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- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (March 1, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 163409963X
- ISBN-13: 978-1634099639
About the Book:
“Can you actually find spiritual truths in comicbooks and superhero movies?”
Yes, you can!
For more than 75 years of comic book history and dozens of gigantic cinematic releases, Superheros have captivated our imagination--filling our senses with heart-pounding adventures, riveting plots, and spectacular special effects—and sometimes they have profound messages woven into them. Often the underlying themes reveal a Judeo-Christian influence, and even when it isn’t intentional, you can still draw deep lessons from them. Whether it’s the self-sacrifice and humility of Captain America and the Hulk’s struggles with anger or the parallels between Superman and Jesus or between Black Widow and a ruthless Bible heroine, your favorite heroes and heroines (and even villains) have much to teach.
If you’re a fan of this good vs. evil world, you will love The Superheroes Devotional—featuring 60 interesting, challenging, and encouraging readings. With devotions drawn from dozens of favorite superheroes from both the Marvel and DC Comics universes—well-known names like Captain America and Batman and lesser-known heroes like Shazam and Gambit—each reading includes spiritual lessons relating superheroes to the heroes of the Bible in themes like faith, hope, courage, pride, and power. You’ll also enjoy reading about the history and background of each superhero, shared by author and lifelong fan Ed Strauss.
Read on, True Believer, and may you draw inspiration and encouragement from the characters and stories that you know and love from comicbook pages and big screen movies alike.
Yes, you can!
For more than 75 years of comic book history and dozens of gigantic cinematic releases, Superheros have captivated our imagination--filling our senses with heart-pounding adventures, riveting plots, and spectacular special effects—and sometimes they have profound messages woven into them. Often the underlying themes reveal a Judeo-Christian influence, and even when it isn’t intentional, you can still draw deep lessons from them. Whether it’s the self-sacrifice and humility of Captain America and the Hulk’s struggles with anger or the parallels between Superman and Jesus or between Black Widow and a ruthless Bible heroine, your favorite heroes and heroines (and even villains) have much to teach.
If you’re a fan of this good vs. evil world, you will love The Superheroes Devotional—featuring 60 interesting, challenging, and encouraging readings. With devotions drawn from dozens of favorite superheroes from both the Marvel and DC Comics universes—well-known names like Captain America and Batman and lesser-known heroes like Shazam and Gambit—each reading includes spiritual lessons relating superheroes to the heroes of the Bible in themes like faith, hope, courage, pride, and power. You’ll also enjoy reading about the history and background of each superhero, shared by author and lifelong fan Ed Strauss.
Read on, True Believer, and may you draw inspiration and encouragement from the characters and stories that you know and love from comicbook pages and big screen movies alike.
My Thoughts:
Hmmm...is there anything left to say that hasn't already been said? What an about the book blurp, huh??
Oh, wait. I still have my criteria to discuss: does it have Scripture, and is it relevant to the audience intended?
So, Scripture? Yes, but it can be a challenge to find it. Instead of each devotional reading opening with a verse or passage, Strauss includes the verses in the body of his reading. Scripture is used to illustrate a point or to support an observation. So, it's there, it's just not obvious.
Relevance? Here's where it gets tricky for me. A devotional is a series of daily reading intended to inspire and to cause reflection. This is a mini-encyclopedia of comic book characters and history for anyone who's ever been made to feel that reading comics and loving superheroes was somehow not Christian behavior.
"The Superhero Devotional" is really a misnomer. Each character is given anywhere from four to five pages, and the writing is pretty in depth. Strauss knows his stuff, but I'm not sure I would classify this as a devotional. It's much, much more than that.
And when the reader can find God in Thanos (geeks and nerds unite! You're the only ones who probably know who that is!), may I just say...wow. While I enjoyed my time reading "The Superhero Devotional", I really don't think it fits into that category.
Having said that, "The Superhero Devotional" is the BEST gift you can give a fan of heroes, villians, comics and all things MARVEL-ous (did you catch what I did there?? Yeah, I live in a house with geeks and nerds). This is why I'm giving the book my "For Such a Time" award.
We live in a culture saturated with superheroes and fandom and movies ad nauseam, and we need people like Strauss to shine a bright light into the darkness to reveal Christ is there in the midst of it all. And you'll never find a hero greater than Jesus.
And he doesn't need a theme song.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher with no services promised nor provided.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher with no services promised nor provided.
Mark Your Place,
Deena
2 comments:
Miss Deena, what age would you say this is appropriate for?
I would recommend The Superhero Devotional to age 10 and up. If your child has an advanced reading level, you can sample a page or two on Amazon. This book is excellent for anyone who loves comic books, superhero films, and reads books about superheroes (like my 23 year old son, for instance!).
Hope this helps!
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