God and Comics

Perhaps the best known graphic novel ever written, Maus tells harrowing tale of family and survival in the Holocaust. We take a look at this classic work and talk about why it has endured, what it can teach us about human nature, and why we are so often unable to look clearly at our own history. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and more! Please note, this episode was recorded before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and so does not address what is going on there. The people of Ukraine are in our prayers.

Season 7 begins with a bang! The crew discusses a forthcoming graphic novel version of George MacDonald's fantasy classic Phantastes.

The Star Wars saga has captured the minds and hearts of millions of people over the last four decades, and comics have been a part of that journey. Unlike in other franchises, the stories told in at least some Star Wars comics actually do form part of the canon. In this episode, the crew talks about the history of Star Wars comics, takes a look at several recent volumes, and discusses where themes of redemption and sacrificial love are to be found in this modern sci-fi epic about events that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

How do we make moral choices? What does it mean to be a good person? These are questions as old as philosophy itself, and comics provide some surprisingly great examples of moral reasoning. Dr. Elisabeth Kincaid joins the crew to discuss all the ins and outs of making tough moral choices. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

In a time when the very idea of truth is up for debate, the crew tackles some very real questions about truth. What is real? Is this podcast real? Are you real? Better press play and find out! All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

It is hard to imagine a book for kids that tackles racism and also manages to be a love letter to golden age comics, but "Superman Smashes the Klan" by Gene Luen Yang does all that and more. Regular guests Alexi Sargeant and Leah Libresco Sargeant (along with their lovely baby daughter who decided to stay up late for the occasion) join the crew to talk about this remarkable book and its implications for the moment we live in. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Comics have depicted many people with disabilities over the years, from Daredevil to Professor X and beyond. Have those portrayals always been positive? How do they square with a Christian understanding of disability and personhood? The crew is joined by Catholic News Agency Editor-in-Chief J.D. Flynn to discuss these issues. Plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

An epic battle between good and evil, a man unstuck in time, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as superhero sidekicks, and a redefining of time itself. All of that in comic book form? Looks like a job for God and Comics! The crew is joined by Dr. Michael Martin as they explore the 2003 graphic novel "Heaven's War" by Micah Harris and Michael Gaydos. All this plus This or That, our recommendation, and a whole lot more!

It’s the ultimate battle as the crew is joined by Fr. Esau McCaulley (and another special guest) to play a full-episode version of This or That! Bible scholars, music, Star Wars, and more. Plus a super nerd showdown over who would win in a fight between Batman and Wolverine. Listen and share!

The crew reports in from quarantine and discusses how the coronavirus is affecting their lives and their ministry. They also discuss the recent announcement that there would be no paper comics being printed for at least the duration of the epidemic.

Over the years, many iconic superheroes have been replaced by other less-well-known characters. Sometimes this has been done to add diversity to the world these heroes live in, while other times it is simply a way to spice up a long-running story. What are we to make of it when characters we have invested so much in are replaced? How does this relate to the replacement of priests and pastors? The crew explores all this, plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Nostalgia has become a powerful force in popular culture. Sometimes it’s nostalgia for characters from childhood and sometimes it’s nostalgia for a golden age that we never actually lived in. The crew goes retro with this episode, discussing some of their favorite nostalgia-provoking comics and the reason why nostalgia is such a powerful part of the human experience. All this, plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Bringing the year to a close with a few comic book depictions of Christmas that we have enjoyed—some silly and some solemn. Full episodes will return in 2020. From the God and Comics Crew to you and yours, Merry Christmas!

Throughout the history of comics, writers and artists have found interesting and creative ways of working music into their work. On this inaugural episode of season 6, the crew discusses the use of music in comics, the power of music as an art form, and the music that moves us to see bigger truths. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Marjane Satrapi’s memoir about growing up in Iran in the wake of the cultural revolution is perhaps more poignant today than it has ever been. The crew is joined by Leah Libresco to discuss this classic book and its portrayal of faith, freedom, and the unique challenges that come with growing up in a nation divided by war and ideology.

