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When Rep.-elect Robert Garcia, an incoming congressman from California, takes his oath of office, he will be sworn in on the Constitution — and, beneath it, a stack of mementos including a vintage Superman comic from 1939.

Garcia, a Democrat from Long Beach, Calif., and a vocal comic book fan, was set to be sworn in Tuesday, but the ceremonies were postponed after House Republicans failed to elect a speaker.

This week, Congressman-elect Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) made some news by announcing he will (eventually!) swear himself in on a copy of the Constitution, a photo of his late parents, his certificate of U.S. citizenship and ... a copy of Superman #1, on loan from the Library of Congress.

Unusual, that last bit? Sure. But to me it makes a kind of baseline, profoundly American, sense.

Like any other lawmaker, Rep.-elect Robert Garcia will swear his oath of office on a foundational text. He chose the US Constitution over the Bible or another religious book, and when the time comes, he’ll also take his oath with three sentimental items, including the first edition comic of Superman.

“I've read almost all genres, but Superman is always the character that stood out and spoke to me the most,” Garcia, a Democrat from California, told BuzzFeed News on Wednesday.

A new Democratic member of Congress from California, who is the first out gay immigrant elected to the body, will be sworn in on a rare first-edition Superman comic, sentimental personal items, and the Constitution once Republicans manage to elect a new speaker of the House.

Robert Garcia, who was mayor of Long Beach before November’s election, announced on Tuesday that he would be sworn in with items of personal significance.