Punk Rock Jesus #4 Review

We are now past the midway point in this excellent mini series from Vertigo, and it is not letting up one bit. I really cant wait until the last issue comes out so then I can read this from the start all the way through. Yes, if you have not been on board from the beginning of this series then you will not have a clue what is happening in this issue, however if you have then this is yet again another great issue. Within the first few pages of this book there is a major death. The character who dies is Chris' mum, Gwen. Murphy has teased a couple of times in this series that Gwen would be killed off, so there is no surprise that it actually happened. However, it is the circumstance, as well as the cause of death, that are very shocking.

Since Gwen has left the confines of J2 she has become very close to the New American Christians (NAC). So close in fact, that the start of the issue see's her and the NAC army making an attempt to save Chris from Rick Slate and other people associated with J2. Unfortunately for her she ends up getting caught between a remote controlled steel door and therefore getting crushed to death. This door was controlled by the founder of J2, the wicked Rick Slate. Even though he hardly featured in this issue, Rick has been built up throughout the series to be a character who the readers truly love to detest. He is a vicious manipulative man, and him having something to do with Gwen's death is no shock at all. Murphy has done such a good job building this character, that it actually seems like a normal thing for him to do. Yes, he really is that evil.

The way Chris develops in this issue is really something. After his mothers death he starts going against Slate by listening to, and reading things that are banned. He listens to punk rock music, and reads about Darwins'  theory of evolution. Chris also starts taking interest in atheist theories, which is something Slate never let him get his hands on for obvious reasons. He also changes his appearance to match that of a punk rocker. This new appearance of his is premiered at the Grammy Awards as he is the host of the event. While on stage he makes an anti-Christian rant, before making his escape to New York where he ends the book becoming a member of a punk rock group. Chris' anger throughout the book jumped off the pages, as we feel him simmering about the events that take place. He finally erupts at the end and you can not help but root for him. It was great to read, and the reader can relate to the situation in some way as we have all been teenagers at some point, maybe even currently. We have not gone through the pressures and oppression that Chris has had to endure, but we have all been teenagers at some point. At the end of the day that is what Chris is, an ordinary 14 year old boy who hates being told what to do so ends up rebelling. However, his rebellion has wider consequences than the average teenager.

What was also great to see in this issue was a bit more of Thomas' back story. We knew he had an IRA background of some sort, and it is very interesting to see what he went through when he first joined this group. The scene where he murdered a large group of an enemy faction in their own bar was brutal. The art also ensured that it flowed very nicely, and helped show the true aggressive nature of Thomas perfectly.

The art in this book, and throughout the series, has been a major highlight for myself. It is in course in black and white. Before I read the first issue I was actually really worried about this, however it works so well. In fact, I don't think it would have had the same desired effect if it was coloured. It just wouldn't be the same.

The only think going against this series is that the story is so in depth that it is easy to forget what happened in the previous issue. Therefore, I think that this may be best read in trade format, hence another reason why I am going to read it all back before the last issue hits. Saying that, I am glad I got involved in this from the very start, as after reading the first issue I could not wait until the next issue was released. There was no way I could have waited until it got released as a trade.

As I mentioned at the start of this review, if you have been reading this from the start then this issue is a treat. This is another solid issue in what I believe to be the best mini series of the year. I don't think anything else comes close. There are two issues left and it will be a sad day when this has to end, however I can't wait to see how this concludes. It should be epic.


Rating 8.5/10