Image Comics has depicted a lot of series in its publishing history. What originally begins with superheroes gain traction with zombies. Some of its more recent ones show how we’re all screwed by scientific and societal advancement. The writers and artists will even depict religious events to show off their skills. Prepare yourselves for an East vs. West depiction of religion. For this Comic Comparisons we will be looking at Noah and Krishna: A Journey Within.
As the titles suggest, they’re depictions of characters from Abrahamic and Hindu faith. Now while these are fictional depictions, they do depict the faith and beliefs when brought to their limits. There are a lot of potential controversies; so continue with an open mind or close whatever window you are reading this from.
A More Compelling Retelling
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| So much better than CG |
The plot of Noah is a retelling of the biblical epic by the director of psychological thriller Black Swan. It first serves as less than stellar movie with this same plot. The much better comic artwork is the illustrator of Pride of Baghdad. In either case, Noah the prophet’s fantastical world is going to be destroyed in a coming flood. Noah is chosen to oversee a new world by bringing species aboard an ark. Noah’s world is plagued with wars as well as people (including giants) who have lost faith in their almighty creator.
The jaded Noah can only see humanity at its worst. A vile king and his armies ravage the land and creatures. Even the playful innocence of his youngest son spurs this on when he accidentally kills an animal. As a result, Noah views humanity as a plague that needs to be wiped out. He even turns away the innocent people during the great flood as it begins. When his adopted daughter is about to have children with his oldest son; Noah intends to kill the child if it is a girl.
With Noah’s family losing faith in him, they decide to escape or defend themselves but are overpowered. When the child turns out to be twin girls and no land in sight; Noah almost succeeds in killing the twins. But Noah is unable to do the act when he sees the twins mother give affection to them. With land found, life starts anew; but Noah is left haunted by the choices he made, unsure if he did the right thing. But his adopted daughter gives him hope for a better future.
Mortality’s Beauty In Krishna: A Journey Within
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| Beautiful… |
In Krishna, the titular character goes through his life from his birth to his death. With his uncle said to die by his nephew’s hand, Krishna was born away from his parents’ confines. During this time as a child his encounters that display his growth into a warrior. With the ability to see into the hearts of others and Krishna helps overcome their struggles. By the inevitable battle with his uncle, Krishna won but had to continue fighting and losing people he cared about. Despite this, Krishna believes he has lived a full life and is ready to pass on to the next stage in the reincarnation. Something that comes into fruition when he is struck by an arrow.
Clashing Faiths In Noah
Now for those comparisons; in most Christian tales and beliefs, humans are always depicted as those who are born sinful. Even at their best they have to bear the worst of what life has to throw at them. Often the only ones exempt from this rule are the ones who devote themselves to a higher power. The story of Adam and Eve’s casting out of Eden even comes up when Noah attempts to justify his genocidal actions.
The Power of a Priest
Noah when not following the will of the creator, often uses his knowledge and skills to get things done; whether it was diplomacy, construction, agriculture, or warfare. With his status as a prophet, Noah holds a great deal of power over the giants he encounters. When the time to construct the ark comes in the giants help him out; something that he fails to do with the human kingdom. When the giants are struck by lightning during the storm; they even regain their original seraphic states. With humans dying with no significance, it reinforces Noah’s beliefs of humanity.
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| The times you question whether people should have a choice |
Crying Out in Desperation
Noah however stops receiving messages from his world’s creator after the ark is built. Meaning that his actions were because of his own beliefs rather than the act of an almighty god. Unlike the giants who are rewarded for their services, humanity is left to its own devices. Noah chooses to use his skills in a manner not unlike the evil king; using herbs and his ability to influence animals to stop his family’s actions against him. As a matter of fact, this also justifies Noah’s beliefs about humanity needing to be destroyed as even the best of people can be dangerous.
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| Way to support your family Noah. |
In fact, the only reason Noah allows his oldest son to copulate with the girl he took in was because he thought she was sterile. When Noah’s grandchildren turn out to be girls; he opts to kill them to prevent more of humanity from propping up. Ugh… Did he think humanity would spread because of incest? This mirrors the depiction of humanity’s downfall by Eve gaining the forbidden knowledge.
Was There Ever Any Faith At All?
Finally there is the battle between logic and faith. With no land in sight, Noah had a raven (one of the most intelligent animals) search for any remains. Noah’s youngest son however uses a dove for the same task. With the raven coming back empty handed, Noah chose to kill his granddaughters and nearly succeeds. The only reason he stops is because of similarities of love and affection he gives others. The dove even comes back with a branch signaling land. Unfortunately, Noah’s actions had caused his middle son to disown him, leaving for parts unknown; and with Noah unsure of what to do without the creator’s insight.
Moral of the story, no matter how much evidence comes up; doing things in the name of an almighty god using only their own beliefs is never a good thing. Humanity as a whole is messy, but that doesn’t mean they only deserve destruction.
Hard Truths in The Journey of Krishna
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| Losing a friend doesn’t mean someone will go bad. |
Now in Hinduism, Truth and the Soul are everlasting. For the beautifully designed epic Krishna: A Journey Within, the titular deity is able to see truth in people’s own souls. Even as a happy go lucky child, he faces hardship. Notably when a poisonous multi-headed Naga attacks; rather than just fight it Krishna exposes a truth allowing him to make peace with the serpent. However, this also shows cycles that seem endlessly painful. But the truths, both good and uncomfortable, are something people have to live with. Despite the many fights, Krishna finds love and acceptance in the people and animals he encounters. At times he even sees his past lives and glimpses of the future including his later reincarnation as the Buddha.
That however indicates that Krishna’s soul will be stuck in Samsara, the belief of cycles including reincarnation. Thus Krishna despite the triumphs and truths he found and spreads, he ultimately fails to achieve moksha, the belief of breaking free of life and death. Yet this does not bother Krishna at all, the journey within is about accepting these hard truths.
If he did take dying a relatively pointless death seriously, Krishna would have ended up like his uncle; once a caring man with love for his sister lead astray by a foretelling. The foretelling in turn is likely from sources who manipulate him to their bidding. While Krishna is not too fond of the uglier parts of life; he accepts them as they are for helping him find joy.
Having a Crisis?
Does this mean Hinduism trumps Christianity, Judaism, and Islam? Hardly, taking and accepting responsibility is often the hardest thing to do. It’s burdensome to the point of people breaking down; they often need a shoulder to cry on even from something that never answers back. However the same beliefs and responsibilities these doctrines preach can also be twisted and lead people astray. Both belief systems have their flaws and different approaches to making a better life. But they both say the same thing: believe in overcoming the ignorance that plagues people through compassion. The higher powers don’t always have a plan for everyone; sometimes it’s better to find your own journey within like with Krishna.
Thanks for coming to the end remember to like, comment, share, and look between the panels.