Who Needs A Superhero?: Finding Virtue, Vice, And What's Holy In The Comics (Paperback)

by H. Michael Brewer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Brewer, a pastoral theologian who has been collecting comics for more than four decades, expresses an unpretentious love and understanding of comics as a window into spiritual reality. As a devoted fan, Brewer embraces the unambiguous heroism of the comics: Wonder Woman's passion for truth, Superman's Christ-like ethic of servanthood. He also appreciates the cautionary tales of flawed heroes: Batman's obsessive pursuit of revenge as justice, or Iron Man's isolating addictions to technology and alcohol. But Brewer can also go beyond the obvious by making unexpected connections. Thor's evolving understanding of his "secret identity" becomes a surprising parable for Christian identity, while Captain America and Wolverine represent alternative pictures of divine protection—the protective shield versus inner strength and healing. And in perhaps the book's most original intuition, Green Arrow combines the biblical metaphor of God as divine archer with quirky humor and an ironic preference for using weakness to overcome strength. Brewer's style has a distinctively pulpit flavor—several chapters evolved from sermons—and sometimes he stretches to connect superhero and biblical universes. Fans of the Hulk will feel he deserves a more sympathetic portrayal than as a stand-in for the essence of sin. But overall, Christian comic fans should appreciate Brewer as a genuine comics lover who communicates the gospel with a spirit of fun and adventure.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801065100
• ISBN-13: 978-0801065101
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #899,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Needs A Superhero?: This Book Is Superingenious!, October 8, 2004

By	pufnstuf (Ft. Wright, KY) - See all my reviews

Once I started reading this book, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was just as entertaining as it was spiritually insightful. The author does a terrific job of telling stories of different comic book heroes: their acts of heroism, nobility, as well as their inner conflicts and downfalls. The really cool part about this book, the author relates each Superhero story to a spiritual perspective---there are surprisingly many similarities, parallels and even ironies between the Superhero stories and what we learn in Scripture.

All in all, the book is very smooth reading and definitely thought provoking. The author really sparked my interest in his Introduction, and I remained intrigued the entire book. He writes in a very personable way, and lets you know as a Christian it is okay to have "superheroes", but ultimately Jesus is our true Superhero, and he backs it up with Scripture in a very refreshing and spirited way!!

I highly recommend this book, I enjoyed every page of it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for both Christian life and comic book fans..., October 10, 2004

By	weirdo_106 - See all my reviews

This book is excellent in its analysis of both comic heroes and Christian principles. The references of comic book hero history are very accurate. The various citations of Scripture verses are both relevent and fulfilling.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a SUPER Book!, October 27, 2004

By	Phantom Reviewer - See all my reviews

Wow! I wish I'd written this book! This is a wonderful survey of the great comic book heroes by a writer who clearly knows and loves these characters. The superheroes become parables for exploring themes in Christian faith and life. For instance, Superman is a savior figure sent from above; the Hulk is a frightful picture of sin gone amok; and Spider-Man offers a model for using our gifts to make a better world. Every page of this book offers a new insight; espcially good are the chapters on Capt. America and Green Arrow.
Buy this book for any comic book reader on your list, Christian or not. They'll love the writing and the gorgeous artwork. And for any Sunday School teacher, youth pastor or Youth Group leader, this book is a must for connecting with teens and young adults. Gee, I really do wish I'd written this book.