When it comes to comic-books, seeing elements of yourself or your identity in a superhero is one of the best feelings in the world. Fans feel seen when they see characters of their cultural background or sexual orientation. It's how some casual readers or watchers become avid fans, which shows representation really does matter. Like Stan Lee said about Spider-Man: "Anyone can wear the mask." No matter their race, gender expression, sexual orientation, and so on, anyone can be a superhero.

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The Jewish community (which the author belongs to) in particular have associated themselves with comic book characters. First of all, Stan Lee, the most famous and prolific creator of superheroes, is Jewish. Additionally, Jews know what it's like to be different and to keep their identities secret, so it's empowering to see these characters be open about their Jewishness. Here are eight comic book characters who give some awesome representation for the Jewish community.

8 Moon Knight

When Marc Spector, also known as Moon Knight, was first created, he wasn't envisioned as a Jewish character. Yet later on, the writers thought his name "sounded Jewish," and therefore introduced a Jewish childhood for the character. Moon Knight #37 provides details about Marc Spector's Jewish background. His father was a rabbi, so he was at least surrounded by Judaism in his childhood.

Joe Quesada, the editor in chief for Marvel Comics editor-in-chief identified Moon Knight as an important Jewish character in the comics. While Spector is non-practicing an adult, he still retains a Jewish background and knowledge. Because his powers are derived from Khonshu, an ancient Egyptian god, his character is already linked to religion and spirituality.

7 Harley Quinn

You'd think from her New York accident and use of "oy," Harley Quinn might be Jewish. She actually uses Yiddish, the historical language of Ashkenazi Jews, quite frequently.

In Gotham City Sirens #7, Harley Quinn arrives in red and green with a menorah on her head. She explains her mother is Catholic and her dad is Jewish, so she celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah. Even being Jewish-Catholic, she embraces her Judaism and displays it without caring what others think.

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6 Thing aka Ben Grimm

Along with being a member of the Fantastic FourBen Grimm, or Thing, is Jewish. In Fantastic Four (Vol 3) #56,  Grimm returns to his old neighborhood and reunites with Mr. Sheckerberg, a pawn shop owner he knew as a child. Flashbacks during this story reveal his Jewish heritage. Grimm even recites the Shema for a dying Mr Sheckerberg, as it's traditional for Jews to say that prayer as their last words.

After thirteen years as Thing, he has a Bar Mitzvah. The comics show him at a synagogue reading from the Torah, one of the most overt displays of Judaism in comic book history. Not only does he reclaim his Jewish heritage, but the Bar Mitzvah ceremony draws an astute parallel between becoming an adult in the religion and his transformation.

5 Kitty Pryde

Parallels have often been drawn between X-Men and minorities, as both communities represent those who are different, feel unseen or unconsidered. Katherine "Kitty" Pryde attests to this comparison, as she is openly Jewish (and has spoken about discrimination against her religion and mutation). In Ultimate X-Men, Kitty is always drawn with a Star of David around her neck, a symbol of Jewish faith.

In The Uncanny X-Men #159, she uses this symbol to repel Dracula, and it works because of her devout belief. And the best part? Kitty is proud to be a Jew. In All-New X-Men #13, she speaks out against Havok's infamous M-Word Speech, saying: "I am Jewish. I am a mutant. And I want people to know who I am. I tell people because hey, if we're going to have a problem with it, I'd like to know."

4 Magneto

Comic book writer Chris Claremont (who is Jewish) created the backstory that Magneto was a Holocaust survivor, and had family who died in the Holocaust. Although in the 90s, Marvel worried that if X-Men's greatest villain was Jewish, it could come off as anti-Semitic. Yet in the X-Men: Magneto Testament series, his true identity was Max Eisenhardt, who is Jewish.

This portrayal has carried over to the films. For instance, in the first movie, a flashback shows Magneto as a young boy being taken along with other Jews into a Nazi concentration camp. His experience in the Holocaust is now more apparent in the comics, confirming his Jewish identity. He takes revenge upon Red Skull by entombing him alive, showing not even his villainous status can excuse anti-Semitism.

3 Batwoman

We know Batwoman is part of the LGBTQ community (as a lesbian), but she's part of the Jewish community as well. In DC Bombshells, Kate stops crime syndicates that were selling Jewish names to the Nazi regime. She meets a young Jewish girl in Berlin, who explains how she isn't afraid of the Nazis due to the Jewish heroes that came before her, and how they can't kill faith. This inspires Kate take pride in her Jewish heritage, and participate in lighting the Shabbat candles.

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Even outside the Bombshell universe, Kate partakes in Jewish traditions like celebrating Hanukkah. Much like she is open about her sexuality, she is open about her religion. The new CW series stated that Batwoman will be Jewish in their rendition.

2 Pietro and Wanda Maximoff

 

As mentioned before, Magneto has been portrayed as Jewish. Because Pietro (Quicksilver) and Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) are Magneto's kids, this makes them at least half Jewish. Their mother, Magda, is Romani. While neither Pietro nor Wanda have participated in any Jewish practices, it doesn't detract from their background. At the same time, following their appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they have been portrayed as such.

Many fans consider Pietro and Wanda Maximoff as part of the Jewish community. This could be from a variety of reasons. For instance, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen use heavy Eastern European accents, and Ashkenazi Jews descend from that region. There's an entire subcategory of fanfiction that surrounds Jewish Wanda Maximoff. And as always, fan art is used to depict it, such as this image illustrated by Lena. Find the full image on her Tumblr, portraitoftheoddity.

1 Colossal Boy

Gim Allon, originally known as Colossal Boy, is part of the Legion of Superheroes. When radiation from a nearby meteor altered the molecules in his body, Gim found himself with the power to grow giant. Gim first appeared in Action Comics #267 in 1960. In 1980 writer Paul Levitz identified him as Jewish due to his Israeli surname. This makes sense because he was born in the area once known as Israel.

Both of his parents are Jewish, and 12 Days of DC includes Colossal Boy in their Teen Titans Hanukkah special "Oil's Well."

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