Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Staff Book Review


Tribulation TaskForce

Bill Raupp
Tribulation TaskForce

Genre: Christian Literature
Page Count: 24 Pages
Street Date: 2020
Website: TribulationTaskForce.com

The superhero genre is having a golden age currently with the medium expanding beyond comic books to conquer TV and movie screens as well (not to mention video games, too). It stands to reason, with a genre so popular, that Christian artists would want to give their spin on it. Entering into that realm is Tribulation TaskForce, a creation by Bill Raupp. The first issue introduces a team of Christian superheroes breaking into the Vatican in order to rescue the Apostle John, who's still alive after all these years. The eventual storyline will expand into this team, led by a hero with portal abilities named Grok, trying to prevent an evil group known as the Watchers from starting the tribulation prematurely.

As far as stories go, it's a weird one, which seems pretty on par with comic books in general. There are aspects of the concept that are intriguing. Instead of bringing on the tribulation, the Christians are trying to prevent it; the Apostle John has been kept alive through the years, instead of dying at the end of the first century. Rather than some generic corporation standing in as the front for evil, the Catholic Church fills that role. The execution of the story (at least in the first issue) is mostly well done. There's plenty of action, though the way the narrative jumps around can be jarring at times. Little threads are laid out to entice the reader to want to continue the journey. There's plenty of cheese here, too, from dialogue to hero names (Bzzt is an actual title for one character). It may not be particularly subtle or nuanced, but if you want superhero fun with Christians taking the main roles, this should please you.

Story is only half the battle with comics, though. The artwork is also very important in conveying the plot and Tribulation TaskForce presents itself in a way that feels on a level with Marvel or DC. Clearly Raupp and co. are shooting to compete with the big names. Not only does the art feel modern, but plenty of "hero shots" and unique panel formats are used to keep things interesting. The biggest surprise is how the female heroes and villains are portrayed. One might expect modest outfits that maybe emphasize armor for the women in the issue, but they are given skin-tight uniforms, as well as the men. There's also some mild blood seen during some of the main battle. Overall, this book pushes a PG-13 rating.

What if you took elements of the Left Behind series and mixed them in with the Avengers? The result would look like Tribulation TaskForce. It's a competent first issue that is already spilling over into a wider universe. There's enough intrigue to encourage reading into the next issue, and the artwork would be enough to entice even the stuffiest of superhero fans. But is it worth the investment? That depends on what you're looking for. Do you need a comic book that is based on Christianity and features superheroes? Do you want it to be slightly edgier than similar things that have come before? Then Tribulation TaskForce is worth checking out for one issue at least. Who knows, it may draw you in to keep reading.

- Review date: 3/10/21, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

. Publisher: Star Cross Comics
. Page Count: 24 Pages
. Street Date: 2020
. Buy It: TribulationTaskForce.com

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Book review page

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images