Joseph of Copertino, a Franciscan priest renowned for his ability to levitate, will join the world of costumed crusaders next week when a new graphic novel is published in Britain and America.

The Flying Friar, by Rich Johnston and Thomas Nachlik, is based on one of the Church’s most extraordinary saints who, although canonised for his extreme modesty and patience, is more remarkable for his apparent ability to fly and demonstrate supernatural strength.

The story of St Joseph, according to sources such as the Oxford Dictionary of Saints, bears a startling resemblance to modern fictional heroes such as Batman or Spider-Man. Joseph Desa was initially an outcast, born into such extreme poverty in 1603 that he was delivered in a shed. He seemed to be a simpleton and was nicknamed The Gaper because of his habit of wandering around open mouthed.

He lost his father at a young age and was resented by his mother, who attempted to rid herself of him by having him join a Capuchin monastery.

Even this seemed beyond him, and he was thrown out after eight months because of his vacant attitude and habit of dropping crockery. Only after being admitted as a novice to a Franciscan order in Grottella did he begin to display his powers, which were witnessed by people of unchallenged integrity, according to the Vatican. Joseph’s most spectacular feats were his ability to soar high over the chapel’s altars and, on one occasion, to help workmen to erect a Calvary Cross 36ft high by levitating himself and lifting the heavy cross “as if it were straw”.

Until now he has found fame as the patron saint of pilots and air stewards, but next week The Flying Friar will arrive in comic bookshops across Britain.

Mr Johnston, a British author of graphic novels, attempted to keep his character faithful to the saint, but has embellished his adventures by creating a fictional adversary in the style of Superman’s enemy, Lex Luthor. The story involves Joseph’s struggle with Lux Luther, a ficticious childhood friend and great nephew of Martin Luther, the founder of Protestant Reformation.

In the final act, Joseph must use his special powers to avert Luther’s plan to rain fiery death on Copertino, his home town.

“The tradition of superheroes goes back to Greek mythology and the Bible,” Mr Johnston told The Times. “Modern superheroes follow on from that, although they tend to come from science rather than religion.”

Samson, who possessed superhuman strength but lost his powers when his hair was cut, was also an important influence on the artists who created modern superheroes such as Superman, Mr Johnston believes. “Marvel and DC were founded by Jewish people to tell those sort of stories,” he said.

Religious figures have a rich history of being glorified in comics. The late Pope John Paul II was celebrated by Marvel Comics in 1982 in The Life of Pope John Paul II.

SOARING SALES OF GRAPHIC NOVELS

Sources: The Bookseller, The Wall Street Journal

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