Definitive Superman

the reason he had to say this so blatantly is because injustice and snyder ruined the image of superman in the eyes of the general audience for the last 10+ years 👍 https://t.co/pWON7uOmNS

— doctor idk (@bigmonkeong) August 16, 2025

Superman vs Goku

This is a cool video imagining what a fight between Superman and Goku would look like.

AI-Generated Short about Superman

 

#HenryCavillSuperman pic.twitter.com/TRpSIh2UWD

— Ｍａｒｃｕｓ (@NeoSe7ens) December 24, 2024

Golden Rule - Superman Style

Over the past 75 years, there have more than a few Superman stories imagining what would happen if Superman died. Here is a panel from such a story. If there isn't a better example of how Superman has been portrayed in Messianic terms in comics, I would be surprised. Here we have Superman carving a version of the Golden Rule on the moon with his heat vision. Can you get more like Jesus than that?

Choice And The Moral Universe Of 'Man Of Steel' [Opinion] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

This is a real interesting article  I think the author makes some valid points about how Superman has been portrayed in Man of Steel in contrast with how the character has been depicted before in the past almost 80 years I think the change is due to the changing attitudes of culture. People no longer want heroes that inspire them to be better by being better than us. I think this is why Superman is shown to be so conflicted and less than perfect. Gone is the character that always knew the right things to do and could juggle planets. I'm not sure if that is necessarily a terrible thing but it is interesting. I think something else even more interesting is when you throw the allusions and metaphors to Jesus Christ into the mix. Just like Superman, Jesus has been watered down so much in our culture. The article made me look at the parts of the movie regarding Superman's childhood a little differently. The way the author described those scenes, they remind me of the pseudo-gospels like the Infancy Gospels from his point of view. I didn't see Kal El do anything in the movie that I thought that was outright malicious or wrong as a child but there were some things he did that are questionable in that they were things that anyone of us probably would have done and that could be the problem.

Choice And The Moral Universe Of 'Man Of Steel' [Opinion] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Is Man of Steel all about Jesus? Warner Bros hopes Christians think so

I saw Man of Steel last Friday and all I can still say, even after several hours to process it, is: WOW!  The movie is at least the best live-action depiction of Superman ever released! It is one of the best movies based on a comic book that has ever been put to screen. Not trying to spoil any of it for those who have not seen it, but I saw an article about the connection to Christianity in the movie.

Warner Bros. paid a theologian, Pepperdine University's Craig Detwiler, to prepare a nine-page set of "sermon notes" for ministers who want to preach about Man of Steel, titeld "Jesus: The Original Superhero." The sermon notes ask, "How might the story of Superman awaken our passion for the greatest hero who ever lived and died and rose again?" And then the sermon includes stuff about the themes and ideas of Man of Steel, after which the pastor is encouraged to say, "Let’s take a look at the trailer for Man of Steel." 

The comments made on the article are also interesting. The issues here are very central. Is a movie like this just symbolizing Jesus, or are the artists that created this movie just using themes and concepts familiar to western civilization? Does art in this way bolster the message of Christianity or in some way cheapens it? To be clear, the makers of Man of Steel or Superman in general are not in anyway trying to inspire people to be come Christians like C.S. Lewis intended through his work in Chronicle of Narnia. Given the other films made by Zach Snyder it makes sense that Man of Steel would have some Christian iconography. Big surprise. Even the earlier Superman films included many allusion to "Savior" and "Messiah". It kind of goes with the character.

Let's not forget that Superman's first creators were young Jewish men who were inspired by Samson and Moses - which are according to Theology archetypes and predecessors who foreshadowed Jesus Christ. As the character grew through the years, Superman became more Christ centered.  I won't give examples from the movie to avoid spoilers but there were at least 4 that I thought that were very blatant examples of making Superman look like Jesus.