Is the real villain Thanos? Or is it death itself? The crew tackles these big questions and more from "Avengers: Endgame." And oh yes, there are spoilers. All the spoilers. This episode will spoil this film, the last film, and possibly the milk in your fridge, so listen at your own risk. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Vampire stories continue to be popular in our culture and they have always been a staple of comics. The crew is joined by "Jennifer the Damned" author Karen Ullo to discuss the appeal of these bloodsucking fiends and why we find them both so seductive and so scary. All this, plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

This episode was recorded in February, but because of some technical difficulties (Father Jonathan's computer decided to transform into an expensive paperweight), it is only now available. But it figures that a computer would rebel against this episode because it's full of good conversation about robots and the way we project our hopes and fears onto them.

Fr. Jonathan talks with writer Leah Libresco about the new Captain Marvel film, the joys of 90s nostalgia, and the need for some Kree/Skrull fan fiction. New full length episodes coming soon, so stay tuned!

Join the crew for a deep dive into the wet and wonderfully cheesy world of Aquaman. Discussion includes such strange and fun topics as the divine right of kings, the need for a mediator between worlds, and the alcoholic beverages that we wish we had drank while watching this movie. Plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Our next full episode comes out in January, but in the mean time check out this conversation between Fr. Matt and his brother Luke about "Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse."

The crew recorded this show live at Doxacon in Washington, DC. Discussion of body/soul dualism, Gnosticism more generally, and Dr. Octopus' hometown.

In our first episode of Season 5, we pay tribute to Stan Lee, the comics legend who died earlier this week at 95. We talk about his enduring legacy in comics, how he brought superheroes into the mainstream, and what the world of comics might look like without him. Also, Fr. Matt considers recording your home answering machine message. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

In the final episode of season 4, Fr. Niko Bekris returns to the show to discuss some of the great marriages in comics, why so many creators think marriage and family life aren’t interesting, and whether or not you have to choose between marriage or being a hero. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

The crew nerds out on all things Trek by looking into the long history of Star Trek comics going back to the sixties and discussing the ways in which Star Trek explores ethics, virtue, and the possibility of a better tomorrow. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

It may strike some people as odd to say, but in presenting the evil Thanos as a “Malthusian anti-natalist,” Marvel has made its newest blockbuster to be the first high budget superhero film to deliver an explicitly pro-life message. Fr. Matt and Deacon Jonathan are joined by guests Alexi Sargeant and Leah Libresco Sargeant to discuss this, as well as the film’s cosmology, the need for a formed conscience, and whether or not death in the comic book world actually matters. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Do comic books give us a pessimistic or optimistic worldview? Is one better than the other? What do these views teach us about the meaning and purpose of life? The crew explores all these questions, plus our recommendation, This or That, and more!

As a special bonus in honor of our 50th episode, here are all the strange and sometimes controversial things that have been said about Fr. Paul Wheatley on the show since about episode 25 when Jonathan first started these shenanigans. It's nine minutes of your life that you'll never get back. Enjoy!

For the 50th episode of the podcast, the crew is joined by Bishop Matthew Gunter to talk about the award-winning “March” trilogy by John Lewis which tells the inside story of the activism of the Civil Rights Movement. Themes of the hero’s journey, racial equality, and non-violence run throughout the conversation. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Esau McCaulley joins the crew to talk about Black Panther, its place in Black culture, the Christian response to oppression, and why he thinks the show ought to be called “Esau and Comics.” All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

It’s an ecumenical adventure as the crew takes a look at “Martin Luther: Renegade,” a new graphic biography of Luther from Plough Press. Also, Fr. Matt attacks some unicorns. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Animals are our companions and they inspire our imaginations. In this episode, the crew looks at how animals are portrayed in comics, from super pets to mysterious animal powers, and they answer some common questions people have about whether we will see our pets in heaven and what the place of animals is in creation. Also, Jonathan pretty much blows any chance that Taco Bell will ever be a sponsor of the show. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Pastor Hans Fiene (Lutheran Satire) joins Jonathan to talk about the internal struggles and bizarre twists of the FX series Legion. Season 2 of Legion will begin airing in April. New episodes of God and Comics will be back in February!

Why are we so interested in where our favorite characters come from? Is the Incarnation the ultimate retcon? Alexi Sargeant joins the crew to talk about all this and more. He also becomes the first guest ever to write his own This or That. Check it out!

