The good folks at Atiqtuq have sent me a follow-on to their first graphic novel, Paul: Tarsus to Redemption, Vol 1. The new one is called Judith: Captive to Conqueror; it features the same artist as Paul, Sean Lam, and is written by Gabrielle Gniewek. Like Paul, it’s aimed at the middle-schoolers, 12 and up.

The story is drawn from the Old Testament book of Judith, and focuses primarily on two characters: Judith, a devout young widow of the Judean city of Bethulia, and Holofernes, the commander of the armies of Nebuchadnezzar. It seems that Nebby has a problem with disrepect: all surrounding kingdoms must submit to him peacefully and worship him as a god, or he’ll grind them into the dirt…and then make the survivors worship him as a god. Holofernes is his chosen tool for the job—at least, once Holofernes knifes his predecessor to get it.

Bethulia is the only city standing between Holofernes and Jerusalem; he must be held there at all costs. But the people of Bethulia are inclined to trust more in Holofernes’ mercy rather than the Lord’s saving arm, so Judith has a bit of a job to do.

This is the first book in a series, and it is devoted to painting pictures of Holofernes and Judith and setting up the conflict between them. And I have to say, Holofernes is a real piece of work. He’s got long ropes of hair, and anime good looks; he likes to do his dirty work with a smile, preferably after persuading his victim of his benevolence. Outwardly warm, inwardly cold, he’s both ruthless and ambitious, and if I were Nebuchadnezzar I wouldn’t trust him any farther than I could sling a piano.

Judith, on the other hand, is generous, devout, God-fearing, kind, and disgusted with the leaders of her city; she’s surprisingly compelling for such a goodie-two-shoes.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book, as did my two sons, who are 13 and going on 11. I had a few problems with the continuity; there are some significant flashbacks that took me by surprise, and some of the scene changes were a little abrupt. I’ve not previously read the book of Judith, so I was a little unclear about the setting at first; in particular, I had no idea that Judith was somewhere different than Holofernes. Now, there’s this serving girl in Nebuchadnezzar’s palace that Holofernes winks at from time to time…or maybe it’s a succession of them, which is also possible…and for a while I thought that Judith might be the serving girl. In time, though, all became clear.

So, a quick, fun read, and I’d be glad to see the next volume.