Why comic book artists rely on Catholic symbols to portray religion

While the fight for truth and justice always has spiritual implications, many stories from the DC and Marvel universes do not depict specifically religious practices. We rarely know whether a superhero attends any religious service or has any particular devotional life. However, when Christian faith is depicted, it is usually shown in a surprisingly liturgical and often Catholic manner.

In Daredevil, whether the comics or the recent Netflix series, Matt Murdoch’s Catholic faith is a part of the story. Sometimes, he is struggling with his faith, and at other times relying on it, but either way he regularly shows up at churches. One recent arc in the comics told the entire story from the perspective of Daredevil in a confessional, telling the events to the priest. In connection with this, Catholic imagery frequently appears: traditional-looking churches, clergy in vestments, and statues of saints.

There are a handful of other characters with clear religious affiliation, such as Nightcrawler from the X-Men. Batman’s religion, on the other hand, is an occasional topic of speculation among fans. We frequently see his parents’ graves depicted with crosses, and in Batman: The Chalice, he briefly becomes the guardian of the Holy Grail. These and many other symbols that sporadically appear indicate a Christian background of some type, and likely in a liturgical church, so fans, and even some of the major Batman writers, have speculated that the Wayne family was Episcopalian or Catholic.

Even aside from whether any particular character is Catholic, however, most depictions of Christianity in comics have that liturgical tone. There are examples from all across the genre: Father Leone appears in a Roman collar in the comic Superman: For Tomorrow, as well as in the movies Man of Steel and Batman versus Superman. Of course, priests in a Roman collar are ubiquitous in Daredevil, and most Christian clergy anywhere in the Marvel and DC universes tend to be similarly dressed. In Captain America: Civil War, the cleric at Peggy Carter’s funeral is wearing a stole, and numerous other examples of funerals in superhero comics, television shows, and movies show the officiant wearing a stole.

Why is this the case? The answer is likely that superhero comics, whether their print versions or their movie incarnations, are by nature a visual medium. Items such as the Roman collar or the stole are the known visual indicators of a Christian clergyman; statutes, bell towers, crosses, and religious symbols are the understood indicators of a church. By drawing things this way, the storyteller does not need to narrate for you. Pastors who wear a suit and tie, or casual clothing, have to be explained as clergy, but someone wearing clerical clothing can simply be there, and we know what his role is. Likewise, many Americans worship in buildings that do not look like traditional churches, but most churches in comics have traditional architecture and art that let you know immediately where you are.

The appeal of these symbols in this visual medium gives a hint as to why the symbols are traditional in the first place. Before the printing press made it possible for the Bible and other books to be widely read, people learned their faith through oral preaching and teaching, certainly, and also through the visual media present in their churches. The statues, icons, stained glass, or paintings told the stories of the Scriptures and the Saints. The Crucifix in a prominent position provided the constant reminder of the Redemption. The vesting of the priest or bishop showed that he was acting in the person of Christ. Even the gestures and movement of the liturgy were visible indicators of what the Church was proclaiming and what she was offering in the Sacraments.

In our age, with easy access to books and information, we might think that these symbols are now less important. However, even with mass literacy, a majority of people are still visual learners by inclination. Whether for entertainment, education, or news, both television and the Internet are driven by compelling pictures or video clips. Even in text messaging, emoticons have re-introduced symbolic language. The use of symbolic language is certainly natural to comic books, and as superheroes have become widespread in television and movies, we see their costumes or uniforms appearing throughout popular culture. Whether the crest on Superman’s chest, Captain America’s shield, Captain Marvel’s uniform, or even the Punisher’s skull t-shirt, most have a visual symbol of who they are.

Another author has noted that superheroes taking up a new name and identity is parallel to how Abram was renamed Abraham when he was given his role as the patriarch of the chosen people, or how Jesus gives Simon the name Peter when giving him new responsibilities for the Church. Bruce Wayne declaring “I shall become a bat” similarly parallels how a Pope assumes a new name on accepting that office, or how a person entering religious life sometimes takes a new name when clothed with the habit of the order. Along with the new name comes the symbolic garments of the new role. Bruce Wayne is Batman regardless of what he wears, but he values the symbol anyway. Spiderman does not need his costume to use his powers, and could use other things to conceal his identity, but he wears the symbolism of his name anyway.

In the same way, a priest can certainly give absolution without putting on his stole, if the situation requires it. But wearing the symbols of the role benefits both the person filling the role as well as those he serves in the role. The priest putting on a stole before hearing a confession should be remembering, and helping the penitent to remember, that the priest is acting in place of Christ. His “superpower” of absolving sins is not dependent on the strip of purple cloth, but it provides an understood symbol of what will happen.

The presence of Christian symbols in the superhero genre demonstrates the enduring power of these symbols, and should remind us to appreciate their value. Dignified and appropriate church buildings, art, or vestments, are not superfluous or frivolous. As Christians, our faith is incarnational: the Word became flesh, and we should aim to make the truth and beauty of our faith incarnate as well.