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When a young boy looked up at Vishavjit Singh and declared, “Captain America doesn’t wear a beard and a turban, and he’s white,” Singh didn’t take offense. Dressed in a Captain America suit, complete with turban and beard, the Sikh cartoonist saw something more powerful in that moment.

“I wasn’t offended, because I knew that this kid was going to carry this image of me — a Sikh Captain America — in his mind forever,” Singh recalled. “This image has so much power. It opens up conversations about what it really means to be an American.”

In the world of mainstream comics, authentic representation of non-Abrahamic religions — such as Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and various African spiritualities — remains sparse. When these religions do appear, they are often depicted inaccurately or in ways that reinforce negative stereotypes. But recently, comic creators and academics say things are changing.

A growing number of storytellers from within these communities are reclaiming their narratives, portraying their beliefs and traditions with reverence, depth, and sincerity. This shift is sparking what some describe as a quiet renaissance in comics, where diverse spiritual voices are finally being heard — and seen.

Meet Sikh Captain America! #AAPIHeritageMonth @americansikhflm @MuseumofCityNY @CBSNewYork #SikhCaptainAmerica pic.twitter.com/2NuPTz24KY

— Dave Carlin (@DaveCarlinTV) May 9, 2024

Captain Sikh America: A superhero with a mission

Vishavjit Singh’s journey began in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when hate crimes against Sikhs surged in the US. Having experienced bigotry for much of his life, Singh decided to confront prejudice through a powerful cultural medium: comic books and superheroes.

In 2013 — a year after a white supremacist gunned down six worshippers at a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin — Singh first donned the Captain Sikh America costume in the streets of Manhattan. The public response was overwhelmingly positive. “Strangers came up and hugged me. Police officers wanted photos with me. A couple even asked me to be part of their wedding,” he said. “I felt I had a certain privilege I’d never had before.”

Inspired, Singh left his full-time job in 2016 to travel the country. He now visits schools, government agencies, and corporations to share his personal story and educate young people about Sikhism. Rather than preach religion, Singh focuses on the core principles of Sikh thought. “I talk about equality, justice, and the universal light present in every speck of creation,” he explained.

Africana religions and the rise of mythic heroes

The release of Marvel’s Black Panther was a turning point for the representation of Africana religions in mainstream US culture, says Yvonne Chireau, a religion professor at Swarthmore College. Still, the portrayal often blends traditions — combining West African Yoruba beliefs, Egyptian gods, and other African diasporic elements into a hybrid spirituality.

One of the earliest heroes with African spiritual roots was Brother Voodoo, Marvel’s Haitian superhero created in the 1970s by Stan Lee, Len Wein, and John Romita. According to Chireau, the early 2000s marked a revival in Black-centered comics, influenced in part by increased immigration from African and Caribbean countries.

Some Really Sikh Captain America action with @IlhanMN captured by @nategowdy pic.twitter.com/jULMiNG5VK

— Vishavjit Singh (@sikhtoons) October 29, 2019

Brooklyn-based Haitian American writer Greg Anderson Elysee contributes to this revival. Raised Catholic and now agnostic, Elysee didn’t discover African or Caribbean religious traditions until his teenage years. For the past decade, he’s authored comics about Is’nana, the son of Anansi the Spider — a deity of wisdom and mischief in the Akan tradition of West Africa.

Elysee says he’s driven by the need to see African mythology and spirituality given the same dignity and depth as European or Greek mythologies. “When I looked for books on African spirituality, I found them in the occult section,” he said. “That’s a result of colonial narratives that demonized indigenous beliefs.”

Attending real-life spiritual ceremonies changed his perception. “Whether or not you believe in the religion, these traditions fill you with joy, purpose, and a sense of identity,” he said.

Zen through comics: Quiet, grounded stories

Zen Buddhism profoundly shapes the work of John Porcellino, the creator of King-Cat Comics and Stories, a minimalist autobiographical series he has self-published for over 30 years. Porcellino turned to Buddhism in his twenties, during a time of severe mental and physical distress. Drawn to the simplicity and clarity of Zen — which he likens to punk rock for its focus on essence over appearances — he found a spiritual foundation that nourishes both his art and life.

In one of his favourite stories, “October,” Porcellino depicts a seemingly mundane moment from high school: walking home, being asked by his mom to take the dog out, and then pausing to look up at the stars. “It’s about being immersed in the ordinary, and suddenly breaking through to something transcendent,” he said. His comics, he added, are not just stories — they are part of his spiritual practice.

The Dalai Lama in a graphic novel

Teresa Robeson, author of a graphic novel about the 14th Dalai Lama, was raised Catholic by her mother, but her grandmother practiced Buddhism. Growing up in Hong Kong, she remembers the sensory atmosphere of Buddhist rituals — incense smoke, chants, and the presence of gods on home altars.

Though she no longer practices either religion, Robeson was eager to tell the Dalai Lama’s story in comic form, particularly his dramatic flight from Tibet to India following the Chinese invasion. For Robeson, the project offered a chance to represent a religion and culture often left out of mainstream media. “Children’s books are mirrors and windows,” she said. “Immigrant kids rarely see themselves — their faces, prayers, or traditions — in literature. And kids from outside those communities can learn from those stories too.”

 

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A legacy of Indian comics rooted in religion

In India, the comics renaissance began much earlier. Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), a comic book series founded in 1967 by Anant Pai, was created to educate Indian children about their own cultural heritage. The first title featured Krishna, the Hindu deity and central figure of the Bhagavad Gita.

Pai, an engineer turned comics entrepreneur, often carried carpentry tools to build display shelves in stores that wouldn’t stock his books due to lack of space. According to ACK’s current managing editor, Reena I Puri, the early success of Hindu mythology titles was soon followed by stories about Jesus Christ, Buddha, Sikh gurus, Mahavira (the founder of Jainism), and various historical figures.

Even today, religion remains ACK’s most popular genre, especially among Indian diaspora families looking to preserve cultural connections. Recently, the company has also started to explore indigenous faith traditions and regional folktales across India. Yet it has not been without controversy.

In earlier editions, gods were typically shown as fair-skinned, while asuras — often the antagonists — were dark and demon-like. Puri said this portrayal has evolved. “We’ve educated ourselves and realised that ancient Indian texts weren’t as colorist or racist as we are today,” she said. “We’re correcting those misconceptions now.”

Atheism, Paganism, and a Rebellious Lucifer

British comic writer Mike Carey, known for his work on DC Comics’ Lucifer series (2000–2006), has long explored themes of spirituality through an atheist’s lens. Carey, who attended Sunday school mainly for “fun, stories and chocolate,” reimagined Lucifer as the rebellious son of God — a figure in search of selfhood and independence.

In addition to Lucifer, Carey’s work delves into pagan folklore, particularly the eerie intersections between British religious traditions and myth. In My Faith in Frankie, he tells the story of a teenage girl and her jealous personal god, Jeriven — a satirical and philosophical take on belief, desire, and divine possession. Together, these creators reflect a growing trend: the desire to reclaim and reframe spiritual and religious traditions in comics. For many, especially children and young adults, comics offer both mirrors to see themselves and windows into the lives of others.

“Representation helps kids feel seen,” said Robeson. “And it helps others learn that there are many ways to be, to believe, and to belong.” Whether it’s a Sikh Captain America, an African spider god’s son, a Zen-inspired mini-comic, or the Dalai Lama’s journey in panels — today’s comics are slowly beginning to reflect the full spiritual diversity of the world.

 

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