The Atlantic Questions Amar Chitra Katha

Logo for ACKA search of its archives results in this compelling December 2017 article from The Atlantic on the  potential influence of Amar Chitra Katha (ACK)  on cultural intolerance:

[…S]ince its debut in 1967, ACK has also helped supply impressionable generations of middle-class children a vision of “immortal” Indian identity wedded to prejudiced norms. ACK’s writing and illustrative team led by [Anant] Pai as the primary “storyteller”) constructed a legendary past for India by tying masculinity, Hinduism, fair skin, and high caste to authority, excellence, and virtue. On top of that, his comics often erased non-Hindu subjects from India’s historic and religious fabric. Consequently, ACK reinforced many of the most problematic tenets of Hindu nationalism—tenets that partially drive the platform of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, currently under fire domestically and internationally for policies and rhetoric targeting religious minorities and lower castes.

Atlantic contributor Shaan Amin also notes the normative beauty standards that ACK tacitly endorses along with class distinctions.

Yet, concludes Amin, the curative here might be as parents discussing the comics with their children and questioning these issues: rather than modify or condemn ACK, a push for early critical reading and inquiry may be the best solution…as could be the case with so many products of popular culture and/or religion.

ReligionProf James F. McGrath Talks with A. David Lewis on Kismet and More

Professor James F. McGrath (aka ReligionProf) sits down with Sacred and Sequential‘s own A. David Lewis to discuss Kismet, Man of Fate from publisher A Wave Blue World. This March 2019 episode of the ReligionProf Podcast also features linkbacks to S&S‘s discussion of the Second Coming debacle and Matthew Brake’s news of the new Religion and Comics series from Claremont Press. It all comes full circle!

ReligionProf Podcast with A. David Lewis

Thank you, Dr. Yinsen

It’s film, not comics. But given that it’s a rare Muslim character in that medium’s superhero genre based in comics, we’re opting to include this touching Twitter thread on the impact of one man’s sacrifice repercussing all across this blockbuster narrative; it’s a testimony to the principles behind Islam, Judaism, and many of the world’s great religions.

 

CFP – Religion and Comics Series

Call for Papers:
Religion and Comics, A New Book Series from Claremont Press, Claremont School of Theology

The new Claremont Press Religion and Comics series is pleased to welcome submissions for book proposals. This interreligious and ecumenical series is looking for volumes covering multiple topics related to the intersection of religion and comics, including, but
not limited to the following:

  • Representations of Christian Fundamentalism in Comics
  • Eschatology and Comics
  • Magic and Comics
  • Religion in the Comics of Grant Morrison
  • Religion in the Comics of Alan Moore
  • Religion in the Comics of Neil Gaiman
  • Religion in the Comics of G. Willow Wilson
  • Religion in Image Comics
  • Religion in Locke  & Key
  • Religion and Hellboy
  • Depictions of the Afterlife in Comics and Graphic Novels
  • Jinn and Other Spiritual Beings in Comic Books

1-2 page book proposals should be sent to series editors Matthew Brake and A. David Lewis as the following e-mail address: popandtheology@gmail.com

@ the intersection of religion and comics: Graphic Religion