When Pope John Paul II was a comic-book hero
by David Mayernik Jr., editor
One of my hobbies is collecting comic books. I’ve been reading them since I first started reading — “Archie,” “Richie Rich” and “Scooby-Doo” were favorites — but it wasn’t until 1982 when I took a deep-dive into the super-hero genre and purchased “The Avengers” no. 221 from a shopping mall newsstand spinner rack. Its bright red cover featured a five-by-three checker board with the faces of heroes such as Hawkeye, Ant-Man and the Silver Surfer in each square.
The understated text on the cover asked: “Who will be the newest members of the Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes?! Pick two! (Answer inside!)” The 13-year-old me just had to know. Thinking about comic books and my position here at The Byzantine Catholic World got me thinking about another comic book I purchased barely a year later.
I bought a copy of Marvel Comics’ “The Life of Pope John Paul II” no. 1 off the same spin
ner rack for $1.50 in Jan. 1983. It depicted the true story of the life of Pope John Paul II from his humble beginning in Poland to being elected by the second Papal conclave as Pope in 1978. The words on its cover announced in typical hyperbolic comic-book speak:
“The entire story! From his childhood in Poland to the assassination attempt!” I can’t remember exactly why I decided to purchase it along with my monthly copies of “Fantastic Four” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” but maybe the sheer uniqueness of the Pope being featured in a comic book meant to be enjoyed by the masses had something to do with it.
The biographical story is written by Steven Grant and drawn by John Tartaglione, who also drew “Mother Teresa of Calcutta” no. 1 as a follow-up in 1984 I decided to rummage through my boxes of comic books at home to find the issue and reread it to refresh my memory.
The story is told tastefully with the respect Pope John Paul II deserves. There certainly aren’t any comic-book fisticuffs or fantastical villains in the story. One scene depicts the former Karol Wojtyla walking toward the Wawel Cathedral outside Kracow, Poland to serve at First Friday mass as he watches his city being attacked by German forces. He informs Father Figlewicz of the war and Figlewicz responds: “Come let us celebrate the mass as scheduled. Now there is a great need for prayers.”
Who would think a Marvel comic book would actually show prayers being more powerful than web-shooters or a magic hammer. It would be wonderful to see Marvel or other comic book companies release more stories about real-life religious heroes along with their monthly helping of Iron Man, Captain America and the Incredible Hulk. I know I would certainly buy a copy of “The Life of Pope Francis.” Your move, Marvel Comics.