Superman as a secular messiah

Darin Wagner · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:10 pm

It's not an interpretation I've been overly fond of. I'm also not fond of the messiah-complex interpretation some have suggested in the last 20 years either.

What say you?

Jim Purcell · **Joined:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:24 am **Posts:** 1350

I say it's a valid interpretation. But not the only interpretation. And should not nessisarily be the interpretation pushed in the main DC titles. But Superman/messiah stories definitely have legs based on what Superman often represents.

Those those stories are often better when they reinforce how Superman is NOT a true messiah. He's just seen as one by the world he inhabits. And that can be a dangerous thing.

Darin Wagner · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:49 pm

Rather than a messiah/savior figure, I've always viewed him more as a servant character. To some that's a difference without a distinction, I realize. I agree with Jim, mostly. I think in trying to put flaws into Superman, writers and editors have gone too far lately and taken that servant theme into savior theme territory. Sometimes the portrayal is downright sacrilegious.

Darin Wagner · **Posted:** Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:50 pm

I think many superheroes have lost that "public/civic servant" aspect, personally... mostly because such sentiment is considered too juvenile, naive or old to a lot of people who both read and make comics.

Darin Wagner · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:18 pm

On a related note, I have actually found a lot of similarities between the classic Incredible Hulk and the Biblical Samson in my study of the Book of Judges.

jerad741 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 5:55 am

Darin Wagner wrote:

On a related note, I have actually found a lot of similarities between the classic Incredible Hulk and the Biblical Samson in my study of the Book of Judges.

well that explains just about everything. I find that there is a lot of similarities between Krypton and the planet God lives on (Kolob according to the old Romster) from my studies of the book of Mormon.

murch · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:02 am

jerad741 wrote:

well that explains just about everything.

Way to interrupt Darin's conversation with himself, Jared.

jerad741 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:04 am

Has anyone ever noticed that both Superman and the flying spaghetti monster can both fly? Coincidence? Oh I think not.

jerad741 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:05 am

murch wrote:

jerad741 wrote:

well that explains just about everything.

Way to interrupt Darin's conversation with himself, Jared.

I didnt want him to get lonely... I miss Darin ever since Erik laid down his hammer of wrath. Darin is one of my favorite people... I just want to hang out with him a little.

Darin Wagner · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:26 pm

murch wrote:

jerad741 wrote:

well that explains just about everything.

Way to interrupt Darin's conversation with himself, Jared.

Was waiting for some substantive response comments. Guess I'll have to wait some more.

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Superman as a secular messiah

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