Comic Book Character

Unleashing the Hero in Us All

By D. A. Zimmerman

(paperback)

Product Details

Line: Likewise
Length: 160 pages
Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches
Binding: paperback
Published: November 2004

ISBN-10: 0-8308-3260-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8308-3260-6
IVP Order Code: 3260

Power and responsibility. Truth and justice. Never-ending vigilance against the doers of evil. These themes permeate comic book superhero stories in print, on movie and television screens, and throughout popular culture. With classic characters being reconceptualized for emerging generations, superheroes have returned to the public eye and are enjoying new heights of popularity.

• What draws countless fans to these heroic figures?
• What do superheroes symbolize and mean for our human experience?
• Are there religious or spiritual reasons for the revival of interest in them?

Astute cultural critic and self-avowed comic book fanboy David A. Zimmerman turns a thoughtful eye to the world of costumed heroes and villains, showing how these iconic tales of good versus evil tap into universal human yearnings for justice and righteousness.

Exploring the complex personas of characters like Superman and Batman, Spider-Man and the X-Men, Zimmerman unveils their cultural significance as models of moral character, virtue and heroism. Ultimately, placing comic book stories in dialogue with the Christian story sheds light on who we are, what we value and how we live.

Comic Book Character calls true believers everywhere to integrity, mission and transformation. Come discover what it means to be a hero!

Related Information & Resources

Download "An Open Letter to 'Avengers Assemble'" or "The Truth About Flying," (both ).

Download the GIG! (a group discussion guide featuring six sessions)