September 16, 2019

Kingstone Bible: a novel adaptation

This 3-volume graphic adaptation of the Bible from Kingstone is a novel heavyweight edition for youth from middle grades through teens. And when I say “heavyweight,” I mean that figuratively and literally. According to the information on Amazon, the set  weighs over 12 pounds!

Why so weighty? The heavily inked graphic art illustrations and the thick pages (stitched into sturdy hardback covers) carry a lot of weight, but then, so does God’s Word.

These graphic novels don’t present a word-for-word translation of the Bible, of course, but are more akin to comic-style Bible story books for older youth. Therefore,  the text takes liberties in portraying the words, thoughts, and feelings of the people involved. However, scriptural references to the actual biblical events are located at the bottom of each page.

Although I wish more emphasis had been place on those Bible references  (perhaps in a larger font), the opening pages of “The Epic Story of God” assures us that the publisher “attempts to cover the revealed and inerrant Word of God in serialized art form.”

In each volume, that art seems to capture well the dress, customs, and general appearance of relevant eras, (though I do wonder about the muscular appearance of Job!)

The dark colors also seem heavy to me, as do the somewhat scary covers. But then, I’m not the intended reader for this edition, which our teen and tween children or grandchildren will surely love!


Mary Sayler, ©2019




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