Aldis Hodge may have traded in Hawkman’s wings for a badge, but the actor revealed that his character in Cross is a lot more similar to the superhero than most would think.

Hodge plays the titular character, Alex Cross, in the Prime Video series. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, the actor explains how the homicide detective and forensic psychologist is a superhero in his own way. While Hawkman battles supervillains in the DC Universe and Cross operates in a more grounded setting, Washington DC, he believes that both protagonists are striving for the same goal. They are fighting villains and the people who try to oppress them.

Hodge also mentioned that growing up, he was a huge comic book fan. He added that he thinks comic books and superheroes symbolize the fight against repression. They fight the many injustices in the world and try to fight for the rights of others, which is exactly what Cross does on a daily basis.

I grew up on graphic novels and comics. I love anime. I’m addicted to anime.

Superheroes and comics were invented as symbolism for dealing with oppression in ways you couldn’t directly. You made yourself super. You created ideology around opposing what suppresses you.

I think Alex Cross embodies that. Where I start with every character is their honesty. What do they want? Who are they? Where are they at? What are they going through? What are their desires? Their fears? Their vulnerabilities? Their strengths? That never changes. Every character’s journey is different, but I need to understand that honesty in order to portray them.

Cross is a crime thriller that was inspired by James Patterson’s book series, Alex Cross. The show follows the character as he tracks down serial killers, using his training to get inside the minds of the criminals he’s trying to track down. It also focuses on his personal life and his fight to keep his family safe from the dangers that come with his career and past.

The Prime Video series also features a massive lineup alongside Hodge. The cast consists of Isaiah Mustafa (Detective John Sampson), Juanita Jennings (Regina Cross), Alona Tal (Kayla Craig), Samantha Walkes (Elle Monteiro), Caleb Elijah(Damon Cross), Melody Hurd (Janelle Cross), Jennifer Wigmore (Chief April Anderson), Ryan Eggold (Ed Ramsey), Eloise Mumford (Shannon Witmer), Jeanine Mason (Rebecca), Wes Chatham (Donnie), Johnny Ray Gill (Bobby Trey), and Matthew Lillard (Lance Durand).

Cross season 2 releases new episodes every Wednesday on Prime Video.