WARNING: This is a spoiler concerning JLA: Justice League of America #2, just out this past July from DC Comics.
So, immediately on the heels of JLA: Justice League of America #1‘s last-page surprise that Superman’s Kryptonian god Rao has come to Earth, issue #2 provides a full look at the supposed divinity and offers his directives.
“Prepare the way for me, Kal-El. Tell the people of your world who I am.”
Rao sounds much like the voice of the Abrahamic God as chronicled in such places as Mark 1:2-3: “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘Behold , I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”‘”
In that case, then, Superman/Kal-El is Rao’s John the Baptist (or, depending on your reading of the scripture, perhaps Isaiah). At the same time, if Rao is going to speak through Superman with his “way,” then Kal-El could have a (thoroughly un-Islamic) Mohammed-like role.
It could also make Kal-El Moses, depending on one’s translation of Exodus 3:13-14, namely: “Then Moses said to God, ‘Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you.” Now they may say to me, “What is His name?” What shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”‘” And a number of writers would be thrilled to have Superman represent Moses instead of Jesus.
Rao continues:
“Show your leaders I am here to help and together we might make a better world.”
It sounds as though Rao wants (needs?) Superman as an intermediary to the people of Earth. Yet, with voluntarily Kal-El vouching for him, Rao eventually makes his statement directly to those world leaders of Earth, along with the press and various citizenry aboard the flying cathedral to which he has invited them all:
“I have walked on many worlds, brought love and peace to many peoples, but rarely have I felt so welcomed.”
Frankly, that doesn’t quite scan. Half of the plotline is Batman — as he is wont to do — being suspicious of Rao, particularly his ability to easily negate Superman’s powers. On top of that, he sought out Superman specifically so that he’d be welcome by Earth. And just how welcome is this “god” by the global religious institutions, exactly? Lois Lane asks the pertinent question: “What does a being like Rao hope to gain here, where every culture has its own faith, its own churches and its own gods?”
The answer to that question may lie in Rao’s own history. He explains to the crowds:
“I was the God to ancient Krypton and gave its peoples life and purpose. But then I left to wander the stars, spread hope and peace to other less enlightened places.”
Here’s where it gets dicey: Krypton was, ultimately, a failure. Despite its being an advanced civilization, it could not save itself from destruction. And their god was likewise absent to save them. Of course, Rao acknowledges this to Superman and, in a surprising turn of events, asks Kal-El’s forgiveness. (“There’s nothing to forgive,” he replies in Superman-like naivete.) He was elsewhere, bringing “peace” to “less enlightened places.”
Admittedly, Krypton is/was supposed to be quite far away from Earth, even by cosmic standards. Still: Where did Rao go, exactly? What other planets did he touch? And how did they fare, exactly? Any better, one would hope, than Krypton?
Rao is likely only telling half the story — and that unknown half is being hinted at in the supporting plotline concerning Batman and the rest of the JLA.
Then again… To be suspicious of Rao, to deny his message, and to be adversarial to his plans puts one in a peculiar place, too. Isn’t this the Roman position on Jesus? The Quaraysh view of Mohammed’s words? The Philistines in response to David? All of humanity versus Noah’s family? It’s an odd place for a reader to sit, alongside Batman, championing the anti-prophet viewpoint…
