Marvel's surprising foray into religious biographies

Marvel Comics, the powerhouse known for its action-packed superhero stories featuring characters like Spider-Man and Iron Man, is revisiting a surprising chapter in its history. The company once ventured into the realm of religious biographies, publishing comics dedicated to the lives of San Francisco de Asís, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. These special editions are not only narrating the lives of these iconic figures, but are becoming collector's items, and are currently being valued in the second-hand market.

From superheroes to saints: Marvel's unexpected turn

Back in the 1980s, Marvel was taking a different approach and seeking to expand its readership beyond the typical superhero fare. According to El Imparcial (2025), the decision to create comics about religious figures was «a risky bet that proved successful», demonstrating the medium's versatility in narrating diverse stories.

San Francisco de Asís: Brother of the Universe

In 1980, Marvel launched «Francisco: Hermano del Universo», a 48-page comic chronicling the life of San Francisco de Asís. With illustrations by John Buscema, known for his work on titles like «The Avengers» and «Conan the Barbarian», the project became a surprising success. The comic emerged from a collaboration between Gene Pelc, Marvel's representative in Japan, and Father Roy Gasnick, a Franciscan priest from New York who advised on the story's development. According to Ximena Cordova (2025), the comic «exceeded all sales expectations», selling over a million copies and being translated into eight languages, including French, Chinese, Japanese, Swahili, and two versions of Spanish.

John Paul II: A papal life in color

In January 1982, Marvel surprised the publishing world by releasing a 52-page full-color biography titled «The Life of Pope John Paul II». The comic covers the entirety of John Paul II’s time on Earth, from his humble beginnings in Poland to becoming Pope. The idea came from Gene Pelc, who, after the success of the San Francisco comic, saw an opportunity to narrate the life of the Polish Pope, especially in the context of his historic trip to Japan. The project faced challenges, such as restrictions from the communist regime in Poland and the assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981. Nevertheless, the comic was released in 1982 and sold millions of copies worldwide (Cordova, 2025).

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A life of compassion

In 1984, Marvel continued its series of biographies with a comic dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, titled «Mother Teresa of Calcutta». The founder of the Missionaries of Charity, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, was portrayed in a comic that narrated her life and work. The comic was written by David Michelinie and drawn by John Tartaglione and Joe Sinnott. While it did not offer the typical action scenes of other Marvel titles, it presented an inspiring story about how an ordinary person can become a heroine through her determination, faith, and compassion (Cordova, 2025).

The legacy of Marvel's religious comics

Marvel's decision to publish comics about religious figures was a risky bet that proved successful. These comics not only brought the lives of these characters closer to a wider audience, but also demonstrated the versatility of the comic medium in narrating stories of various kinds. In addition, they opened the door for other publishers to consider the possibility of exploring religious and biographical themes in their publications.

Today, these special editions of Marvel have become collector's items. In second-hand stores and on the internet, copies can be found that reach prices of up to 500 euros (10,175 MXN), depending on their state of conservation and rarity (Cordova, 2025). For those interested in acquiring these collector's items, there are several options.

Where to find these Marvel treasures

For collectors and comic book enthusiasts, these Marvel biographies represent a unique piece of comic book history. Keep an eye out at:

  • Comic book conventions
  • Online auction sites
  • Specialty comic book stores

Marvel's venture into religious biographies remains a fascinating footnote in the company's history, demonstrating a willingness to explore diverse storytelling avenues and appeal to a broader audience. These comics serve as a reminder that even the most unexpected combinations can sometimes lead to remarkable and enduring results.

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