Overview

The Gospel According to Superheroes: Religion and Popular Culture offers an intriguing look at superheroes in light of the spiritual and mythological roles they play in our lives. B. J. Oropeza takes you through the adventuresome quest of three comic book eras as you read about the popular narratives of superheroes such as Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, X-Men, Hulk, Wonder Woman, the Fantastic Four, sci-fi film heroes, pulp heroes, antiheroes, and more. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in viewing the superheroes as both sinners and saints instead of mere good guys taking on the forces of evil.

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9780820474229

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Reviews

A fascinating and involving work - anyone interested in the symbols and ideas beneath the colorful costumes should check this out. (Kurt Busiek, Comic Book Writer and Creator of the Award-winning Astro City) Here is a fascinating and fun read! As human exemplars and sacrificial saviors, comic book superheroes have both entertained and educated readers for seventy years. Now with one blockbuster movie after another bringing these stories to a new generation, their cultural and religious importance is only increasing. 'The Gospel According to Superheroes' provides readers with a roadmap for understanding these larger-than-life characters. (Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary, Author of 'Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue') 'The Gospel According to Superheroes' will not tell you who would win if Jesus Christ and Superman got into a fight, but this insightful, entertaining book will help you see what they and other heroes have in common by linking the narrative dots between our oldest myths and our latest movies. (Michael France, Screen Author of 'Goldeneye' and Screenwriter of 'The Hulk') My worldview and theological construct have been influenced almost as much by my comic book collection as by the Scriptures. So I enthusiastically welcome B. J. Oropeza's collection of fascinating articles on how these two seemingly disparate realms overlap and interrelate. This book is more powerful and compelling than those four-color pulps - and it provides a depth of insight with eternal ramifications. Excelsior! (Peter Wallace, Executive Producer of 'Day 1'; Author of 'Out of the Quiet: Responding to God's Whispered Invitations') With the steady popularity of comic books, Christians have reason to examine the comic book culture. 'The Gospel According to Superheroes' takes a unique approach to understanding the history and spiritual implications of comic book heroes and stories. This book provides fascinating explanations behind the evolution of comic book trends, through the lens of its historical context and theological significance. (Barbara Nicolosi, Executive Director of 'ACT ONE')

« A fascinating and involving work - anyone interested in the symbols and ideas beneath the colorful costumes should check this out.

Author Information

The Editor: B. J. Oropeza earned his Ph.D. in New Testament theology at the University of Durham, England. He is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at the C. P. Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California, and an internationally acclaimed author whose many publications include Paul and Apostasy (2000), A Time to Laugh (1996), and 99 Answers to Questions about Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare (1997).

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