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Caravaggio: A Light Before The Darkness
His art saved The Church. Ambition exposed his secret lover. His Sword sealed their tragic Fate. The biography of volatile Baroque-Era artist Michelangelo Di Merisi. Collects all six issues of the serialized graphic novel: A Light Before The Darkness plus bonus material.
- GenresComicsHistorical Fiction
179 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2019
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Ken Mora
4 books3 followersKen Mora is the visionary creator behind Caravaggio: A Light Before The Darkness, the acclaimed graphic novel biography of the Baroque master Caravaggio. As a distinguished graphic novel publisher, Mora continues to expand his reach, bringing captivating serialized comics to an international audience. Distributed in English worldwide by Markosia [UK] (June, 2019) and in Italian by Fumetti Collettivo Zen [IT] (May, 2025).
Mora's creative journey, rooted in a lifelong passion for comics and film, has evolved into a dynamic career in publishing, writing, and animation. His dedication to artistic storytelling has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Best E-Comic Award at the New Media Film Festival (2022), the Independent Press Award (2020), and the Screencraft Cinematic Book Award (2019).
In film, after having his Caravaggio screenplay optioned, Mora adapted his second award-winning script into the animated short films Magnum Farce: Along Came A Sniper and A Shot In The Park. These projects received multiple honors, including Best Spoof at Action On Film (2009), First Place in Short Film Animation at The Indie Gathering (2009), and Audience Choice Best Animation at Cinema City International Film Festival (2009).
Currently, Mora is developing two new graphic novels: Caged Birds (serialized since 2020) and Ms. Valkyrie (set to debut in 2025), both based on his award-winning screenplays. He also actively collaborates with a global network of independent creators, contributing as a producer, actor, and publisher. His production credits include Executive Producer of Adventures in Plymptoons (2011), Co-Producer of Autumn of Route 66 (2013), and Script Consultant for Townies (2009).
As a voice actor, Mora has lent his talents to feature-length animated productions, including Jim Lujan’s The Full Fungus (2025), Bill Plympton’s Slide (2024), and Bill Plympton & Jim Lujan’s Revengeance (2016).
Mora's creative journey, rooted in a lifelong passion for comics and film, has evolved into a dynamic career in publishing, writing, and animation. His dedication to artistic storytelling has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Best E-Comic Award at the New Media Film Festival (2022), the Independent Press Award (2020), and the Screencraft Cinematic Book Award (2019).
In film, after having his Caravaggio screenplay optioned, Mora adapted his second award-winning script into the animated short films Magnum Farce: Along Came A Sniper and A Shot In The Park. These projects received multiple honors, including Best Spoof at Action On Film (2009), First Place in Short Film Animation at The Indie Gathering (2009), and Audience Choice Best Animation at Cinema City International Film Festival (2009).
Currently, Mora is developing two new graphic novels: Caged Birds (serialized since 2020) and Ms. Valkyrie (set to debut in 2025), both based on his award-winning screenplays. He also actively collaborates with a global network of independent creators, contributing as a producer, actor, and publisher. His production credits include Executive Producer of Adventures in Plymptoons (2011), Co-Producer of Autumn of Route 66 (2013), and Script Consultant for Townies (2009).
As a voice actor, Mora has lent his talents to feature-length animated productions, including Jim Lujan’s The Full Fungus (2025), Bill Plympton’s Slide (2024), and Bill Plympton & Jim Lujan’s Revengeance (2016).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 31, 2019
Having grown up in the 70s reading Classics Illustrated (loose in a bin at the 'Red Owl' grocery store - as my mom was checking out - I was allowed to dig thru them & choose one each time!), I am a bigtime fan of historical comics! Ken's telling of Caravaggio reminds me of being a kid and being exposed to so many great stories and authors! The Count of Monte Cristo, Silas Marner, Frankenstein, and of course, Robinson Crusoe - my favorites! And, now, I'm happy to include 'Caravaggio' on that list! Ken successfully transported me to a distant time and place, without making me feel old! The story is exciting and I enjoyed meeting Caravaggio very much. But, then, I am partial to a good ole fashioned violent love story!!!
