Messiahs:

1. Astoria:

Church & State volume II:

Pages 954 - 956:

• Matthew 27 v 11 -14, 24.

Pages 982 + 983

• John 18 v 37 + 38.

An obvious echo of Jesus and Pontius Pilate, including the brandings "prophet" and "redeemer", the question "What is truth?", and hand washing.

End:

Astoria's execution was averted by "events" (C&SII 957 - 976, Flight page 195 - ooo, getting ahead of myself). After subsequent imprisonment by the Cirinists, Astoria almost went to the point of Martyring herself along with her followers, but instead went to the Eastern Church to meet Cirin (Finding Cerebus and Suenteus Po, too).

Inside the church (Reads), she reaches a major decision...

2. Suenteus Po:

His experiences are well detailed in Flight:

Pages 194 -196:

• Matthew 26 v 51, 52.
• Luke 22 v 49 - 51.
• John 18 v 10, 11.

• Mark 15 v 16 - 20.
• Luke 23 v 11.
• John 19 v 1 - 3.
  
  
• Matthew 27 v 24.

A much more comprehensive echo of the trial and execution of Jesus, including his attitude embodied in Suenteus Po, and trial on the basis of religious persecution.

End:

As stated in Flight.

3. Cerebus:

Pffffah! He's been as far from a messiah as could be; a drunken, selfish, degenerate little shit. But hey, people change right? Maybe we'll all get to feel good about Cerebus' redemption and conversion to heroism before he dies, eh?

4. Rick:

Rick's Story:

Pages 22, 23. Pointed out by hal on the Cerebus egroup. Rick is bound with thorns, perhaps an echo of Jesus' crown of thorns (Already in a previous scripture reference).

Pages 114, 115:

• Ezekiel chapters 40 - 42,
• Revelation 21 v 9 - 21.

Measurements, reflecting the prophecies of Ezekiel and John (Note: it was the apostle John, not John the baptist (Jesus' cousin) who wrote Revelation).

Page 134:

• Exodus 3 v 2.

Okay, "duds" is not a term the God of the Old Testament would use, but Dave Sim would...
Creator and creature anyone?

Going Home:

On pages 102 + 103, there is a reference to "Prophet Ricke", along with the words scorpion, lunatic, and angel.

Pages 235 - 237:

• John 3 v 22 - 24, and ch 4 v 1 - 3.

(Note, it was the apostle John who wrote the gospel bearing that name, not John the Baptist).

The idea of a parallel with John the Baptist arose on the Cerebus egroup. Though I'm not saying anyone "is" "wrong", I am saying I don't agree, and the above scriptural reference makes a damn good case against: Jesus didn't do any baptising, his disciples did it, same with Rick. Also, John the Baptiser dressed like the prophet Elijah, (Matthew 3 v 4, 1st Kings 1 v 8) yet Rick is shown here (I think) wearing the average Jewish dress of our 1st century AD.

Also, on page 235, "The signe of the latter daies" is mentioned, a direct correlation to the prophecy spoken by Jesus at Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

His appearance to Cerebus here, as stated on page 235, seems to be a fulfilment of his words on page 178 of Rick's Story. He also appears in a dream later:

Going Home/Form and Void:

Issue 260, pages 582 - 585

Rick has been executed by the Cirinists, and has stigmata wounds on his palms.
Eric, from the Cerebus egroup:
"Crucifixion was however performed through the wrist, the palm would just tear and you'd flop forwards."

Despite such minutae that Dave Sim may or may not be aware of, Rick seems to have followers, written a prophetic text, and has now passed... something on to Cerebus.

"Now that I'm
dead everyth
depends on "

You?

"Mungu. Mungu mkono. God. In the hand of God."

Lastly:

Issue 259, annotation to page 515:

"Even in the Islamic faith where it is firmly held that Jesus was not the son of God - that it is ridiculous and blasphemous (a view with which I completely concur) to suggest that God has either a partner or offspring - Jesus is revered as one of God's great prophets and messengers."