“Redemption: Part Two”
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artists: Allan Goldman (p), Ron Randall (i)
Publisher: DC Comics
Read my review of Action Comics #848: “Redemption Part One.”
Superheroes and religion are rarely juxtaposed in comic books. Sometimes there is blatant innuendo, sometimes there are simply religious undertones to a certain story, but whenever religion is touched on, it quickly sparks some controversy. The one character who is actually partially derived from religious figures always seems to be at the center of the “religion in comic books” debate. Superman does not officially declare a religious affiliation, although he has been seen practicing the Kryptonian religion, but elements from Christianity, Judaism and Islam all make their way into the inner mechanics of the Man of Steel, and if you don’t believe me, watch Superman Returns. Of course, like religion, the last son of Krypton is open to interpretation, which brings me to this issue of Action Comics.
Fabian Nicieza introduced a fantastic idea in the last issue of Action Comics. Set during 52, this story presents a new “superhero” who made his impression on the world. This superhero was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed version of Superman who stood up for what he believed in. Those ideals weren’t exactly the same as Superman’s. Instead, this new superhero, Redemption, was a crusader, out to protect the missionaries of his congregation, a hero not powered by the yellow sun but by God. But the plot thickened as Clark Kent investigated and Nicieza came up with one of the best explanations for this hero’s power: the power of belief. Redemption apparently gets his power from the faith and the beliefs of the members of his congregation, which is led by a Reverend Hightower. It’s a concept that I really do appreciate, and I like how Nicieza tries not to sugar coat anything.
What probably stands out most about this issue is the personal narration by Clark Kent/Superman. It’s more of a narration by Kal-EL, a man who has seen so much and been through so much that his perspective on ideas such on religion is very vast. The opening fight picking up from last issue is a simple one; Superman is testing Redemption to try and find a weakness, but he quickly realizes that his power is indeed manifested through the number of people that believe in him and in his cause. But there’s a great deal more to this story than a slugfest between Superman and some misguided hero. Rather, there is something deeper at work, something that I picked up on in the previous issue but didn’t realize the potential of what was happening.
At first glance, the story seems to be going pretty typically. Redemption is a very powerful being who uses faith and the power of believing to manifest his abilities. I originally thought he was just being manipulated by Reverend Hightower. I never expected the twist that comes in this issue. Nicieza gives us Clark Kent the reporter, something not often seen in Superman books these days, and with Oracle’s help he is able to dig up the dirt on Reverend Hightower. But what really grabs me about this issue is the way Clark examines his beliefs and his faith. He visits Barbara Johnson, an elderly woman from a “fill-in” issue of Superman a few months ago, a woman who believed that Superman was an instrument of God. He runs down everything he has seen from the Zamarons to the New Gods, and she explains to him that it is not so much that you believe in a certain religion but that you have faith. Clark then visits his true moral compasses, Ma and Pa, who tell him that they used faith to help him make the right decisions and to use it as guidance. I really like the way Nicieza has Clark explore his faith and explore what he believes before confronting Hightower.
When he finally confronts Hightower, Superman exposes him in front of his own congregation. It’s really an interesting idea that Nicieza has brought to the table through Hightower and Redemption, the way Hightower channels his power through to Redemption, and the idea that people’s faith powers Redemption isn’t really what is seems. While it is a fantastic concept and I really hope Nicieza explores it further, for the purposes of this story arc seeing Hightower’s motivations for his crusade is both sickening and touching at the same time. It’s easy to sympathize with Hightower, but it is also very easy to disagree with him and the way he goes about his own personal redemption.
The artwork on this title is, again, fantastic. Allan Goldman and Ron Randall do a great job capturing not only the action of the story but the “iconic” look to Superman. It’s similar to the look seen on a child’s bed sheets or a throw pillow and most importantly, it remains consistent throughout the issue. In my review of the previous issue I pointed out the way that Clark Kent and Superman look almost exactly the same yet slightly different. Goldman and Randall capture the slicked back hair and glasses that really differentiate the look of Clark Kent from Superman.
I was really compelled by this issue and story, as someone who struggles with my own faith and ideas behind it on a day to day basis; I was reminded why Superman is so appealing to me. He doesn’t believe in one specific religion, but he has faith in the human spirit and the good of the 6 billion people he protects. This issue ultimately becomes one about faith being a moral compass, a way to find what you believe in and to be able to do the right thing based on that faith.
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