The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story is a hardcover Bible in comic book format. It is over 700 pages long, and it tells over 200 Bible stories in chronological order. When I received this Bible, I thought it looked quite similar to another Bible we own called The Picture Bible. My mom gave The Picture Bible to my sons several years ago because she remembered my brother devouring his when he was a child. I was right that the two Bibles are similar; The Action Bible is a revised and updated version of The Picture Bible.

Sergio Cariello is the illustrator of The Action Bible. He has illustrated superheroes for Marvel and DC Comics, and his artwork is top notch. The illustrations are realistic, and the coloring is beautiful. They really bring the text to life. The stories are face paced and engaging as well. A feature I really love about this Bible is the index that arranges the stories in The Action Bible according to the chapters and verses of the books of the Bible.

My sons (ages 11, 10, 8, 6, and 5) all love The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story. I'm impressed with the quality of the illustrations and the text, and I highly recommend this Bible. It is a wonderful update of a treasured classic.

Product review by Courtney Larson, The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine, LLC, December 2010

Another review:

"People don't usually think of God like this, but God is the original action hero. Everyone is so impressed when Superman blows a car over with his breath, yet God created the whole universe with His breath. Superman may save the day with his strength, but Jesus saved the whole world with His death." So writes General Editor Doug Mauss in the introduction of The Action Bible. That seems to answer the question of why yet another version of the Bible is desirable.

Aimed at the comic-book-reading set (primarily boys from age 8 and up), these 215 stories of the Bible are brought to life in vivid color, frame by frame, and are housed in a sturdy, long-lasting hard cover. The sequence of books roughly follows traditional Bibles but with slight differences. The table of contents indicates Old Testament sections set up for Creation, Fathers of the Faith, the Life of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, God's Judges, the Kings (a LONG section!), the Prophets, and the Exiles. The New Testament is simpler: Jesus' Birth and Ministry, Jesus' Final Days, the Church is Born, and a whole section on Paul. Of course, there's also an index.

Although The Action Bible is not a traditional or study version Bible, it does have eternal value in its evangelization of young people and any other comic book aficionado. It can also be used to complement another Bible, perhaps in making an otherwise difficult story come to life. It would also be beneficial for visual learners who likely won't forget the colorful characters and scenery. My older boys have been reading it to their younger brother, so it works for Bible and read-aloud time. The intricate drawings and uses of color would be a good study for an art class as well.

The Action Bible website offers coloring pages and a chance to battle Goliath. There is more information on the Brazilian-born artist, who, at the age of five, knew he wanted to be a cartoonist. Mr. Cariello combined his artistic talents and Christian passion in this visual masterpiece. In video clips available on the website, Mr. Cariello talks about the everlasting importance of God's Word and, secondarily, the inspirations for and the processes by which he drew the pictures--fascinating for any age!

My three boys, ages 7, 9, and 11, have had a hard time keeping their hands off this Bible. The pictures on the cover and the fast action on the inside have whetted their appetites to dig deeper into their other Bibles. What a blessing! I am hoping that it inspires my kids to worship God in many creative ways, whether by drawing and painting, acting, singing, playing an instrument, writing, or however else the Spirit leads.

I was skeptical when I first saw the concept of a Bible written in comic-book style. I was concerned that there would be a lack of respect for God's Word, that it would come across as flippant or lacking power. My apprehension was completely unfounded.

I would recommend The Action Bible to any household with boys or a household that sometimes hosts boys (like a grandma's house). Besides wanting to read it for themselves, boys will want to share the action scenes with other boys, just as they do with Star Wars or other adventure series--only these stories are worth repeating dozens of times! The Action Bible would be appropriate for a church library or even a public library.