TELEVISION

MARVEL TELEVISION HEROES FIND RELIGION

an analysis of faith in pop culture

By Alexza Gipson

Stay true to the ways, my hero son

Throughout cinematic history comic book characters have been featured on the big and small screens. Although fictional comic book characters have always included moral reflection and questions of ethics, religion has never been that prominent an issue, that is until the inception of the Marvel Comic Book universe on television. On April 10, 2015 Marvel introduced Daredevil, a practicing Catholic who visits his priests as often as he uses his fists to stop crime. After the success of Daredevil marvel has continued to follow the same religious templates with their other series, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. Although the references to religion in these series aren’t always as overt as they are in Daredevil they all represent a specific belief. Iron Fist is a committed Buddhist, who fights crime and thinks about various Koans; Luke Cage is clearly a Baptist, a religious denomination that fits nicely in with his African-American background; and Jessica Jones is a lost aesthesis existentialist.

In my opinion Daredevil is the strongest example of Marvel’s commitment to religiously oriented superheroes. The execution of the series and how religion is incorporated is not an afterthought. The use of prayers, confessions, priests, uncertainty, and prophesies allows the viewer to believe in Daredevil’s religious devotion. Daredevil/Matt Murdock is a blind devout catholic and lawyer. He has two codes binding him, the justice system and his religion. He unquestionably breaks the law on a night to night basis, but his religious beliefs often conflict with his vigilantism.

Vigilante with morals

In the first episode of season one, “Into the Ring,” we see the way Murdock wrestles with his inner demons as he talks to his priest. “My grandmother she was the real Catholic, fear of God ran deep you would’ve liked her. She used to say ‘be careful of the Murdoch boys, they got the devil in em.’” In this instance Murdock is understanding and affirming that he has always had the “devil” inside of him. As Murdock talks more to his priest he discusses how he would see the the “devil” in his father when he was in the boxing ring. “His eyes would go dead, and he would start walking forward real slow hands at his sides like he wasn’t afraid of anything… My dad, he’d catch him and trap him… he let the devil out… I didn’t understand what he was feeling deep inside… Not back then…” In this instance Murdock is affirming that he is ready to accept the “devil” and use it to make changes in his life. At the end of this episode, Matt tells his priest, “I’m not seeking penance for what I’ve done father. I’m asking forgiveness for what I’m about to do.” In this ominous quote viewers know that Murdock’s journey is not going to be easy and he will be plagued by indecision and doubt.

Daredevil confronts the conflice between choice and survival. He places himself in danger and receives near death beat downs, but his belief does not allow him to fight to the death. It doesn’t allow him to deal out the death penalty, even though his opponents deserve it. In the episode “Condemned” Murdoch is trying to save a ruthless Russian drug lord, Vladimir. When he brings Vladimir back to life, Vladimir’s response is, “You lied, huh? You can’t even stand there and let me die.” Murdoch says, “No.” Even though Vladimir fights him every step of the way, he cannot let him die. Daredevil is not a good vigilante—his compassion and beliefs keep on getting in the way.

Church is good for super heroes

Although Murdoch is Catholic, he is not an angel and questions the rules of his religion when he struggles with his wish to kill Wilson Fisk, a particularly heinous villain. After all of the pain Fisk has caused, Murdoch believes that it is his responsibility to save the people of Hell’s Kitchen by killing Fisk. “I know my soul is damned if I take his life. But if I stand idle, if I… If I let him consume this city, all the people that will suffer and die.” Matt’s emotions are laid bare as he confesses his true feelings to his priest. In this instance, we know that Matt is a good person because he is willing to darken his soul to save other people. He cares so much for other people that he’s willing to sacrifice his own soul.

Father Lanthom often acts as Murdoch’s conscious, guiding him and making sure he makes the right decisions. In season 1 episode nine, Father Lanthom states, “when the righteous succumb to sin, it is as harmful as if the public well were poisoned. Because the darkness of such an act… of taking a life… will spread to friends, neighbors… the entire community.” Lanthom also tells Murdoch that, “Few things are absolute, Mathew. Even Lucifer was once an angel. It’s why judgment and vengeance … are best left to God. Especially when murder is not in your heart.” Father Lanthom knows that Matt is not a murderer and that his belief will never let him take on what are rightfully God’s will.

