Books:

 

Garrett, G. (2008). Holy superheroes!: Exploring the sacred in comics, graphic novels, and film (Rev. and expanded ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

 

            This book discusses the world of comics and superheroes, viewing them as “modern-day mythology.” It also examines the spiritual depth and themes present within this world and these characters. This features some of the characters from Avengers: Infinity War and can be applied in general to the film.

 

Oropeza, B. (2005). The gospel according to superheroes: Religion and popular culture. New York, NY: Peter Lang.

 

            This book offers a religious viewpoint of superheroes and examines them as spiritual figures. It also explores religious themes within the narratives of their stories. This again includes analyses of characters in the film, and a broader commentary on their universe in a religious light.

 

Saunders, B. (2011). Do the gods wear capes?: Spirituality, fantasy, and superheroes. New York, NY: Continuum Publishing Corporation.

 

            This book explores the “spiritual nature” of the superhero in modern pop-culture, as well as the many religious themes that are presented in their stories. It also includes an in-depth chapter on Iron Man, a critical character to Avengers: Infinity War, as well as in my project.

 

White, M. D. (Ed.). (2012). The avengers and philosophy: Earth's mightiest thinkers (Blackwell philosophy and pop culture ser. Vol. 46). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Incorporated.

 

            This book provides an analysis of the philosophies of various heroes within the Marvel universe, including Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. Through the analysis in this book, the morals and virtues of these characters are revealed, which tie into the religious themes present in this film and also can help to specifically characterize them as Christ figures.

 

Academic Articles:

 

Carney, J., Dunbar, R., Machin, A., Dávid-Barrett, T., & Júnior, M. S. (2014). Social psychology and the comic-book superhero: a darwinian approach. Philosophy and Literature, 38(1), A195-A215.

 

            This article presents the superhero archetype as modern day mythology, and analyzes the required characteristics of a superhero character. This allows parallels to easily be drawn between the Christian narrative and prominent figures (such as Christ), which is an important part of my project.

 

Fatu-Tutoveanu, A., & Pintilescu, C. (2012). Religious "avatars" and implicit religion: Recycling myths and religious patterns within contemporary U.S. popular culture. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 11(33), 182-205.

           

            This article discusses the relationship between religion and modern popular culture. It identifies religious patterns present in the media and film. Some of these patterns are certainly present in Avengers: Infinity War.

 

Fredriksen, P. (1991). Apocalypse and redemption in early christianity. Vigiliae Christianae, 45, 151-183.

 

            This article discusses the idea of the Apocalypse in early Christianity, and also touches on the theme of salvation. These elements are unquestionably present in Infinity War. The most relevant portion of the article discusses the idea of Apocalypse in African society, which happens to be the location of the fictionalized Wakanda - where the “final battle” between Thanos and the Avengers takes place.

 

McAteer, J. (2015). The Gospel According to Marvel. Christian Research Journal, 38(3).

           

            This article presents the marvel universe as an answer to “spiritual hunger in Amercian culture.” It discusses similarities and differences of the universe with portions the Christian Bible. This is a good insight to the Christian perception of Marvel, and allows for parallels to be drawn that are easily applied to Infinity War.

 

Yogerst, C. (2017). Superhero Films: A Fascist National Complex or Exemplars of Moral Virtue?.  Journal of Religion & Film, 21(1), article 37. 

 

            This article discusses the morality and virtues presented in superhero films, as well as defines characteristics of a “superhero”. These virtues tie in very well with the religious themes in Avengers: Infinity War, and the article also provides an in-depth discussion of some of the most important characters in the film.

 

Other Sources:

 

Black Order (n.d.). Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Order

 

            This page gives a description and history for the members of the Black Order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and thus Infinity War. These characters will be analyzed in my project.

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Captain America (n.d.). Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. Retrieved October 26, 2018 from http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Captain_America

 

            This page offers an overview of the history and development of Captain America over the films in the MCU. This is an important part of my project in comparing him to a Christ figure.

