Faith or the truth. Which side do you choose?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Matt Hawkins
Artist: Rashan Ekedal
What They Say:
A heist story unlike any before! Mega-churches are being robbed for millions of dollars by a crusader hacker group known as Samaritan who is giving the money to causes they deem more worthy. This modern day “Robin Hood” is being pursued by two FBI agents who actually admire their quarry but want to stop the theft before it escalates.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
It seems that every day there is another mega-church raising up or another charity coming forth asking for your hard earned money to help the less fortunate. But, what happens when those people that you trust to faithfully distribute these donations are corrupt and keep the money for themselves; which side will you choose to believe: the one who preaches by the word of God or the ones who have proof that those you believe in are the Devil?
This is the basis of The Tithe, a new series by Matt Hawkins and artist Rashan Ekedal. Within this drama, a hacker team known as Samaritan tries to expose the corrupt leaders of these organisations, by any means necessary; but they must work against, and sometimes with, the FBI in order to show the faithful how foul the truth really is.
Agent Jimmy Miller is an atheist who respects Samaritan; he sees the good that they are doing and is their go-between within the agency. Agent Dwayne Campbell is a devout Christian and a realist who see the corruption within these churches, but struggles knowing what the hackers are doing is still wrong.
It is these two views that gives the story a dualistic view seated in reality: although Samaritan is stealing from these iniquitous individuals, they are giving the money back to the rightful charities. However, on the opposite side of the coin, they are still stealing donations which were given freely to these religious institutions.
Is there right, a wrong or is there a grey area? Which side will prevail?
In Summary:
The Tithe is a thought provoking story rooted in the reality of these corrupt leaders of mega-churches who have been getting into trouble for years. How many of these Faithful have fallen only to have been forgiven by, as the hacker Sam calls them – sheeple? If there is a biblical quote that would be appropriate for this syndrome, would it be:
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10
Or is it, as one of the devoted states: “It’s the Muslims!”
Hawkins keeps these questions revolving within your mind as you read the story, making you doubt which side is the right one. And the visuals that Ekedal bears show the stark contrasts of the falsely accused versus the truth of Samaritan. Especially iconic are the masks that the hackers wear during their raids: faces of a martyred Jesus; they are mockery of the church that is supposed to help the suffering and yet they help themselves.
This first issue is a bit overbearing sometimes with the philosophical and religious issues ingrained within the story; it is not for everyone and may be found objectionable to those whose belief systems who do not tolerate such rigorous questioning. But it is a refreshing read for those who would keep an open mind and need a break from the monotony of explosions of littering the comical landscape.
Grade: B
Rating: 16+
Released By: Image Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: April 1st, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
