises. One of the oldest and most powerful stories in human history comes uniquely alive in this telling of the Gospel of Mark. Join a carpenter as he changes the world. And join Steve Ross as he re-imagines the ancient story, with all of its power and mystery intact. Told with unexpected and startling imagery, Marked will forever change the way you think about this both familiar and strange tale. This is a human story of passion and murder. Of a compassionate man brutally killed and yet compellingly alive.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 30, 2019
Marked is a comic book retelling of the Gospel According to Mark, which for those who don't know is an odd Gospel. Mark is a short Gospel with a heavy emphasis on action as well as on Jesus's secrecy relating to his activity. This comic recognizes how odd the Gospel is and then makes it odder.
Set in a vague futuristic occupied country ravaged by the foreign occupying country as well as by the demons that have possessed so many of the people there. Jesus is a construction worker who sees John the Baptist on the news and goes to see what he's all about. John almost drowns him by mistake, but Jesus is rescued by a pigeon which flies him to safety, at which point he shaves his head and begins his ministry. It gets weirder from there.
The book is occasionally touching and insightful, and occasionally utterly bizarre. Pilate has a reality show where you vote who to kill and who to release. The rich young ruler is now a man who tries to be just like Jesus by shopping and listening to authorities; he eventually drowns in the stuff he buys that seems to keep falling from the sky. Demons are weird snake things that need to be physically hauled out of a person and then chased down the street. The angel that informs Mary that Jesus is alive is a very sad looking clown. Did I mention that this is weird?
Overall, I'd say it's a highly satirical book that reminded me a lot of The Dark Knight Returns, so if you are into theology and 1980s Batman books then do I have the comic for you!
Set in a vague futuristic occupied country ravaged by the foreign occupying country as well as by the demons that have possessed so many of the people there. Jesus is a construction worker who sees John the Baptist on the news and goes to see what he's all about. John almost drowns him by mistake, but Jesus is rescued by a pigeon which flies him to safety, at which point he shaves his head and begins his ministry. It gets weirder from there.
The book is occasionally touching and insightful, and occasionally utterly bizarre. Pilate has a reality show where you vote who to kill and who to release. The rich young ruler is now a man who tries to be just like Jesus by shopping and listening to authorities; he eventually drowns in the stuff he buys that seems to keep falling from the sky. Demons are weird snake things that need to be physically hauled out of a person and then chased down the street. The angel that informs Mary that Jesus is alive is a very sad looking clown. Did I mention that this is weird?
Overall, I'd say it's a highly satirical book that reminded me a lot of The Dark Knight Returns, so if you are into theology and 1980s Batman books then do I have the comic for you!
August 30, 2012
It was a little muddy; hard to follow. I think, for an attempt to illuminate a gospel, it did little to bring it to life.
September 17, 2024
Pretty strong concept. The blend of setting and use of visuals is pretty good. The paper itself is very cheap and thin. The drawings were not exactly my preference, but some were striking. Some good lines in there, but overall, just okay.
July 22, 2018
It's okay. The art work is great. Tackles religion and corruption in it.
January 20, 2019
A fantastic read. Combines the gospel with very evocative artwork.
December 7, 2021
- for school -
SO confusing to read i did not understand anything at all
SO confusing to read i did not understand anything at all
September 12, 2024
This book was weird.
Interesting though.
Interesting though.
March 9, 2017
Fantastic. Could easily have been published in 2000AD next to Robo-Hunter.
February 12, 2016
This is a graphic novel representation of the Gospel of Mark. Mark (the book of the Bible) is action packed and jumps from scene to scene with hardly any explanation or pointing towards particular actions as fulfillment of the Old Testament. Marked, this book, picks up on that as it jumps from scene to scene, always following this very weird dude, with demons being visible in the graphic novel as opposed to being referenced in the Gospel account. It also has no "further" meaning behind the resurrection - and I think it's that way in the Gospel as well (I'll have to check) - i.e. Jesus rises from the dead, it's announced by angels, and then *bam* book over.
I thought the comic book/graphic novel approach was neat, relatively new, and good for those people who don't always want to read - just read the action and see what's there.
I thought the comic book/graphic novel approach was neat, relatively new, and good for those people who don't always want to read - just read the action and see what's there.
May 19, 2020
Interesting graphic novel retelling of the gospel of Mark in a sort of modern day/dystopian context. The author explored the story, context, culture, and characters in a fresh and interesting way. I felt that characterization was fairly weak and at times the plot was unclear, as though the author took for granted how well known the story is. Demons played a large role in the story, and I am not sure that creative decision added much to the story except shock value. Throughout, this book showed intelligent critique of the culture and events in the story and I found it to be a fascinating read.
May 11, 2013
You can't really call this fiction or non-fiction without trading part of both in... it is, very roughly, the story of Christ... but it's all couched in some hysterical points of views- slightly modern, slightly historical, a lot of 'fact' put with a mass of humor... there's just a LOT more ways to see that mythological/religous story... and this is a very good one- with tons of burns and quips and a lot of irony!
October 17, 2016
If one is fully conversant with the Book of Mark,
Marked!
might come across as an ambitious and inventive, if somewhat bizarre, interpretation in graphic novel form. Otherwise, this mishmosh of clowns, demons and hipsters deserves the back cover warning -- meant as praise -- by The Reverend William Tully, Rector of St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue: Let the reader beware.
May 12, 2008
Graphic novel interpretation of the book of Mark. Very thought provoking. Sheds a new light on the Gospel of Mark.
July 10, 2008
Amusing graphic novel interpretation of the Gospel of Mark.
February 20, 2010
It would be a two-star book, very confusing story, but I liked the art.
November 20, 2012
A very cool idea! Taking the Gospel and presenting it in a new context. It's an ok read, some of the imagery is bizarre
May 27, 2013
A wonderfully creative re-telling of the gospel of Mark!
April 22, 2014
Just as another reviewer stated, this story was a little muddy; hard to follow. For an attempt to illuminate a gospel, it did little to bring it to life. However, the artwork was amazing.
July 31, 2015
A raw, roller coaster ride retelling of the Gospel of Mark. Not for the faint of heart. I didn't give 5 just because they could not fit every story in. But worth a read.
April 7, 2016
Very cool read. I actually read it twice! For those saying it was a bit muddy, it definitely helps it you read it alongside the actual gospel of Mark, as that will clear up a bit of the confusion.
November 26, 2009
An interesting graphic novel take on the Gospel of Mark.
June 17, 2010
Interesting postmodern take on the Gospel of Mark.
August 31, 2013
A good postmodern telling of the Gospel of Mark. The artwork was interesting.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews