'Anatomically comprehensive' Genesis hits stores!

A new comic-book drawing version of the Bible's Book of Genesis has hit the store shelves, but this one apparently isn't for children.

"The Bible Illuminated: R. Crumb's Book of Genesis" is by the artist who years ago made popular the explicit drawings of "Fritz the Cat," which was when animated got an X-rating.

According to a review in the New York Times, "Crumb luxuriates in the carnality of Genesis without playing it for gratuitous shock or comic effect. Adam and Eve frolic about in the nude, naturally, but in playful, duly innocent, ecstasy. When Lot's two daughters get him drunk and have sex with him – in duty to the system of primogeniture that dominates Genesis – the images are shocking, yes, but not gratuitously so; the shock is in the act, not in the portrayal."

The newspaper praised the book as probably the "first thing by Crumb ever published without a single image of … a sharp blade approaching male." It's been described by others as "anatomically comprehensive."

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But according to the UK Telegraph, the book that carries the warning "adult supervision recommended for minors" actually is "gratuitous" at its best, in the view of several Christian groups.

"It is turning the Bible into titillation," Mike Judge of the Christian Institute said. "It seems wholly inappropriate for what is essentially God's rescue plan for mankind.

"If you are going to publish your own version of the Bible it must be done with a great deal of sensitivity. The Bible is a very important text to many, many people and should be treated with the respect it deserves."

Added a spokesman for the Church of England, "I haven't seen the book but I think trying to sell something by emphasizing the sexual nature of some of the scenes doesn't seem to be a good way to pass on the message of the Bible."

The Baltimore Sun in its "Read Street" feature was offering a free copy of the book.

That newspaper feature proudly announced that reader "Amy" was the winner of this week's prize: "a positively beautiful edition of 'Pride and Prejudice.'" Next week's winner will get the explicit tome.

On Amazon, the book was moving up the ratings for Fantasy as well as Bible categories.

The Orange County Register, which reported on an art show made up of the original drawings used in the book, said Crumb, "who's known for his racy, sexually charged and controversial illustrations," in the new book "embraces all the sex, violence, betrayal and gore."

Crumb, who lives in France, rarely gives interviews, but did tell the Times, "I had no intention to scandalize the Bible. I was intrigued by the challenge of exposing everything in there by illustrating it."

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He suggested his next project might be the Quran.