We torch the Handwavium behind Marvel’s hottest character — Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. Dr. David Pincus of the University of Chicago joins us to explore how biology might survive a "Flame On!"
Hey Joe, Nick, Georgia, and David! Very cool to see David return.
Lol honorary degrees for all!
Great description of Johnny Storm. Good summary of combustion.
Great points! Yeah I too wonder how he generates flames. Reminds me of my character Katrina, an elf who can generate ice (and occasionally flames). I wonder what she would need to generate ice.
LOL a Johnny Storm experiment would be too risky.
Excellent point. I am curious how he survives high body temperatures.
Does Johnny Storm have regeneration? Or a protective layer? Curious what is likelier. I wonder if Iceman has both then. Katrina might have regeneration.
Extremophiles sound sooo cool! I bet Johnny Storm has them, along with others like Firestorm in DC. Maybe my elf character Katrina should have them too lol
Hahaha Rabbit Hole of Research fieldwork - Marvel science edition. Just pictured someone doing the same research (supposedly on a trip) that was mentioned and then watching Doctor Strange. That would be surreal lol
Yeah, sometimes research on seemingly "weird" topics that get smeared by others can lead to some important breakthroughs.
Haha I too wonder if Johnny Storm can have ghost peppers. Speaking of that, my character Peculiarexus, a dino-dragon, is unable to eat very spicy food lol. Though now I wonder if dragons should be able to eat ghost peppers/spicy food overall. Sorry lol I got into a side tangent (this is part 1 of my comment).
And Wolverine's regeneration has to constantly work, right? Because admantium would bring metal poisoning, I would think regeneration would need to be at work 24/7.
So PCR tests can detect regenerating cells? Cool.
Haha I got a bit lost but I think I got the gist of the scientific explanation of skin layers, genetic mutations, and cells that explain Johnny Storm's powers and heat resistance. That was fun to listen to! I enjoy the discussion.
I guess Spider-Man, Johnny Storm, and my character Katrina must all have controlling glands that allow their projection abilities to occur (like Spidey with webs, Johnny with fire, and Katrina with ice blasts and sneezing out ice lol)
Excellent examples of characters with flame powers.
Generate, localize, and project. Intriguing :)
I will have to comment again later but I am fascinated 😊. Cool discussion.
Hey Joe, Nick, Georgia, and David! Very cool to see David return.
Lol honorary degrees for all!
Great description of Johnny Storm. Good summary of combustion.
Great points! Yeah I too wonder how he generates flames. Reminds me of my character Katrina, an elf who can generate ice (and occasionally flames). I wonder what she would need to generate ice.
LOL a Johnny Storm experiment would be too risky.
Excellent point. I am curious how he survives high body temperatures.
Does Johnny Storm have regeneration? Or a protective layer? Curious what is likelier. I wonder if Iceman has both then. Katrina might have regeneration.
Extremophiles sound sooo cool! I bet Johnny Storm has them, along with others like Firestorm in DC. Maybe my elf character Katrina should have them too lol
Hahaha Rabbit Hole of Research fieldwork - Marvel science edition. Just pictured someone doing the same research (supposedly on a trip) that was mentioned and then watching Doctor Strange. That would be surreal lol
Yeah, sometimes research on seemingly "weird" topics that get smeared by others can lead to some important breakthroughs.
Haha I too wonder if Johnny Storm can have ghost peppers. Speaking of that, my character Peculiarexus, a dino-dragon, is unable to eat very spicy food lol. Though now I wonder if dragons should be able to eat ghost peppers/spicy food overall. Sorry lol I got into a side tangent (this is part 1 of my comment).
The regeneration reminds me of Deadpool.
And Wolverine's regeneration has to constantly work, right? Because admantium would bring metal poisoning, I would think regeneration would need to be at work 24/7.
So PCR tests can detect regenerating cells? Cool.
Haha I got a bit lost but I think I got the gist of the scientific explanation of skin layers, genetic mutations, and cells that explain Johnny Storm's powers and heat resistance. That was fun to listen to! I enjoy the discussion.
I guess Spider-Man, Johnny Storm, and my character Katrina must all have controlling glands that allow their projection abilities to occur (like Spidey with webs, Johnny with fire, and Katrina with ice blasts and sneezing out ice lol)
Excellent examples of characters with flame powers.
Generate, localize, and project. Intriguing :)
I will have to comment again later but I am fascinated 😊. Cool discussion.
I too am fascinated by his neurobiology.
Yikes. Denature sounds scary. And Georgia's question is hilarious. 😂😂
Hahaha flaunt his hair. Like Fabio from the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter ads.
Gland Man LOL😂
Haha yeah I bet Johnny Storm would need to eat a ton then. Mr. Fantastic can cover the food costs though, correct?
Haha I think Katrina would have lots of pizzas lol
I wonder if Firestorm and Superman have to eat a lot too then haha
Awesome discussion! Fun episode! Kudos!