THE COMIC BOOK HEARD AROUND THE WORLD
“Pictures still speak the most universally understood language.” – Walt Disney
“The intersection of descending Bible reading and rocketing comics engagement is a cultural phenomenon evangelicals need to pay attention to.” – Art Ayris
LEESBURG, FL, August 19, 2018 – The same day the comics world got socked with the news that DC Comics had just transformed Batman from a superhero embracing the Christian faith into an atheist, a central Florida publisher expanded its line explaining the faith into international broadcasting with motion comic animation.
Kingstone Comics landed on the comics publishing map last year with the release of the Kingstone Bible, a finalist for Young People’s Literature in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association 2017 Book of the Year awards. The Kingstone Bible’s superlatives already included not only the most complete graphic adaptation of Holy Writ ever done but is also the largest non-serialized graphic novel ever published.
Now the comics company has moved into motion comics and animation and discovered broadcasters and digital distributors eager to jump on board. Though other contracts are under discussion, two early agreements have been inked with international television broadcasters to carry Kingstone animated products into Europe and Central Asia, which will also reach such seemingly hostile areas as Iran, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan. “What many people don’t realize is that Iran is now experiencing a significant spiritual awakening and keen interest in the truth of the Bible. Meanwhile, here in America the fictional icon Bruce Wayne turns from the faith his parents espoused in the newest issue of Batman,” states publisher Art Ayris. “The irony is certainly not lost on us.”
Apologetics is derived from the Greek word ἀπολογία apologia which carries with it the idea of a formal defense of a position. Kingstone Comics publishes a number of apologetic pieces that don’t shy away from handling difficult questions on Biblical reliability, canonicity, and the subject of hell. The series also answers common questions that people have such as “Where did Cain get his wife?” “How did the different races originate?” “What does the Bible say about UFO’s and aliens?” and even “What does the Bible say about pets in heaven?” First releasing as a series of comic books, the popularity of the format became the fuel for the release of animated versions.
Kingstone is teaming with larger animation partners on a complete animation of the Kingstone Bible, but the company is currently releasing their own motion comics (digital versions of comics enhanced with sound and special effects) to help explain Christianity and the Bible.
Kingstone already has established a strong international presence with its products currently in 27 languages and new languages coming every month. Some of these include familiar languages like Arabic and Mandarin, as well as lesser-known languages such as Malayalam and Syrian Turkmen. “We were pretty jazzed when the Cambodian Bible Society distributed a Khmer version of our comics into public schools in Cambodia,” Ayris noted. “The Bible truly is a global document – whether in print, digital or animation.”
Not relegated to the Protestant faith only, Kingstone has also signed a licensing agreement for an upcoming Catholic edition of the Kingstone Bible.
“The bottom line for Kingstone is engaging the next generation in the Bible, wherever they are,” stated Ayris, the Executive Pastor at First Baptist Leesburg, where he oversees a sprawling and rapidly expanding three campus church. Ayris found a niche in writing and garnered several writing and film awards such as Best TV Movie in Hollywood’s Next Success contest and Best Feature in the Independents Film Festival. He coupled his writing with other writers such as New York Times best-selling author Randy Alcorn, Ben Avery, a comics adapter for Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, as well as famed apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias. The evangelical writing group paired with over 40 artists with Marvel and DC Comics pedigrees to create a unique line of comic books that well – explain the faith.
Kingstone motion comics can also be found online through major portals such as ChristianCinema.com, Vimeo, Amazon Video, and of course KingstoneDigital.com. Print products of the Kingstone Comics can be found in stores, Amazon, and online at Kingstone.co.
A Bible passage Ayris puts a lot of stock in is Psalm 145:4 where the Bible states, “One generation will commend your works to another.” With an animated version of the Kingstone Bible underway and a new series of apologetic motion comics in production, both those who subscribe to faith, and those who don’t, may soon be seeing and experiencing an even more modern take on Psalm 145.
