By Fire
The Jakob Hutter Story
Published on 4. March 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
168 pages
978-1-63608-143-4 (ISBN)
Description
A graphic novel dramatizes a true story of a corrupt ruler, a courageous resister, a daring alpine escape, a refugee love story, a reckless return, a jealous traitor, and a martyr burned alive at the stake.
King Ferdinand, who will later become Holy Roman Emperor, orders the eradication of all heretics in Tyrol, and especially their leader, Jakob Hutter. Like other Anabaptists, Hutter has rejected armed revolt and embraced nonviolence. What if instead of overthrowing oppressive rulers, he asks, we create a peaceful and just alternative society ourselves?
Driven into hiding and eventually forced to flee through the mountains into Moravia, Hutter realizes his dream and finds love. But persecution follows him. Despite death warrants, he and his pregnant wife, Katharina, return to Tyrol to support the underground movement there. They are betrayed by a friend turned informant and captured along with their baby. Jakob is burned at the stake in the town square of Innsbruck. Katharina escapes but soon meets a similar fate.
Their story comes to life in this graphic novel, the second in a series that dramatically recreates a little-known chapter in the history of the Reformation. These radicals, labeled Anabaptists by their enemies, were ready to die for their vision. They were executed by thousands - by water, by fire, and by sword - in both Catholic and Protestant lands. This action-packed account of young people daring to stand up for their convictions will appeal to today's nonconformists.
King Ferdinand, who will later become Holy Roman Emperor, orders the eradication of all heretics in Tyrol, and especially their leader, Jakob Hutter. Like other Anabaptists, Hutter has rejected armed revolt and embraced nonviolence. What if instead of overthrowing oppressive rulers, he asks, we create a peaceful and just alternative society ourselves?
Driven into hiding and eventually forced to flee through the mountains into Moravia, Hutter realizes his dream and finds love. But persecution follows him. Despite death warrants, he and his pregnant wife, Katharina, return to Tyrol to support the underground movement there. They are betrayed by a friend turned informant and captured along with their baby. Jakob is burned at the stake in the town square of Innsbruck. Katharina escapes but soon meets a similar fate.
Their story comes to life in this graphic novel, the second in a series that dramatically recreates a little-known chapter in the history of the Reformation. These radicals, labeled Anabaptists by their enemies, were ready to die for their vision. They were executed by thousands - by water, by fire, and by sword - in both Catholic and Protestant lands. This action-packed account of young people daring to stand up for their convictions will appeal to today's nonconformists.
Reviews / Votes
Readers who have grown weary of politicized faith but long to follow the Jesus Way of the Sermon on the Mount will find the Hutter family's testimony infused with courage, resolve, and confidence in Christ. Their resolve to demonstrate a nonviolent 'third way' was indeed tested by fire. While none of us may literally have our faith tested by the water or fire of persecution, the Hutters fortify our commitment to resist the seduction of empire, the culture, and the false gospel of Christian nationalism-but to do so humbly and nonviolently. -Brad Jersak, Clarion JournalBy Fire is an inspiring graphic biography about a man who tried to change a religious status quo despite the cost to himself. -Foreword Reviews
Powerful. Haunting. Beautifully illustrated. Well researched and engaging. I love the power of graphic novels like this to make history real and all too human. -Tim Smyth, author of Eisner nominated Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels
By Fire is recommended for high school ages and up, having potential to hold attention with a true story of decadent corruption, fugitive romance, jealousy and fiery martyrdom. -Anabaptist World
Reading this graphic novelization of Jakob and Katharina Hutter's stories may be a surprising experience for historians, or for anyone who is accustomed to knowing the early Anabaptists only through text, not image. The visualization somehow renders the convictions, movements, and martyrdoms of the Hutters both more real and more unbelievable. -Mennonite Quarterly Review
Recommended for children ages twelve and up, as material in History or Theology curricula. Readers learn about Jakob Hutter's life and death as an Anabaptist leader . . . his life on the run from persecution, and his dreams of building Christian communities in which people live and share everything equally together. -Catholic Library World
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 13 to 17 years
Product notice
With flaps
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
476 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-63608-143-4 (9781636081434)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jason Landsel is a New York-based writer and illustrator with a lifelong fascination with the history of social and religious radicalism. He is a regular contributor to Plough Quarterly and a member of the Bruderhof, an Anabaptist community movement that traces its roots to the Radical Reformation.
Sankha Banerjee has illustrated graphic novel adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Wind in the Willows as well as graphic historical biographies of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers. His works have been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, France and the India International Centre in Delhi. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Multimedia and Animation, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India.
Richard Mommsen is a scriptwriter, videographer, podcast producer, and director of the Bruderhof's historical archives.
Sankha Banerjee has illustrated graphic novel adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Wind in the Willows as well as graphic historical biographies of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers. His works have been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, France and the India International Centre in Delhi. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Multimedia and Animation, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India.
Richard Mommsen is a scriptwriter, videographer, podcast producer, and director of the Bruderhof's historical archives.