Let me start this list off by telling you I’m not a scientist. In fact, I was voted Least Likely To Be A Scientist in my high school yearbook. It was a brutally honest school. However, I do know a thing or two about superheroes. And, considering there are approximately 3,000 superhero movies, shows, and children’s books (probably) in production, what better time to talk about superheroes and science? Or, rather, the lack thereof. Let’s look at a few characters whose origins stray away from the realm of modern science. From what I understand, at least.
Electro
While pretty much all of Spidey’s rogues gallery could be included on this list, I’ve decided to put my focus on Electro. In The Amazing Spider Man 2, we were treated to a variant origin of one of the masked web slinger’s most shocking foes. (That was the only pun I’ll use in this article. I think it was worth it). The film shows electrician Max Dillon fall into a tank of electric eels, turn blue, and get electric powers. So, with this logic, if you fall into a tank of kittens do you get adorable viral internet powers? Hey, at least he looked cooler than in the 60’s cartoon.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
If scientists have been trying to breed pizza eating reptile martial artists for years, they’re missing the simple ingredient that gave these cowabunga dudes their powers: “science goo.” Or in this case, “the ooze.” So the superhero equation is simple: reptiles + science goo = adolescent superheroes with radical attitudes. Definitely don’t remember learning about that in chemistry class. However, it’s still more believable than the fact that they went on a music tour featuring a rapping Shredder.
Catwoman
We’ve talked about fictional origins involving science experiments/chemicals gone wrong. However, Catwoman’s Batman Returns origin is a bit…different. You see, after she is thrown through a window, Selina Kyle is swarmed by cats and gains the power of… leather outfit tailoring? Not everyone’s superpower of choice, but it will do.
