Religion in Jack Kirby’s Fourth World and Beyond Editor: Matthew Brake Jack Kirby needs no introduction. He was one of the most prolific and creative figures in the history of modern mainstream superhero comics and few others have done more to influence the superhero genre in various media across decades. Plenty of ink has been…
Tag: DC Comics
Call for Papers: Metaphysics and the DC Universe
Metaphysics and the DC Universe Editor: Matthew Brake The universe of DC Comics has existed for 85 years. During that time, numerous writers, artists, and editors have expanded and added to the lore of the DC universe. In doing so, a complex storyworld (what JRR Tolkien called a “subcreation”) has emerged, one with its own…
Call for Papers: Religion in Grant Morrison Comics
Call for Papers: Religion in the Grant Morrison Comics Editor: Matthew Brake Series: Religion and Comics (McFarland) In the 1980s, a movement known as the “British Invasion” saw a number of writers and artists from the UK join the ranks of American comics writers to produce some of the most popular and enduring work in…
Every Second is a Gift: Wally West and the Wisdom of Counting Our Days
By Matthew Brake In 2011, DC relaunched all of their comics, throwing out decades of backstory (mostly) in order to become accessible to new readers; however, this had the unfortunate side effect of erasing a number of fan favorite “legacy” characters from DC’s stories, one of whom was Wally West, protege of the Silver Age…
Extended Call for Papers: Theology, Religion, and Watchmen
Editors: Matthew Brake and David K. Goodin Alan Moore is considered one of the greatest modern writers of comics and graphic novels, and he is perhaps best well-known for the celebrated comic series Watchmen, along with artist Dave Gibbons. Watchmen is not only one of the most celebrated comics series of all time, but in…
All-Star Superman as Religious Creed
By Matthew Brake All-Star Superman recently began to trend when James Gunn announced that the upcoming DC movie slate would be inspired by many of the works of comics writer Grant Morrison. While not taking place in DC Comics’ “main continuity,” the story of All-Star Superman is a quintessential Superman tale, combining all the elements…
Extended Call for Papers: Theology, Religion, and Watchmen
Editors: Matthew Brake and David K. Goodin Alan Moore is considered one of the greatest modern writers of comics and graphic novels, and he is perhaps best well-known for the celebrated comic series Watchmen, along with artist Dave Gibbons. Watchmen is not only one of the most celebrated comics series of all time, but in…
Grant Morrison, Superheroes, and The Post-Traumatic Christian
By Matthew Brake I was talking the other day to a friend, and the topic of our spiritual journeys came up. This person told me about the burnout and discouragement they felt, not only being involved in different churches, but in the whole “Jesus thing” in general. I then relayed my own story: involvement in…
V for Vendetta and Abraham Joshua Heschel in a Post-Trump America
By Matthew Brake When an immoral leader leaves office, it’s too easy for his detractors to breath a sigh of relief in the hopes of “going back to the way things were.” And for the moment, that’s fine, but we must do the hard work of asking about the conditions that allow such a leader…
Doomsday Clock and the Triumph of Hope
By Matthew Brake [Beware Spoilers!] In 2016, DC Comics, particularly writer Geoff Johns, made a bold move and tamped with one of the most sacred cows in comic book fandom—Watchmen. After the initial success of the New 52 reboot, which saw DC Comics do away with years of complicated backstory in order to draw in…
Pop Culture and Theology 