I don't know why some people say this book is boring. I read it in a blink of an eye because the characters and plot are so interesting! It's controversial and may be offensive for some, but who cares? It's just a comic book. Yes, Chris looks like a very angry I-know-it-all punk rocker atheist teenager . But that's exactly who the character is, with his strengths and flaws. And believe me, this book is so much much more than that. Nevertheless, this book raises some important questions, it invites you to reflect on religion, society, dogmas, science, moral values. It is also very emotional in some areas, it may leave you with a tear in your eye. It has very nice action scenes, good background stories and good dialogues as well. And the art is simply amazing - Sean Murphy rocks! I really really enjoyed this book, despite agreeing or not with the main character's message. ( )

In the near future, a clone of Jesus stars in the reality show J2. After an American Idol-style determination process, the young virgin Gwen is implanted with a fetus grown from genetic material supposedly cobbled together from the fabled Shroud of Turin, and gives birth to the childhood on live TV. Troubled, former IRA operative Thomas McKae protects the newborn and his mother from various attacks, primarily spearheaded by religious fanatics. As the conflicted Chris, the name chosen by Gwen for her child, ages, he grapples with his televised reality. The teen "messiah" eventually joins a punk rock band in an attempt to construct his own destiny. Murphy's scratchy, Ralph Steadman-influenced art and his Hunter Thompson-infused script further enhance the alternative and edgy subject. Similar to the best of punk music, the tale overcomes the seeming rough edges, revealing a better understanding of the world around us. Blasphemous, irreverent and full of violent imagery, Murphy's brilliant, heretical Punk Rock Jesus expertly examines the role of religion in our technological-driven 21st century society. ( )

Goodreads Synopsis: A New York Times Bestseller!

A reality TV show starring a clone of Jesus Christ causes chaos across the U.S. of the near future in PUNK ROCK JESUS, a new graphic novel written and drawn by Sean Murphy, the acclaimed illustrator of JOE THE BARBARIAN and AMERICAN VAMPIRE.

J2 causes both outrage and adulation. Religious zealots either love or hate the show, angry politicians worry about its influence on the nation, and members of the scientific community fear the implications of cloning a human being at all, let alone the Son of God.

Thomas McKael is the clones's bodyguard and former IRA operative, who despite his turbulent past is hired to protect the new Jesus—a baby who captivates the world, but grows up to become an angry teenager.

When falling ratings force the network to cut Jesus's mother from the series the young star runs away, renounces his religious heritage and forms a punk rock band. And what starts off as babysitting for Thomas becomes an epic battle, as Jesus goes to war against the corporate media complex that created him.

Along with his artistic credits on JOE THE BARBARIAN and AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, Murphy also wrote and illustrated the graphic novel OFF ROAD (Oni Press), and cowrote OUTER ORBIT (Dark Horse Comics).

My Review: The first time I saw this book, I was in a comic store and honestly didn't know what to think. It looked awesome on the outside, the cover is what drew me towards it in the first place, but I really didn't know what to expect when I opened it. All I knew is that I'd have to read it at some point. This book is an epic read, and I really enjoyed it. I'm not really a comic person usually, mostly because I finish them too quickly, but this seemed like a good fit for me, being a big thick book of comics. I was sucked in from the very first page, and instantly fell in love with the enticing story line. The characters are awesome, and they seem like they could be real people, reacting to the craziness happening around them. They also grew and developed throughout the story, and I always love that. I really became attached to them. I definitely recommend checking out this book if you like an action packed story line, characters who stand up for themselves, and of course, reality TV. I know I'll be reading this book again. Thanks for reading!

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This was good but not mind blowing. I thought it might be more irreverent and post modern but it turned out to have a fairly straight forward plot with enough action to keep it moving. ( )

This graphic novel describes the far-flung ramifications when the Church of Rome and an entertainment multinational join forces to clone the Messiah using DNA scraps from the Shroud of Turin. In addition to the clone, Chris, the story centers around the geneticist who oversaw the process and an IRA badass hired to provide security for the operation. The main plot is interwoven with a backstory which narrates the Irishman's terrorist days in Ireland. This is an intriguing premise which is interestingly told (I found the Irish subplot less so) using an aggressive, swirling style of art. This art, however, is not always great at exposition, and some of the story's twists take a while to become clear, especially since some of the main characters look alike. Obviously, this book is not for everybody, but it's a good read and isn't afraid to ask a few big questions about celebrity, biotech, violence, and the existence of the divine. ( )