July 11, 2020
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness
Author: Mora Mesarcia
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
17 thought the illustrations were excellent.
Readers’ Comments
‘I love the 17th century setting. Exciting plot, perfect for lovers of art and sword fights!’ Male reader, aged 43
‘I don’t often get to read a graphic novel. I thought this was wonderful and highly original. The illustrations look amazing, and the plot is complex – but not too complex. Packed full of action, adventure, romance and art, this is wonderfully entertaining.’ Female reader, aged 50
‘So much drama and so many wonderful characters! The amazing thing is that this gripping story is told through a graphic novel. It’s so easy for adult readers to forget this genre; to always go for chapter books. But reading this was most rewarding.’ Female reader, aged 30
‘Very hard to put down. Historical fiction in the form of a graphic novel. The author/illustrator offer the reader a tantalising tale of artistic secrecy and swordplay.’ Male reader, aged 44
To Sum It Up:
‘A superbly constructed graphic novel filled with swordsmanship, romance, and artistic virtuoso. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness
Author: Mora Mesarcia
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
17 thought the illustrations were excellent.
Readers’ Comments
‘I love the 17th century setting. Exciting plot, perfect for lovers of art and sword fights!’ Male reader, aged 43
‘I don’t often get to read a graphic novel. I thought this was wonderful and highly original. The illustrations look amazing, and the plot is complex – but not too complex. Packed full of action, adventure, romance and art, this is wonderfully entertaining.’ Female reader, aged 50
‘So much drama and so many wonderful characters! The amazing thing is that this gripping story is told through a graphic novel. It’s so easy for adult readers to forget this genre; to always go for chapter books. But reading this was most rewarding.’ Female reader, aged 30
‘Very hard to put down. Historical fiction in the form of a graphic novel. The author/illustrator offer the reader a tantalising tale of artistic secrecy and swordplay.’ Male reader, aged 44
To Sum It Up:
‘A superbly constructed graphic novel filled with swordsmanship, romance, and artistic virtuoso. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
June 30, 2020
I love the luxurious art and the dramatic story about art. Great graphic novel. Great read.
December 22, 2020
Ken Mora drafted a thrilling and exciting tale of Caravaggio, highlighting areas of the artists life rarely talked about in the historical record, and through this well researched enjoyable work, managed to craft a compelling work of historical fiction full of action and suspense. I highly recommend it.
December 17, 2019
This is a fabulous book. The creativity blew me away. Mora is someone to watch!
August 17, 2020
Today I am reviewing a graphic novel, my first, by Ken Mora. It's a work of historical fiction about the life the painter Michangelo Caravaggio. Here's a few details.
Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness by Ken Mora
Published June 2020
Publisher: Markosia Enterprises
Genre: Historical Fiction / Graphic Novel
Pages: 154
Sex: 💗yes, nothing graphic
Violence: 😨mild
The Blurb
- His art saved the dying Church
- Ambition exposed his secret lover
- His sword sealed their tragic fate.
The artist known as Caravaggio must flee Milan to escape a vendetta and protect his lover from The Inquisition. In Rome, he begins his meteoric rise as The Church's savior. His works spur the faithful to return to the pews at the time of The Counter-Reformation. Then hubris exposes his secret lover and forces him to flee Rome on a journey for penitence fraught with peril, intrigue, and murder.
My Review
Carivaggio: A Light Before the Darkness started life as a screenplay for which it won multiple awards. The author, Ken Mora, eventually decided to turn the work into a graphic novel. The painter, Caravaggio, was born in 1571 in Milan and died in 1610. In his rather short life he produced some of the most inventive and dramatic art of the period. Always a difficult man to get along with, the last years of his life were spent on the run following acts of violence. Ken Mora takes up Caravaggio's story in 1591 in a re imagining of his life and the explanation for his erratic and self-destructive behavior.
The books is illustrated by Cyrus Mesarcia. It is an action packed tale full of sword fights and painting. The illustrations are are easy to follow and do a great job of fleshing out the dialog. Like many of Caravaggio's own paintings there is a darkness to the pages with stabs of light highlighting key figures.
