Catholic books for kids who love superheroes

The other day, my son brought over the stack of books he’d been flipping through while I was working nearby.

“Mom, did you notice all these books are about superheroes? I bet a lot of kids like superhero books. Why don’t you write about Catholic superhero books?”

I paused to think about it. It turns out there’s a wonderful collection of Catholic literature that taps into children's natural fascination with heroes while strengthening their faith. 

“You know what … that’s a really good idea.” I said. So here you have it, directly from my son and me. 

This vibrant picture book follows a young boy who dreams of becoming a superhero, only to discover the heroic nature of the Catholic priesthood. 

Through bright illustrations and rhyming verse, children learn about saints and the Eucharist while enjoying the loving father-son relationship at the book's heart. 

Perfect for younger kids, this 32-page hardcover presents priests as the real-life superheroes many are.

This fun read introduces young readers to three dozen incredible Catholic men, including Venerable Augustus Tolton, St. Anthony of Padua, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and St. John Paul II. 

The book presents these holy men as God's real-life superheroes who started as ordinary people but were transformed by grace. Some even possessed what the book playfully calls “superpowers,” like the ability to fly or cure the sick. 

Each story demonstrates how these men used their God-given talents to change the world. Don’t miss the companion book for girls and the second volumes of both. 

(Our one quibble with these books is that the rather flippant illustrations don’t do justice to the sanctity and dignity of these figures, but it’s easy to ignore the pictures and focus on the great stories.)

This prayer book features traditional Catholic prayers with a superhero theme. Familiar prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary appear alongside vibrant superhero illustrations. This book would be especially great for a child who hasn’t been very interested in traditional prayer books.

The Saints Chronicles bring to life the stories of brave Christians from the earliest days of Christianity to modern times. All five volumes of this Graphic Novel Series are written to captivate and inspire readers of all ages.

I tried to pick just one book and simply couldn’t. We are big fans of Voyage Comics. (Did you know their founder, Philip Kosloski, also writes for Aleteia?) Their books include biographies of saints and exciting original adventure tales. Your kids won’t be able to put down these daring tales of adventure, and you’ll love the positive faith-filled stories based on Catholic values.

While not specifically Catholic, The Action Bible presents the stories of biblical heroes with action-packed illustrations that captivate young readers. It’s a great way for kids to read and learn about the Bible. 

Parents should be aware that this book contains some intense content, including violence and mature themes. You may wish to read alongside your child or pre-screen the content. We recommend it for ages 10 and up. 

These fun-filled books prove that faith formation doesn't have to compete with popular culture. Catholic publishers can embrace what children already love while guiding them toward the fullness of the truth.

By presenting Catholic heroes through the superhero lens, these books help children understand that real heroes follow Christ and serve others. These titles offer a great starting point for building a library that encourages both faith and imagination.

Have you found other Catholic books that appeal to superhero-loving kids? We would love to hear about them!