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| Oropeza, B. J. (ed.) |
available |
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| The Gospel According to Superheroes |
Religion and Popular Culture
Foreword by Stan Lee
Second Printing |
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| Year of Publication: 2005 |
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| New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Frankfurt am Main, Oxford, Wien, 2005, 2006. X, 295 pp., 18 ill. |
ISBN 978-0-8204-7422-9  pb. |
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| Sales price |
| SFR 34.00 |
€* 22.80 |
€** 23.40 |
€ 21.30 |
£ 19.20 |
US-$ 32.95 |
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| * |
includes VAT - only valid for Germany |
[Currency of invoice] |
| ** |
includes VAT - only valid for Austria |
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| Book synopsis |
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| 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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| Contents |
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| Contents: Stan Lee: Foreword - B. J. Oropeza: Introduction: Superhero Myth and the Restoration of Paradise - Ken Schenck: Superman: A Popular Culture Messiah - C. K. Robertson: The True Übermensch: Batman as Humanistic Myth - Elizabeth J. Danna: Wonder Woman Mythology: Heroes from the Ancient World and Their Progeny - Robert G. Weiner: «Okay, Axis, Here We Come!» Captain America and Superhero Teams from World War II and the Cold War - Scott Rosen: Gods and Fantastic Mortals: The Superheroes of Jack Kirby - B. J. Oropeza: «Behold! The Hero has Become Like One of Us.» The Perfectly Imperfect Spider-Man - Robin J. Dugall: Running from or Embracing the Truth Inside You? Bruce Banner and the Hulk as a Paradigm for the Inner Self - B. J. Oropeza: The God-Man Revisited: Christology Through the Blank Eyes of the Silver Surfer - Tim Perry: Mutants that Are All Too Human: The X-Men, Magneto, and Original Sin - Thom Parham: Superheroes in Crisis: Postmodern Deconstruction and Reconstruction in Comics Books and Graphic Novels - Gregory Pepetone: Pulp Heroes in the Shadow of God - Leo Partible: Superheroes in Film and Pop Culture: Silhouettes of Redemption on the Screen - James F. McGrath: Neo: Messianic Superhero of The Matrix - B. J. Oropeza: Conclusion: Superheroes in God's Image. |
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| Reviews |
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«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') |
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| About the author(s)/editor(s) |
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| 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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