TALK STORY

The science of Ellisverse.

POSTED BY: MANTICHORUS
UPDATED: Tuesday, November 2, 2004 03:27
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Friday, October 15, 2004 5:30 AM

MANTICHORUS


[center]THE SCIENCE OF ELLISVERSE.[/center]

Brief background:
Warren Ellis is a writer for the comics company WildStorm, who are owned by DC Comics. In many of his stories, he takes a second look at several staples of sci-fi (e.g. bionics, invisibility...).
In this thread, I'm planning on looking at several of them. I'll quote the story and series title in each case (as well as issue number, where applicable).
It should be noted that I am not going to cover all of them in one post. This is in part due to the fact that, although I am aware of the sources, I have not got my hands on them yet.

[center]Bionics.[/center]
From Global Frequency Issue 2, Big Wheel.
Quote:

“…Bioelectric enhancements are cranky. It’s not just a case of sticking an artificial arm on.
The surrounding bones and fibres have to be hardened and supported, or else the new arm will rip clean off your shoulder the first time you flex.
You’ll need tensile support across your back, or your spine will snap the first time you lift something heavy.
. . .
You need new skin; human skin isn’t tough enough to handle the subcutaneous tension of superhuman strength."

(Check out this address for a definition of subcutaneous http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0676322.html )
Quote:

"You’ll take a chip in your brain to handle the specific dataload from the artificial nerve controlling the arm…”


I’ll update again at some point in the near future (or so I hope). I’d appreciate any feedback on this.

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"To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation." -Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Aphorisms.
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"Never ask for a name. Ask instead what those you meet would like to be called" - Doctor Occult.

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Tuesday, November 2, 2004 3:27 AM

MANTICHORUS


Gah, no-one's said anything. Surely it's not that bad...?

SUPERMAN
Okay - it should be noted that this is from an Elseworlds tale - it is NOT the main DC continuity.

From Planetary/JLA: Terra Occulta.
Quote:

Mr Kent's fascinating ability of personal flight is entirely dependent on gravity.
Our observations from afar have shown that he stores a particular wavelength of solar energy -- one that his cell structure is actually designed to convert.
This fuels several different alien organs that doubtless lie dormant under different kinds of sunlight. Perhaps he was as weak as a kitten on his home planet.
At least two of these organs act on what we presume to be the Unified Field, accounting for his miraculous powers.
On Earth, he can refract gravity. This seems to create his flight, speed and possibly his strength.
But take Mr Kent away from a diffused sunlight, or exert him at night. Decrease gravity.
...
And things are much different.



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"To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation." -Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Aphorisms.
--------------------------------------------------
"Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact." -George Eliot, Impressions of Theophrastus Such.

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