So I read this article on Batman’s religion a while ago, but somehow missed the larger context: this damn-near comprehensive list of comic book characters and their respective religious affiliations.

As someone raised pretty religious (Catholic, for the record), I find it interesting to see the level of detail that different characters religious backgrounds play into who they are. It also raises a few questions. Is this written explicitly in the characters? Definitely in some cases. X-Man Nightcrawler, a devout Catholic, comes to mind. Iron Fist is Buddhist.

But in as many cases, it seems to be more inferred by the contexts that various writers and artists have put them in. The way events which have a religious component are represented reflect how the creative team pictures those events more than the characters themselves. Weddings come to mind, but more often in superhero comics – funerals.

What language is used in services, what religious passages are read, and what garb is worn tells you a lot if you care to pay attention. Edward Blake, the Comedian from Watchmen, receives a burial service that includes a prayer that is used in many services. Among them a number of fairly non-denominational Christian services used by various militaries around the world (including the United States and Australia), but more interestingly (I think) Anglican services.

The fact that Alan Moore (the writer of Watchmen, in case you’re one of the 12 people who haven’t read it) is English means he probably has some background experience with the Anglican Church – despite his own self-proclaimed status as a magician, and his “complete hoax” set of religious beliefs.

To me, the religion of a superhero says more about the writers than the character. Hell, even Seigel and Shuster (both Jewish) creating Superman (who is widely regarded as being Christian) tells you a lot. To me it just reinforces the themes of being an immigrant and trying to fit it in America – something that has been a parallel of Superman and the American Jewish Immigrant experience since his rise in popularity in post-war America.

No point in all of this, just my thoughts on the links I’m sharing.

(and thanks to tumblr user nerviosismo for the above image)