Our Lady of Fatima! is a comic book about the Church-approved 1917 apparitions of Mary in Fatima to three children: Lucia dos Santos (age 10), Francisco Marto (9), and Jacinta Marto (7). On the cover of this book, there is a claim that this is the “most complete comics treatment of the Fatima story ever made.” While I have not verified this claim, I can say that anyone looking for a comprehensive visual story about this famous apparition will not be disappointed. The story-line is closely based on The True Story of Fatima by Father John de Marchi. Father de Marchi is known for having interviewed witnesses with first-hand accounts. In fact, there is a photo of him taken in 1946 standing next to Sr. Lucia. (A free pdf of de Marchi’s The True Story of Fatima can be found online at the Fatima Center with imprimaturs from 1947 and 2009.)

Our Lady of Fatima! begins in 1915, during World War I, with a two-page spread that prepares us for the miraculous events that are about to unfold. Lucia dos Santos and three other girls are praying the rosary when an angel appears to them, but the angel doesn’t speak. The next spread indicates that a year has passed: Lucia is with her two cousins, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto. While praying a shortened version of the rosary, they see an angel; this time he speaks. He is the guardian angel of Portugal and has a message about sacrifice. He appears to them a few more times, even giving them Communion. On May 13th, 1917, when the “beautiful lady from heaven” appears to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, she lets the children know that she will appear to them five more times, each on the thirteenth of the month and at the same hour. She promises a miracle on the last day, October 13th and approximately 100,000 people came to see if a miracle would occur as claimed. When the lady appeared, she asked the children to have a chapel built in her honor, saying, “I am Our Lady of the Rosary.” Mary pointed to the sun and it moved out of its position, coming closer to the earth. Many of the witnesses thought they were going to die, but the sun eventually returned to its position. The witnesses also saw Mary, Jesus and Saint Joseph appearing in the sky; some were healed of physical ailments. Our Lady of Fatima! includes the reactions to the miracle, and the lives of the seers in the following years, even up to Sr. Lucia’s death in 2005 (age 97). A chart is provided in the back detailing the different consecrations to Our Lady from Pope Pius XII to Pope Francis.

It is important to note that this graphic novel isn’t a light read. Some level of maturity is needed to fully appreciate this book. (I believe the target audience is teenagers and comic-loving adults). Scenes depict family members, clergy, and authorities of the law as cynical and at times cruel. There are persecutions of the children, including kidnapping and imprisonment. A magistrate even threatens to boil the children in oil. There are also illustrations of hell, sickness, suffering and death. While incorporating many difficult topics, such as conversion and sacrifice, Our Lady of Fatima! also has elements of hope and peace. It introduces Mary’s Immaculate Heart, her request for reparation, the devotion of the five Holy Saturdays, and it asks the reader: “what are you going to do?”

At times, Our Lady of Fatima! may be a little confusing to those like myself who don’t read comics regularly—some minor arcs (or transitions) might have been clearer in written format. However, the avid comic reader may not agree — every page is detailed and has colorful, varied layouts. While I do have some artistic criticisms of Our Lady of Fatima!, such as wishing that Mary was drawn prettier, I commend Mr. Tautkus’ achievement in graphically detailing such a complex story. The drawings of Lucia resemble the many photographs that I have seen of her and I felt that Mr Tautukus depicted poverty (physically and spiritually) especially well. Our Lady of Fatima! Is a unique resource faithful to the original accounts of our Lady of Fatima. Fans of these apparitions will likely appreciate the depth found in this comic book.