ID: Banner reading 8 Cartoons & Graphic Stories with Christian Elements, sliceofstars.com. The banner features sample art from Journey Upstream, Young Apostles, and Gabriel and The Guardians.
Lukewarm Take: Christian media doesn't suck, it's just poorly made. But here, I've got a list of cartoons, shows, web comics, and manga that contain Christian elements without the suckage! Whether it's through references, themes, or educational storytelling, these artists and writers present works that put the story -- and visuals -- first. Some are still hot off the press or in-the-works, but I've included relevant links to learn more.
I've been excited to share this list for a good while, but it seems every time I think I've compiled the ultimate TBR/watchlist, I find more! So please, share some I might be missing. I've enjoyed most of these entries, and I hope you do too!
IDs: On the left, cover art for Young Apostles: Volume One. The face of John, son of Zebbedee, a teenage boy with dark skin and a small hoop earring, stands opposite the back of another man's head, Jesus. A golden light casts from Jesus' hidden face. On the upper right, an illustration of younger Judas and Mary of Magdala. Younger Judas has unruly blond hair and many scars. He stares at Mary as she dabs blood off his mouth with a cloth. Mary has dark skin, braids, and a pink dress. On the bottom right, an illustration of James and John in a kitchen with their mother. They share mischievous smiles over a batch of scones.
The Twelve Apostles didn't start as saints. They were fishermen, tax collectors, rebels, and runaways. Before they were carved into cathedrals and quoted in church, they were just boys—flawed, haunted, but hungry for something more. And Jesus saw that. He saw them. And He called them-not just into a mission, but into a family.
Young Apostles is an illustrated coming-of-age series about redemption, identity, and finding a family beyond blood.
I've been avidly following Brown's progress on this project for about a year and I wish I had found it even sooner. It's a reimagining of the backstories of the Twelve Disciples and other founding members of Christianity based on the popular belief by scholars that many of them were quite young during Jesus's earthly ministry. Brown, as author and illustrator, takes a lot a creative liberties, but they are rooted in a faithful knowledge of the cultural context and source material. It's free to read on Webtoon right now, but I argue it's better as a physical book since it's more of an illustrated novel than traditional graphic novel.
I haven't gotten very far yet, but the characters are so lovable! Their stories highlight just how human they truly were, not merely saints in windows. The official bios and art on the author's Instagram are what caught me -- hook, line, and sinker! Brown's interpretations aim to immerse the reader in the day-by-day perspectives of the apostles. Which is why there are two Judases and we won't know which one will betray Jesus until the end. The apostles didn't know, and neither do we! A high recommendation from me.
IDs: Top: Cover art for Huemans: Book of Yellow. Amber, a young lady of warm yellow hue, holds her hands to her heart. Bottom left: Amber folding her hands in prayer. The narration reads: So she's been praying to me for a partner for a little while. The only problem is she's a bit impatient, in addition to other things. Bottom right: Amber checking her phone. The narration reads: She's about to learn a few things the hard way. Her phone says, You've got new matches! She responds, Oouuu! Okay let's see what we got.
What if everything you were going through showed up on your skin? What if emotional and mental health were just as tangible as your physical health? That's the world of huemans and we're going to start with Amber - a quirky, bright-eyed young woman who just wants to be known, accepted, and loved... but it's a lot more difficult to acquire than it seems these days.
I can't quite encapsulate in words the fond fuzzies this web comic makes for me. A lot of web cartoonists fail to make a truly unique world concept or fail to make it pertinent to the storyline. And characters written by believers too often tend to be didactic and watered-down. But David crafts a perfect balance between speculative fiction and rom-dra-mady! The characters are so flawed and I love it! They make mistakes and stumble through life, and you can't help but root for them. I look forward to seeing whatever happens next!
The Book of Jericho by Elijah Williams | Shop | Instagram | Article
IDs: Top: Website shop image of physical copies of the Book of Jericho. Jericho, a young black man in royal blue robes and silver wrist chains, folds his hands is sick-ass prayer. Bottom left: An action panel from the book provided by the artist's Instagram. Jericho (presumably) lands a spinning heel kick to an opponent. Bottom right: Cover art for character. A dark-skinned man in black and blue robes with electrical energy parking from his left hand. A wide-brimmed hat conceals his eyes.
