Superman ReturnsThe Burning Taper

In a comment about the previous post titled "Believe," someone joked that Superman was a Freemason. I'm not sure about that, but I think he'd make one heck of a Tyler.

The Superman myth has much in common with the story of Jesus, according to an article by Anton Karl Kozlovic of The Flinders University of South Australia titled "Superman as Christ-Figure: The American Pop Culture Movie Messiah" that, while stretching one's imagination at times, does make several valid and most interesting comparisons.

Another article, this one by Gary D. Robinson on the Superman Homepage, relates in detail how writers at DC Comics have dealt with the god-issue:

With characteristic modesty, Superman himself has remained oblivious to the Christ-parallel. Nevertheless, with frustration and embarrassment, the Man from Krypton has dealt with those who would worship him. The cover of a 1988 Action Comics Weekly shows the startled hero in the midst of a throng of adoring cultists.

"Superman . . . a GOD?" the caption blares. In the book, Superman saves the life of a young man who promptly kneels before him. "Bob... you credit me with too much! Yes, I help people to the best of my abilities... but despite all my power, I'm not God."

"B-but Superman...!" pleads Bob. "Yes, Bob, Superman! Remember that!" responds our hero — appearing not to notice, as he utters his parting shot, that he's literally ascending into the sky.

Minister and author Edward F. Markquart of Seattle's Grace Lutheran Church isn't afraid to point out the similarities, and uses Clark Kent's transformation into Superman as a model of Christ's transfiguration. He also peppered his sermon titled "Jesus Christ and Superman" with references to the George Burns movie Oh God!, to Wonder Woman, and to near-death-experience researcher and author Dr. Raymond Moody. Clearly, Pastor Markquart's sermons might actually keep me awake.

A new Superman movie, Superman Returns, is due out this year. The trailer shows little of our hero, but prominently features the voice of Kal-El's father saying:

"Even though you've been raised as a human being you are not one of them. They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all — their capacity for good — I have sent them you, my only son."