More 'Superman' ... or Supermen? Is He Really Like an Alien Jesus?

Written by Sophia Sariego | Aug 21, 2025 5:20:56 PM

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s another Superman movie.

Earlier this summer, writer/director James Gunn, who pops between film versions of characters from the two titans of comics -- DC and Marvel -- brought the Man of Steel back to the big screen with Superman, introducing Juilliard-trained David Corenswet in the title role.

He joins a stellar line of actors who've brought this beloved character to life -- but what does it all mean? Is it just about flying and capes and X-ray vision?

Let's take a look at the origins of big-screen Superman (and we don't mean the planet Krypton).

Superman's Journey From Colorful Comic Page to Silver Screen

Now cemented into the American culture as our favorite wholesome hero, the dashing alien made his debut in a series of animated shorts in 1948.

In 1951, our hero had his first feature film, Superman and the Mole Men — yes, really — based on the DC Comics character and starring George Reeves.

While occasionally donning glasses as his alter-ego, mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent -- and ducking into phone booths to change -- Superman takes on evildoers (often, but not always, Lex Luthor).

Along to help are cub reporter Jimmy Olson, ace journalist Lois Lane, and Superman's faithful farming foster parents, Ma and Pa Kent.

Between 1978 and 1987, four Superman movies were released, with Christopher Reeve. There was also a British-produced Supergirl, for some reason.

But we suffered a dearth of inspiration for the next 11 years, as Warner Bros started and then canceled Superman projects three times.

Henry Cavill reinvigorated the series in 2013 with the Man of Steel movies, and then reprised his role in several DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies.

But, when the whole enterprise was rebooted as the DC Universe (DCU), the Superman cape was been handed to Gunn and Corenswet -- the first Jewish actor to play the role in a major production.

Where Did Superman Begin?

Over the years, much has been made of the fresh and colorful varieties of Supermans (Supermen? Supersman?).

Personally, I marvel at the long-term allure of what seems like such a simple character. But the answer may be found in his original creators’ Jewish background; as the Man of Steel's story and persona reach deep into our Judeo-Christian roots.

Forbes made the argument that the mythology of superheroes in the late 20th century served to whet modern audiences’ appetite for Biblical storytelling in subsequent decades, and tied Christian themes to Superman’s goodness and heroic sacrifice.

Other cultural commentators see him as a Christ-figure, identifying a number of similarities to Jesus.

This subtext became overt with the "savior' theme in director Bryan Singer's 2006 one-off film Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh (and, later, in the Cavill films, directed by Zack Snyder).

But Is Superman Really a Savior in Tights?

What with his appearance from another world as a man-like creature possessing supernatural powers, his frequent self-sacrifice, humble ability to blend in until he’s needed, Superman certainly seems inspired by Jesus.

An article by Grace Communion International goes so far as to reference how the Hebrew word “el” for “God” is used in Superman’s father’s name: Jor-el.

The author refers to C.S. Lewis’ theory that the human spirit yearns for a Myth become Fact: particularly, that there is meaningful goodness in our world, including someone who wills our good and is willing to fight for it.

Finally, Word on Fire’s recent article highlights the Judeo-Christian values in the new movie: how Superman’s active, daily choices to do good are essential to the Christian life. Superman is also a non-human who shares in many aspects of humanity, including the need to grow and learn.

Says Word on Fire's Dr. Kody W. Cooper:

While the Kryptonian has the powers of superstrength, flight, and heat vision, none of that suffices for moral excellence. He shares with humans something much more elemental: their spiritual condition, their fallenness…[Superman] needed to be brought up in the traditional American virtues, to be the kind of person who could use his gifts well.

If Not God ... Then, Superheroes?

It may be that the decades-long run of superhero films is answering a basic need in the human heart, filling a void in our increasingly secular world once inhabited by sincere religious drama.

We create superheroes for a few reasons: entertainment, inspiration, as an example, and hope. They are much smaller versions of the all-powerful God who reached down into the smallness of our humanity and saved us when we could not save ourselves.

Father Edward Looney also sees echoes of the Christ saga in Superman, but he knows where the real power lies:

With his wholesome exterior and deeply self-sacrificial character, Superman is one of our best models. Here’s to another one (and, if Gunn's hints are to be believed, he's looking at a four-film arc).

Oh, and did we mention that there's a dog?

Image: John B. Hewitt / Shutterstock.com

Sophia Sariego is a Los Angeles native working in the pro-life movement. She loves Eucharistic Adoration, making music, and hitting the beaches in her spare time.