I would avoid reading the following article until after you see the movie, but it is good to bear in mind that using Christian iconography and concepts to point an audience to Jesus Christ is a good thing. There is a danger of actually trying to equate Jesus with Superman. That's a problem. I don't think the film-makers do that and as a rule the comics books and cartoons don't. Superman clearly does not consider himself above humanity or better than humanity and certainly not a god and not divine. He does not consider himself worthy to determine who lives and who dies so he tries to save and help everyone. This isn't bad but a good and moral ethic to live by. It is one of the tent poles for Christian ethics.

Is Man of Steel all about Jesus? Warner Bros hopes Christians think so

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out two of the darker sides of this. Some folks make a serious error (sometimes tongue-in-cheek) in trying to argue that Superman is better than Jesus Christ and that like Superman Jesus is fictional. Really dumb, but there you go. I wrote an article about this while ago. Read it here: 10 Reasons Why there is No Comparision Between Jesus and Superman. And my brother -in-Christ, whom I really respect and if you haven't read his work you should,  posted a video about the occult symbolism in Man of Steel.  If you look our culture is steeped in it and many of our movies have them in them. You should be aware. Check out his video.

What if Superman Punched You? - YouTube

What if Superman Punched You? - YouTube

FacePalm of the Day - Debunking Christianity: King David and Jesus: The Bible’s Mythic Super Heroes

McCall posted the following paragraph. 

A decade ago, I read Steven McKenzie’s King David: A Biography(Oxford University Press, 2002). What I soon realized was that the Bible creates propaganda to sell faith in its God, especially though famous characters created to promote belief in Israelite monotheism; be they Abraham, Moses, David or Jesus. These embellished Super Heroes function like our comic book (now in movies) Super Heroes such as Superman, Batman and Spiderman battling the forces of evil for a world of good. But these idealized figures simply function to serve our fantasies in a world where reality is fraught with suffering and injustice


Debunking Christianity: King David and Jesus: The Bible’s Mythic Super Heroes

It is not a new argument. I have posted and talked about this subject a lot on this blog. Instead of dredging them up, let's instead look at how Chris Sims answered this question.

Chris Sims is a blogger, comics writer, and simply brilliant and he happens to be an atheist. I do not agree with everything he says and writes but he is spot-on here.

The idea of Superman as a Christ figure is the herpes of pop culture criticism. No matter how hard you try to get rid of it, it just won't go away.

It's a popular interpretation, but the thing is, it just doesn't work. As I understand it, the entire deal with Jesus in a nutshell is that he was the Son of God, divinity made flesh who was sent to Earth in order to instruct us as a teacher and then sacrifice His life, redeeming the whole of humanity for its sins through His suffering on both a literal and metaphorical level. There's a little more to it, of course, but for more details, you can check out around 90% of the rest of Western art and literature.

Superman's story, on the other hand, has nothing to do with any of that. The core of his character isn't about sacrifice or redemption at all, it's about having power and choosing to use it for the benefit of everyone rather than just using it for yourself. The comparison seems to be entirely based on the idea that Superman's a really nice guy who came from somewhere up in the sky. That's about where the similarities end.

Jor-El is not Space God. He doesn't send Superman to Earth for our benefit, he sends Superman to Earth because it's the one place in the universe where his son can survive and thrive. He's protecting him, not sacrificing him, and humanity's need for someone to fight robots and Brainiacs doesn't even cross his mind. And, to paraphrase Grant Morrison, I'm pretty sure Heaven didn't explode shortly after Jesus was launched down to Bethlehem.

Superman's morality isn't divine or innate, either. It's not something that he was born with, and it's not something that sets him apart from humanity. Morally speaking, anyone can be as Good as Superman; the only advantage he has is that he was brought up by a couple of really nice farmers. He's an aspirational figure rather than a redemptive one, who shows us that we all have the ability to use our talents for good, we just have to choose to do so.

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/05/18/ask-chris-106-the-best-marvel-dc-crossover-and-superman-christ-figure/#ixzz1xGni3Ygl

Similar arguments can be made showing that there is no more than a superficial argument that can be made equating anyone with the Bible and pagan myths or people in the Bible and modern fictional characters. 

