Super Prayer
Is faith in fiction embarrassing?
Faith-based characters are common, so why the cringe? As a non-religious person, I know how eye-rolling an overzealous believer can be, but atheists are just as capable of snooty obnoxiousness. Churchy comics are common - here are four pious heroes who prove that prayer shouldn’t be panned.
In most versions of the canon, Clark Kent is raised by a couple of god-fearing farmers. After nearly a century of appearing in countless forms of media, Superman’s enduring traits usually include virtue and hope. His wholesome upbringing represents godly qualities for a godlike man.
It doesn’t take heightened senses to detect Daredevil’s association with the cloth. Matt Murdock’s most celebrated stories heavily involve his complex relationship with the church and battling his demons whether they’re figurative or maybe literally Mephisto.
Nightcrawler’s devilish visage adds to his unique mystique when it comes to his faith. He’s been a mutant hero, a swashbuckling adventurer, and even a version of Spider-Man, but his most interesting arc is how he practices Catholicism.
Some costumed protectors are avenging angels, but Zauriel is literal Heavenly guardian. A former Justice Leaguer (and pseudo-stand-in for Hawkman), Zauriel is a winged wonder of the Word. It doesn’t get more holy than an actual angel.
The average person belongs to one denomination or another, but still, it is understandable to not want to divide or alienate an audience. However, since a vast majority of Americans are at least spiritual, a religious character shouldn’t be scoffed at. Unless they hail the likes of Darkseid. That could be an issue.
I have not, as of yet, included religion in any of my stories. This is mainly because it, well, simply didn’t come out. It wasn’t natural, and to force something so serious into a story feels deceitful and weird. I didn’t purposely set out to avoid religion, though I do feel that cramming some in would be unnecessary. I did, however, consider that I intend my books to be purely focused on characters and story. If it comes up in a way that feels organic, then I have no problems incorporating in those elements. In the meantime, I will not mock faith either. At the root of my issues with religion in fiction is the uncouth disrespect of a believer, namely Christians. Simply because I myself do not practice religion and don’t find it fitting to include it in stories does not mean I will take cheap jabs at it either.
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Avenge Her takes place four years before the events of Unsecret Identity: Eric Icarus - Book One.
AVENGE HER: ERIC ICARUS MYTHOS
From the ashes of ambition rises the battle for a dream — can a shattered inventor turn his greatest failure into his ultimate redemption?
Eric Icarus Mythos - Explore the stories of the heroes and villains of New St. Cloud City.