Battle Pope

Infobox comic book title
title = Battle Pope


caption = Cover of the graphic novel collection
schedule =
format =
limited=y
publisher = Funk-O-Tron
date = Early 2000
issues = 14
main_char_team = Pope, Jesus H. Christ
writers = Robert Kirkman
artists = Tony Moore
pencillers =
inkers =
colorists = Val Staples
creative_team_month =
creative_team_year =
creators = Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore
subcat=Image Comics
sort=PAGENAME

Battle Pope is an independent comic book created by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, which was published by their own small press company under the moniker of Funk-O-Tron originally in 2000. The series was reprinted in color by Image Comics in 2005, with plans to possibly continue it with new stories after collecting the original material.

The book tells the tale of a hard drinking, womanizing Pope condemned by God for his own evil ways, who is called to action to save Saint Michael, with the help of , becoming mankind's final hope in a world overrun by demons following the Rapture.

Plot

Portraying a comical view of a fictional Pope, (Pope Oswald Leopold II) the opening panels of the comic show the main character sitting in a bar drinking and reminiscing. There is a flashback to a young child being prepared to accept the mantle of Pope. As such, he undergoes martial arts training from Bruce Lee because, "The Pope needs to be ready for anything." After becoming Pope, he leads a life full of cursing, drinking, and sex. Shortly thereafter, God casts judgement down upon the entire human race, condemning them all. The gates between Earth and Hell thus open, and the world is swarmed by demons. After a great war, a treaty is formed and the gates to Hell are closed. The survivors, both human and demon, are allowed to roam the earth and co-exist.

The flashback ends and Pope witnesses a group of ruffians about to kidnap a young woman. As Pope moves to stop the group, they summon their demon friend Belaam. After a brief fight Belaam is defeated by Pope. The woman expresses her gratitude and goes back to Pope's house.

Later that night, Belaam ambushes Pope, killing the woman in the process. While distracted by the death of his lady-friend, Pope is also seemingly killed. As Belaam basks in his triumph, he is shot from behind by Jesus. Pope soon awakens, and he is in the presence of Jesus and God. They reveal to him that God had sent Saint Michael to watch over the good people left on earth, although Lucifer was able to overpower and capture the Saint. God endows Pope with super-strength, and tells him that should he be able to rescue Saint Michael, he will be granted entry into Heaven despite his deplorable life-style.

As Pope and Jesus search for Hellcorp - Lucifer's headquarters on earth - they are accosted by the Zombie Twins, minions of Lucifer. Pope seemingly dispatches the duo, until they summon all the corpses on earth and form a giant zombie monster of writhing bodies. Pope is ineffective against this new monster, but Jesus is able to destroy them in a brilliant explosion with his hallowed might when they try to eat him. After killing the zombies, Pope and Jesus are once again attacked by Belaam, now sporting a robotic arm. He is easily and quickly defeated.

Now at the doors of Hellcorp, Jesus and Pope enter, only to have to fight an innumerable amount of enemies waiting for them. After putting up an incredible fight, Pope and Jesus are incapacitated and brought to the lair of Lucifer. There, they discover Lucifer's plan: to steal Saint Michael's halo and combine it with his own demon horns, thus expanding his powers to godlike proportions. Pope escapes, but is unable to prevent Lucifer from donning the halo, and is banished.

Pope then spends what seems like a long time in Hell, womanizing and fighting his way through every day to survive. A mere 17 seconds later on Earth, Pope is rescued by God, who increases Pope's powers by granting him a halo of his own. With his newfound power, Pope returns and defeats Lucifer, managing to save the Saint in the process. After meeting with God again, he is granted access to Heaven; an offer he turns down to protect the people of earth.

Afterwards, Pope returns home with Jesus as his roommate.

ee also

*The Incredible Popeman

External links

* [http://www.funkotron.com Funk-O-Tron's official homepage]
* [http://www.imagecomics.com Image Comics homepage]
* [http://www.funkotron.com/battlepope/ Official Battle Pope Website]