Marked for controversy

The Cleveland Plains Dealer ran a story yesterday on Marked, a new graphic novel by Steve Ross that takes a slightly irreverent look at The Bible, specifically the Book of Mark:

Jesus is bald, beardless and a bit Middle Eastern. He wears a Burger King hat during his crucifixion as the ultimate symbol of humiliation.

John the Baptist is a Dumpster-diving street preacher. Satan is a slick hustler in a stretch limo who is angling to market Jesus like a star athlete.

In the end, Bozo the Clown hands Mary, the mother of Christ, his robe, folded like a flag, conjuring up today's sad images of the mother of a slain soldier receiving an American flag.

Ross said he chose to do it as a graphic novel because younger people would be able to relate to it. He also says he's using "shock value" to rekindle an interest in The Bible, though the recent backlash against NBC's Book of Daniel makes me wonder if everyone will see it that way.