Hold the beginning of the saga in your hands with the first physical volume of The Book of Jericho (Softcover). This beautifully printed manga-style book introduces Jericho, a boy torn between Spirit and Flesh, as he begins a journey of conviction, power, and prophecy. With high-quality pages and detailed artwork, every panel brings the clash of faith and vengeance to life.
This limited print run makes Volume One a must-have for collectors and fans of the Convergence of Kings universe. Whether you’re adding it to your shelf, gifting it, or diving into Jericho’s world for the first time, this physical edition is the perfect way to experience the story as it was meant to be read.
Imagine a classic, addictive manga with a sick power system, sick world-building, and sick fight scenes. Now imagine that the power system is based on faith. However much you believe in something determines how much power you possess and what it looks like, especially when it's tested. Jericho is one of the only followers of Jesus in his world, so he has to wrestle with having faith in a God he cannot see while going to war against his own family member. I'm psyched to see more and more Christian weebs coming out of the woodwork and using their powers for good. It's available now as print and ebook.
IDs: Left: Art of Mona and Ezra. Ezra claps his hands and sings happily while Mona watches, lovestruck. Her thoughts read, "if this is the side of you I get to see ... then maybe this whole Church thing isn't so bad after all." Middle: Art of the six main characters and their various emotions. RJ looks confused, Mona is furious, Ezra is happy crying, Abby is laughing, Sam is lovestruck, and Cookie is miffed. Right: Sketch of Mona and Ezra cuddling while eating heart-shaped cookies and making profoundly pre-marital eye contact. An oxygen tube curls around Ezra's pale, gaunt face.
Everyone was a broken someone, and this case is no different for Mona. After being cheated on by her now ex boyfriend and losing her job as a respected officer of the law, she is convinced that there is no hope left for her in this dreaded world. But little does she know that her whole life is about to change when one day she meets, him. However, will this “divine” meeting change her life for the better? Or for the worse?
Mona Martinez is a jaded bartender who falls for local youth pastor Ezra Dawson, but will conflicting beliefs and health diagnoses ruin their relationship before it can even begin? I've been looking forward to this WIP for a hot minute and I'm already in love with the characters! The black cat / golden retriever dynamic is so cute and I can't wait to see what happens, even if it disintegrates me! Check out character bios now on the official Instagram and Webtoon introduction comic.
What Had Happened Was (WHHW) by Chaz Smith | Kickstarter | YouTube
IDs: Imbedded videos. Top: Trailer for the show. Bottom: Teaser clip for Episode 3: King Nebuchadnezzar's Nightmare.
What Had Happened Was is a colorfully animated, comedically narrated web series, dedicated to retelling biblical stories in an entertaining, insightful, and simple way for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests!
Season One covers the life of Daniel, one of several young princes born into Israeli nobility, but taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar II. He and the other nobles were only teenagers when they were forced into royal servitude during the reign of one of the most powerful kingdoms on the planet: the Babylonian Empire.
Aight, let’s be honest: the Bible can be difficult to understand and even boring to read if you have no context or aren't aware of the bigger picture––and that goes for Christians, too! The goal of WHHW is to depict biblical narratives in ways that are entertaining, compelling and digestible...without watering down the truth.
In every episode, there’ll be a balanced mix of jokes and memes, pop culture, cartoon and anime references, engaging storytelling and personal insights, historical and cultural context, and high quality animation to top it all off! No matter what your background is, there’ll be something in it for everybody!
BRO. I've been on the Kickstarter for over a year and I can't wait for the whole show to drop. These are stories that I grew up on and have grown to appreciate more and more as the years go by. So I especially enjoy the edu-tainment angle; It's casual yet full of heart. Count me in! It's everything I would expect from the great Chaz Smith (Vine) and animators such as David A (Huemans).
