*Spoiler Alert*
This post contains references to major plot points from the Marvel Universe, including Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and the Loki TV series. If you haven’t seen them yet and want to avoid spoilers, you may want to bookmark this and come back later. But if you have seen them—or don’t mind a few spoilers—we’re diving in!

Superheroes, Symbols & the Sacred Longing (a multi-part blog series)

Part 1: The Myth We Keep Telling

Why Superheroes Matter More Than Ever

Every generation tells stories of heroes.
In caves, they painted them. Around fires, they sang of them.
In medieval halls, they read of knights and dragons.
And now, we gather in theaters (or around screens at home) to watch them fly, transform, and wield amazing powers.

The superhero story isn’t new—it’s actually ancient.
It’s Achilles meets Moses meets Joan of Arc in spandex.

So why are we so drawn to them now? Why do we, in an age of cynicism, high-tech and rapid change, still crave capes, symbols, and heroes?

A Cultural Obsession

Since the early 2000s, superhero films have surged from a niche, geeky type of fandom into global myth-making. The MCU alone has become one of the most successful storytelling franchises in history.

We know these characters by name:
Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Wanda, Loki, Thor…
They appear on backpacks, t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers and popular memes. Yes, they’re pop culture icons, but they’re also emotional touchstones. They make us laugh, cry, cheer, and mourn.

But underneath the high-tech suits and CGI battles lies something more ancient that draws us in—something deeper.

Modern Myths in Disguise

Superheroes are the modern version of something humanity has always needed:
Narratives that help us make sense of the world. The metaphors they provide give us life meaning in narrative form. They help us understand ourselves better, what we value, and what we’re fighting for. They name the dragons we face—both inside and out—and give us hope that they can be defeated.

In this way, superhero films serve a strangely sacred function—they invite us to believe in things we can’t always see: Truth. Sacrifice. Redemption. Destiny. Even love strong enough to bring someone back from the brink. They remind us that light is worth defending—even if we’re more than a little broken ourselves.

The Sacred Longing

In this little blog series, Superheroes, Symbols & the Sacred Longing, we’ll explore the deeper layers of these films—why they speak to us and what they might be revealing underneath the highly entertaining spectacle.

Because if you look closely, behind the wit and high-stakes battles, you’ll find a familiar thread that actually echoes something ancient. A story not just of justice, but of redemption. Not just of strength, but of sacrifice.

Think of Tony Stark (once the arrogant genius) laying down his life, with the words, “I am Iron Man,” echoing with startling finality as he snaps the Infinity Stones into place.

Or Wanda, consumed by grief in WandaVision, choosing to let go of the illusion she created in order to set others free.

Or my personal favorite, Loki, the god of mischief, who began as a villain and ends his TV series as a self-sacrificing, time-weaving guardian—choosing loneliness over power so the universe might survive.

These are not just cool endings. They’re salvation arcs.

Whether the writers intended it or not, these moments tap into a longing older than any film studio—a longing to see someone step into the chaos, take on the burden, and make things right.

The Golden Thread

This series will follow that golden thread. We'll also look at how the superhero mythos—especially within the MCU (because, I know those heroes the best! 🤓)—mirrors the ancient biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

We’ll dig into the fascinating language of symbols in these films (semiotics), the archetypes behind the masks, the subtle echoes of salvation, the evolving face of heroism in our modern world and what it means for the universal longing to be seen, chosen, and redeemed.

We'll explore how these stories point us toward  Truth, Goodness, and Beauty—the very things we need most.

Because maybe, just maybe, the reason we love superheroes…isn’t just that they save the day. It’s that they remind us it’s possible to be saved. And to become, in our own small way, heroic.

I love that stories like these remind us of our own sacred capacity for courage, sacrifice, and hope. Because maybe, just maybe, we keep telling superhero stories not just to be entertained—but to be reminded that we aren’t alone—there is a rescuer. To retell the important story that light will overcome the darkness. And that in every story, in every heart, there lives a deep and sacred longing to be made whole.

Next up: Part 2 — “Symbol & Sacrifice: Decoding the Semiotics of Superheroes”