Spider-Man and the Sacred: Essays on Religious Themes in the Comics

For more than 60 years, Spider-Man has been an essential part of the popular culture landscape. Whether it be in movies, toys, or television, Spidey has been at the center of superhero media. Ultimately, however, he is a product of comic books. These are his mythological texts.

This collection of new essays explores Spider-Man in his original textual setting, looking at his narrative through the lens of religion. Just as many religious traditions find their formative myths in sacred texts, Spider-Man is best understood through the source material of comic books. By looking at a wide range of these narratives through different time periods and different series, readers gain a greater understanding of how religion influences Spider-Man’s world, as well as how his narratives present a religious worldview of their own. Through themes ranging from guilt to moral behavior, Spidey teaches us about our own lives and values as we learn about his.