question for people who really really know comics

[JamieB]

If you want some allegorical stuff:-

? Creator-as-deity in Grant Morrison's ANIMAL MAN
? The progression of Superman in the DCU continuity as a whole (esp. KINGDOM COME, JLA 1,000,000)
? Dr. Manhattan in WATCHMEN

Straight-up:-

? Religious oppression in Marjane Satrapi's PERSEPOLIS
? The lives of Jews in America in the assorted works of Will Eisner, esp. THE NAME OF THE GAME, A CONTRACT WITH GOD
? Kyle Baker's KING DAVID
? The LEFT BEHIND comics series
? Chick Tracts (www.chick.com)

J-Bo-1

[Bad Andy]

A look at celtic religions via Slaine might be quite interesting too

[House of Usher]

Gem, I think you may be barking up the wrong tree.

Don't RE teachers these days tend to start with a moral issue of some topical relevance, like lying politicians, the war in Iraq, or the commercialisation of sex in the media, and then ask the kids to think about how religion might inform our sense of whether something is right or wrong, and what is to be done about it?

Your query reminds me of something from Sunday school classes a friend of mine went to when he was a kid.

The Sunday school teacher gave the boys a big pile of Marvel comics to look at, and they talked about them.

"The Incredible Hulk, yeah? He's got amazing powers and enormous strength. A bit like Jesus. Now, don't you think Jesus would want the Incredible Hulk to use his enormous strength to help people?"

As the RE teacher went on to point out, the central lesson of Spider-man has always been "with great power comes great responsibility". Not a bad starting point, but it may get you laughed at.

[Priv8eye]

J M DeMAttius' period for Dr Fate did have a lot of religious messages within, including an almost unification of the thoughts behind the various religions, and also reincarnation.

[critter]

How about Warrior Nun Areala, more action/adventure than religous. But the Catholic church in San Antonio, Texas had a fit over it.

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[Max Kon]

Most of the Warhammer (40k & Fantasy) stories have religious aspects, just not of any real world religion.

Also Thor is a pagan

[Mr C]

Thor is mighty, Thor is a god!

[Bico]

He's dead now, so how can he be a god?

Also, I'd argue about Preacher being about religeon, as despite the subject being something which Ennis returns to constantly in various books and stories, he's yet to say anything insightful or thought-provoking on the matter.  Call me old-fashioned, but 'och, isn't it all a load of old bollix, so it is, hi, isn't it?' doesn't count as insight.  Preacher is about manly men who smoke, drink, and fuck, all wrapped up in gun fetishism and a hetro - VERY hetro - worldview.

[gem]

cheers for the suggestions everyone, theres a couple in there I hadn't thought of.

And no, I dont think I am barking up the wrong tree.  Yes 'citizenship' is now part of the national curriculum and political, ethical and moral discussions must be had, but that is not the province of RE teachers exclusively.
I have to educate ages twelve to sixteen, of all different abilities, in comparitve religion.  Not in a way that favours one over another (although we are meant to teach 'broadly and mainly' christianity- but thats another debate) but one that encourages empathy and understanding.  
There are many initiatives in schools to promote literacy in boys and one of the strategies often tried is the use of comics.  If I am working on Catholicism with a class of 13 year old mixed ability students and I want them to think about the sacrament of Penance we will use academic reference, we will use scripture but if I want to capture their attention, suddenly bringing out a copy a comic in which someone is in confession can really wake it up.  
Comics are great for dealing wth stereotypes, Ben Grimm is Jewish, in several FF he is seen in prayer shawl and skull cap.  It isnt made a big isse out of but Jack Kirby wanted him to be Jewish.  The idea that Grimsy 'doesnt look Jewish' is great for a classroom resource.
If I have pupils who find reading difficult ,the type of  you guys have been reccommending are great for setting homework on.  For people for find reading challenging comics are not intimidating the way books can be, especially theological ones,  but the best thing is they often approach the subject with as much depth.  In key stage 4 I have to raise the topics of gender equality, the the ethics of cloning, war and peace, nationality, and prejudice-  anyone been reading 'Y the Last Man?'  that comics presents most of the problems of our society in a nutshell.

Ofcourse, I do not plan to use comics in every lesson, I dont think Ofsted would go for that.  However as a surprise elelment, or alternative example they can freshen up a class.  

well, that turned into a bit of a rant but  I was only answering a question.  thats what teachers do!

oh and to bamforth...'not real' ? that sure is an open minded attitude!  I love the way people can negate the beliefs of six billion people in two words.

[gem]

oh special thanks to Jamie and priv8eye, you both suggsted stuff i have in my collection but had forgotten about.  I loved that run on Dr Fate especially, thats one i am talking about, accessable and with substance.

[Queen Firey-Bou]

hurrah Gem , You must totally Rock as a RE teacher. in the schools here....man , it sucks, the f*cking music lessons start with prayers to jesus. comparitive , means vaguely mentioning that sinners in other coutries who are all wrong & going to hell, worship false gods.
I am surrounded by ( wee free ) prespetyrians, my bosses, my friends, even for Funks sake a 'special' friend... what wierd kharma is this that a pagan/cynic/agnostic is thrust in the middle of all this old testament voo-doo ?  The funny thing is of course , that in depth discussions reveal I am often more moral that they are.  I infuriate them when they chat about their church by drawing comparisons to islam, ha ha, "No NO NO but they are wrong !"

RE = bigotry & dogma lessons here in brig-o-doom.

my wee free pals wince at the fact that i even read comics...as somehoe theyve been brainwashed that comics ( like rock music i presume ) are evil...wait til i show em preacher.

[eggonlegs]

i think Al Davison's The Spiral Cage would be perfect for you! i still think its an undervalued classic!!!!!!!!

[Oddboy]

'not real'

Well, he's got at least part of a point here...
I don't agree that it's all not real - but while there are a lot of similarities & crossovers between the different religions, they can't *all* be real.
I'm Christian, so I know what I believe.