IDs: Posters for A D6 Story. Left: Three characters pose, an older man with a white beard, a woman cop holding a gun, and a young man with a red spiked blade for a right arm. His hair is spiky and one of his eyes glows red. A green mist with teeth, a red tentacle, and a city scrawl across the background. Right: A man in a butcher's apron holding a rifle. Behind him, a man-like creature with horns, fangs, spiky hair, and glowing red eyes superimposed across the red background.
A tale of The UnKing. As a familiar horror infiltrates Folia City, a crew of unlikely heroes must fight to save their world as they know it.
Believer. Artist. Minister. Telling Necessary Tales. A self-taught artist, Dino has been in the business of illustration and independent webcomic work since 2018. His independent projects thus far would include 'THE LAMB and THE RAM', 'FLESH AND STEEL', and the ongoing 'A D6 STORY.'
Set in an uncomfortably believable world, the dark spiritual forces are active among those in power. Who will rise up? The series follows Dino, a down-on-his-luck streetfighter, Caine, a tech giant with an agenda, and Ruth, a cop with a past following a trail of inhuman deaths.
I am of the opinion that horror and Christianity can, do, and should go together. Horror offers a look into the depths of evil and darkness while faith offers a perspective of responsibility and closure. They strengthen each other when done well, as A D6 Story does. I'm reading it now and look forward to uncovering more.
Gabriel and The Guardians by Angel Studios | Website
IDs: Left: Poster for Gabriel and the Guardians. The heroes and villains pose around a glowing tree. Gabriel, a young being with gold skin, pale blue eyes, white hair, and a halo. Besides him are Nok, a human boy with red hair and white markings, and Namay'ah, a human girl with black hair and green eyes.
Gabriel, a celestial guardian, is sent into the dark realm of Ara to recover the Eternal Seed—a powerful artifact stolen from the celestial realm. As he embarks on his mission, he joins forces with Nok, a giant hunter seeking redemption, and Namay’ah, a mysterious alchemist princess. Together, they face treacherous lands, ancient evils, and secrets that could reshape their destinies. In a battle between light and chaos, they must find the strength to restore order before it’s too late.
What a powerhouse of a show! I'm fascinated by pre-flood narratives; what the world looked like soon after the Fall, the relationship between higher beings and humans, and what it meant to be loyal to God amidst chaos. A unique premise told through buttery smooth, '80s-inspired visuals and voice acting to match? If you can swing an extra streaming service, this is perfect for you!
Hummingfluff Studio by Minna Sundberg | Website
ID: The website banner for Hummingfluff Studio: art and comics by Minna Sundberg. A small gryphon-bird-cat leaps through watercolor flowers.
IDs: Bottom left: Cover art for A Meandering Line: One comic artist's journey through atheism and nihilism to Christ. The artist, a teal bunny, sits in a garden with a miffed expression. Bottom middle: Cover art for Lovely People. Three anthropomorphic rabbits sit around a table with shifty eyes and smartphones in their paws. Bottom right: Cover art for Journey Upstream. A pack of various animals with saddlebags march up a mossy cliff.
Hi I'm Minna Sundberg, an independent comic artist of about 10 years. In 2020 I gave my life to Christ so now I want to use the skills, that he's given me, to serve his kingdom. So in the spirit of 1. Corinthians 10:31 I'll be drawing comics for the glory of God.
"A Meandering Line" is a graphic memoir tracing Sundberg's personal journey through cultural Christianity, atheism, nihilism, and faith. In it, she refers to her graphic short story "Lovely People," a speculative piece exploring the social credit system. Her ongoing series "Journey Upstream" is a beautiful analogy of the Christian life, its challenges, where some of us begin, and where we're all destined.
I devoured Sundberg's graphic novels (most of which are free!) in about two days! She captures a balance of gorgeous visuals and heart-piercing stories. Her painterly style contrasts with sharp scripts that hold a mirror up to herself, the reader, and culture at large, both secular and Christian. You think as much as you feel; a feast for the eyes as much as the soul. They leave you pondering long after you've walked away yet wanting more!
Let me know if there are any other comics, shows, or books with Christian undertones I didn't mention. Hope y'all like these as much as I do!
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