The Gift # 12

Comic book title: The Gift Issue # 12
Written by: Raven Gregory
Art by: Richard Bonk and Sonia O Back
Cover by: Tyler Kirkham
Story title: "Death"
Cover price: 2.99
Publication date: 2003
Image Comics
Something from back issue box.
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets

  I read about name Enoch in Bible. I was helped with knowledge that Bibles references gave me about The Ancient One. I could sense Biblical references when Enoch and Death were shown in ancient times. I understood link with sheep. I felt link of tending sheep was like Jesus tending flock of human followers.
  I felt Death was right about evil creeping into hearts of men. I wondered if pasture scene was before 40-day flood in Noah’s ark time? I
also noticed that Enoch had normal human-colored eyes. Eyes were not tainted green. I also noticed that Enoch’s words had white back grounds. Death’s words had black back grounds. Black = Death. White = pure.
  I felt complete switch when Black Plague scene as shown. It was like Enoch had sickness. Different to point that Enoch would have sacrificed flock that he earlier would have tended. I was shocked to find out that Death actually had to intervene. Black Plague would have
killed entire human race. No longer was Enoch thinking: “One must let what is ..... be there is nothing else” Enoch had changed from past times. Now he was intervening. Not doing all that was set up in Bible.
  Choices have always been focusing on Enoch's “Gifts”. I saw this again encapsulated in globe Enoch gave girl on Titanic. I knew exactly what was going to happen to ship. Death was always present.
  I than went and studied more about Enoch. I learned that Enoch appears in the bible as a patriarch who “walked with God (Gen v: 22, 24) He figured in a rich body of legend and literature that accumulated in Palestine. The book of Enoch is a compilation of various elements in this literature, mythical and apocalyptic in character, the work contains descriptions of Enoch’s journey through heaven and earth, with an account of the sins and sufferings of the fallen angels and Enoch’s fruitless intercession in their behalf , visions of Hell ( Gehenna ), paradise , and the Messianic kingdom, and reflections of Gods final judgment . An impressive part of book is the Apocalypse of Weeks, in which the history of the world, seen prophetically by Enoch is divided into ten periods.
  I also found Book of the Secrets of Enoch which described Enoch’s transition to heaven. There were a number of Hebrew works of an apocalyptic nature in which Enoch figures.
  Raven Gregory had really been doing his homework. I have been doing research at library. I felt Enoch’s battle with Death at church in San Diego gave huge clues to Enoch's identity. The Ancient One seemed to pull his power from heaven.
  I felt Death used power similar to Walker characters in old Midnight Nation comic. I instantly recognized this when death was thrown against church wall by Enoch. I almost felt like I was hearing Bible scripture when death said Enoch was down on Earth for too long. I was terrified by splash page of Death. I also looked at cover. It was very clear Enoch was in trouble. How could Enoch survive touch of Death? I turned page. I could feel Jesus' presence in scene. Jesus's statue was behind Enoch. Battle was short yet epic. Was this battle not able to be seen by mortals? Was this a battle that occurred between realities?
  Death knows Enoch’s future if continues on set path. I wonder how God will decide to get Enoch to return back to heaven? I also wonder about mention of awakening of Lucius.
  I than went back to Bible and read scripture passages about Enoch.
  I could not find any references to Lucius.
  The story of the Gift caused me to read bible more now than in long time.
  This issue was not collected in trade paper-back format.
  I also found little more about story online: The brand-new story arc that will reveal the answers behind the ancient Ones motives, and past continues here. A being of incredible power is stalking the Ancient One, a being that has walked side by side with Enoch throughout the ages. Now, that it has been decided that the ancient One's time is over, will he be able to stand against a force as powerful as death itself?


Allen Klingelhoets