Comics are great for using weird, pseudo-science to explain fantastical characters and plots. The Scarecrow is dosing all of Gotham with a poisonous gas that causes scary, psychedelic trip-outs and makes everyone kill each other? Buh? What? Well, he’s poured it all into the water system and now he’s using a giant microwave which vaporizes the water and make the air poisonous. Oh, okay. That totally makes sense.
Dr. James Kakalios, a Physics professor and comics lover, wrote a book called The Physics of Superheroes. He uses quantum physics, electromagnetic theory and astronomy to explain the whys and wherefores of all your favourite superheroes.
A couple of excerpts from his lectures are now up on YouTube. I love this one, about the Atom, the hero who has the ability to shrink to a minute size.
He also settles a debate about the infamous death of Spider-Man’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy…
…and points out that, no matter how strong Superman is, he really can’t fly across town carrying two skyscrapers:
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three comments
That book is really amazing.
Posted by Sarah
July 7, 2008, 4:30 PM
YES!
The only heavy or academic reading I can ever get into is this sort of thing. Physics + comics, or dense gender theory + Gilmour Girls, etc.
Posted by Tiina
July 7, 2008, 11:24 PM
It helped me remember my physics equations haha.
I like the chapter on the caloric intake for the Flash and how many cheeseburgers he would have to eat to be able to run as quickly as he did and to maintain enough energy. Answer: a hell of a lot.
Posted by Sarah
July 8, 2008, 8:51 AM
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