REVIEW: 'Second Coming: Trinity' #1 by Mark Russell, Leonard Kirk, Richard Pace, and Andy Troy

 

SECOND COMING: TRINITY #1

Writer: Mark Russell

Artists: Leonard Kirk, Richard Pace, 

Andy Troy

Letters: Rob Steen

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Release Date: April 5, 2023

Cover Price: $4.99

Back again: The book that turned the comics industry upside-down with "quite a bit of humor...[and] a lot of heart" (The New York Times). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, tackles his biggest challenge in 2000 years: babysitting a child with superpowers! Meanwhile, his roommate-the superhero called Sunstar-faces his greatest enemy, and his own guilt, in a court of law. Written and co-created by 2022 Eisner winner Mark Russell with art by co-creator Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk.

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: 'Second Coming' has been a clear joy in the comic book landscape providing thought-provoking laughs with clever satire set around Jesus Christ and his superhero roommate Sunstar. There's nothing blasphemous about Jesus being the moral compass and voice of reason for the thorny Sunstar who literally needs Jesus in his life. As a babysitter to the super baby, Jesus tries to assure Sunstar that he's got it handled (he does not) and to concentrate on the trial worry-free. The trial to decide Cranius' fate weighs heavily on Sunstar leading to a heartbreaking flashback that explains a lot about his villainous origins. Mark Russell's success as one of comics' best writers is clearly demonstrated in this issue as the emotional swings are deftly handled using humor, compassion, cruelty, empathy, and intelligence. If someone were to look at this title for the first time they'd probably assume it's a silly odd couple comic full of cheap jokes at Jesus' expense, just another jab at religion. When in fact, Russell extracts the very best teachings of Jesus to tackle real-world human issues diving deep into moral dilemmas encountered by the more fantastical figure of a superhero. It just happens to be a very funny and moving comic series. It's also wonderfully and playfully illustrated by Leonard Kirk, Richard Pace, and Andy Troy.

'Second Coming: Trinity' kicks off another feel-good arc that satirically pokes fun at superheroes and religion with a velvet hammer instead of a brutish mallet. Russell cares for these characters and you will too. Russell will make you feel things. It's a triumph of smart evocative writing told from the heart and without cynicism.