The Book of Genesis by R. Crumb

Nominated for three 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb brings all 50 chapters of the Bible’s first book to life like never before. Legendary cartoonist R. Crumb offers a bold, word-for-word visual interpretation using text based on Robert Alter’s translation and the King James Bible.

What started as a playful idea turned into a deep dive into the raw, poetic language of Genesis—a text Crumb found so vivid and strange it practically begged to be illustrated. The result is an honest, unfiltered portrayal of iconic moments: Adam and Eve in the garden, Noah’s ark packed with creatures, the fiery fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, and Joseph’s final journey in a coffin through Egypt.

Crumb doesn’t sanitize the material—he leans into the drama, the emotion, and even the strangeness. Characters like the alien-like serpent, the rugged Esau, and the elegant Sarah are depicted with striking humanity and personality. Even God appears as a commanding, bearded figure straight out of classic biblical imagery.

Whether you're a comic fan, a Crumb devotee, or simply curious about the Bible in a new light, this five-year passion project peels back the layers of theology to reveal the raw storytelling at the heart of Genesis.