Sorry to disappoint but this article isn’t about a new Dan Brown story or a clandestine secret meeting, or a secret science program fusing Iron Man and the archangel Michael… which would be fascinating. What I’m talking about is far less devious and more a short series of comics many are unaware even exist.
In 1981 the Vatican commissioned a 64 page comic book biography from Marvel, titled The life of Pope John Paul II. It was written by Steven Grant and Father Mieczyslaw Malinski, inked by Joe Sinnott and penciled by John Tartaglione. The project was overseen by Father Mieczyslaw Malinski as well as Marvel executives. It was intended to forever embody the then new Pope into comics form. It covered everything from his birth in Poland, his narrow escape from being placed in a concentration camp for his pro-resistance views by studying for the priesthood, his love for writing poetry, and his desire to become an actor.
“We must find a way to stop Hitler Father!” “I know…we will infuse your bones with adamantium and you will take the fight to the Nazis!”
They even covered the infamous events of May, 13th, 1981. During an address before a crowed audience in Vatican Square a lone gunman shot and critically wounded Pope John Paul II with two bullets to the abdomen. Seeing this moment instilled in comics form will most likely go down in comic history as one of Marvels more chilling scenes and moments.
churchpop.com
The comic was released in 1983 with astounding success, selling millions of copies worldwide and even still being available on Amazon!
Seeing this success of this comic the Vatican commissioned a second 64 page biography comic titled Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Released in 1984, it was written by David Michelinie and Father Roy Gasnick, with the illustration team of Father Roy Gasnick and John Tartaglione being brought back after having been dubbed the “go-to guy for any project that required historical research and or spiritual themes” by Comics Historian Mark Evanier.
Mother Teresa was already in her late 70’s when the comic was launched, furthering the worldwide recognition for her work, running a hospital in the grimmest slums of Calcutta India. She spent her time ministering to lepers, beggars and orphans, in one of the worlds truly most impoverished cities. Told from the view point of a cynical journalist who himself was softened by Mother Teresa’s gentle and selfless kindness, it gave the comic a one of a kind writing style. Following the lead of its predecessor the Mother Teresa of Calcutta comic went on to sell millions of copies as is also still available on Amazon.
Even if you aren’t Catholic or even Christian this comics are truly fascinating and worth looking into. Just imagining a Catholic priest sitting side by side with artists and writers from Marvel working to try and convey two stories that have the strongest of heartfelt and spiritual convictions behind them.
