We all know Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. The three classic faces that, from childhood, we associate with the mystery of the Epiphany. But behind that familiar story, there is a void that is almost never told: the ancient legend of the fourth wise man, a Persian sage who also saw the star… and who, for mysterious reasons, never arrived in time to Bethlehem.
The artist Guillermo Altarriba recovers this forgotten story and turns it into a vibrant graphic narrative, faithful to the faith and friendly to the young reader, without falling into the banality that so many “childish” proposals suffer today. With visual quality, The Fourth Wise Man presents itself as a work for children… and also for parents, catechists, and adult readers who seek a clean, deep, and meaningful narration.
Adventure, Virtue, and Beauty in the Same Narrative
While Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar set out from their kingdoms following the star, a fourth pilgrim, Artaban, begins his journey from Persia. What seemed like a direct journey to Bethlehem turns into an odyssey of dangers, providential encounters, and moral decisions that will test his heart.
Altarriba builds a character who, without intending to, becomes a mirror for any Christian: someone who desires to find Christ, but discovers that the path to Him goes through attending to the needy, confronting injustice, and listening to the voice of conscience. He is a different hero—not perfect, but generous—who learns, falls, gets up, and moves forward. A childlike figure that proposes virtues without moralizing.
The work combines rhythm, emotion, and a luminous aesthetic that breathes East and Gospel at the same time. Each page is designed to bring beauty to children without simplifying the greatness of the biblical story.
A Gift for Families: Faith Without Artifices
In a time when Christmas dilutes itself among lights, screens, and consumption, The Fourth Wise Man recovers the Christian core of January 6: the sincere search for God. It does so not from the sermon or nostalgia, but from a well-told story, where adventure serves as a bridge to faith.
That explains why this book works for readers of all ages. Children get hooked on the action and illustrations; adults discover spiritual nuances that challenge their inner life. The narrative discreetly reminds us that concrete love for one’s neighbor is the most real way to approach the Child of Bethlehem.
A Bet on Recovering Good Readings
Bibliotheca Homo Legens has bet in recent years on recovering Christian classics, uplifting stories, and visually careful works that help form judgment and sensitivity. The Fourth Wise Man fits into this mission: to offer families beautiful, solid, and deeply human material. It is not just another product to “consume,” but a story to treasure.
In a publishing landscape dominated by empty fantasy proposals or ideological messages camouflaged in children’s literature, this book presents itself as a clean and necessary alternative. A reminder that a great story can be told without betraying the truth.
The Fourth Wise Man, by Guillermo Altarriba, is an invitation to rediscover Christmas with new eyes. A work that, without intending to, becomes a small treasure for family catechesis: an adventure that entertains, a story that educates, and a return to the center of Christian faith.