DC recently announced that they are cancelling the upcoming Vertigo title Second Coming.
DC failed to give a reason, but considering the series’ concept paired with the online petition to see it cancelled, it is safe to say the publisher bowed to outside pressure.
Second Coming was to be a satirical series in which Jesus Christ must learn to be humanity’s savior from a superhero named Sun-Man.
The online petition was from a religious group that deemed the comic “inappropriate and blasphemous”. Over 227,000 people had already signed the petition.
I’m not a fan of publishers kowtowing to outside pressure like this, but in this case it is at least understandable. Given comic sales recently, it is reasonable that DC would hold off publishing a title when it already has over 200 thousand people against it. Most comics don’t sell 200,000 issues even when they are popular. But at the same time, if they took the risk, they could have easily benefited from the bad press which, historically speaking, has just shown to drive more sales.
Even though it was cancelled, creator Mark Russell has taken to Twitter to assure fans it will still be released elsewhere.
Vertigo and DC had already released the official solicitation description for the first two issues:
SECOND COMING #1
written by MARK RUSSELL
art by RICHARD PACE
cover by AMANDA CONNER
variant cover by TOM FOWLERWitness the return of Jesus Christ, as He is sent on a most holy mission by God to learn what it takes to be the true messiah of mankind by becoming roommates with the world’s favorite savior: the all-powerful super hero Sun-Man, the Last Son of Krispex! But when Christ returns to Earth, he’s shocked to discover what has become of his gospel—and now, he aims to set the record straight.
ON SALE 03.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | MATURE READERS
SECOND COMING #2
written by MARK RUSSELL
art by RICHARD PACE
cover by AMANDA CONNERAn unexpected death leads to God showing off his heavenly kingdom to the son He wished He had, while the Son He has catches up on the earthly plane.
ON SALE 04.03.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | MATURE READERS
