Hello everyone,

When Luis Serrano sent me an early copy of the first issue of Samson The Nazirite, I was pleasantly surprised because I didn’t expect it. Unfortunately as a result, I’ve had to keep my enthusiasm for this project under wraps until it was released. Since it’s been released, I’m free to ramble about how great the first issue was, and how much potential I believe this story has.

But first, here’s a brief synopsis of the issue. It begins with an Egyptian meeting Samson in prison, as both of them are captives of the Philistines (in line with biblical prophecy involving the Israelites). Once the Egyptian finds out that the person sharing a cell with him is the legendary Samson, Samson begins to tell him his origin story. The very beginning of Samson’s origin (e.g., his parents being visited by an angel and given instructions on how to prepare for their soon-to-be child) is told from the perspective of his father.

Once Samson is a young boy, the reader gets a first glimpse into Samson’s God-given strength when he defends another young boy who he sees getting beat up. For years the two boys go their separate ways, until eventually they are reunited when Samson visits the place known as Timnah. It is here where he sees a girl named Ninah. Convinced she is to be his wife, he goes back to his home town to tell his parents. As they are traveling back with Samson to Timnah so that Samson can marry her, Samson encounters a lion. The issue ends with Samson fighting the Lion, and feeling the spirit of God come over him.

There are many things to love about Samson The Nazirite, but the two main things I’ll focus on here are the art, and the fresh take on a popular biblical story. As for the art, it’s literally some of the best art I’ve seen in a comic period. And that’s saying a lot, given how many comics I’ve read, and how I’m starting to pay more details to the art side of things. As for the fresh take, I love how this first issue gives you a good sense of who Samson is as a legend, and also who he was as a young boy learning to make sense of and do right by the gift God gave him. Staying consistent with the biblical account while infusing new life into the character as well as the story, Samson The Nazirite clicks on all cylinders. A must-have for any fan of action comics.

As an aside, here’s the interview I did with him a few months back.

If you’ve read it, what do you think? Until next time, take care and have a blessed weekend!