Of MythBusters And Superheroes
08.30.07 By Deanna Dahlsad
Advance word was that in this episode the “Marvel comic maestros” would be put to the test, but oddly enough, there was but one mention of any specific Marvel character (and that after Adam said “Nocturnal Echo-Locating Flying Mammal Man” and Jamie replied, “Uh, Batman.”) However, it was pretty easy for fans of super hero comic books and films (including me, who would likely not pass this part of the pop culture exam) to guess the caped crusader by the gadgets and myths tested.
Before we get into specifics, I ask that all fans who do not want their suspended belief disturbed in any way to please stop reading now. I mean it. Stop now. I can’t bear the burden of possibly ruining any of your comic book fantasies with such realities.
Still here?
If so, I hope it’s because you, like I, believe that even if reality should prove to ground your superhero, you’ll still enojoy the info — or, like so many MythBuster fans, you’ll debate the outcomes anyway.
Can a superhero’s ring leave an impression on the bad guy’s head? (Or, most likely, can a super villain’s ring leave an impression on a head — ala Punisher’s skull ring.) The MythBusters tried several times, but this was left as Busted as the skull they used.
My verdict: Pigskin over a skull misses the meaty parts, such as a spongier live skin and blood vessels. I’d say you can get a temporary impression (but not a scar). I call for a do-over. (It’s still Plausible for me.)
Can a superhero create a grappling gun that will embed a grapple pin directly into concrete? Can a superhero create an ascending unit to lift him up a grappling rope? And can they be small enough to fit on a superhero’s belt or wrist? (This would bring to mind Batman and a bajillion-dy-two other comic book guys.)
Jamie proved that a rig could be created, one that fit on his arm (not his belt) and while it took him up, they forgot about repelling back down. Adam made a gadget to blast into concrete, but it didn’t remain secure and was rather large. Busted seems to be the call.
My verdict: I’ll concur.
Can a superhero do a quick-change in a phone booth fast enough to save the innocent victim? (The phone booth is a tip-off that we’re talkin’ Superman here, but most of them need to dress and undress again quickly.) Tory, Grant and Kari took on this bit of silliness.
Kari was the fastest with just over 30 seconds (including a sexy hair-flip) to become Mythgirl. Grant was about twice as long, but Grantman did get stuck in the booth… Can’t say that’s a good thing for a superhero. Tory took the longest to create the Spasm (a superhero which will forever remain dear to my heart). Not sure if it was all the accessories or if the Spasm has, well, Spasms which slowed him down…
My verdict: It can’t really be done — but we knew it that. This was for fun (and everyone wants to see the team, especially Kari, in lycra). Busted — but why not do it again anyway? *wink*
Can a superhero’s car traveling at high speed make a 90 degree turn with the help of a grappling hook? (If you’ve never seen this scene in the first Batman movie — or don’t think about things like that to remember them, let alone question them — don’t worry, the replica Batmobile made it pretty clear who it was! *wink*) The team Busted this too, but as you’ll see few of the fans are satisfied with the outcome.
My verdict: Um, err, it sure looked like it wouldn’t work — but here my (lacking) knowledge of materials shows. I’ll stick with the team on this and say Busted.
Should you want to explore more comic book myths, check out Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed (which really is for the comic nerds, not the tech geeks).
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Article Tags: comic book, debunk, Mythbusters, superpowers================
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August 31st, 2007 at 8:38 am
Who was the Marvel character that they mentioned? I’m curious who they tested, as I missed it! I hope you didn’t just say that Batman was a Marvel character. I’d have to send out nano-robots to getcha.
As far as grappling hooks and concrete goes, one also has to remember that the comics use metals that don’t exist in our world too - such as COMPLETELY UNBREAKABLE FOREVER Adamantium and the equally-crazy-strong Vibranium (found only in Wakanda). Those materials would probably fare differently against concrete an retain their sharpness.
The classic Batman was all kinds of crazy gadgets in that belt, but the Silver Age was CRAZY with the pseudo-science. The Modern Batman also, apparently, has a mask that shoots out knock-out gas when someone other than him tries to remove it, though. Mostly, the modern Bats just uses his belt for flash grenades and capsules and fold-up batarangs. What I want to know is how Flash fit his ENTIRE costume in his ring. Of course, were it the Marvel Universe (and not the DC, which Flash is), we could say ‘Oh, Pym Particles!’
Also, the Comic Book Urban Legends column is something I look forward to each week, but it’s more about the myths about the creations of the comics themselves, not the pseudo-science contained therein. But tis’s till an awesome column, if you want to see the seedier side of how creators are treated and how they get creative revenge!
March 9th, 2008 at 4:46 am
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