Samples of Kingstone’s motion comics:
- The Story https://youtu.be/FX9r6J8qwVY
- Hell (30 sec. trailer) https://youtu.be/P02XhbAvQ5w
- 101 Bible Questions-1 How did the different races originate? https://youtu.be/K8BV6RWXzsI
- 101 Bible Questions-2 Where did Cain get his wife? https://youtu.be/Ff6kLvsS0-k
- 101 Bible Questions-3 How did Satan fall from Heaven? https://youtu.be/IdsKj7S-M2g
NOTE TO EDITORS: High-res visuals are available by contacting Loveena Shettian at 352.728.1414 or LoveenaShettian@Kingstone.co
CONTACT: Loveena Shettian LoveenaShettian@Kingstone.co 352-728-1414 Kingstone.co
August 2018 — Paraclete Fiction expands its acclaimed collection by bringing Nicole Mazzarella’s
Miami, Fla. (August 17, 2018)–LifeWay Global and its trade publishing division B&H Español were named Publisher of the Year, at the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) Awards Banquet, held August 8 in Miami, Fla.. LifeWay also won eight additional awards for sales milestones and bestselling books at the SEPA banquet, which took place at Expolit.
LifeWay also announced the launch of its “Programa de Biblias de Referencia” (Bible Reference Program) to key distributors from Latin America. According to Featherstone, the distributors responded with great enthusiasm about the program’s ability to easily choose the “ideal Bible for the end consumer.”
August 13, 2018 – Hachette Book Group (HBG) and Worthy Publishing Group announced today HBG’s agreement to acquire the assets of Worthy. When the acquisition is complete, Worthy will join Hachette’s Nashville publishing division, which also includes the FaithWords and Center Street imprints. Until further notice, Worthy’s list will continue to be sold and serviced as it is today.
An established boutique publisher in the Christian market, Worthy publishes high quality books across a broad spectrum: inspiration, fiction, Bible study, current events, devotion, leadership, biography, and personal growth. Worthy has built a stellar catalog of bestselling inspirational authors, complemented by a strong presence in the gift and children’s markets. This fall, Worthy will publish Gov. Mike Huckabee’s new book, Rare, Medium or Done Well as well as The Dead Sea Chronicles, a new fiction series from Jerry Jenkins, and John Hagee’s Earth’s Last Empire, the follow up to his bestselling Four Blood Moons. Other notable Worthy authors include David Jeremiah, Franklin Graham, Don Colbert, James Robison, Margaret Feinberg, and Les and Leslie Parrot.
Ada, Mich. (August 9, 2018)—Darron Schroeder, assistant manager and children’s product buyer at Baker Book House, and Amy Green, senior fiction publicist at Bethany House, have been chosen as nominees in the fourth annual PW Star Watch award and celebration. Publishers Weekly, in association with Frankfurter Buchmesse, created PW Star Watch to identify, celebrate, and mentor up-and-coming members of the US and Canadian publishing communities and bring recognition to them on a wider platform.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 6, 2018) – ICON Media Group announces it will now operate as a full-service marketing agency. Launched in 2013, ICON is well known in the faith-based entertainment and publishing industries for media relations, having led efforts around numerous box office hits and New York Times bestsellers. Jeff Roman, former Vice President of Marketing for Convoy of Hope, a Charity Navigator 4-star rated non-profit organization, joins the agency as partner, and will spearhead the firm’s move into a full suite of creative services including branding, digital marketing, social media and non-profit support.
Ada, Mich. (July 30, 2018)—Romance Writers of America (RWA) recently announced the winners of several contests, and five Baker Publishing Group authors received awards. Tracie Peterson received a centennial award for authoring over 100 romance novels. The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in the Inspirational category. The Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of RWA declared Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan the winner in the Romantic Suspense category, and These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart the winner in the Women’s Fiction category. Irene Hannon won a National Readers’ Choice Award in the Inspirational category for her novel Dangerous Illusions.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She was given the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won recognition in a variety of contests, including USA “Best Books 2011” Award, Best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. One of the cofounders of ACFW, Tracie loves investing in other writers and teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at
Carol Steam, Ill. (August 1, 2018) —This fall, Tyndale House Publishers is releasing seven new devotional products to grow readers’ faith daily. This varied collection features titles to instill spiritual confidence and provide encouragement. These practical needs-based devotionals are organized by topic for easy reference and include themed guides based on the One Year Bible® reading plan. Through helping establish habits of worship, reflection, rest, and action, these titles encourage readers to invite the presence of God into their everyday lives. All titles are available through Tyndale.com.
A publisher nimble enough to bring out both a new book on Martin Luther and the Catholic Worship Book II for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has joined the Bible Society Australia publishing arm.




