Manga Jesus strides across the book cover, a glow around his head and light-streaks of power fading away behind him. His big brown eyes stare and his brown wild hair flings up around his face. His white robe glows and pulses with power. Behind him are wild and dramatic angel figures with long purple hair, soft-eyed adoring females clasping their hands and aggressive young men punching the air. Welcome to 'Manga Messiah'.

There is now a range of Bibles for young people presented in the 'Manga' style. These Bibles pick up on the recent graphic novel trend. In particular, they draw from the Japanese and Korean style of animation. 

There's nothing new about graphic novels, as many middle-aged readers will know, because they still hoard their treasured box of Phantom comics on the top shelf in the garage. Similarly, there's nothing new about artistic representations of Jesus - from Rembrandt's rich paintings and Michelangelo's sculptures, to the pale blond-haired Jesus shown in the illustrated Bibles of the fifties and sixties. Medieval churches used mosaics to retell Bible stories to illiterate worshippers, a pop version of Jesus appeared in Jesus Christ superstar, and a lion-like figure in Narnia novels by CS Lewis. Over the centuries many writers, artists and musicians have tried to communicate something of who Jesus is using various art forms. 

But what do we make of the 'Manga Messiah' representations growing in popularity today?

There's something good here I think - a desire to communicate Jesus to a new generation, a desire to captivate and a willingness to engage with contemporary culture.

What are the dangers? Any attempt to bridge Bible truth and contemporary culture can have its pitfalls. When we try to 'put on' the culture of someone else, a cringe factor results, or it becomes laughable to those we are trying to reach.

When it comes to presenting Jesus the challenge is both exciting and very difficult. Jesus is so rich, mysterious and complex. He is both Master and brother; he is both babe and resurrected Lord; he is full of compassion and righteous wrath; he parties with sinners and condemns the 'righteous'; he speaks in riddles and his words pierce the heart. He is both a compelling and bewildering figure, as his first disciples knew.

Every attempt to communicate Jesus seems inadequate, yet we must start somewhere. Some questions to ask of the Manga-style Jesus could be asked of all our attempts to show people Jesus: Do we reduce or diminish him? Do we present a shallow caricature? Do we tame and sanitise him? Do we trivialise or mislead? Do we lie? Do we say what will need to be unlearned later?

Our task is to open the door and introduce young people to Jesus, encouraging a growing understanding of who he is. Whatever opens the door - Manga or Michelangelo - must reflect truth as found in God's word and is only the beginning. Wherever each of us begins our journey of knowing Jesus, we must keep learning and reforming our understanding, just as we keep trusting with greater delight and worshipping with growing awe.

So, would you use 'Manga-Jesus' in your work with young people? I think I would, especially with a group of non-readers. But I would use it with caution and make sure we didn't stay with Manga Jesus, but went on to read a Gospel together and begin to dig more deeply into all that Jesus is.