Holy smoke? How Batman, Avengers, Captain Marvel, other superheroes relate to a life of faith
Just how dark is the Dark Knight? That has been the subject of much debate. Some people believe he had a religious affiliation or abandoned his Christian upbringing following his parents’ death. Others believe that if he were to choose an option from a dropdown menu it would be Atheist.
Sure, Batman has an existentialist vibe about him, and he likes to work alone, but I think it’s silly to say a fictional superhero doesn’t believe in the supernatural. After all, he does have a history with Wonder Woman, a demi-goddess, and they both share a penchant for justice, which could be considered a core aspect of faith.
You also can’t tell me that the paradox at the crux of many Christian beliefs – dying to save lives and resurrecting to do it all over again (and again) – is lost on the Caped Crusader and superheroes across the comic universes?
Superheroes may not invoke God often, but there are some who profess faith, such as Daredevil who is Catholic or Captain America who is Protestant. Even Peter Quill (Guardians of the Galaxy’s Starlord) suggested a Christian upbringing when Dr. Strange inquired his allegiance in Avengers: Infinity War, exclaiming “Who is your master?” To which a confused Peter replied, “What am I supposed to say . . . Jesus?” (The moment made for a humorous deduction by Iron Man that this stranger must be from Earth, since that is where Jesus once walked). While not all super characters will explicitly testify to a faith, they all have a supernatural aspect to their victory. They’re the chosen one for some time or place; they mustered the courage at the perfect moment for victory, and it inspired others with hope.
And yet that’s what I love about superhero stories. It’s the best of humanity often on display, and even empathy with the challenges of everyday life. There are times in my daily life when, between helping my kids with their needs, meeting my work obligations, and keeping my home in decent shape seems as difficult as saving the universe from alien invasion. Time is of the essence, and you can’t give up. You must keep going and muster all the courage and endurance you have to save the day!
Captain Marvel, whose DNA was altered in an incident that left her with superhuman strength, has joined the ranks of blockbuster superheroes. Her faith may be a question mark, but she plays a role in bringing hope to Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel sequel to Infinity War, which sees the superhero team in the ultimate battle between good and evil to save the world. (Again – sound familiar??)
Infinity War, where the initially fractured team unites to fight the evil demigod Thanos who desires to decimate planets and kill half the universe, leaves audiences hanging in a discordant cliffhanger. But that’s never how superhero films really end. The human spirit will triumph. And before long, another challenge will present itself.
It’s this rollercoaster ride of superhero stories that makes me relate to them even more as the mere mortal that I am (and without the extraordinary gadgets of Batman or Iron Man). Outrageous as the scenarios may be in these films, I find myself relating to how crazy things can get. In Infinity War, when multiple characters including Dr. Strange and Spiderman, are about to succeed in removing Thanos’ weaponized glove – which gives him the power to wipe out half the living things in the universe – the precarious situation reminds me of my experience working in the office of a print publication. Or when the alien army is pushing the Wakanda defenses to the brink, that reminds me of some of the crazier days in my current situation juggling two kids, home management, and part-time work. It is more than relatable to me how one mishap can make everything fall out of balance. Yet, the heroes forge on, and so do I.
That’s precisely the element in superhero films that I find meaningful, and that’s the part of me that relies on faith. In my daily life, I get all these things done only with God’s help. I need to believe I can do it, and superheroes always seem to try to the very end, believing it can be done.
These are the aspects of superhero films that make me remember what divine assistance is like, not forget it. When things are hitting the fan, you just keep going and believing you’ll make it. You can win the day. Despite how grimly Infinity War ended, Avengers: Endgame is still a must-see. And that’s because I have come to expect the same thing in superhero films that I believe by faith: Things never really end with death and destruction, because a hero will rise to the challenge. And hope will endure.
Does reading about faith inspire you? Do you have a story or information about your faith you want to share? Tell us more!
Discover More:
