11th August, 2005

SIMON HOLT

United States

It was Bibleman! We saw him…really! First in New York, at the zoo of all places. And then just a few nights back, right here in Belton, Texas. He was loitering in home wares at Wal-Mart. Actually, his mum was trying to coax him back into the stroller, but he wouldn’t have it. A bit of a superhero tantrum followed, and his cape ended up around his knees. Still, if I’d spent my whole day fighting for truth, justice and all that, I probably wouldn’t be in the mood either.

HEAVEN'S ABOVE! Bibleman and his sidekicks, Cypher and Biblegirl, preparing to battle the forces of darkness including his latest nemesis, Primordial Drool. PICTURE: Courtesy of Pamplin Entertainment.   "I am so out of the loop! According to his website, he’s been 'battling the flamboyant villains of darkness' and 'thrilling millions' for the last decade. The kids and I did just go and see The Fantastic Four. And I have some pretty good memories of Superman, Spiderman and Thor, but no Bibleman. Where have I been?"

I’d never heard of Bibleman before. I am so out of the loop! According to his website, he’s been “battling the flamboyant villains of darkness” and “thrilling millions” for the last decade. The kids and I did just go and see The Fantastic Four. And I have some pretty good memories of Superman, Spiderman and Thor, but no Bibleman. Where have I been?

It turns out his website is right. Bibleman is big! The local Christian bookstore carries all the videos: Six Lies of the Fibbler, The Fiendish Works of Dr Fear, A Light in the Darkness, Divided We Fall, and the very latest, A Fight for the Faith.

According to the helpful man in the shop, the latest is definitely his best yet. The handsome and fearless Bibleman - along with his sidekicks Cypher and Biblegirl - goes armed with his light saber of truth to rescue the Vacation Bible School kids; the ones lured into darkness and doubt by the arch villain Luxor Spawndroth. Wow!

Apparently the dastardly Spawndroth is not Bibleman's only foe, just his lastest: there's also the Prince of Pride, the Gossip Queen, the Master of Misery and his wacky henchman Ludicrous, and, worst of all, Primordial Drool. I've got to see him!

There’s more: according to the poster in the shop, there’s also ‘Bibleman on Tour’ that any self respecting Bibleman fan won’t want to miss. It’s a travelling live show that goes from California to Texas and then all the way up to New York. According to the promo, “The special effects are dazzling!” It just happens he’ll be in El Paso this weekend. I’m packed!

~ www.bibleman.com

Simon Holt is on faculty at Whitley, the Baptist College of Victoria, where he is a lecturer in spirituality and pastoral care and assistant dean for research.

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