Ictus, the work of Maria Valtorta in comics
 Cover page of volume 1 of the album series (2015)
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| Work Details | |
|---|---|
| Authors | Luc Borza (script and dialogue) - Bruno MartinWater (art) - Guillaume Bonamy (colors) |
| Number of pages | 56 |
| Full title | Ictus, based on The Gospel as Revealed to Me by Maria Valtorta |
| Publication | From 2015 onwards, ongoing collection |
| Publisher | Éditions Maria Valtorta France |
| ISBN | 978-2-36463-366-7 for volume 1 |
| Distribution | Bookstores - online sales - [publisher's website] |
These comic book albums are inspired by the principal work of Maria Valtorta. They stem from the conviction of Luc Borza, a writer born in 1985, that this masterful life of Jesus needed to be adapted for a younger audience.
Éditions Maria Valtorta France works to adapt the work for all audiences and met Luc Borza in 2013. To that end, the publishing house asked him to write an adaptation of The Gospel as Revealed to Me as a children's book (Life of Jesus Collection) then as a comic book (Ictus). The publisher then launched a comic strip panel contest on the Life of Jesus and recruited its winner Bruno MartinWater, comic book artist, character designer for TV animation series and cinema, born in 1960.
Éditions Maria Valtorta France subsequently inquired with the Maria Valtorta Heritage Foundation for the necessary adaptation rights.
For coloring, Pascal Haillot and Pierre Champion succeeded Guillaume Bonamy.
Summary of the Ictus albums
Cycle 1 - Childhoods
Volume 1 - The Daughter of the Temple
In Nazareth, in Galilee, Anne and Joachim have no child but their hearts live in the hope of a divine promise. Despite their age, they undertake to go up to Jerusalem to make one last prayer to God. If He grants them this, they will dedicate their child to Him so that he may grow up in the Temple.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Guillaume Bonamy - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2015 - ISBN 978-2-36463-366-7.
Volume 2 - A New Dawn
Nazareth, under Roman occupation. The inhabitants grow impatient. Although promised to each other, Joseph and Mary do not seem decided to officially celebrate their marriage. Time passes and this causes unrest in the small town. Then an astonishing visit will upset the plans of the engaged couple: Mary must leave Galilee for a while to join her cousin in Judea.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Guillaume Bonamy - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2017 - ISBN 978-2-36463-512-8.
Volume 3 - The Hidden Life
The day after Jesus' birth, the inhabitants of Bethlehem organize to welcome the young family in their village. Mary and Joseph hope to return quickly to Galilee, but the visit of Zacharias disrupts their plans. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away, three men set out towards Judea, guided by their knowledge of the sky. Despite themselves, their arrival in Palestine will upset the peaceful life of all the inhabitants of Bethlehem.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Pascal Haillot, Guillaume Bonamy - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2018 - ISBN 978-2-36463-606-4.
| VOLUME 1 | VOLUME 2 | VOLUME 3 |
|---|---|---|
Cycle 2 - The Public Life
Volume 4 - Come and Follow Me
At Bethsaida, four fishermen meet Jesus. Moved by his words, they follow him and discover the power of God at work in the world. Soon, other men join them.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Pascal Haillot - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2020 - ISBN 978-2-36463-664-4.
Volume 5 - The Twelve
On Pentecost day, Jesus meets Judas in Jerusalem and accepts him as a disciple. Eager to train him, he takes him along with two other disciples in his travels in Judea. He shows him the place where he was born and meets the Shepherds of the Nativity who become his disciples.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Pascal Haillot, Pierre Champion - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2021 - ISBN 978-2-36463-657-6.
Volume 6 - I Thirst
After escaping from prison, John the Baptist took refuge in Samaria where Herod does not govern. Jesus, wishing to meet him, goes to Samaria. There he meets people who have a great thirst to know the Good News of his message. Back in Galilee, Jesus takes the twelve aside so they can have an intense spiritual time. At the end of this week, they are no longer Disciples but he appoints them as Apostles. In turn, they must proclaim the Gospel.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Pascal Haillot, Pierre Champion - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2022 - ISBN 978-2-36463-658-3.
| VOLUME 4 | VOLUME 5 | VOLUME 6 |
|---|---|---|
Volume 7 - Mercy
The scribes and Pharisees do not look favorably on the growing popularity of the one called "the Nazarene." The crowds love him and recognize him as the awaited Messiah, even though his teaching is not what they expected. He speaks to them of forgiveness and, better yet, shows them how to forgive. After teaching his Apostles and Disciples, he sends them on the roads of Palestine to put into practice what they have heard.
Script and dialogues, Luc Borza - Art, Bruno MartinWater - Colors, Pierre Champion - Éditions Maria Valtorta France, 2024 - ISBN 978-2-36463-792-4.
Notes and references
Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.