The crew reviews the new Justice League film and talks about the importance of goodness and heroism. Also, Fr. Kyle admits to a childhood in tights. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

A lot of our favorite comic book characters get by with a little help from their friends. In this week’s episode, special guest Wesley Hill helps the crew break down how friendships in comics show us something about friendship’s true nature. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Marvel’s new Netflix show brings together Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist for an adventure that is at times as existentialist as it is exciting. Special guest Tyler Huckabee joins the crew to talk about all the twists and turns. Also, Jonathan starts the world's most awkwardly polite internet flame war with Fr. James Martin. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

It’s been an eventful summer for the God and Comics crew. On this first episode of Season 4, they discuss Fr. Jonathan’s entry into the Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Kyle’s recent trip to Italy, and what all three watched this summer, including Spider-man: Homecoming. Also, Fr. Matt discusses his willingness to eat dinosaurs. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

As the critically acclaimed Wonder Woman film hits theaters, we talk about the many deep themes of this movie including truth versus fiction, sin and grace, the power of submission, and the way in which Wonder Woman’s heroism makes her a powerful figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Also, Fr. Matt explores the ins and outs of exploding food. All this, plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

What happens to us when we die? What are heaven and hell like? These are questions that human beings have been asking for a long time, and comic books have tried to explore the answers. We talk about all sorts of this related to the life to come and comics. Also, Fr. Kyle reveals a big, hairy secret. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

The new Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 explores an idea of God that is very common but also very flawed. Alexi Sargent joins the crew to talk about that as well as the themes of family, friendship, and heroism that live at the center of this film. Also, Fr. Jonathan demonstrates that he is far better at impersonating Droopy Dog than Jessica Rabbit. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

On today’s episode, the crew previews the many great free comics coming out on Free Comic Book Day and tells you what you can expect if you go. Also, Fr. Kyle reveals the secret to his beard’s haunting beauty. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

It is always fun to see superheroes teaming up. On this week’s show, the crew talks about what makes for a great superhero team and how superhero team stories teach us something about our need for community. Also, Fr. Matt impersonates a cat impersonating a chicken. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Life and death, morality, the conscience - these are just some of the themes that come up repeatedly in the Japanese comic books known as manga. The crew is joined in this episode by Dr. Zachary Guiliano from The Living Church to discuss all the ins and outs of this fascinating form of comic book storytelling. Also, Fr. Jonathan reveals his past as a drunken, lecherous, Russian Orthodox priest. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Just a short interlude today to tide everyone over until our next full episode. Fr. Matt and Fr. Jonathan discuss the Lego Batman Movie which may just be the best DC movie of the last decade.

Some of the greatest mysteries and crime stories ever told have been in the pages of comic books. This episode explores the history of detective stories and asks some ethical questions about murder mysteries as entertainment. Also, Fr. Kyle reveals his own deep ethical failures. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Jack Kirby created heroes like Captain America and the Fantastic Four, yet many people today don’t know his name. In this episode, the crew talks about the legendary artist’s amazing legacy and the modern mythology that he brought into being. Also, Fr. Kyle spends a surprising amount of time watching The Brady Bunch. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Like many other fictional worlds, comic books have always had a significant amount of world building. Using the work of J. R. R. Tolkien as our guide, Fr. Joel Scandrett joins the crew to talk about how acts of “subcreation” give stories their stakes and why that brings us closer to understanding what it means to be made in God’s image. Also, Fr. Jonathan reveals a deep and strange love for Vin Diesel movies. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

The new Marvel film Doctor Strange is the most spiritually and theologically rich one yet. We have a far ranging discussion that includes grace, sacrifice, surrender, the limitations of scientific materialism, and even a debate about relics. Also, Fr. Kyle delivers a tragic misuse of the word “wizened.” All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

On today’s show, the crew is joined by Bryan J. L. Glass, writer and co-creator of the epic series Mice Templar. We talk about the intricate mythology of the Templar world and the way that spirituality opens the story up to mystery. We also have a chance to talk about Bryan’s other series, Furious, and the unlikely path its heroine takes to redemption. Also, our old pal Skeletor drops by for a brief visit. All this plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more!

Luke Cage is the latest Marvel show to hit Netflix, portraying life, death, and heroism in Harlem. The crew discusses the show’s message, its music, and its many references to Holy Scripture. We also learn that Fr. Kyle knows enough karate to take down pretty much all of us in a single blow. All this, plus our recommendation, This or That, and a whole lot more.