- September 2002
21.90 Euro
2002. 224 Pages, Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0-471-02460-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-471-02460-6 - John Wiley & Sons






Sample Chapter

Detailed description
The truth about superpowers . . . science fact or science fiction?

"An entertaining and informative guide to comic book wonders bound to come."
--Julius Schwartz, Editor Emeritus, DC Comics

Superman, Batman, The X-Men, Flash, Spider Man . . . they protect us from evildoers, defend truth and justice, and, occasionally, save our planet from certain doom. Yet, how much do we understand about their powers?

In this engaging yet serious work, Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg attempt to answer that question once and for all. From X-ray vision to psychokinesis, invisibility to lightspeed locomotion, they take a hard, scientific look at the powers possessed by all of our most revered superheroes, and a few of the lesser ones, in an attempt to sort fact from fantasy. In the process, they unearth some shocking truths that will unsettle, alarm, and even terrify all but the most fiendish of supervillains.

Lois Gresh (Rochester, NY) has written eight novels and nonfiction books as well as dozens of short stories and has been nominated for national fiction awards six times.
Robert Weinberg (Oak Forest, IL) is a multiple award-winning author of novels, nonfiction books, short stories and comics.

From the contents
Preface.

A Word about the Law.

Introduction: Men of Steel, Feathers of Fury by Dean Koontz.

Chapter 1: More Powerful than a Speeding Locomotive: Superman.

The Superman Legend Begins.

What Makes Superman Super?

Alien Visitors.

The Drake Equation.

Rare Earth?

A Question of Gravity.

Chapter 2: Rays--Cosmic and Gamma: The Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk.

Humble Beginnings.

A Fantastic Foursome.

Frankenstein's Monster--Marvel Style.

The Perils of Technobabble.

The GFP Hulk.

Chapter 3: The Dark Knight: Batman.

A NonSuper Superhero.

The Science of Batman.

The Gotham City Earthquake.

Chapter 4: Under the Sea: Aquaman and Sub-Mariner.

Undersea Heroes.

Our Aquatic Ancestors?

Breathing Underwater.

Pressure.

Fluid Breathing.

Talking to Fish.

Chapter 5: Along Came a Spider: Spider-Man.

With Great Power.

The Power of a Spider?

Clones, Clones, and More Clones.

Chapter 6: Green Lanterns and Black Holes: Magic, Science, and Two Green Lanterns.

Wanted: An Unlimited Power Source.

The Life and Death of Stars.

The Origin of Black Holes.

Yellow Light.

Chapter 7: Of Atoms, Ants, and Giants: Ant Man and the Atom.

Ant Man.

The Square Cubed Law.

The Atom.

The Atom Exploded.

Chapter 8: Fast, Fast, Fast: The Flash.

Introducing the Flash.

Problems with Logic.

The Speed Barrier.

Chapter 9: Good, Evil, and Indifferent Mutants: The X-Men.

A Victory Snatched from the Ashes.

The Case for Evolution.

The Truth about Creationism.

Creating the X-Men.

Chapter 10: Mysteries in Space: Science Fiction Superheroes.

Super Science without Super Heroes.

The Secrets of Other Worlds, Exposed!

Doomsday on Earth.

Across the Ages.

The Grandfather Paradox.

Chapter 11: The Right Stuff: Donald Duck.

The Real Deal.

The Duck Man.

Appendix A: Who Missed the Cut?

Appendix B: The Professionals Speak.

Bibliography and Reading List.

Acknowledgments.

Index.