Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip

Manga Bible #1

by Young Shin Lee

All of God’s Creatures Are Talking in Bubbles! See the creation of the earth and the parting of the sea like you’ve never seen them before. With cool artwork and loads of humor, Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip gives the first two books of the Bible a totally different look. It’s manga style, where pictures tell the story—and the action moves fast. Everyone—including Adam, Eve, Noah, and Moses—talks and thinks in word bubbles. Who knew discovering the important truths in Genesis and Exodus could be so exciting and fun?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels

150 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2007

About the author

Young Shin Lee was born in Phyong Nam, Jin Nam Port. He earned his Masters Degree in Korean Studies, and founded the Korean Cultural Research Center. He is currently serving at the Korean Defense Graduate School Church.

In addition to writing the eight-book Bible Manga Series, Lee has also written a three-part Korean Bible Puzzle Book.

Reviews

[Dallas Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series of books! To me it seems that the artist and editors are heavily influenced by Osamu Tezuka

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the Hebrew books of Genesis and Exodus told in the style of Korean manga. The scriptures are taken from the NIV version of the Christian Bible, and adopt any interpretations from that source.

The illustrators place about 85% of the panels within historical context, with some anachronisms, such as a punk rocker who mocks Noah for building an ark or the Pharaoh of Egypt displaying a machine gun.

There are several instances of showing the manga artists at work on the production, which suggests the influence of the narrator over the story.

I mean, really, why would God want to reward Jacob for cheating, stealing, and swindling the blessing from Esau? It makes no sense until you think about who told this story and why. Could it be the descendants of Jacob? What? That blessing thing? God is cool with that. Here's how it went down ....

The illustrators behind this production have nothing more complicated in mind than trying to tell the NIV version of the story in a manner that is hip to teenagers. If there was anything deeper than the literal level in mind, it wasn't readily apparent. It's not that kind of book.

According to the index, more volumes are on the way.

For a more realized characterization of the Exodus, I'd suggest Stone Tables, by Orson Scott Card.

[Darnell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book doesn't give the stories any meaningful context, doesn't make them interesting, and even goes out of its way to give explanations that contradict cultural-historical research. Also, it wants to be funny and it isn't.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

They don't mess with the basic Bible stories, but add a lot of humor to make the stories appealing to a broad age range. I'm looking forward to reading the others.

[Aramis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was actually an interesting and fun read. It really is the bible stories, is just in manga format rather than a dry lecturing book that makes you want to sleep.

[maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these manga bibles! They tell us the stories and messages of the bible while still being funny.