Denver Catholic

T he very fi rst comic book was published in 1933 and sparked a craze that reached its height during the 1950s and continues even to this day. Original copies of comic books introducing famous, modern-day pop-cultur e icons such as Spider-Man and Superman can fetch, believe it or not, millions of dollars and are con- sidered some of the most sought-after collector's items.¹ The comic book's ability to blend exciting visuals with storytelling intrigue makes it a great medium for communication — and in the Church's case, evangelization. Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must be like children — innocent, curious and joyful. Comic books are often frowned upon as being "only for kids," but if, as Jesus says, we are to be like children, then why not foster our inner "kid at heart" during this Christmas season and kick back with a few comic books?¹ Here are a few comic-style books to consider giving (or asking for) as gifts this Christmas season. FOR THE HISTORY BUFF: THE FAITHFUL SPY Though he wasn't Catholic, German theo- logian Dietrich Bonhoef- fer is a historical fi gure who has been revered and respected by the Catholic Church since his death in 1945. He wrote many works on what it means to be a fol- lower of Christ, includ- ing his most famous work,¹ The Cost of‡ Dis- cipleship, which is con- sidered a modern classic about the Christian life, and his writings have had far-reaching infl uence on various denominations of Christianity.¹ Here's the fascinating thing about Bonhoe¢ er: He was a budding theo- logian during the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime in Germany, an event that profoundly impacted the way in which he viewed and lived his faith. While witnessing the atrocities of the Nazis and the compla- cency of the Church in Germany, Bon- hoe¢ er took matters into his own hands and did the unthinkable: He devised a plot to kill Hitler.¹ This remarkable story is told through a combi- nation of handwritten text and vibrant, com- ic-like illustrations in The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoe‹ er and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hen- drix. Written and illus- trated by Hendrix, this is an informative and entertaining read that recounts the incredible lengths one follower of Christ went to fi ght an unspeakable evil that ravaged the people of his beloved homeland and contains a core message of faith that's both uplifting and challenging at once. B4 NOVEMBER 10-23, 2018 | DENVER CATHOLIC 2018 Christmas Gift Guide Boarding School. Class is in session. l ove yo u r m ot h e r b oa rd .co m Class is in session. Class is in session. BY AARON LAMBERT aaron.lambert@archden.org Comic book evangelization Comic book evangelization

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