DC Comics to Relaunch All Titles at #1 with Same Day Digital Sales [UPDATED] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Well, the big news that broke today in popular media is that DC Comics is going to reboot all of their characters this August. Some characters are going to be completely tossed, some tweaked, and others completely revamped - 52 titles - released in print and digitally simultaneously. The only title that there has been a picture released for is the new Justice League. Superman and Wonder Woman look different. Wonder Woman is in long pants. It's been a few years from since the last reboot, I guess it's time. I like the new line up for Justice League. I'm glad to see Aquaman and Cyborg. I'm also willing to bet the Flash is Barry Allen; Green Lantern is Hal Jordan, and Batman is Bruce Wayne. Yeah, it needs to be disambiguated.

DC Comics to Relaunch All Titles at #1 with Same Day Digital Sales [UPDATED] - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Christian Images and DC Comics

DC Comics has always employed Christian imagery from its very beginning. Superman is clearly a messianic figure, for example. I really like this post. It shows off some art from DC Comics that has been inspired by Christian images

Christian Images and DC Comics

Calvinistic Cartoons: Random Comic Panel

Eddie Eddings posted this great acrostic for "SUPER" summarizing Reformed Theology.

Is your doctrine a "SUPER" one?
Soul in Depravity
Unconditional Election
Particular Redemption
Eternally Secure
Resistance Transformed into Insistence

Want to know the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism? Look at one of the comments:

Angry Arminian said...

W - Will is free!  I  - I elect myself! M - My decision! P  - Power to choose! Y  - You might not make it! And don't nobody call it "man-centered"

I did change the image of Superman, Eddie used in his original post but the text was too good not change.

Calvinistic Cartoons: Random Comic Panel

The 'All Star Superman' Animated Movie: One of the Best [Review] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

This review  by Chris Sims is really good. I have an occasion to see All-Star Superman and I loved it. I haven't read the mini-series on which the movie was based but I want to read it now. I don't know if this movie is Dwayne McDuffie's final work to be produced, but it was released the day after he died.  It's based on a mini-series written by Grant Morrison. I also love the other things I've read that Morrison wrote.Some how McDuffie managed to summarize and condense a story that took a year to publish into about 75 minutes and still remain epic, fun, and thought-provoking..

The 'All Star Superman' Animated Movie: One of the Best [Review] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

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In Memory of Dwayne McDuffie: A Look Back at the Man Comics Needed - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Image by CoolB047 via Flickr
At Comics Alliance, David Brothers has written a great article on the work of Dwayne McDuffie. I'm going to miss McDuffie's genius. I have always enjoyed his work and it's always great to see someone who share a similar cultural background to mine being successful in industries that people of color don't usually have opportunities to thrive in. I echo, Brothers' words where he wrote about Dwayne McDuffie:

The man was a visionary, and I'm extraordinarily thankful for the work he gave us before he died.

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/02/24/dwayne-mcduffie-career/#ixzz1Evc0aSES

One of the things that Brothers describes is McDuffie's ability to really craft character-driven stories that were just plain fun and action packed. He included a page from a Fantastic Four issue he wrote. It's very poignantly illustrates how well he understood the characters he wrote. It was true regardless of if it were Batman, Superman, Thor, Captain America, Static, Black Panther, Storm, or Ben 10!

In Memory of Dwayne McDuffie: A Look Back at the Man Comics Needed - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

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Henry Cavill to Star as The Man of Steel in Zack Snyder's 'Superman' Reboot - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

I have read 3 pretty cool blog articles announcing that Henry Cavill will be playing Superman in the reboot film next year! I was like "who?" but at least they give a descent background to who this actor is. I wish him and the film much success. I think with Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder can pull off a good Superman movie. Of the three articles, I think Comics Alliance's article has the best picture of Cavill because he look like Superman in it. I can see it. I also agree with the G4TV that Brandon Routh really got a raw deal. I didn't like Superman Returns a whole lot, but that wasn't Routh's fault. Hopefully this new movie will be much better.

