Job

by Ben Avery, Jeff Slemons (Illustrator)

Though the author of Job is not named or known, the book is reputed to be one of the oldest stories of the Bible. The book of Job also deals with one of the oldest problems of the human race – that of pain and suffering. In this unusual book the Bible pulls back the spiritual curtain and gives us a rare glimpse into the other-world interactions taking place in the heavenly realms. When Satan makes an appearance before God Almighty to request a shot at one of His most faithful servants, it begins a chain of reactions that will culminate in a appearance by the Lord Himself and a direct conversation between God and Job. Masterfully illustrated by Jeff Slemons and penned by Ben Avery.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

A believer in the need for positive, all-ages entertainment, Ben Avery created and wrote Zondervan’s graphic novel series TimeFlyz and the comic book miniseries ArmorQuest to entertain readers with an exciting story, but also inspire and encourage readers to stand up and make a difference in their world. Avery’s comic book career began when he was selected by George R.R. Martin to work as the script adaptor of the comic book fantasy mini-series The Hedge Knight, based on novellas by the New York Times bestselling author. After that, Avery went on to co-write/co-create the critically acclaimed Lullaby and The Imaginaries for Image Comics, co-create and write the children’s literature inspired fantasy The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles, develop and write the historical epic Kingdoms for Zondervan, and the sequel mini-series The Hedge Knight II, published by Marvel Comics. In addition to writing, he has been an English teacher, a college resident director, and a youth treatment specialist for sexually abused children. Avery lives in Indiana with his wife and four children.

Reviews

[Victarion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent

I thought this graphic novel was a reminder of what God is truly capable of. It teaches us, mere mortals, to trust in God no matter what happens. To never stop trusting Him, even if you believe you've lost all Hope, He will never abandon you!

[Nada Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year, one of the reading prompts in my challenge was, "Read a book with a grieving character."  I don't do well with sad stories, but I figured there weren't many people who had as much to grieve over as Job.  So I picked this beautifully drawn, deeply challenging graphic novel that told his story.  

Let's be honest -- the Book of Job in the Bible is not an easy book to comprehend.  It deals with some pretty hard, pretty dark and horrible things.  And it does so with a lot of very archaic and difficult language.  And this graphic novel, while it does simplify that to a degree, does not lose the severity and challenge of the original text.  If fact, it gives you a visual to go with the story.  Job is a tragic character, and his friends are as deeply flawed as we all are.  That isn't hidden in the simplifying of the graphic novel.  

The art is excellent, and you expect God to arrive in a superhero cape at any minute, which is a great twist.  My one complaint, with regards to the art, is that when it shows the angels, and Satan (who looks like Doctor Doom) before God, it really looks like a meeting of the Justice League.  It does take you out of the story briefly, which is a flaw, but a minor one, at best.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow great rendition

It honestly makes me want to read Job all over again. I bought I for my kids to read but it turns out I enjoyed reading it for myself. I enjoyed the illustration as well. It literally puts you in the story.

[Elyse Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The graphics and story was amazing.