THE POSTMODERN THEOLOGY OF ZACH SNYDER’S SUPER-HEROIC COMIC MOVIE “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE”

Abstract

The study discovers the postmodern theology of Zach Snyder’s film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” from two viewpoints. The postmodern theology of the film as a systematic exposition of religious and mythological content exploits the Biblical images and subjects concerned with Jesus Christ. Superman is exposed as the Savior and Messiah but in a very specific, American, mode: as a super-hero which combines the features of the peace loving Jesus Christ and the passive-aggressive ancient heroes like Hercules or Samson. The traditional Superman’s enemy, Lex Luthor, becomes similar to the Judaic high priests who virtually sentenced Jesus Christ to death. The monster Doomsday, created on basis of General Zod who personified Devil the Tempter, embodies all sums of sins which Superman the Savior must expiate by his sacrifice. Batman is a Prophet, who sees prophetic dreams, and an Apostle who have to recruit the followers of Superman the Savior among other superheroes. The postmodern theology of the film as a cultural analysis shows how the Religious can be used in mass culture, especially in cinema: the image of Jesus Christ is conceptualized through the images of comic books mass culture, particularly through the image of super-hero Superman.

Keywords

• ісус христос
• кінематограф
• комікси
• культурний аналіз
• постмодерністська теологія
• супергерой