Image reprints Robert Kirkman's first published comics work in this volume, and on top of that, color is added to the mix. This serves not only as a chance to revisit the writer's roots under the old Funk-o-Tron publishing banner, but for me to revisit an old review of the original comic when I was writing for fandom.com (as part of the Comics Newsarama team on that site back in 2000-2001). I've reproduced some of my original comments here, but there's a new context to be considered now, not to mention the opportunity to polish my writing a fair bit.
Battle Pope is an adventure of adolescent fantasy. It's potentially quite offensive, and if it were to come to the attention of the general public, it's possible could hurt the overall perception of modern comics. But it's pretty funny, truth be told. The whole point of Battle Pope is offense and/or laughter, depending on one's viewpoints. It's mining terrain that's a bit more fragile now, given that the death of Pope John Paul II is still fresh in people's minds. But in a way, something is needed to rebel against the institution, as the controversial opinions of the former pope got washed away in a flood of praise and faux spiritualism as the world got swept up in papal fever.
The new pope ain't the nicest of guys. He drinks, fornicates and curses, so it comes as no surprise when God leaves him behind when he allows the faithful into Heaven. Demons now walk the Earth, living in an uneasy truce with mankind. But Lucifer, now on Earth, has captured Saint Michael, God's angelic general, and God grants the Pope a chance for redemption by rescuing Michael. The Heavenly Father also provides some backup, in the form of a dimwitted second coming of Jesus Christ.
It's clear from the start that this is not a mature book, though it is for mature readers. Along with demons and the scummier elements of mankind, this world is populated by big-breasted, loose bimbos, providing the hero with entertainment. It's degrading and disconcerting, but that's the point of the book, political correctness be damned. Ironically, nothing is sacred in Battle Pope, and in most cases, it makes for some good laughs.
Moore's art is strong. It's simplistic and cartoony, but it also boasts an interesting level of detail, especially in the backgrounds. The lighter, simpler side of his work suits the goofier, over-the-top tone of the script. The designs are simple and memorable, and given the exaggerated nature of the art, the characters' faces are quite expressive. Val Staples's color adds a lot to the mix. There's more energy here, but more importantly, he reinforces a darker atmosphere while maintaining the sillier side with bright colors.
Battle Pope is not for everyone, certainly not for the devout or thoroughly conservative. But fans of the more low-brow elements of such books as Preacher, Transmetropolitan and Savage Dragon should find an entertaining read in this comic. What's most interesting about the book now, though, is how it shows just how far Kirkman has come in his writing. This is pretty low-brow stuff, and it's interesting to compare it to the more complex plotting and characterization of Kirkman's better-known efforts, such as Invincible and The Walking Dead. 6/10
