By Kurt Busiek & various (DC Comics)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-744-0
This slim volume collects three Superman adventures linked by a spiritual theme. ‘Angel’ (from Superman #659) is by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, Peter Vale, Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino. Set in the early days of the Man of Tomorrow’s career it tells the tragic tale of devout Christian Barbara Johnson who confuses Superman with an actual heavenly messenger, and begins a crusade to remove sin from her neighbourhood, armed with the knowledge that God’s red caped Angel will keep her from harm.
‘Redemption’ (Action Comics #848-849) tells a much darker story about faith. Fabian Nicieza, Allan Goldman and Ron Randall introduce an awesomely powerful young hero who acts as protector for missionaries of the proselytising First Church of Redemption, but whose uncontrolled might causes a disaster. Superman must determine if faith indeed has removed mountains, or if a darker force is behind the slaughter.
Finally from Superman #666 Busiek and Walter Simonson reveal ‘The Beast from Krypton’, a macabre chiller guest-starring The Phantom Stranger, wherein the Man of Steel is possessed by the last surviving demon from his home planet.
Superman has often been likened to Judaeo-Christian figures such as Christ and Moses, and many writers have dabbled with interpretations of his “God-like abilitiesâ€. It is most welcome to find writers prepared to broach, however timidly, some of the more contentious issues surrounding modern religion as well as the Champion/Deity archetypes. It also doesn’t hurt when the stories are thoughtful, well-paced, exciting and very good to look at.
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