The July edition of the Marvel Comic series, “The X-Men,” tells the tale of good and evil by using Catholicism as a backdrop to the story. Along the way, many teachings of the Catholic Church are ridiculed. Among them are the Church’s pro-life position and its belief in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ. At one point, the pope is revealed as the Antichrist; at another, a former Catholic nun who was raped by a priest is cast as the pope.
Catholic League president William Donohue commented on this today:
“Catholics are liked so much these days that our friends can’t resist addressing us in comic books. Even more fascinating is this: ‘Bigotry,’ said a 2000 article in the Los Angeles Times, ‘was a theme of the ‘The X-Men’ from the first issue in 1963.’ Here we are 40 years later and the prohibition has been lifted. Just for Catholics.
“The Nation magazine offers even greater insight into the mindset of Marvel’s writers. In its May 12 edition, there is a review of three books on Marvel Comics. So sensitive is the company to bigotry that it has reworked Captain America as black. That’s right, this red-blooded American killer of the Nazis is now an African American. Another hero, known as ‘The Thing,’ resurfaces as a Jew. Gays are nicely represented as well—they can now claim the Rawhide Kid, a good-ole American cowboy.
“Blacks, Jews and gays. Aren’t these the very groups the Catholic League always says get special treatment? Maybe it’s time we had an affirmative action system for Catholics so we can catch up with everyone else. Just don’t award us 20 points—the Supreme Court likes its preferences veiled.”
