Irish Splendour: Messiah: Origin ~ Mark Arey, Kai Carpenter, Matt Dorff

"We have found the Messiah!"

~ John 1:41

Origin, the first adventure in the Messiah graphic novel series, was translated by Father Mark Arey exclusively from ancient Gospel manuscripts. Father Mark, who also translated the Book of Revelation, brings a lifetime of deep study and biblical training to this monumental endeavor. His work has produced a narrative harmony that weaves the four Gospels into a single continuous story, of which Origin is the opening chapter. The magnificence of this foundational literature is realized through the exquisite and enchanting illustrations of artist Kai Carpenter. Adapted and edited into graphic novel form by Matt Dorff (also the Book of Revelation), with letters and title designs by Carlton Riffel, Origin illuminates the story of Jesus' birth and early life through gloriously detailed and inspiring imagery. In embarking on this journey through the pages of Origin, you will find that by pairing ancient verses with original imagery new life is breathed into the accounts of Jesus' story as expressed through the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Rich in biblical foundation, artistic detail and color, Messiah: Origin is laid out in the typical graphic novel format. The prologue begins with the Creation synopsis in the opening of John's Gospel illustrating the coming prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah.

The story continues with the birth of John the Baptist followed by the birth of Christ. While it is primarily focused on the Nativity, the audience does see brief glimpses into the young childhood and adult ministry of Christ. Relevant flashbacks to the Old Testament reflect various scenes from Moses with The Ten Commandments to Samson's death and David slaying Goliath. The narration jumps around from Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures, but it is lucidly pasted together in a successful manner that actually makes the Bible as a whole more coherent and appreciated.

Following a basic listing of both genealogies from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the book closes with a topical index of Scriptural verses. It is bookended with an acknowledgment by adapter and editor Matt Dorff. He humbly explains artistic inspiration from sources which interestingly consist of Cecil B. DeMille, John Ford, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo among others. In retrospect, the likeness is apparent, but conclusively leaves the artwork in Messiah: Origin ultimately original and fascinating.

Kai Carpenter's use of lighting with shadow is inviting and multidimensional. Visual manifestations of evil and darkness are haunting while representations of holy angelic beings are fearfully captivating. He separates the species of angels and humans by subtle differences in their features such as the eyes and height in addition to the obvious wings.

Many highlights include illustrations of the desert by night and amidst a dust storm, the angelic encounter with Joseph, and Elijah in the fiery chariot. Angels are revealed in the stars and a pillar of fire to the shepherds then subsequently to the star-gazing magi. The perspective looking up at the archway upon entering Jerusalem with the stormy sky above is enchanting. Moreover, it is the ornate details in the older men, especially Matthew and Luke that are the most charming. As a little boy you can actually see the resemblance of Jesus to his mother and father whom Carpenter created in his art.

The people are so real and vivid with age and raw emotion: concern, rage, compassion, terror, elation and awe. The artist is exceptionally skilled at conveying the depth and intensity of an individual's face from one frame to the next as with the worried Elizabeth or wrathfully enraged Herod. The final page is very dramatic. We see the breathtaking reaction of John the Baptist in the water as he turns around to see the approach of Jesus the Messiah.

Readers never do see the Lord's face and this is quite impressive. As a type of Scriptural disclaimer in the prologue accompanying a profound emotional scene it states that "No one has ever seen God." Throughout the pages Christ is witnessed as a young infant and child. As an adult manifesting into the true essence of our Savior, He can only be viewed from his backside, a gesturing hand or exclusively shown in shadow.

As a fellow artist it cannot be expressed how I admire Carpenter's talent. I spent much time gazing at and examining each fine design. He can represent the unimaginable without being clichéd or absurd as is usually the case with the majority of illustrations and film. The artist has an eye for detail paralleled to Scripture, but where the "bizarre" or "unknown" occurs, he gently allows it to remain mysterious and alluring.

Rev. Mark Arey is the Director of the Ecumenical Office of

the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,

which is in charge of the Interfaith and Interorthodox matters

Kai Carpenter is an alumni of the Rhode Island School of Design.

He is a freelance illustrator.

After graduating as a production major from USC School of Cinematic Arts, Matt Dorff wrote the feature film Campus Man for Paramount Pictures. Wrote, produced and/or directed movies and miniseries for HBO, Showtime, USA, TBS, Lifetime, LMN, Family Channel, Hallmark, A&E, CBS, NBC, ABC. Currently writing and producing the graphic novel series "Messiah," with Volume I, "Origin," to be released 4th quarter 2013 and Volume II, Witness, to be released in 2014 by HarperCollins.

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for Messiah: Origin,

as well as Kai Carpenter's work

on Etsy and at his website