The authors of The Science of Superheroes now reveal the real genius of the most evil geniuses Ever wonder why comic book villains, such as Spiderman's bionic archenemy Dr. Octopus or the X-Men's eternal rival Magneto, are so scary and so much fun? It's not just their diabolical talent for confounding our heroes, it's their unrivalled techno-proficiency at creating global mayhem that keeps comic book fans captivated. But is any of the science actually true? In The Science of Supervillains, authors Lois Gresh and Bob Weinberg present a highly entertaining and informative look at the mind-boggling wizardry behind the comic book world's legendary baddies. Whether it's artificial intelligence, weapons systems, anti-matter, robotics, or magnetic flux theory, this fun, fact-filled book is a fascinating excursion into the real-world science animating the genius in the comic book world's pantheon of evil geniuses. Lois Gresh (Scottsville, NY) and Bob Weinberg (Oak Forest, IL) are the authors of the popular Science of Superheroes (cloth: 0-471-0246-0; paper: 0-471-46882-7) "The best part of this book is not the science, which is fine but somewhat perfunctory, but the material on the various superheroes." ("Sci-Fi, December 2002) ..".Gresh and Weinberg's wonderful little book is both a potted history of superhero comics, and a pop science manual for the extremely lazy..." (hero.ac.uk-Higher Education and Research Opportunities, 28 October 2002) ..".children who enjoyed the Spider-Man and X-men movies will delight in The Science of SuperheroesPerfect for turning a comic-book obsession into an enthusiasm for the laboratory..." ("The Times," 7 December 2002) ..".This is definitely a fun book..." ("The Alchemist," 9 January 2003) ..".All in all I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in science and at least a nostalgic fondness for comics..." ("Chemistry In Britain," December 2002) .."."The Science of Superheroes" could be a useful tool for encouraging comic fans to delve into science..." ("Physics World," February 2003) What sort of damage could an insane supergenius like Lex Luthor do with chemical and biological weapons? Just how close are we to creating robotic appendages for our bodies? Can a human being actually soar through the air just like Spider-Man’s nemesis, the Vulture, by using a giant set of wings? And if not, why not? In the tradition of its successful predecessor The Science of Superheroes, The Science of Supervillains takes a lighthearted yet penetrating look at the true science that underlies some of the greatest comic book supervillains of all time. From Doctor Octopus and Grodd the Super-Gorilla to Magneto, Brainiac, the Silver Surfer, and many more, renowned science fiction authors Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg explore the background of these fascinating foes, asking intriguing questions that lead to illuminating discussions about the limits of science, the laws of nature, and the future of technology. Could a suit of body armor like Dr. Doom’s increase a soldier’s strength and speed–– or even help a disabled person to walk? Could an implanted alien computer take control of the human brain? Is it possible to create killer lipstick? From teleportation to time travel, from artificial intelligence to alternate dimensions, each chapter examines the supervillains’ devilish deeds, separating those that retain an aura of scientific believability from the barely plausible and the simply impossible. You’ll discover the puzzling link between magnetism and the brain; how Venom’s self-aware costume anticipated the development of intelligent textiles; and whether it’s possible that humans, like certain comic book characters, could someday live for hundreds, even thousands of years (the answer may surprise you). Plus, you’ll hear from comic book writers, editors, and artists on how believable science fits–– or doesn’t fit–– into the creative process. Filled with entertaining tidbits of comic book lore, The Science of Supervillains honors the remarkable talents of the writers and artists who brought these complex criminals to life, seeking out new rationales for what makes the Bad Guys tick (and keeps us reading cover to cover). The science behind the scoundrels we love to hate From Spider-Man’s bionic archenemy, Dr. Octopus, to Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, to the X-Men’s eternal rival, Magneto, comic book villains have kept us captivated for years–– not just by their diabolical talent for confounding our heroes, but also by their unrivaled techno-proficiency at creating global mayhem. But is any of the science behind their superweaponry based in truth? The Science of Supervillains separates science fact from science fiction. Renowned authors Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg present a highly entertaining and informative look at the mind-boggling wizardry behind such legendary baddies as Dr. Doom, Poison Ivy, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and more. Whether it’s artificial intelligence, weapons syst