Image Comics
Matt Hawkins, writer/co-creator
Rahsan Ekedal, artist/co-creator
I like to try new things when my budget allows. Both my comics-buying budget and my typical pull list have shrunk considerably of late. But I still keep my eyes open when ordering my usuals for things that pique my curiosity.
This series, as might be obvious from the title, involves religion. But it was also solicited as a unique heist story. Either of those two topics alone would likely catch my eye. Combining the two made me very curious. But I was also guarded. Every storyteller wants potential readers to see his or her story as unique, but not all of them are. Matt Hawkins and Rahsan Ekedal have taken familiar elements from familiar genres and crafted a tale that, while maybe not so unique, is still a heck of an engaging read that is well worth your time.
A mysterious hacker group named Samaritan gains access to a Federal Bureau of Investigations list of mega-churches and the related founders currently under quiet investigation for fraud. Then Samaritan members gather proof of the illegal activities, often faster than the federal authorities can, and sometimes even uncovering additional crimes along the way.
Finally, Samaritan stages an elaborate robbery of each targeted mega-church, stealing vast amounts of cash donations while simultaneously revealing the truths it has uncovered about the church and its hypocritical leaders. The stolen cash is then distributed to a variety of charitable organizations, turning the group into modern-day Robin Hoods and winning them huge public support.
The two FBI agents heading up the initial fraud investigation — Jimmy Miller and Dwayne Campbell — are diverted to uncovering the members of Samaritan and shutting them down. The two agents couldn't be more different. Miller is the tech guy wrestling with his duty and a growing appreciation for the methods and accomplishments of Samaritan. Campbell is more of a people person who fears the escalating antics of Samaritan are going to get people hurt or killed if the group isn't stopped.
In the hands of lesser creators, all of this might boil down to an all-out condemnation of organized religion. There is certainly no shortage of real-life mega-church founders who have ended up in disgrace for their actions. But Hawkins and Ekedal take a different approach. They don't shy away from the evils committed in the name of religion. But neither do they condemn all religion or all religious people with one broad stroke. Rather this is an examination of a number of things people put their faith in and some of the possible benefits and consequences of such faith.
I expected to try The Tithe, hopefully enjoy it, then walk away from what I thought was a collected limited series. Imagine my happiness at finding that not only did I really enjoy reading this title, but it is an ongoing with a second collected volume to be solicited soon for an April release. In the meantime, I think I'll try to check out a previous graphic novel series by these two, Think Tank. If they are anything like this volume, I expect to be impressed.
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