What It Means To Be A Doctor: Faiza Hussain And The Healthcare Industry

As an industry, healthcare is an essential part of society. The UK is one of the leading healthcare bodies in the world, thanks to the efforts of the National Health Service (NHS). NHS workers and doctors are some of the hardest working people around. It could be argued they are real life superheroes because of their commitment to saving lives. A character who represents the courage of doctors is Faiza Hussain.

Starting off as a character without any powers, Faiza used her skills as a doctor to heal people. Eventually, she joined MI:13 and became the wielder of the legendary sword Excalibur. Faiza’s journey is inspirational, so I’m looking into how she can be used as a role model for anyone who is interested in becoming a doctor.

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What Does Christmas Mean To Magneto?

When it comes to religious holidays, Christmas is arguably the most widely celebrated. Other festivals are equally important because they act as celebrations for different cultures. Hanukkah is a crucial part of the Jewish faith, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Comics have developed into a good source of observing religious practices through different characters.

After reading The Merry X-Men Christmas Special, I came across a story with Magneto and how he observes the holiday season. Magneto’s Jewish background is a major part of his character, but his faith has never been explored in a Christmas context. I’m looking into what the holidays signify for the Master of Magnetism and how it’s impacted his world view.

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Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People

Daredevil is one of the most down to earth superheroes in the Marvel Universe. His powers and personality make him the kind of person you can root for. Recently, I’ve been delving into the Man Without Fear’s history and I came across the graphic novel Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown. Written by Charles Soule, the story revolves around Matt Murdock returning to New York with a new purpose. In the depths of Chinatown, Daredevil learns what it means to take on an apprentice for the first time. Continue reading “Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People”

Analysing The Nature Of Shinto Funerals With Daken And Wolverine

Everyone has their own way of coping with death, whether through carrying out their own personal rituals or spending time with loved ones. The passing of my grandad has made me think about the burial ceremonies from different cultures, with comics offering an insight into the various practices. After all, death is never constant in comics. But we still mourn characters if we’ve read about them for years. Japanese funerals are some of the most elaborate, so it seemed appropriate that Wolverine’s death would be honoured through a culture that shaped his life.

During the Death of Wolverine arc, Logan’s son, Daken, carried out a traditional Shinto funeral for his father. Shinto funerals have twenty steps and I’m looking into each one as a way of seeing how grief is processed. Continue reading “Analysing The Nature Of Shinto Funerals With Daken And Wolverine”

The Chaotic Nature Of Kami: Amatsu-Mikaboshi And Japanese Mythology

In terms of mythology, Japanese folklore makes up some of the most intriguing stories. Japanese religion is based around the kami, spirits that are linked to nature and embody different virtues. Kami are known to exhibit good and evil characteristics, with their nature being ambiguous. Marvel has always represented Japanese culture in a faithful way, which extends to the mythology. A character that represents the power of kami is Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Japanese god of darkness and one of the greatest threats to the Marvel Universe. Mikaboshi’s existence offers a window into the idea of chaos. Continue reading “The Chaotic Nature Of Kami: Amatsu-Mikaboshi And Japanese Mythology”

Why Azrael Represents The Darker Side Of Religion

For Batman, fighting crime is a crusade, but there have been times when Bruce Wayne has been unable to fulfil his duties to Gotham. Other characters have worn the cowl when he’s been unable to, including Jean-Paul Valley. Better known as Azrael, Valley was characterised by his religious fanaticism, part of his conditioning as a member of The Sacred Order of Saint Dumas. With Batman’s help, Azrael was able to overcome the Order’s influence and strike out to find his own place in the world. Azrael a suitable metaphor for religious zealotry as well as for exploring the nature of faith. The Comic Vault is taking a look into his history to understand his motivations.

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How Wolfsbane Overcame Persecution And Became More In Touch With Her Religion

Growing up in a religious environment leaves a lasting impression, with people using religion as comfort or as justification. Believing in a higher power can provide a positive experience, but it can also become a prison. There are a variety of religious superheroes and Wolfsbane is a character that’s struggled with her faith. As a member of the X-Men, Rahne Sinclair’s mutant powers have conflicted with her religious beliefs. But over time she was able to reconcile who she was with what she believed in.

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Why Monet St Croix Is A Powerful Role Model For Muslim Women

The brilliant thing about comics is the amount of representation that goes on among characters. The plights of different groups are shown through various superheroes. One of the most diverse comic characters is Monet St Croix, as she has an Algerian, Bosnian and French background. In addition, she is one of the few Muslim superheroes. M’s heritage has been used as a way to explore anti-Muslim hate in America. When combined with her identity as a mutant, M’s journey is relatable to a lot of people. Here’s why she’s worth knowing about.

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4 Jewish Comic Characters That Represent The Strength Of Their People

Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions, with many people practicing it in the modern day. Recently, I visited the Jewish Uprising and POLIN museums in Warsaw, which exposed me to the complex history of Jewish people. It made me think of how Jews are represented in comics, and it turns out there are many examples of the religion being treated with respect. There are characters that represent the traditions and resiliency of the Jewish faith. The Comic Vault is featuring four important Jewish characters to see how they are portrayed.

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