Fighting crime with God is dangerous

Daredevil’s devotion to his religion and maintaining a good soul is what makes this series so strong. It would be so easy for him to give into his need to eliminate the enemy, but he does not. The constant struggle Murdoch faces as a vigilante and a lawyer is exciting and strangely religious turn to the comic hero genre.

The Luke Cage Marvel series was created September 30, 2016. Luke Cage was raised by a duplicitous Baptist preacher and because of it has problems with his faith. Cage follows the same religious formula as the rest of the marvel cinematic universe. The African-American church has always given African Americans a parallel path to salvation. Life might not be good right now, but the time will come when we will be delivered. Cage entangles freedom, religion, and faith just as the Baptist church has always done.

Look to the promised lan, Luke

In the episode “Step in the Arena” we see Cage struggle with all these issues. Rackham, a racist prison guard of the fictional prison Seagate, presents Cage with a deal: “It’s a good offer convict.” Cage responds with a snappy, “Slavery was always a good offer to a master.” In this moment Rackham is trying to force Cage to fight in the Seagate illegal fight ring. Although Cage is a prisoner he refuses to be demeaned. He is innocent and he continues to fight to be free. This scene is important because it really follows the Baptist belief system. Even though he is a prisoner, he will remain free and not let his circumstances define him.

We first learn that Cage is Baptist in episode 4 of season 1, when he is reminiscing about what his father used to say to him. “My My father’s a preacher. He used to say, one way or the other… I would regret the life that I had led. He used to say, ‘Spirit of the Lord is on me because I have been anointed to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind to release the oppressed’ Luke 4:18. He used to tell me that no one could cage a man if he truly wants to be free.” In this moment Cage expresses that his faith is directly he tied to his name and his soul. Naming is an important function in all African-American life, because of the slave traders stripped them of their names and randomly renamed them. Cage’s desire to be free (all puns intended) is not just about actual freedom, but about spiritual freedom.

Who's free here?

Although Cage’s faith is a large part of his identity, he often takes what other people call his blessings for granted. In episode 10 of season 1 after the deadly piece of Judas Bullet is removed from his body, Cage questions what he and Dr. Burstein consider to be a miracle. Follow this nice bit of dialogue:

Dr. Burstein: It’s miraculous.
Cage: It’s no miracle.
Dr. Burstein: Wouldn’t you say so?
Cage: Miracles are good things. What’s good about me being here, huh? All those prisoners who died. Reva’s murder. For what?
Dr. Burstein: Immortality.

This quote reveals Cage’s resentment of his powers and how he routinely questions his faith. He feels as though the experiment that gave him his powers is a curse and not a miracle. He will not allow himself to thank God for his powers because he doesn’t believe they were a gift. In episode 5 of season 1, “Just to Get a Rep” Cage has a similar exchange with Dapper Dan and Bobby Fish.

Dapper Dan: Saw you on TV the other night. Buried alive. Now that’s what I call style, Cage. “Lucky” Bobby Fish: You ain’t lucky. You blessed.

Being raised in the church Cage knows the importance of attributing all of your good fortune to the Lord. He knows that things just don’t happen and that God has a plan for all of his children, but after all of his loss and grief he sometimes needs to be reminded that God has and always will be with him.

Is God with this man?

In the last episode of season 1, “You Know My Steez” we see this philosophy present in one of the most visually prominent examples of the series. Cage’s past has caught up with him and the Georgia police are taking him back to answer for the “crimes” his brother pinned on him, Cage is finally at peace. He utters the words, “Forward always” and while he is looking out of the car window we catch a glimpse of the classic religious sign, “Jesus Saves.” We now know that Cage has finally found peace with himself and is no longer burdened with the weight of his morals and religious obligations, his mind is finally free, though he is being taken to jail.

The series confronts the tension between freeing the mind or the body first. This is a question that white superheroes do not have to consider, but black superheroes always have to ask: what’s my identity and what’s my name, because it matters.

