Punk Rock Jesus, the highly acclaimed 6-issue mini-series written and illustrated by Sean Murphy and published by Vertigo, can now be read in its entirety. The trade, out this week, collects all 6 issues, 10 new black and white story pages and extra material.

It’s the near future, and the newest hit reality TV show has the unlikeliest celebrity of all – a clone of Jesus Christ. A messiah to some, a sacrilege to others, he causes outrage, adulation and chaos first in a reality TV series, J2, then as a rebellious teenager when he joins a punk rock band.

Murphy has described the mini-series as an “autobiography cleverly disguised as science fiction.” The series didn’t cause the controversy I expected, but sure explored topics such as religion, science, politics, and the media. It’s a prime example of our entertainment challenging us and the world we live in.

The graphic novel first skewers our modern media and entertainment as well as the tendency to “play to an audience.” In this case religious fanatics. Murphy takes or gullibility and couch potato antics to task, commenting on our obsession with reality television and the lowest common denominator it tends to bring.

From there, the comic continues this line of attack, but also questions religion as a whole. How would Jesus react to this modern world and how would modern religion react to his clone? What were his teachings? What was his message? That’s explored at the meta as well as the individual level. J2 has a protector in the form of a former Irish Republican Army soldier who questions his religion and past and is looking for salvation, hoping to find it by protecting J2. His is an interesting character through whom we’re to explore our own sin and salvation.

I know Murphy primarily through his art on Joe the Barbarian and American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest. It’s a gritty style that fits this future world quite well. It’s amazing to look at with fantastic attention to detail and a character style that’s distinct. You know Murphy’s art when you see it.

The series and a story as a whole is the type of story I crave. It challenges society and in this case calls into question our religious belief. The work isn’t anti-religion in any way, only questioning the fanaticism and blind faith that we’ve accepted as standard today. The story asks us to question and think for ourselves through an allegory that challenges the establishment.

Do I recommend folks pick it up? If you haven’t yet, and want a comic that makes you think while entertaining, absolutely. It’s easy to understand why this wound up on so many “best of 2012” lists.

Story and Art: Sean Murphy
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review