Miniature Jesus #4
Ted McKeever
Image Comics Shadow Line
I figured for my first venture into the world of CVLT Nation, I would use a series that has been one of the most interesting I’ve read. Comic books tend to be cataloged into either heroes, or easily digestible indie fare. While there’s nothing wrong with either of those genres, sometimes it takes a dark slap across the mouth, to jar the sleeping giant of story telling through sequential art awake. Writer/Artist Ted McKeever understands that, and translates it stunningly into Miniature Jesus.
First a little history. Miniature Jesus follows a fellow named Chomsky, a lifetime alcoholic battling to stay sober. Don’t let the premise fool you, this isn’t a typical story of a drunk making good. Chomsky’s delusions are powerful, and his universe of good angel against demon stakes out a much darker territory. Ted McKeever is very much a visual storyteller, so when he does interject dialog, it matters. Miniature Jesus #4 begins with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, which should give you an idea of what lays ahead.
At the end of issue 3, Chomsky’s demons succeeded in getting him to return to the bottle. Issue 4 finds our protagonist sitting in a bar, alone, naked, knocking back shots at an alarming rate. Chomsky’s reality is hard to figure out, there’s often little to distinguish between his hallucinations and the real world. A demon, a hooded, demented looking creature built around a maw of teeth, is reveling in Chomsky’s drinking. When this demon shows Chomsky a vision in a mirror, the character erupts, shattering the glass, which blows back on him.
Chomsky enters a world, through the shattered mirror, more likely a hallucination. Before him, floating, is a tiny Jesus, missing right arm. Chomksy thinks it’s another demonic trick, especially once the miniature Christ begins playing charades. The demon foil appears, and the battle for Chomsky begins, though more in ideology than any physical battle. Ultimately, Chomsky glues Jesus’s arm back on, which helps vanquish the demon. McKeever ends the story in as confusing a style as can be expected. If nothing else, it will drive you to find issue 5.
McKeever is a priceless artist. Miniature Jesus #4 is a biting, satirical commentary on the hypocrisy of modern society. The opening Emerson quote isn’t just there to set the tone, McKeever relates the entire story to the idea of attempting to uncover and obey human though in hopes of bringing some kind of harmony to the human mind. Chomsky’s obvious disdain for the thought of a higher power, is forgotten when the power is needed. It’s a hypocrisy we can all share.
Visually, McKeever’s work is wonderful. Black and white, with a masterful use of negative space. The dark elements battling in Chomsky’s world come through both with McKeever’s obviously Alex Toth inspired shading techniques, and his ability to consolidate harsh lines and jagged pictures, with a surreal background.
As comic books continue raking in millions via costumed heroes, books like Miniature Jesus allow the medium to grow as a serious art form.
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