From Star Wars to Superman

From Star Wars to Superman
Author: James Papandrea
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2017-11-16
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1622823885

When cultures such as ours toss Jesus out one door, He comes in – albeit disguised – through another. That’s why author Jim Papandrea turned to Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, Terminator, Spider-Man, Batman, Dr. Who, and half-a-dozen other modern shows, discovering in each one powerful images of Christ and salvation. Nor is that surprising. In stories of alternative universes, people always need rescuing; somebody needs to save the day; and sometimes the whole world cries out for a savior . . . which is just what a hero is. About the heroes of some of the most popular sci-fi stories of all time, author Papandrea here answers questions that concern Christians who are also Trekkies, Whovians, Matrix Dwellers, or aficionados of popular science fiction: What kind of “Christ-figure” is the hero of this story, and what does that say about the show’s vision of Christ, humanity and salvation? In the interest of being scientific, Papandrea even gives each hero a Numerical Orthodoxy Score based on the description of Christ in the Nicene Creed, Christianity’s common definition of orthodoxy. Included herein are astute Christian analyses of: Batman * Captain * America * Doctor Who * The Fifth Element * I, Robot * Iron Man * LOST * The Matrix * Planet of the Apes * Pleasantville * Spider-Man * Star Trek * Star Wars * Superman * The Terminator * The Time Machine * Tron * Wonder Woman Here you’ll read about: The pervasive Christian imagery in Doctor WhoStar Trek’s predicted “death of God”Free-will: the stumbling block in the first MatrixThe crucifixion of Spider-ManWhy Wonder Woman is an image of a gnostic saviorThe meaning of salvation in Star Wars (It masquerades as Christian)How Superman’s life begins as a parallel of Moses.I, Robot: the religious reason why the robot is called “Sonny”Whether, in any Christian sense, Neo is The One?Captain American and Iron-Man: one defends the innocent, the other brings justice to the guiltyThe tomb scene in the Fifth Element: it’s not the resurrection we needMatter vs. Spirit in Tron: gnostic to the coreThe anti-Christian bias of Planet of the ApesWhy the Force in Star Wars is no analogy to Grace or the Holy SpiritThe Star Wars Christ figure: Obi-Wan? Luke? Or even, ultimately, Darth VaderWhat Heaven is understood to be in the LOST universeTime travel as incarnation in The Terminator: a compelling analogyRegeneration as resurrection in Doctor Who: Is it Christ-like?How Pleasantville reverses the dynamism of the FallThe baptismal significance of the plane crash in LOSTPleasantville: a twisted version of EdenThe incarnation of the Christ-figure in Planet of the ApesTron’s parallels between Christianity and the Roman Empire . . . and much more about other science fiction and superhero shows! Christians who enjoy popular culture will greet this fun book with interest and acclaim.

Reaganland

Reaganland
Author: Rick Perlstein
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 1120
Release: 2021-08-17
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1476793069

"From the bestselling author of Nixonland and The Invisible Bridge comes the dramatic conclusion of how conservatism took control of American political power"--

Superman: Rebirth (2016) #1

Superman: Rebirth (2016) #1
Author: Peter J. Tomasi
Publisher: DC
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2016-06-01
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN:

The world needs a Man of Steel, but can Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane? IT BEGINS: Now it's Clark's turn to be Pa Kent and teach his son what it means to be super, but who is hunting Superman's son—and why?

Thank You, Superman!

Thank You, Superman!
Author: Benjamin Harper
Publisher: Meredith Corporation
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Board book
ISBN: 9780696229022

Superman rescues people from all kinds of dangerous situations.

Superman Family Adventures (2012-) #12

Superman Family Adventures (2012-) #12
Author: Franco
Publisher: DC Comics
Total Pages: 22
Release: 2013-05-22
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN:

Because you demanded it! The return of the lunch lady! Er, we mean, the return of Darkseid!

Comic Book Movies

Comic Book Movies
Author: Blair Davis
Publisher: Rutgers University Press
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2018-06-25
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0813588790

Comic Book Movies explores how this genre serves as a source for modern-day myths, sometimes even incorporating ancient mythic figures like Thor and Wonder Woman’s Amazons, while engaging with the questions that haunt a post-9/11 world: How do we define heroism and morality today? How far are we willing to go when fighting terror? How can we resist a dystopian state? Film scholar Blair Davis also considers how the genre’s visual style is equally important as its weighty themes, and he details how advances in digital effects have allowed filmmakers to incorporate elements of comic book art in innovative ways. As he reveals, comic book movies have inspired just as many innovations to Hollywood’s business model, with film franchises and transmedia storytelling helping to ensure that the genre will continue its reign over popular culture for years to come.

Superman Returns

Superman Returns
Author:
Publisher: Meredith Corporation
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2006
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9780696229015

Following his mysterious absence, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's greatest super heroes.

Superman (2016-) #6

Superman (2016-) #6
Author: Peter J. Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2016-09-07
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN:

“SON OF SUPERMAN” part six! The evil Eradicator faces off against Superman and son in a battle that may save the day but destroy the moon.

Man of Steel

Man of Steel
Author: Daniel Wallace
Publisher: Insight Editions
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-06-18
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 9781608871810

In Man of Steel, director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) and producer Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy) have delivered a stunning new vision of Superman that is both fresh and familiar. Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman explores the remarkable creative process behind the movie and showcases the exceptional concept art that shaped its unique visual style. From the stark alien vistas of Krypton to the down-to-earth warmth of Smallville, this book uncovers the intensive world-building process that makes Superman’s universe both thrilling and believable. Also featuring in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, and candid on-set photography, Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman is the ultimate insider’s look at one of the most electrifying movies in recent memory. Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill as Superman. Also appearing are three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (The Fighter) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (What’s Love Got to Do with It) as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves). Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road), and Faora, Zod’s evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman’s native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, played by Ayelet Zurer, and Superman’s father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Rounding out the cast are Harry Lennix as U.S. military man General Swanwick, as well as Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy.

Star Wars on Trial: The Force Awakens Edition

Star Wars on Trial: The Force Awakens Edition
Author: David Brin
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.
Total Pages: 315
Release: 2015-11-03
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1942952058

Order in the Court! Star Wars: the most significant, powerful myth of the twenty-first century or morally bankrupt military fantasy? Six films. Countless books. $20 billion in revenue. No one can question the financial value or cultural impact of the Star Wars film franchise. But has the impact been for the good? In Star Wars on Trial's courtroom—Droid Judge presiding—Star Wars stands accused of elitist politics and sexism, religious and ethical lapses, the destruction of literary science fiction and science fiction film, and numerous plot holes and logical gaps. Supported by a witness list of bestselling science fiction authors, David Brin (for the prosecution) and Matthew Woodring Stover (for the defense) debate these charges and more before delivering their closing statements. The verdict? That's up to you. Covering the films from A New Hope to The Force Awakens, Brin and Stover provide new forewords that explore the newest generation of Star Wars films and what JJ Abrams must do to live up to—or redeem—the franchise.