TGIF

TGIF

Thank GOD It's Friday!

Today, Netflix released Marvel's latest Superhero Project, Daredevil.  It's amazing, and you should be watching it right now.  And since its Friday and its somewhat related, I thought I would bring this superhero into my TGIF for the week.

Mainstream comics typically shy away from being overtly religious.  Some have vague allusions to some spiritual religiosity, but mostly it keeps things fairly secular.  One case where that is not present is in the pages of Daredevil.  In the comics, Matt Murdock (AKA Daredevil) is a Catholic.  No vagueness about that. Religious language and imagery permeate the book.  He's the only superhero who is seen entering a church on a regular basis, let alone confession.
I find this interesting.  Since most characters of the marvel and dc universe aren't consistently affiliated with an organized religion, I would assume it would mean something to the character that he was. I would guess it would inform his actions and his belief system, and set him apart specially from other heroes in his moral code or methods of crime fighting. 
But it doesn't.  Not even a little bit.
Daredevil is not different at all, when compared to the moral code that most unaffiliated characters have.  He fights bad guys, helps people, and keeps doing it no matter the cost.  Same can be said of any superhero.  If anything is different about him, its the fact that he is often more brutal and violent with assailents than others, and tends to be on the darker side of the street. Does he fight crime for the pope or jesus, or based on any scripture? Not in any obvious or even implied way.
So, why is he made catholic then?  To me, its to give him a unique cultural flavor amidst his superhero bretheren. The visuals, rituals, and context of catholicism add a unique culture to the comic that adds some interest.  Also, the fact that he belongs to a church that has a strong fixation with satan makes it all the more interesting that he would want to be percieved as a devil. 
So why bring it up? Its there, and it ought to be looked at for what it is.  Daredevil is a great character and a great hero.  But he is a hero by his actions, not b his faith.  His faith makes him unique, and gives him a cultural background that is less ubiquitous and more identifiable. 
Go watch the show!