LOGLINE
A SPAGHETTI WESTERN
BASED ON THE ORIGINAL MANGA BY SIKu / adapted by jim kruger & siku
SHOW CROSS
The paranormal phenomena of AKIRA
The band of adventuring friends of SAMURAI 7
Visual style of AFRO SAMURAI
tONE/STYLE
This is primarily a story of two forms of the rebellion.
One is the right kind of rebellion – one that will change the world and leads to LIFE! The other… violence, destruction and DEATH!
AD:ZERO expands the involvement of Barabas and a Centurian who is charged with tracking down a viloent insurrectionist; driving home the issues of Justice and Injustice.
Jesus is killed while Barabas is acquited. Rome rules by force of might, but a lone man will save his tribe and then the whole world with his empty hand!
Our story is based on the Japanese manga approach to story-telling. The idea is to allow the images and action to tell the story with as little use of words as possible.
Using the caverns, the dust and the expanse of the land, we make this as visual as possible, allowing vista and close-up to suggest a way of telling the story unlike any way it’s been told before.
- Jim Kruger
JERUSALEM
THE MANGA BIBLE
60, 000 worldwide sales. Published in 25 countries and translated into 20 languages. Massive International relaunch in October 2024.
MARKETS
2.1 billion Christians, 500 m
Manga Fans plus Superhero Movie
fanbase, Easter Lent, Outreach and
other festivals gives natural timing
for launch.
VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
THE DESERT PLACE
some lead CHARACTERS
jesus
john the baptiser
peter
barabas
spectre
the centurion
pILOT
Opening Images – the awe-inspiringand terrifying moments of creation—then the creation of the garden of Eden!
We see tree after tree burst out of the ground – These forests of trees then transform into a hillside of two thousand crosses –the opening of AD:ZERO series.
We open with Jesus. Still soaking wet from his baptism as he is driven into the desert to be tempted. It is dusk and the lights quickly go dark. The sounds of the day dim as the sounds of the night emerge. He is haunted by images from the nativity, the slaughter of the innocents— peril in the desert as his parents hid in desert carvens on their way to Egypt. A desert… just like this one.
Theme — The way to change the world is with a weapon in hand. The question is… which weapon? He remembers his step father’s tool of trade… the hammer. A gift passed on from a capenter to his son. He turns his gaze to his dove… floating in the air, leading him on.
40 days of testing in the desert; without food or water. First thirst, hunger, weakness of body and of mind, starvation and then the hallucinations. Only then is Jesus ripe for the temptations that are to begin.
Spectre (the devil) makes his presence known. They are well aquainted and the battle of wits begin.
Three tempatations; to test the Eye, the Ego and the Shadow. He defeats the Tempter and is now ready to pickup the mantle of messiah. Returning to the city, Jesus discovers a crisis. His cousin, John the Baptiser, had been imprisoned by King Herod Antipas. The arresting officer, a centurion of note who now begins to track Jesus’ progress as he nutures and develops his ‘revolutionary’ movement.
- Siku
About
Created by Siku. Based on the manga, The Manga Jesus
Written by Jim Kruger and Siku
Production partners; Go Studio LLC
EPISODIC SYNOPSIS
EPISODE ONE
Jesus is driven into the desert to be tested by his ancient adversary for forty days and forty nights.
Meanwhile, in an effort to quieten a notorious rumour, the increasingly unstable Herod Antipas, places Jesus’ cousin,the cantankerous priest, John the baptiser under arrest.
EPISODE FOUR
Jesus ends corrupt cartel operations in the Temple. The chief church priests begin to plot his murder. Meanwhile, the Centurion's manhunt ends with the capture of the insurrectionist Barabas. The Centurion brings in Barabas, and is given honour and medals for the arrest. Along the way, the Centurion’s path crosses with Jesus. All is Lost — Judas, once a member of Barabas’rebels and now one of the twelve, agrees to betray Jesus to the Church priests.
EPISODE TWO
Three tempatations; The test the Eye, the Ego and the Shadow; Jesus is tempted by the spectre (the devil). He defeats the spectre and is now ready to pick-up the mantle of messiah. Returning to the city, Jesus discovers his first crisis. His cousin, John the Baptiser, had been imprisoned by King Herod Antipas. The arresting officer, a tracking specialist will now turn his attention to Jesus’ ministry.
EPISODE FIVE
Dark Night Of The Soul: Jesus in the garden – we are reminded of the first garden – the one that burst out of creation.It is here that Jesus is betrayed and arrested.A complex game of politics is afoot; The Roman authorities see no benefit in crucifying Jesus as demanded by the Church authorities, so they bait the baying crowd with the notorious murderer, Barabas. Jesus or Barabas! The Centurion is horrified to see Barabas set free.Meanwhile, Jesus' disciples are in disarray –The dream is dead.
EPISODE THREE
Crisis escalates. John the Baptiser has been beheaded; a festive treat for Herod's friends and patrons. Jesus moves up north where it is safer to operate. Meanwhile, the Centurion finds Jesus innocent and abandons the mission in favour of tracking down the now infamous Barabas and his gang of cut-throats.Jesus continues to perform his miracles; much to the frustration of the Church authorities who fear the erosion of their power base.
EPISODE SIX
Finale – the trial,the politicking, the scourging and the crucifying. Jesus on the cross. All seems to be coming to an end. The Centurion watches as Barabas goes free. The church priests smile, knowing that they no longer have anything to fear.Just as we see in the opening, darkness covers the Earth. The Centurion looks up at the apocalyptic signs and proclaims that surely this was the son of God. A few days later; Just when the establishment begins to relax and bask in a hard won victory; Rumours of Jesus' appearance abounds. Not dead. Not any more. New followers of the Jesus movement; growing from day to day; outstretched arms in worship as a new forest unveils itself... A new Creation.
