A local pastor admitted Thursday he can't wait to watch a movie about a strange visitor from another world who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those or mortal men.

Thing is, it's not a documentary about Jesus Christ.

"I saw all of the Christopher Reeve 'Superman' movies growing up," said Armando Garcia, the high school pastor of Calvary Chapel Murrieta. "I heard the reviews on ("Superman Returns") are good. As a kid growing up, I loooked at a superhero as someone to emulate as doing good with what he had."

With the premiere of the Warner Bros. blockbuster "Superman Returns" scheduled for Wednesday, and its accompanying marketing push, the pop culture aspects of the film might overplay the numerous religous facets of one of America's most legendary fictional characters.

The Christ figure -- a fictional character with the qualities of the Christian savior -- is such a common element in literature that there is a study of it, called Christology. Superman's myth -- which includes a resurrection and being raised by "virgin" parents -- also includes Jewish elements.

Graphic novel writers commonly play off of current events or other legends when creating a hero, said Paul Self, owner of Sky High Comics in Temecula.

"I'd say pretty often, maybe every title in some form," Self said. "They do like to be somewhat hip to issues that are going on, whether it's politics or gay rights.

"Christ, to me, was a superhero written about back in the day."

Superman as a Christ figure

Garcia -- who said he doesn't mind being called a "comic book geek" -- found the literary use of Superman as a Christ figure amusing. Instead of equating Superman's abilities with the miracles of Christ, outlined in the New Testament, Garcia said he looks more at the actions of Clark Kent's alter ego.

"I think the one thing about his powers that make him exceptional is that his uses them for the people," Garcia said. "What makes him so super is that he's not using them for himself. I see him more denying his own desires to serve others. I find him more reflecting Christ that way."

The Superman myth has Christian elements dramatized in his upbringing. Christ is said to be born of an immaculate conception. Superman was found in a rocket ship by a married couple who couldn't conceive.

"He can fly (like an angel)," Self added. "That's one of the oldest signs of godliness. And being nearly invulnerable is his thing."

The character was also killed off in 1993, only to be swiftly resurrected by D.C. Comics.

One local faith leader doubted Superman's second life had that much to do with religion.

"When he died, I read that it was a disaster, so they (brought) him back to life," said Rabbi Yitzchok Hurwitz of Chabad of Temecula. "It was a business move."

Calvary Chapel Murrieta does recognize the role heroes play in society. However, Garcia said the family camp theme -- "Jesus is my super hero" -- is purely coincidental.

Jewish origins

The Superman character debuted with the June 1938, release of "Action Comics." The Man of Tomorrow is the coverboy, hoisting a car over his head. Elements of his background can be traced back to writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, both Jews.

Superman's Kryptonian name -- Kal-El -- borrows from the Hebrew language. It resembles the words "voice of God." Moreover, comic historians debate whether Siegel and Shuster created Superman -- considered the first comic book character with other-worldly powers -- after Golem, a mythical being created to protect and serve the persecuted Jews of 16th century Prague.

Hurwitz said the Golem was a body created in response to "blood libels," where people would try to pin the murders of Christian children on Jews.

"(Golem) couldn't speak, but he could understand and go find things and he was very strong," Hurwitz said. "He foiled many blood libels, protecting the Jewish community."

Hurwitz said, according to legend, this Jewish crimefighter was laid to rest in the second floor of a synagogue and the stairs were destroyed to deny access. A further legend has it that in World War II, a Nazi climbed to the second floor and stuck a bayonet into a pile, only to die on the spot.

"Nobody knows whether it's true or not," Hurwitz said. "I never did any research to see whether it's true or not."

With that said, Hurwitz -- who did see "Superman: The Movie," starring Reeve -- wouldn't call Superman a Jewish superhero.

"I'm familiar with it," Hurwitz said. "I wasn't really a reader of it, per se. … The thing is, just because they put one or two things in there that connect with religousness, it doesn't mean that Superman is (religous). … These people wrote a story about a super being that was exciting for children."

Not super sacrilege

None of Superman's nods to faith cross over any lines of disrespect, according to local religous leaders.

"I look at it as a good thing," Garcia said. "It communicates truth in that this might be fiction, but it resonates something greater within a man's heart, the desire to make right what's been wronged.

"I think they point to a greater truth. … That greater truth is that Christ did come, did pay our debt. All these other stories are just shadows."

Garcia added that storylines in other graphic novels are primarily based on revenge.

"I don't see that as altruistic," he said. "If you look at 'Batman Begins,' he's more human than devine. I look at X-Men, they're looking at a rejecting world."

Yet, Garcia wouldn't call Superman his favorite hero.

"Silver Surfer was my favorite character," Garcia said. "He looked cool and he was on a surfboard."

Self said he counts consistent churchgoers among his clientele, only their favorite character is Batman.

"The one without superpowers," Self said. "The one who's just a man."

Contact staff writer James Curran at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2627, or jcurran@californian.com.