Hutterites are known today for simple living and sharing all things. But high drama defined Jakob Hutter’s relationships and the beginnings of what are now 460 faith communities known by his name.

Hutter’s role in early Anabaptism comes to life in By Fire, the second installment in Plough’s “Heroes of the Radical Reformation” series of biographical comics telling the stories of early Anabaptists. The series began in 2022 with By Water, the tale of Felix Manz, the first adult baptisms and his martyrdom by drowning. The next will be titled By Sword. Author Jason Landsel shares credit with Sankha Banerjee (art) and Richard Mommsen (script).

Inspired by Georg Blaurock’s teaching about Christ’s followers sharing every­thing and caring for one another, Hutter turned away from the violence of a failed rebellion to embrace separation from empire. He was just a hatmaker, but he crafted a movement.

Subversive teachings on economic sharing and rejecting war led to refusal to pay taxes for King Ferdinand’s wars against the Ottoman Empire. Fleeing authorities in the Alps and later Moravia, Hutter and his followers were hunted down to answer for his crimes against God and country.

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.

Beyond the graphic drama, there’s a robust appendix of historical information, with a detailed timeline, maps, translated letters by Hutter and background on Hutter’s execution and the spies who collaborated against him.

By Fire will be released Jan. 21 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland. It’s Plough’s second new book on Hutter, following the release of Jakob Hutter: His Life and Letters, based on the latest research on the early Hutterite movement, with new material on the origins, beliefs and persecution of Anabaptists in South Germany and Tirol.