The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition

Written by James Kakalios

Narrated by Kevin T. Collins

A complete update to the hit book on the real physics at work in comic books, featuring more heroes, more villains, and more science.



Since 2001, James Kakalios has taught "Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books," a hugely popular university course that generated coast-to-coast media attention for its unique method of explaining complex physics concepts through comics. With The Physics of Superheroes, named one of the best science books of 2005 by Discover, he introduced his colorful approach to an even wider audience. Now Kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes and findings from the cutting edge of science. With three new chapters and completely revised throughout, the book that explains why Spider-Man's webbing failed his girlfriend, the probable cause of Krypton's explosion, and the Newtonian physics at work in Gotham City is electrifying from beginning to end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Sep 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684574568

Reviews for The Physics of Superheroes

[brucecoulson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun read by an educator who clearly loves and appreciates comics. Although the science is rather basic for anyone who majored in the field, the exploration of how super-powers might actually work was informative for those of us who lack such a background. And it probably kept a few students more awake in his classes.

[craigim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If I weren't working on a PhD in physical chemistry, I would have found this book more enjoyable, but the physics were much too basic. I kind of knew that going in, but I was hoping for more focus on the comic book aspects.

Kakalios uses examples from Silver Age and Golden Age comic book heroes (and villains) to describe concepts from classical, quantum, and relativistic physics. The classical physics descriptions were much better, with a lot more focus on comic characters. Once he got to quantum physics, he had to use a lot more exposition to explain the physics before getting to the comic book example, which often felt (to me) a bit stretched. While it isn't that surprising that there would be fewer examples of superheroes that use quantum mechanical tunneling than super strength in the course of their duties, it made the end feel a lot more like a textbook.

For someone looking for a fun intro to physics concepts, this would be a fine place to start. If you already have a background in physics, however, I wouldn't bother.

[meggo_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is what happens when you cross a comic book geek with a science nerd, but in a good way. Full of actual formulae, this is rather a more intellectual look at how Superman leaps tall buildings and why the Flash needs more skin lotion than the average guy. By the way - Thor's magic hammer that helps him fly? Scientifically accurate. So there.