The Science of Superheroes

What an absolutely FUN read The Science of Superheroes turned out to be! Lois H. Gresh & Robert E. Weinberg took several big name superheroes like Superman, Batman, The Flash, Ant Man, Aquaman, and the X-Men (just to name a few) and discussed in-depth their powers, origin stories, narrative continuity, and whether there was any basis in scientific fact for their superpowers. There were great recommendations both throughout the book and in the footnotes (ya'll know I love a book with excellent footnotes). They also went to great lengths to give a detailed, thorough history of comics in general which made this an altogether well-rounded and researched book. (I've read some so-called 'scientific' nonfiction that couldn't hold a candle to show more the amount of work that Gresh & Weinberg obviously put in for this book.) Another huge bonus was the extensive appendix which also included biographies and q&a responses with several popular 'current' writers of comics. (Am I gushing? I can't help it that I love a good set of biographical facts organized in an orderly fashion.) At any rate, whether you're a pop culture fan, comic aficionado, superhero movie nerd, or really into researched footnotes this is sure to fit the bill and be an excellent choice for a cozy autumn evening. 10/10 show less

First published January 1, 2002, this predates the now current cinematic universes and focuses on comics. I was never a comics reader, so most of that history is new to me, yet interesting. The focus is on DC and Marvel comics: Superman, X-Men, Green Lantern, gamma radiation (Hulk, etc.), and more. Generally, the summary in each case is that the plot elements are impossible and the explanations shallow techno-babble. Still, it is an interesting and engaging way to consider the science of such topics as back holes, mutation, super fast movement (The Flash and Superman), etc. I like that the final comics scenario tackled is one of the many sober inventions of the Carl Barks and a tale I may never tire of hear about even though I never show more read the Donald Duck comic. "The Sunken Yacht" is a 10-page Disney comics story first published in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #104 (May 1949). The story is about Donald's attempts to salvage Scrooge's sunken yacht for an exorbitant price. Donald raises the yacht by filling it with ping pong balls. In 1964, Danish inventor Karl Krøyer salvaged a shipwrecked freighter Al Kuwait in Kuwait harbor by pumping expandable polystyrene foam balls into its hull. According to Dutch jurist Arnoud Engelfriet, it remains unclear whether the story was cited as prior art in the rejection of Krøyer's patent in the Netherlands since the case files have been destroyed and the patent attorney has died. However, this book states it was the judge's deciding factor and I think that is a story too good to fact check. show less

It was an interesting book all around. Taking each of the big super heroes, like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man etc. and discussing how real or fantastical their powers/abilities are or could be. It was a very male superhero oriented book, but, the authors also explain even that.

Truthfully though, my favorite part of the book had nothing to do with comic books, or super heroes, or any of that, but it was the small section where they totally and utterly took apart Creationism. Put a smile on my face.

A fascinating book on the science behind the powers of superhero's such as Batman, Superman and the Flash. The book is very detailed in its science as to prove why the powers are not actually possible and is a generally interesting book not necessarily just for a superhero fan but maybe someone just interested in the certain topics covered in the book.