 

Feige, K. (Producer), Russo, A. (Director), & Russo, J. (Director). (2018). Avengers: Infinity War [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

 

            This is the film that this project focuses on.

 

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse

 

            This page gives information and history on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Christian theology. This topic is important to the section of my project which compares this concept with the members of the Black Order.

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Iron Man (n.d.). Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. Retrieved October 24, 2018 from http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Iron_Man

 

            This page describes the character history and development of Iron Man, an important character in my project.

 

Jones, T. P. (2016, July 19). Culture: The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the metanarrative of God. Timothy Paul Jones. Retrieved from http://www.timothypauljones.com/culture-the-marvel-cinematic-universe-and-humanitys-hunger-for-a-metanarrative/

 

            This article compares the overall Marvel universe with the Christian God metanarrative. The author argues that the organization of the Marvel films mirrors the organization of what is outlined in the Christian Bible. Though Infinity War is not directly discussed, this article applies to the entire universe and timeline in which the film takes place.

 

Myles, T. (2018, May 1). Infinity War’s Gospel Symbolism. Youth Ministry. Retrieved from https://youthministry.com/infinite-symbolism-avengers-infinity-war/

 

            This article points out the Christian themes and symbolism present within the film.

 

Peters, J. (2018, June 7). Avengers: Infinity War is not Anti-Christian. The News and Times. Retrieved from http://www.newsandtimes.com/2018/06/avengers-infinity-war-is-not-anti-christian/

 

            This article is a response to claims that Infinity War is “anti-christian.” The author attempts to disprove these claims and explores the relationship between Christianity and

mythology as relevant to the film.

 

Rhodes, R. (2007, October 22). How Did Lucifer Fall and Become Satan? Christianity.com. Retrieved from: https://www.christianity.com/theology/theological-faq/how-did-lucifer-fall-and-become-satan-11557519.html

 

            This article discusses the original sin and the origins of the Devil, with passages from the bible. This can be applied to my analysis of Thanos’ character.

 

Saunder, M. (2018, April 30). Avengers: Infinity War review: Discomfort for Christians and sympathy for the devil.  Christian Today. Retrieved from https://www.christiantoday.com/article/avengers-infinity-war-review-discomfort-for-christians-and-sympathy-for-the-devil/128842.htm

 

            This is a Christian Review for the movie Avengers: Infinity War. The reviewer discusses parallels and similarities to Christian theology present in the film.

 

Thanos (n.d.) Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Thanos

 

            This page provides a description of Thanos’ character and history in the Marvel Cinematic universe, including Infinity War. His character is a crucial part of the movie, and therefore this project.

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Thor (n.d.). Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. Retrieved October 26, 2018 from http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Thor

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            This page describes Thor’s character history in the MCU, providing important information necessary to characterize him as a Christ figure in my project.

 

Welch-Larson, S. (2018, May 2). Christ Figures, Assemble! Examining Sacrifice in Avengers: Infinity War. Think Christian. Retrieved from https://thinkchristian.reframemedia.com/christ-figures-assemble-side-eyeing-sacrifice-in-avengers-infinity-war

 

            This article focuses on the theme of sacrifice in the film, as seen in a Christian light. It also points out some of the Christ figures present in the film (such as Thor and Iron Man).

 

Whitbrook, J. (2018, April 6). Guide to Avengers: Infinity War's Black Order, Thanos' Cosmic Cronies. io9. Retrieved from https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-guide-to-avengers-infinity-wars-black-order-thanos-1824295431

 

            This article provides an in-depth history and analysis of the characters that comprise Thanos’ Black Order. This is important to my project, as I will be comparing these characters to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

 

Wilson, A. (2018, April 27). Avengers: Infinity War packs a punch, hits on spiritual themes. Facts and Trends. Retrieved from https://factsandtrends.net/2018/04/27/avengers-infinity-war-packs-a-punch-hits-on-spiritual-themes/

 

            This review discusses the underlying Christian themes that can be found in Infinity War, as well as analyzes Thanos’ character, comparing him to a corrupted Christ figure.

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All images were found on Google Images.