The Science of Supervillains

by Gresh, Lois H.; Weinberg, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780471482055
• ISBN10: 0471482056
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-10-18
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

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)

Author Biography

LOIS H. GRESH has written dozens of suspense and science fiction stories, and has been nominated for national fiction awards six times. She is coauthor, along with Robert Weinberg, of The Science of Superheroes (Wiley) and The Computers of Star Trek. <BR> ROBERT WEINBERG&#146;s fiction has been nominated for Hugo, World Fantasy, and Balrog Awards. He is a two-time winner of the World Fantasy Award as well as the recipient of a Bram Stoker Award. Weinberg also writes the comic book series Cable for Marvel Comics. He previously served for twenty-four years as chairman of the Chicago Comicon, the second-largest comic convention in the United States.

Table of Contents

Preface.

Introduction by Chris Claremont.

1. The Original Dr. Evil: Lex Luthor.

2. The Villain in the Iron Mask: Dr. Doom.

3. Computer Supervillain or Village Idiot? Brainiac.

4. Feathers and Fury: The Vulture.

5. The Kiss of Death: Poison Ivy.

6. Groping for Power: Doctor Octopus.

7. Leapin’ Lizards: The Lizard.

8. Clothes Make the Man: Venom.

9. Grodd Almighty: The Evil Super-Gorilla.

10. A Magnetic Personality: Magneto.

11. Immortality for Some: Vandal Savage and Apocalypse.

12. Have Surfboard, Will Travel: The Silver Surfer.

13. The Case of the Missing Antimatter: Sinestro.

14. Crisis on Infinite Earths.

15. Frustration in Five Dimensions: Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite.

Appendix: Comic Writers Tell All.

Notes.

Bibliography and Reading List.

Acknowledgments.

Index.