Customer Reviews

Comic Book Character

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It's nice to see books like this for the Christian comic geek. There are so many books out there like "how to be a superhero", etc. that spoof the pop-culture, but these types of books make something of that culture. Something good.

Every generation has their problems, and likewise, every generation needs heroes. Too few people are willing to go the distance in their walk with God, so as to become a true speedster of the light.

I'm glad for books like this, and I'm sure any new readers will be too.

Also check out "Who Needs a Superhero?" That one was life changing for me.


-Matt

Zimmerman does a adaquate job of finding a spiritual center for many of the characters well known in the comic book universe. Though some of his observations may seem like marginal "philosophical stretches", he excels in showing how the dilema's facing the Super Hero in comics, can be very metaphorical to our world today. Could be a very powerful outreach for teen youth programs, to incite conversation and thought from a genre that they are genuinely interested in.

Robert James Luedke, (Author...Eye Witness: A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth)

Zimmerman's book is both an entertaining and educational read. He is an unapologetic comic book geek with an obvious passion about his subject. The brilliant thing about this book is that it is not really about comic book superheroes, it is about reality (ironic) and what makes life worth living. Zimmerman is at his best when he uses the world of comic book heroes to ask questions of ultimate meaning about life in our own world. The book does not give many straightforward answers to life's questions, but it does help us to know if we are looking in the right direction, namely toward the God of the Bible. I found the combination of historical insight, cultural analysis, theological reflection and general wittines to be thoroughly engaging. This book will probably be read most by fans of comics, but that is a shame because it speaks to us all.

As soon as I was able to read, I had my nose in comic books. My parents did their grocery shopping at a store where the owners allowed me to read the comics on the racks as long as my parents shopped there. It was a tremendous gift to me, as I can still remember some of the plots and was thrilled when the next issue of a serial would arrive. Since there was a wide selection at this store and I wanted to read all of them, I learned to read very fast, a skill that has proven very useful.
As Zimmerman points out, until recently, the content of comic books was largely a simple morality play of good versus evil, where good always wins, yet evil is never truly defeated. Despite their despicable nature, the villain was never killed by the hero, they somehow survive and will come back to execute their mayhem in other ways. Furthermore, Zimmerman is also quite right in pointing out that comic book superheroes are a logical extension of many of the myths so common to all cultures. The Greeks, Romans and Norse all had their gods, some of which even became characters in comic books. However, the gods of modern religions have always been taboo, as it would have been considered blasphemy to have an entity such as Allah a character in a comic book.
Zimmerman completes the circle by pointing out the similarities between comic book superheroes and Jesus, Allah and the actions of other significant figures in the development and practice of modern religions. Once again, it is a logical and natural extension of what is in essence a fundamental human craving. Namely, the desire for heroes, the existence of someone that is capable of fixing your problems, if only you can get their attention and prove yourself worthy.

This book was an eye opener for me in some respects. I used to collect comic books some years ago. I do enjoy the superhero movies of past and present. I am also a person of faith. This book broke down some of the misconceptions about Comic Books. It also placed a frame around a good discussion......Why do we need heros? But most of all for me it made me realize I had some things to be thankful for, just by looking at my life from a different viewpoint.

POW-ZAPPING Kudos to the author!

_I have long seen comic books, at least superhero comic books, as more than mere entertainment. I share this view with the author. Indeed, we both seem to see the world as fallen- and in need of the inspiration that comic books, at their best, can provide. This book is a well-reasoned look at the legitimacy of the comic book as moral teaching aid in everything from social justice to the metaphysical nature of good versus evil. It is written in an enjoyable, informal, non-academic style (it is documented with footnotes, but mercifully they are included at the back where you can ignore them if you choose.)

_My only real complaint is that there are so many examples that could have been included but were not. For instance, the Spectre, who as the embodiment of the Wrath of God is the most theologically and metaphysically relevant of characters, is only mentioned a single time in a single sentence. The same goes with the complex Sandman mythos- mentioned a single time in a single sentence. Such potentially fascinating characters as Hellstorm (son of the Adversary) or Grimjack (walked out of heaven to help his friends) are totally ignored. Even the original Captain Marvel (part man and part God - with the wisdom of Solomon) is likewise ignored. Yet, I suppose that there are only so many examples that can be fit into a book of this size.

_Still, the examples that are given are well explored (especially Superman, Captain America, and the Green Lantern/Green Arrow partnership.) A prime specific example would be Green Lantern's eventual understanding that law and order (accidentals) are less important than truth and justice (essentials.) I could easily see this book becoming the starting point for any number of discussions on what constitutes a true hero and heroism. Indeed, I found myself wanting to argue on numerous points...

_As for this being strictly a Christian perspective, it truly seems to me that the core concepts of Truth, Justice, and Good- as well as the heroic archetypes that embody them- could be held to be more essentially Platonic in nature. But that would be another discussion.

This is a somewhat strange book that's entertaining to read, but seems basically self indulgent on the part of the author. If you like comics a lot and you're a Christian, then you will probably enjoy this book and read through it pretty quickly. The book is apparently intended as thought provoking philosophy and social commentary, but I found it more to be light hearted entertainment and when judged as that, it's a moderate success. It's the kind of book I'd recommend for reading on an airline flight, provided you fall into its target demographic. Nothing in this book was eye opening or life changing. It was somewhat amusing and interesting.

I was mildly annoyed by the authors minor errors in regards to the comic book characters he uses as examples. For instance, his statement that the Fantastic Four was given its powers by Gamma Rays (they were cosmic rays) or identifying Speedy as "the fastest side kick alive" (that would be Kid Flash, Speedy was Green Arrow's heroin addicted little buddy). These would seem like trivial points to me, except that the whole premise of the book implies that the author will speak authoritatively on such matters and some relatively simple Wikipedia research could have prevented the errors.

Ultimately this book is kind of like having (or listening to) a drunken conversation with a devoutly Christian comic book fan. I don't know what exactly were my expectations when I impulsively bought this with the "OneClick" option, but whatever they were this book has met my expectations without exceeding them.

If you aren't Christian and not a comics fan, you still might enjoy this on the same level you might enjoy a stoner talk about philosophy while clearly convinced that his observations are far more profound than they actually are.

If you're really jonesing for deeper thought mixed with pop culture metaphors, I hesitantly recommend the book "The Myth of the American Superhero" as a little more satisfying, a little less self-consciously "profound."