The Bible: Eden

by Keith Giffen, Dave Elliott, Scott Hampton (Illustrator)

Everyone knows what happened in the Garden of Eden, but no one has visualized it, and shared that vision like Scott Hampton (Life Eaters). With Dave Elliott and Keith Giffen scripting, Hampton produced this beautifully painted, visually stunning adaptation of the original tale of innocence, temptation and lust for the pages of Penthouse magazine, now collected into a single volume.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

104 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2004

About the author

Keith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.

Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.

He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.

He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.

Reviews

[The_Mad_Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an adaptation of the first chapters of Genesis, from the creation of the world to the birth of Cain -- and obviously focusing on the fall of Adam and Eve (and humankind with them) -- written by Dave Elliott and Keith Giffen, and gloriously painted by Scott Hampton. There is a lot of (accurate) graphic nudity depicted in the garden of Eden, and a also a quite graphic birthing scene (Cain's), so it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the material is treated with respect and interesting ways.

There is also a short piece on Joseph's dream about Mary's immaculate conception of Jesus, and some other extra material of the plan for the larger project, which as far as I've been able to find has stopped at this one volume. The later paperback edition appears to contain an adaptation of the story of Daniel as well, so I am a bit sad o have missed out on that one.

All in all, it is an enjoyable read, and some really fine visuals from Hampton.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 5 out of 5]

This covers creation to the birth of Cain then jumps to the conception of Jesus and Joseph's dream that caused him to trust her pregnancy as legit.

If you want to introduce anyone (and you should) to Scott Hampton- this is where to start. This book is 90% him with the other two choosing and adding the appropriate Bible verses.

[Joseph DeBolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, Biblical, graphic novel depiction of Adam and Eve. Beautiful artwork. I wish this team produced more Bible adaptations! (Rated PG)

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of sequential paintings intending to tell Bible stories in a way that is much more graphically sexual and violent than most visual interpretations tend to be. It succeeds at first, then leaves me hanging. After the birth of Cain, the story jumps forward to the Immaculate Conceptions. I know not every story in the Old Testament would fare well graphically, but surely that of the world's first murder should have intrigued this creative team.
Nitpicking aside, Scott Hampton's paintings here are beautiful. Speaking as a strict non-fundamentalist, I wonder if he intended those little things throughout the tale of Genesis that seem to speak to a more metaphorical interpretation of the story. Maybe it was my imagination; maybe not.
But, back to the Immaculate Conception: here a slightly sexual spin is put on that story that actually does not contradict the Scripture, and does give even this believer pause for thought.
Maybe not a must for Bible enthusiasts, but it is worthwhile.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're of fan of Hampton, then this is a good example of his painting prowess.
There is alot of nudity... but hey, this is the story of Adam and Eve after all.
I wish they could have continued and given us the lives of Cain and Abel as well, but I suppose those might be explored in a sequel.
The large and mostly full pages of artwork are very nice, but, unless you stop and take the time necessary to savor them, you'll find that you go thru the story very quickly.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ugly story with pretty pictures.

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Artistically, I thought this book was very pretty.