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Abstract

The sacred-secular parallels between Jesus Christ and Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman in Superman: The Movie (1978) and Superman II (1981) were explicated previously in the Journal of Religion & Film. This research was followed by the identification of additional holy, but non-christic subtexts built into the films to complement Superman as a Christ-figure. However, the sacred-secular parallels did not stop there. In addition to this persuasive array of positive holy figurations, complementary unholy religious subtexts were also built into the films. They were designed to counterpoint the alien Messiah and his positive pals, plus accentuate the evilness of the unholy Kryptonian triumvirate and their disreputable earthly associates. These screen villains and their biblical correlates were identified and explicated herein. Also canvassed was a potpourri of other religious elements engineered within the films for potential sacred effect. They revealed an even greater degree of subtextual religious saturation than previously realised. It was concluded that the first two Superman movies are profoundly religious and a pop culture site par excellence for contemporary theological discourse. Further research into this exciting interdisciplinary field was recommended.

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