1.19.2004
Jesus of the Apes
Synopsis for a graphic novel
or ongoing comic book series
Written by Jon Wilkins
From an idea by Jon Wilkins & Garry Messick
"Think not that I [Jesus] have come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
COVER:
Jesus squats menacingly among a group of fierce gorillas.
CHARACTERS:
Jesus – Destroyer of mankind, guardian of animalkind.
PLOT NOTES:
Joseph and Mary find that their son Jesus has disappeared. In fact, he was taken by white slavers to be sold in Egypt. The boy escapes with missionaries and is taken to the Congo. There, he walks away from the camp and is found by a mother gorilla. She raises him as her own and he grows up to be a powerful figure. The missionaries find the young man and teach him to read and write. During his time with the apes, Jesus finds he has special powers of healing and precognition. He returns to civilization in his early 30s and begins to spread his gospel of humanity for animalkind. Pontias Pilot (who’s son was trampled to death by an elephant) hates animals and decides to make Jesus an example. While in his holding cell awaiting crucifixion, Jesus is visited by an African shaman. The shaman offers him a nasty looking drink, saying it will save him. Jesus drinks it. As he is nailed to the cross, he slips into a deathlike slumber and awakens in the tomb, suffering from severe amnesia. All he can remember is the shaman’s name and makes his way back to Africa. There he ventures deep into the jungle before stumbling upon his gorilla tribe. He also decides that humankind is unworthy and must be destroyed by an animal army. Occasionally, angels appear and attempt to take him back to Heaven and restore his memory, but he fights them off thinking they are demon birds. He takes the name of Jesus making his goal to raise an animal army to sweep across Earth and destroy civilization. His animal army can travel over water.
SUBPLOT: While Jesus/God is away from Heaven, there is a revolt and a new angel wants to take control.
