Theology and Spider-Man

George Tsakiridis is senior lecturer of philosophy and religion at South Dakota State University.

• Introduction: Theologizing the SpiderGeorge Tsakiridis1 Sin and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man: A Spider-HarmatiologyJerome Van Kuiken2 Tyger, Lamb, Spider, Hunter: “Kraven’s Last Hunt” and The Web of TheodicyPeter Admirand3 Untangling the Web of Sins: The Superior Spider-Man as Secular HagiographyDavid K. Goodin4 Let Him Be to You as a Goblin: Forgiveness as the Defeat of Evil in Spider-Man ComicsTravis B. Hill5 “Look out, here comes the Spider-Man”: An Exploration of the Creedal Theology of Spider-ManGeorge Tsakiridis6 Moral Formation in Pedagogies of Violence: Civil War’s Peter ParkerJohn C. McDowell7 Peter Parker’s Progeny: Power, Genetics, and Virtuous Parenting in Spider-GirlMichael Buttrey and Leah DeJong8 “Not Gonna Turn Invisible”: Into the Spider-Verse and Black TheologyMatthew Vega and Russell P. Johnson9 A Web of Significations: The Hermeneutics of Theological Anthropology in Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)Ched Spellman10 Venom the Liberation TheologianJosh McDonald1

As one driven by guilt and a deep sense of moral responsibility, Spider-Man is a character well-primed for theological exploration. George Tsakiridis has assembled a fascinating collection of well-reasoned and engaging essays that probe the depths of this complex and multi-layered character. This book is a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on the theological value of Spider-Man.