Henry Cavill to Star as The Man of Steel in Zack Snyder's 'Superman' Reboot - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Henry Cavill Is Your New Superman

Henry Cavill Cast as Superman Man of Steel

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'Superman: Earth One': Different Clothes, Same Hero [Review] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

I loved this story. I think that the review in Comics Alliance was awesome. Superman: Earth One is a really good story. I liked it because J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Shane Davis did a great job on tweaking the origin of Superman I don't want to give away the story but what I liked was the reason for Krypton's destruction was handled. I liked this review. G4 had a great review also.

Game Trailers - E3 2011

'Superman: Earth One': Different Clothes, Same Hero [Review] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Clark Kent Takes First Flight in 'Superman: Earth One' Preview [Exclusive] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

 One of the things I love about comic books is that you can really explore the human condition in different ways than you can in standard art. J. Michael Straczynski is one of my favorite writers. He can really craft a story and breathe new life into characters I thought I knew.In an upcoming project he has written a piece about Clark Kent as a young adult before he decides to become Superman. I haven't read the story yet but from this preview I can see some heavy issues are going to be discuss as Clark attempts to find his purpose. Clark asks:



"Where did I come from?
What am I doing here?
Who Am I?
What Am I?"

These are basic question everyone should have an answer for. What I want to know is since you did not make you, how do you even begin to answer these? How can natural material processes even begin to answer this questions. Yes, it is very philosophical. To be honest there have been Superman stories like this before and most of the time its presented as if Clark Kent is destined to become what he becomes -  a superman - very messianic in quite a few ways. This is actually the premise behind the Smallville television series.  I want to see how Straczynski handles the stories.



I'm not at all suggesting that DC Comics endorses the concept of God. I am saying that I believe it is impossible to answer the very important questions of identity and purpose without consulting the one who made us.

Clark Kent Takes First Flight in 'Superman: Earth One' Preview [Exclusive] - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

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Smallville and Friedrich Nietzsche — Superman and the Ubermensch | True Freethinker

Image by xploitme via Flickr
I enjoyed this post by Mariano so much I had to link to it. I do understand exactly what he means because I saw the latest episode of Smallville and Nietzsche's philosophy was brought up and endorsed.
Mariano wrote:

In the most recent episode Carter Hall aka Hawkman refers to Friedrich Nietzsche, “To him, the true hero was the person who embraced the life that he or she was given and made it better. He called that person ‘ubermensch” to which Lois Lane states, “A Superman.” Yet, along with the concept it is stated that, in essence, we can all be an ubermensch.

I like science fiction and fantasy because you can explore themes and ideas that can't be reasonably done in other genres. This is a good example. I think we should be careful in embracing Nietzche's ideas because while he did have some good ones that can be spun positively as it has on Smallville, his philosophy was also an inspiration for the Nazis. Also I don't think Nietzsche thought all people could be ubermensch - only the elite. And when you look at how Nietzsche's ubermensch is described by Nietzche himself do you really wanna be that kind of person? Mariano wrote:

I do not know if they realize that whist to the unlearned in this area this sounds very nice—I can be Superman, after all—to Friedrich Nietzsche the ubermensch were merciless and uncompassionate iron fisted survival of the fittest domineers. Keep in mind that uber is translatable as "super," "above," "over," etc.

I most definitely don't want to be that kind of person if that is what an ubermensch is supposed to be.
Smallville and Friedrich Nietzsche — Superman and the Ubermensch | True Freethinker

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10 Reasons Why there is No Comparision Between Jesus and Superman

I came across the following blog post that was linked from Twitter. It's called 10 Reasons Why Superman is better than Jesus. It's obviously stupid. But for the sake of argument, I think we must answer trivial arguments like this so the author will not be so smug in his stupidity. I will respond to each point he raises in his post. My comments are in red.

Mon, Jun 1, 2009

Blog

This article made me want to include a little list of why Superman is better than Jesus. I’ve made a comparative list so that I can definitively prove that the last son of Krypton is superior to the King of Kings in almost every way.