As a lover of all things history I appreciated the dive into Renaissance Italy with its church hierarchy. There is a grittiness to the story which gives a accurate portrayal of life in the early 17th century. The love story is both touching and tragic as befitting the era.
I enjoyed this graphic novel and highly recommend it to readers of historical fiction who enjoy adult graphic novels and a unique reading experience.
I rate this book: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
Caravaggio: A Light Before the Darkness by Ken Mora
Published June 2020
Publisher: Markosia Enterprises
Genre: Historical Fiction / Graphic Novel
Pages: 154
Sex: 💗yes, nothing graphic
Violence: 😨mild
The Blurb
- His art saved the dying Church
- Ambition exposed his secret lover
- His sword sealed their tragic fate.
The artist known as Caravaggio must flee Milan to escape a vendetta and protect his lover from The Inquisition. In Rome, he begins his meteoric rise as The Church's savior. His works spur the faithful to return to the pews at the time of The Counter-Reformation. Then hubris exposes his secret lover and forces him to flee Rome on a journey for penitence fraught with peril, intrigue, and murder.
My Review
Carivaggio: A Light Before the Darkness started life as a screenplay for which it won multiple awards. The author, Ken Mora, eventually decided to turn the work into a graphic novel. The painter, Caravaggio, was born in 1571 in Milan and died in 1610. In his rather short life he produced some of the most inventive and dramatic art of the period. Always a difficult man to get along with, the last years of his life were spent on the run following acts of violence. Ken Mora takes up Caravaggio's story in 1591 in a re imagining of his life and the explanation for his erratic and self-destructive behavior.
The books is illustrated by Cyrus Mesarcia. It is an action packed tale full of sword fights and painting. The illustrations are are easy to follow and do a great job of fleshing out the dialog. Like many of Caravaggio's own paintings there is a darkness to the pages with stabs of light highlighting key figures.
As a lover of all things history I appreciated the dive into Renaissance Italy with its church hierarchy. There is a grittiness to the story which gives a accurate portrayal of life in the early 17th century. The love story is both touching and tragic as befitting the era.
I enjoyed this graphic novel and highly recommend it to readers of historical fiction who enjoy adult graphic novels and a unique reading experience.
I rate this book: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
April 29, 2021
This is a beautifully crafted work. The art style is cool, and I have not seen this style before - it is very suitable for the tale. The colors used really add to the story, and there are numerous incredibly detailed full-sized panels that are works of art in their own right.
The story itself I found to be a little difficult to follow. Having no real background in the arts, there was some confusion about some of the events that took place, as well as the jumps in time that occurred. That said, some research has shown me that the works is historically accurate, which is certainly something that more art-oriented readers should appreciate. I also enjoyed how the people who supported the creation of this work were featured in it. As someone who rarely reads graphic novels, that was a nice touch that really stood out to me.
Altogether I must give the book a three star rating. I want to make it clear that this is largely because I found the plot to be hard to follow due to my lack of artistic knowledge. If you read this work, the paperback version will add to your experience!
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The story itself I found to be a little difficult to follow. Having no real background in the arts, there was some confusion about some of the events that took place, as well as the jumps in time that occurred. That said, some research has shown me that the works is historically accurate, which is certainly something that more art-oriented readers should appreciate. I also enjoyed how the people who supported the creation of this work were featured in it. As someone who rarely reads graphic novels, that was a nice touch that really stood out to me.
Altogether I must give the book a three star rating. I want to make it clear that this is largely because I found the plot to be hard to follow due to my lack of artistic knowledge. If you read this work, the paperback version will add to your experience!
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 16, 2025
As a conventional author, I can’t imagine the time required to create a work like this. The graphics are stunning and the story, grounded as it is in real events, is captivating. The result is an exciting, historic swashbuckler, with a moral message, conveyed in artwork worthy of the great Caravaggio himself.
November 9, 2025
This book had dramatic and compelling artwork. And the story was fascinating. Truly, I knew of him, the "master of light", but I didn't know anything of his personal life. This book drove me to the research. I very much enjoyed this graphic novel
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews