Pope John Paul II is being reborn in a Colombian comic book as a superhero battling evil with an anti-Devil cape and special chastity pants. The first episode of The Incredible Popeman, about to go on sale in Colombia, shows the late Polish pontiff meeting comic book legends such as Batman and Superman to learn how to use superpowers to battle Satan.
"The Pope was a real-life superhero, of flesh and blood," said Colombian artist Rodolfo Leon, a non-practising Catholic who has been working on the comic book for about a year.
Like any self-respecting superhero, the Incredible Popeman has a battery of special equipment. Along with his yellow cape and green chastity pants, the muscular super-pontiff wields a "faith staff" with a cross on top and carries holy water and communion wine. In the comic book, the Pope dies and is reborn with superpowers beyond what the infallibility Catholic doctrine gave him on Earth.
Leon said was saddened by the death of the Pope, whom he admired. The artist worried some people might be offended by such a revered figure becoming a comic book hero, but said the reception had been positive.
