There are many characters who could be Christian in faith and therefore, in the fictional mythology of the Marvel/DC universes we would have to reconcile the fact that a man named Y'shua bar Yosef walked in first century Israel adn did miracles, was crucified by the Roman Empire at the instigation of the religious leaders of the day and was very very soon after worshiped by his followers and one major former opponent as risen from the dead. Almost all of that is from EXTRA-biblical sources.
Comics are myth for sale. The writers want to create entertaining fiction, not deal with issues of theology, haters of religion, questions of poor examples of faith, etc. By writing about Norse and Greek deities to a primarily Judeo-Christian audience by Jewish and Christian writers primarily [Stan Lebowitz/Stan Lee, Simon and Schuster were Jewish, etc.] they avoided controversy and made up whatever they liked.
Now I have to address one thing as a newby here - Hell is a Greek word and is not in the OT - but that does not mean that the OT writers had the FULLEST revelation - remember, they are supposed to be learning about God/YHWH and having to be told "Don't kill each other," etc. They missed a LOT of foreshadowing concerning Christ.
As a Christian, I see that Christ gives GREATER revelation [He is certainly more knowledgeable about heaven and hell having come from heaven] and He clearly denoted hell as a place of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" of "darkness" of eternal separation from God. It did not make Him happy to speak on such matters, I think, but it was necessary.
It is in the comics and medieval theology that it is a realm that Satan rules over and gets to "come out and cause trouble". In fact, we are told Satan is roaming upon the Earth - from Job 1 and from later NT epistles saying "our Enemy prowls around like a lion".
This world is mostly under his thumb - and ANYONE who fights back to bring truth, love and goodness can be considered a hero.
What makes Someone a Christian or Christ-worshiper?
It is when we confess our failures and disobedience to God, admitting we cannot by deeds redeem or rescue ourselves, that Jesus is the hero who accomplished that task ALONE is when we are saved and gain ETERNAL life.
Christianity is therefore specific in what it claims, but it is generous in who is invited - everyone, no matter how evil - or how good they think they are. Murderers and thieves can be redeemed.
Strangely this self-admission is a heroic act and few can do it. When the thief on the cross next to Christ admits his wretchedness, Jesus tells him "today you will be with me in paradise!"
So Who's A Christian?
Superman, as presented by DC Comics, was raised by a Methodist couple in the Mid-West. A fairly non-confrontational and genteel denomination of Christianity.
Batman, is almost certainly and Episcopalian/Anglican/church of England - a branch of Protestant Christianity that is very steeped in tradition and is one step off from Roman Catholicism.
Daredevil is so Catholic it is scary.
Spider-Man was raised to be a Christian [some denom] and seems very much to pray, thank God and appreciates mercy.
Captain America is a church-bred deist, like many founding fathers were.
You may think I am spitting hairs, but most do not understand what a Christian truly is; they may understand Christianity as a broad religion, but not how to become a Christ-follower.
It has, IMO, three essential criteria:
1) It means you DO accept and confirm that Jesus is the son of God. But a demon can do that, see Mark 2.
2) It means you do accept that you cannot save yourself by good deeds, going to church or any other works-based means. You are powerless to save yourself [sounds a LOT like the first step in an AA 12 step program - they got it from Christian theology]. But someone about to commit suicide can do that.
3) It means that you humbly ask Jesus to save you and then trusting Him as your Lord/Master/Boss/God incarnate. Even most Christians do NOT want this step. We like control. We balk at having to do what no else does, but IMHO, this is the earmark of a True Blue Christ -follower. And yes, there are many hypocrites. We see them in the mirror every day.
So "faith" is not "believing God exists" but rather "God showed up as a Jewish boy and got Himself killed on purpose to save us from Hell." We place our faith in Him and pray to Him and obey Him - however badly.
Now, I think most heroes are 'Christ-friendly' in concept - they seek justice, show mercy, etc.
But very few have ever been explicitly named as Christian or given powers by Christ.
Those guys ARE in print though. Read the book of Acts to see men being superheroes. ;)
Personal Note
I did create a character who is a superhero and got his powers from Christ. Based on the Wandering Jew myth, and John 21, he cannot die until Christ comes again.
His name is Pilgrim.
Thanks for letting me post.
peace
justice
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