Showing posts with label origin stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label origin stories. Show all posts

Friday, January 13, 2012

Can genetic engineering explain Peter Parker's / Spiderman's origins?

Spiderman has spider strength, spider strength and web shooting... and the ability to defy gravity!  How does Spiderman's powers hold up to scientific fact?  Which ones can be scientifically backed up, and which ones are pure science fiction?

Peter Parker gained his abilities after getting bit by a radioactive spider.  How much of this origin story could really happen?  Start the first video below at 3:40 to find out.

  1. If an irradiated spider bites a person, will it transfer its radiation to the human?  
  2. How might it be explained by genetic engineering?  
 

  1. Transferring traits from one organism to another at the stage of inception is one things but...  is it possible to genetically modify a nearly grown man like Peter Parker?  The answer might be found in retroviruses (such as HIV) 
  2. How could the genetic information passed along also help Peter Parker climb walls, shoot webs, and have the proportional strength of a spider?   (Beginning of video through 3:30)

Meet Magneto: Man of Magnetism



Magneto possesses the power to control all forms of magnetism. He can shape and manipulate magnetic fields that exist naturally or artificially. It is unclear, however, whether he must draw magnetic force from outside himself (if so, then he can do so over vast distances), or whether he can also generate magnetic force from within himself. Nor is it clear whether Magneto's power is psionic or purely physiological in nature. Magneto's power is, for all practical purposes, limitless. Moreover, he can use his magnetic powers in more than one way simultaneously. He can completely assemble a complicated machine within seconds through his powers. He can erect magnetic force fields with a high degree of impenetrability around himself for protection.

Although Magneto’s primary power is control over magnetism, he can also project or manipulate any form of energy that is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, radio waves, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, and x-rays. However, Magneto almost always uses only magnetism, since it’s more difficult for him to manipulate other forms of energy. Magneto has also exhibited powers of astral projection and telepathy, and has claimed to be able to control the minds of others, though his abilities along these lines appear to be minimal.

Magneto’s ability to wield his superhuman powers effectively is dependent upon his physical condition. When severely injured, his body is unable to withstand the strain of manipulating great amounts of magnetic forces.


Magneto moves the Golden Gate Bridge

Thursday, January 12, 2012

DC Comics' Plastic Man - The Power of Elasticity


Plastic Man is a super-hero whose unique completely malleable body chemistry allows him to stretch to great lengths and contort himself into any position imaginable. Originally a criminal nick-named "Eel" O'Brian, an accident in a chemical factory gave him his ability and he reformed to fight against crime. Woozy Winks is his bumbling best friend and side-kick. Despite being one of the most powerful entities on the planet because of the limitless nature of his powers, he has a care-free and humorous attitude towards life, leading many to not take him seriously. He has been a member of the Justice League, the All-Star Squadron and the Freedom Fighters. Plastic Man was created by Jack Cole, first appearing in Police Comics #1. (1941)


Malleable Physiology: Plastic Man's powers are derived from an accident in which his body was bathed in an unknown industrial chemical mixture that also entered into his bloodstream through a gunshot wound. This caused a body-wide mutagenic process that transformed his physiology. Eel exists in a fluid state, neither entirely liquid or solid. Plastic Man has complete control over his entire molecular structure.
  • Elasticity/Plasticity: He can stretch his limbs and body to superhuman lengths and sizes. There is no known limit to how far he can stretch his body.
  • Size Alteration: He can shrink himself down to a few inches tall (posed as one of Batman's utility belt pockets) or become a titan (the size of skyscrapers).
  • Shape-Shifting: He can contort his body into various positions and sizes impossible for ordinary humans, such as being entirely flat so that he can slip under a door or using his fingers to pick conventional locks. He can also use it for disguise by changing the shape of his face and body. In addition, he can alter his bodily mass and physical constitution at will, there is virtually no limit to the sizes and shapes he can contort himself into.
  • Superhuman Agility: These stretching powers grant Plastic Man heightened agility enabling him flexibility and coordination that is extraordinarily beyond the natural limits of the human body.
  • Superhuman Strength: He can alter his strength by growing or adding more muscle.
  • Color Change: The only limitation he has relates to color, which he cannot change without intense concentration. He generally does not use this ability and sticks to his red and yellow colored uniform. 

Source:  http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Plastic_Man