1. Superman has saved the planet for destruction numerous times. Jesus has threatened to return and bring upon the end of the earth with him, but so far is a fucking “no-show”.
   
   Jesus keeps all of reality from falling apart. Considering that, I'm sure Jesus is coming back.
   
   
   

   For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
   - Colossians 1:16-18

   
   
   
2. Jesus performed a few miracles, but Superman can shoot laser beams out of his eyes, he can fly, is indestructible, and can see through everything except lead. In one movie he turned back time. How awesome is that?
   
   Jesus can see into people's hearts and know what they are thinking. Jesus can raise the dead and cure all diseases. Superman has never done any of that.
   
   
   
   

   Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.[a] 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25

   
   
   On top of that Superman is no longer able to turn back time or juggle planets anymore. Jesus never changes! He has no need to evolve or grow!
   
   
   

   
   Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
   
   Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. - Hebrews 13: 7-9

   
   
   
3. Jesus may have died for your sins, but Superman died to protect us from an intergalactic killing machine called Doomsday.
Sorry but hell is a whole lot scarier than Doomsday. Doomsday only threatened physical life. It is through Jesus Christ that we are freed from sin and eternal separation from God. Through Jesus...you not only get eternal life but you get to be free of making stupid mistakes through which you destroy yourself!
4. When Jesus died, he was resurrected 3 days later and then abruptly left, telling his disciples he’d be back within their lifetimes (an obvious lie). Superman died, was in stasis for a while, and emerged with long glorious 90’s hair. Unlike Jesus, however, Superman stuck around and has been busy keeping the world safe from evil.
Jesus never said He would return during their lifetime! To say so is reading something into the Bible that it does not say! Jesus is better than Superman because he changes the hearts and minds of sinners like you and me and makes us children of the living God.
5. Although not a God, Superman still risks his life all the time trying to combat super villains. Jesus, on the other hand, is apparently all powerful, and yet refuses to do something as basic as healing amputees.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." - Daniel 3:16-18

6. Superman can move mountains. Jesus claims praying to him will accomplish the same feat, but no noticeable effects from prayer have ever been measured.
I've seen God moves when people pray...not coincidence. Jesus made the mountains and everything in reality.

He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. - John 1:2-4

7. Superman is an expert in dozens of languages, and is an accomplished journalist. Jesus never left any writings, or evidence of any of his works.
Arguing from silence is not proof. Jesus spoke to Jews and gentiles. He at least could speak Aramaic and read Kione Greek. Considering that he created every nation and language...again Jesus won.
8. Superman hooked up with the insanely hot Lois Lane, while the only women that showed any interest in Jesus were all prostitutes.
We have no Biblical or Historical proof that Jesus hooked up with anyone! On top of that if the author was referring to the lies in the Da Vinci Code, the assertion holds no relevance because no where does the Bible say Mary Magdalene was a prostitute!
9. Jesus said “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me” (Luke 19:27). Superman, on the other hand, has a strict code of conduct that forbids him to kill anyone.
Context. Context. Context. Come' on. I thought you could read! The quote is taken out of context. Jesus was quoting a king in a parable, not giving a command! And as for how Jesus tells us to treat our enemies he said:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you,..." - Matthew 5: 43-44

Jesus did not just say this, he modeled it for us.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. - Colossians 1: 19-23

10. If you fell out of your apartment window and cried for help, Superman would try and save you. Not only will Jesus not even bother to save you; he will send you to hell for all eternity if you don’t believe in him.
If you believe Jesus is who he claimed to be then you are one of His. This what Jesus promises us who belong to him:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

I have tested this out and Jesus did not lie. He have never left me or forgotten me. He has always been there for me to matter how bad things have gotten for me.

Now some people may criticize me for this article, and they might be right: what’s the point in debating which fictional character is better, anyways?

I'm not going to criticize the author for pondering these points. We must all answer: "Who Is Jesus To Me?" If youthink he's just a fictional character you should look at what a real historian has to say in my earlier post called: Paul Maier - Jesus Really Existed.