Let’s see here, this is a book that contains a hallucinating recovering alcoholic, a tiny drunken demon, and a plastic Jesus becoming animate and leaping off the cross.
Man, when is Image going to stop being so conventional?
Joking aside, this book is entirely the work of Ted McKeever, one of the most idiosyncratic and certain unique artists in comics. It’s a one man band: McKeever wrote the book, did all the art, and even lettered it. This is hardly the first time McKeever has explored the concept of normal people sucked into the battle of good and evil, but this is pretty weird even for him.
Most of Miniature Jesus‘ first issue follows an unnamed recovering alcoholic who… well, suffice to say the road to recovery is already pretty bumpy, and from the looks of things, it’s not going to improve very much from here. He’s tormented… well, more like annoyed, really, by a demon that looks an awful lot like our hero, sits on his shoulder and mostly points out that alcoholism is not a fun disease to be around. The lack of a balancing angel illustrates what’s at work here: Subtle this book isn’t.
Still, it’s interesting if for no other reason than, just like McKeever’s previous book the highly bizarre chicken-obsessed Mondo, this is entirely his show. There’s no mediation: This is the story McKeever wants to tell. And if nothing else, the art is gorgeous. McKeever can make even the obscene or mundane stunning:
McKeever’s work, whether you like it or dislike it, leaves a flavor in your mouth. We’re not sure how thought provoking this book will be, but if nothing else, it’s a distinct change of pace.