God and Comics

Superman and the resurrection. Wolverine and theosis. It’s the kind of conversation that could only happen on God and Comics! We’re joined by special guest Fr. Niko Bekris to discuss Orthodoxy, comics books, and where the two intersect. Also, Fr. Kyle tells us about a very odd way of being baptized. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Marvel’s Jessica Jones is a dark and gritty show that deals with heavy issues. The usual crew is joined by guest Emily Zanotti to discuss the show’s relationships, what it means to have “God like” control over others, and a whole range of ethical questions that the show raises. Due to the graphic nature of some of the content in Jessica Jones, parental discretion is advised.

In this episode, the crew is joined by writer and speaker Leah Libresco to discuss the vast and varied world of web comics. We also discuss conversion experiences, existentialism, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the weird things Fr. Jonathan would say to strangers when he was five. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

In this episode, the crew discusses how violence has evolved in comics and pop culture over the years. When is violence necessary to tell a story? When is it gratuitous? How should followers of Jesus think about such things? The answers to these questions will be revealed, along with a childhood trauma for Fr. Jonathan involving the circus and a goat. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more.

The new CBS show Supergirl is soaring in the ratings. The crew discusses everything about the Girl of Steel, including her roots in the 1950s, her status as a feminist icon, and her rebirth in the last few decades as the ultimate outsider. Plus, Fr. Matt explains why Superman can't be French. All this along with our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more.

While some superheroes are difficult to relate to, Spider-man is an everyman. On this week's episode, we talk about what makes Spider-man a compelling character and what it means to be motivated by guilt rather than grace. We also learn about Fr. Jonathan's secret plan to create a liturgy surrounding a certain 1980s television star. Plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more.

What makes the "funny books" funny? We talk about some of our favorite quips and gags, considering how humor works differently in the comic book medium and how the movies and television have changed the way that comic books are written. Plus, we find out all about a German sitcom that Fr. Matt discovered while obsessively googling his name. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Writing for comics has evolved into a literary art form over the years. It takes a special kind of talent and precision to write for comics well. In this first episode of the new season, the God and Comics crew discuss some of their favorite writers and what they love about them. Also, we learn why it is important not to stand downwind of Fr. Matt in the fall. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Despite popular opinion, Superman isn't actually a Christ figure, although there's another character in the Bible that he seems to resemble. In today's episode, Fr. Jonathan and Fr. Matt are joined by special guest Brandon Munson to talk about the man of steel in all his forms over the years. Plus, we learn the answer to that age old question, whether it is more fun to work for Fr. Jonathan or have a root canal. All this plus a recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Figuring out how to start reading comics can be really challenging. How do you find your way into a story that has been going on for decades? Where do you go to get comics? What if you aren't really interested in superheroes? The crew answers all these questions and more, both for people who have never read a comic before and for people who read comics when they were kids but have long since given it up. Plus a brand new look at the Justice League, a strangely warm feeling coming from Fr. Kyle's end of the pool, This or That, and a whole lot more.