Heroes have always embodied the highest ideals of a culture. They are idealized individuals in every sense from their appearance, to their abilities, and most importantly their morals. It is the morality of the characters which ultimately elevates them to the status of hero, and which makes their stories most palatable to us. It is also the morality that leads some to believe that every superhero story is in some sense a Christian story.
From the paneled page to big screen super heroes have been a major force within culture for nearly a century now. The never-ending battle of good vs. evil played out in dramatic combat is compelling. It is so compelling that some would label these stories as modern mythology. Perhaps it is precisely that, as the genre defies other classifications. The adventures of superheroes combine elements of detective stories, sci-fi, romance, comedy, thrillers, and more into something that resonates with the imagination of the west.
Superheros from the Christian Perspective
Superman stands for truth, justice, and the fairness of the idealized American way as defined by the greatest generation. Spider-Man wields great power with great responsibility, etc. These virtues are also found in the pages of Scripture, of course.
Yes, the heroes of our day are flawed, but so too are the heroes of the Bible. Samson, the closest thing to a superhero found in Scripture, is not above reproach, and neither is David or even Paul. There is violence in Scripture, though its depiction is not as graphic as what we find on the four colored pages of comic books. Nor is the Biblical so graphicly sensual as our comic books.
There are certainly reasons to consider carefully what we are going to read, and for parents especially to be aware of what comics they are handing their children.
Despite the shortcomings of superhero storytelling, the underlying value appears intact. The good still triumphs over evil, the innocent are still saved, and the criminals still pay for their crimes. There is still some human virtue depicted in a simple way that reaches through to stir our hearts to noble aspirations. Right?
Well, as far as human virtues go, perhaps.
However, the virtues possessed by our modern mythological heroes are strictly human. Thus, from a Christian perspective, they are woefully inadequate. The Roman Catholic hero Daredevil is said to be without fear, as Christians should be. See 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
But in Frank Miller’s Daredevil Born Again we find the man without fear is a man without hope. Hopelessness is certainly a way to fearlessness, but it is not the Christian way. Batman’s grim determination is self-reliant which goes against the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Spider-Man’s responsibility is graceless and constantly crushing the life out of him. Even Superman’s moral standing is compromised when we begin to examine what sort of truth and justice he really stands for.
They are virtues celebrated that are not virtues at all, the Hulk’s unrighteous anger being a prime example. More and more examples are appearing as the consensus morality of our culture continues to move away from the Biblical standard, and to break down completely. More and more the line between heroes and villains is blurred such as in the recent White Night arc in Batman, or most famously in the Watchmen limited series of the eighties.
The question was taken up again in the nineties by Marvel and Kingdom Come. Since then it has become increasingly ubiquitous in superhero stories.
The true danger of modern mythology is that it presents aspirational tales, imparting and exemplifying pure virtues to be emulated. Well, if the superheroes are to be role-models let them stand the test prescribed for God’s appointed role models. See Hebrews 13:7: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
Daredevil and Batman continually push their friends and allies away and live troubled lonely lives. Neither has been able to maintain a lasting relationship, and neither appears to have anything like joy or peace. Iron Man battles alcoholism and often suffers from his own egotism. Spider-Man fanes a joyous demeanor in his web-slinging adventures, but is constantly wracked with guilt.
Superman and Captain America come closer to having worthy lives, and characters like Nightwing, some versions of the Flash, and more recent depictions of Hawkeye come very close to leading lives we might admire. All of them however fall short of living out John 15:5, or Matthew 6:33, for no hero known to this writer is definitively, consistently, and accurately portrayed as being a real Christian: this likely a result of there being very few devoted Christians working openly in mainstream comics.
We must also consider that the stories of modern heroes never conclude. This in part a reflection of the financial interests surrounding the stories which demand they continue on and on till the money runs out. However, the humanistic philosophies underlying the tales have no way of closing their narrative of conflict between good and evil. The humanistic philosophy does not know which side will win in the end.
It is hopeful, but also doubtful as it sees momentary victories, but nothing lasting. So, villains are put away for a time, but they always come back. Apart from the work of God are inner demons, and societal evils will always resurface. Our heroes, and we, have to keep fighting the same threats for none of our prisons can hold back the evils of this world, and none of our practices can fully redeem evil souls. Only God can do that.
God is theoretically present in the world of mainstream comics, referred to occasionally by a generic title. The god of comics seldom does anything and is hardly reverenced. In the world of superheroes, God is the answer to nothing. That God does not save, the supermen and women do that. There is no finality in this mythology.
The deeper one delves into the world of comic book superheroes the more one must realize it is the fundamentally flawed world. Its characters are incomplete. Their values are skewed, and flawed. Their lives are distorted, messy, and most often miserable. They fight a battle for hope without any reason to hope outside their own futile efforts. If we would look up to these men and women, we would not have to crane our necks far.
So, what is the point? Are we advocating against comics and superheroes? No, they’re are some well-written stories, and many reflective insights into our culture’s thoughts and feelings. Comics and superheroes should be approached like any other entertainment or information with Biblically grounded discernment and awareness. This writer’s point is that contrary to his earlier convictions superhero stories are not inherently Christian. We do believe a Christian superhero could exist, and even that some ought to exist.
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