We Need to Talk About Superheroes, saviours (and That Hole We’re All Trying to Fill)

Written By Christian Hartmann

Not everyone spends their spare time reading deep dives on the theology of superheroes. But I do.

It started, as these things often do, with a totally normal rabbit hole: I was reading about Chris Pratt, stumbled across a few interviews, and then—boom—I landed on a book called The Gospel According to Superheroes.

And just like that, I was off.

I’ve always loved comics and superheroes. They’re dramatic, epic, and full of wild storylines—but behind the capes and explosions, there’s something deeper going on. My wife once said something that stuck with me:

“Isn’t it kind of funny that the world feels such a deep need for a savior that we invented an entire genre around it—just to fill the gap?”

She wasn’t wrong. And the more I think about it, the more I believe superhero stories aren’t just entertainment—they’re modern mythology shaped by spiritual longing.

Why Do We Crave Heroes?

Think about it: almost every superhero origin story starts with trauma, loss, or injustice. A parent dies. A planet explodes. A city is overrun by evil. And in the middle of all that darkness, someone rises—not just to fight back, but to save.

Sound familiar?

These stories work because they tap into something ancient. Something wired into us. We want justice. We want hope. We want someone who sees the mess and says, “I’ve got this.”

It’s no coincidence that the creators of Superman were the sons of Jewish immigrants during WWII. Or that Marvel’s rise happened during the Civil Rights era. When things get hard, we reach for heroes.

The Supernatural Longing

Books like The Gospel According to Superheroes and the Popular Culture and Theology series show that this isn’t just accidental. There’s a whole academic field that explores how pop culture reflects our spiritual hunger.

And honestly, it makes sense. If you’ve grown up in a culture that’s moved away from traditional faith but still longs for meaning, what fills that void?

You create modern saviors—who wear suits of armor or capes or claws. And unlike the real thing, these ones don’t demand surrender. They just entertain. And we cheer them on.

But deep down, isn’t the appeal the same? We want to be rescued.

Jesus vs. the Avengers?

Let’s be clear: I’m not saying Iron Man is Jesus. (Although… the sacrifice at the end of Endgame was very cross-shaped.)

But the idea of a powerful, loving figure who lays down his life to save the world? That’s not a new storyline. That’s ancient. And true.

What I find interesting isn’t that superhero stories are replacing Jesus—it’s that they’re pointing to the shape of the hole. The longing. The need.

And sometimes, instead of turning to the real thing, we build a multiverse around the shadow.

So… What Now?

Honestly, I still love superhero stuff. I’m not gonna pretend I’m too holy for Spider-Man. I’ll read the comics, watch the movies, wear the t-shirts.

But I’m also learning to ask myself, “What is it I’m drawn to here?” And often, it’s the same stuff I find in my faith: Hope. Sacrifice. A power beyond myself. A love that rescues.

Maybe superhero stories aren’t the answer—but maybe they’re asking the right questions.

Further Reading:

Christian Hartmann
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