With all the hoopla this week of the Superman Returns movie, you might be interested to know that almost all our superheros have some kind of denominational affiliation. Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Catholic—you’ll find connections in the storylines of our best hooded, caped, spandex-covered, super-people.

Superman—Methodist
Let’s start with Superman—the blue-tights-and-red-undies-wearing man of steel himself, who is reported to be a Methodist. This has never been explicitly stated in any way, but the reasoning goes like this: Clark Kent was raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent who live in the strongly Methodist Mid-Western area of the United States. The Kents are regularly portrayed praying, going to church, and saying things like ‘well, if the Lord wants it to happen, He’ll make it happen’. As an adult Superman hasn’t been a regular churchgoer, but he has, however, occasionally visited ministers of various Christian denominations for counsel, guidance, and even confession.

Supergirl and Superboy—Methodist
Do you remember Supergirl? Generally considered Superman’s female counterpart, Supergirl first appeared in 1958 and several variations of her have appeared in comic books since then. But during the late 80s and 90s, Supergirl was an active Methodist. Her minister, the Reverend Larry Varvel, was based on a real-life Methodist minister of the same name.

And did you ever hear of Superboy? He was a clone made from the DNA of Superman and Lex Luthor. Like Superman, Superboy was also raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent, and while not particularly religious, he often wondered about the state of his soul, and once uttered what appeared to be a prayer to God asking that fundamental question, "Why am I here?"

Superman’s other close colleagues have denominational connections too. Jimmy Olson is a Lutheran, Lois Lane is a Catholic, Perry is a Baptist, and Lex Luthor is Jewish (although a non-observant one, as Jews today thankfully remember).

Spider-Man—Protestant
How about Spiderman? Peter Parker’s precise denominational affiliation has never been clear and he’s never been depicted as a regular churchgoer. But Parker has exhibited a clear belief in God from time to time, and experts say his personal code of ethics reflects a Protestant Christian background. One comic strip shows him asking God why bad things happen to him, with what seems like a conversation between him and God ensuing. Another shows Peter Parker turning to prayer in the face of imminent danger. He begins, "Hey, God? It's Peter again..."

Batman—Episcopalian/Catholic (lapsed)
On the subject of Batman's religious affiliation, there’s some disagreement among fans as well as writers about whether he’s a lapsed Catholic or a lapsed Episcopalian (or Anglican in our terminology). Apparently his father was Episcopalian and his mother Catholic, and Bruce Wayne’s fake headstone above his grave has a Christian cross above it.

The Hulk—Catholic (lapsed)
And remember the Incredible Hulk? Dr. Bruce Banner, as his alter-ego was called?

Dr. Banner is typically portrayed as an essentially "non-religious" scientist. But he explicitly identified himself as a lapsed Catholic in an episode of The Incredible Hulk TV show, and in one of the comic book series he was portrayed as a Catholic who believes in an afterlife. When Betty Ross, the love of his life, once believed Banner was dead, she joined a convent and began training to become a nun. Later they married, and the point is that if Betty was sufficiently Catholic to almost become a nun, she was probably Catholic enough to want to marry a fellow Catholic too.

So, Dr Bruce Banner, The Incredible Hulk, is a lapsed Catholic; Batman is a possible Anglican; Superman is a Methodist, and Spider man an unnamed Protestant. I’d like to know what a Presbyterian superhero would look like, or even a Pentecostal!

Superman consults Christian ministers when he needs advice; Supergirl regularly attends church; Superboy asks God what he’s doing here; The Hulk believes in an afterlife, and Spiderman prays.

It seems even Superheros need to bow the knee for some divine help every now and then.