Due to the cultural context, the text itself doesn’t make a fuss about the women that are involved in the gospel events (like the numbering of males only at the feeding of the 5,000). Several small verses let us know they are there all along, like Luke 8:2-3: “Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Therefore, in the images of the crowds, the disciples and the courts where the drama unfolds you will see the female characters like Mary Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Marta, Joanna and Jesus’ sisters involved.
Locations
So many of the gospel stories occur in the Galilee region and in Capernaum, in particular, it’s actually quite surprising. Using maps, the real landscapes and colour schemes, the comic helps the reader easily keep track of, and get a window into, the locations of the events.
Who do you envisage are the readers of this new graphic novel of Mark’s gospel?
The readership is far greater than one might first imagine as graphic novels are read by a wide range of people of all ages. There are those who may never pick up a Bible to read but would be captivated reading the Gospel of Mark in this format. It is also a perfect gift for anyone who loves comics or who wants to get deeper into the word!