The Marvel original series Iron Fist debuted on March 17, 2017. Iron Fist, or Danny Rand was introduced to his religion at the age of nine. The Mystical Monks of K’un-Lun, adopt him after his parents die in a plane crash. They teach him everything he needs to know about meditation, Buddhism, and how to be a great warrior. Although the series’ approach to religion is not as effective as Luke Cage or Daredevil, the religious undertone still runs deep through the series.

This fist has a great deal of spirit

In the end of the first episode of season 1 Rand shows signs that he has taken on the Buddhist way of life. He befriends a homeless man and when he finds him dead from a drug overdose, he says the mourning prayer to send off to another life. “As long as the cycle of existence lasts, may your happiness never decline may you attain the constant joy of the bodhisattvas.” In this moment Rand allows himself to mourn a friend in a peaceful way. He is also affirming in his belief that this prayer will allow the homeless man’s spirit to have a safe journey to the afterlife.

Throughout the series Rand often quotes Buddhist and Zen sayings to give the people around him clarity. While conversing with Joy Rand says, “If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions.” Rand is trying to ease Joy’s mind through Bhuddism and convince her that he is in fact the person he says he is. He wants her to believe him but he does not want her confusion and emotions to cloud her judgment.

I'm thinking--in the snow, with my robe on, my green robe

As the season goes on Rand’s search for the Hand and the loss of his parents starts to weigh on his soul and mess with his beliefs. His chi is often disrupted when he does not regularly meditate. His meditation takes him back to K’un Lun, a place where there is no chaos, a place where he was taught to block out outside interference from his enemies and his emotions. In episode 2 of season 1, “Shadow Hawks Take Flight” while Rand is in the mental hospital and trying to escape he explains how he cannot focus because of the medication he has been forced to ingest.

Doctor: Did I wake you?
Danny: I was meditating.
Doctor: Is that something you do? Hmm?
Danny: I was trying to focus my chi so I could get myself out of here.
Doctor: How'd it work?
Danny: It didn't. It's the drugs.

In this instance we can see how the influences of the real-world effects his powers so easily. His ability to try separate his meditation and the real-world and keep a balance fluctuates throughout the series but he eventually learns to accept the real-world for what it is and tries to keep his center in a world that is very chaotic.

Meditate on crime: 1, 2, 3, yes I know who did it

Though Rand abandons K’un-Lun to return to New York he does not lose his clarity until he starts to question himself and his beliefs. In the episode, “Black Tiger steals Heart” Davos chastises Rand for leaving K’un-Lun, “You have failed Danny… The Fist won’t even ignite now. Our only chance may be to return and submit to Lei Kung. And let’s hope he can restore you because if not… I don’t Know what happens.” Danny has lost his power because he is confused and lost focus in the chaotic environment of New York. He has been tainted with self doubt, betrayal, and imbalance.

The series allows the viewer to understand the complications of a person dealing with their religious beliefs. Sometimes there are good days and sometimes their are bad but the series allows for a person to know that Rand is human. He gets angry with himself and his beliefs but in the end he will always go back to his religion to remain stable and control his power.

Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, are more than just superhero shows. They all have a religious vision behind them. And religion keeps these heroes grounded. For Luke Cage and Daredevil religion is the backbone of their vigilante careers, because no matter how hard situations may get they always return to the basic idea of their religious beliefs and how they can help them through their lives. Iron Fist’s case is a little bit different because, he does not use his religion for his morals, but he uses it to center his powers. Marvel continues with this idea when they created Jessica Jones. After exploring all the major religions, they had to explore the absence of religion. Jones has all the qualities of a hero, but she does not have religion to keep her in check -- her good heart and conscience guide her to do what she thinks is right. Each series recognizes that each hero would not be their best hero without their religion or some sort of ethical guidance.

Marvel’s comic book television series on Netflix are unusual. Superhero shows do not normally take religion into consideration but, Marvel takes religion very seriously. Marvel embeds a religious imprint into each of their story lines. These representations of heroes show that it is hard to be a super hero but, it is also hard to be religious, maybe harder.

©Alexza Gipson and the CCA Arts Review