'Science and Superheroes' documentary debuts

[Captain Comics]

Press Release

An Intergalactic Union “

SCIENCE AND SUPERHEROES” “X-MEN”

Creator CHRIS CLAREMONT, “DR. WHO” PETER DAVISON, “BATTLESTAR” SCIENTIST KEVIN GRAZIER and “WONDER WOMEN” in Latest SCIENCE & U!

Premiering TUESDAY, MARCH 26 on CUNY TV and www.CUNY.TV

SUPERHEROES --– the idealization of our greatest fantasies –-- are creations firmly grounded in the realities of science.

 

So say the experts in SCIENCE AND SUPERHEROES, the latest edition of City University of New York TV’s NYEmmy® nominated series, Science & U!, featuring Marvel “X-Men” creator Chris Claremont, ultra-marathon man Dean Karnazes, “Battlestar Galactica” science consultant Kevin Grazier and “Wonder Women!” filmmaker Kelcey Edwards. They join authors and teachers who reflect on the real-life connections to super powers – with a “Dr. Who,” Peter Davison, a bevy of Comic-Con personalities, and a visit to Jim Hanley’s Comic Book Universe in Manhattan rounding out the program’s science connection to fantasy heroes and heroines.

 

Featuring a team of roving reporters well known to New York TV viewers, SCIENCE AND SUPERHEROES premieres Tuesday, March 26 (2013) at 8 am, 2 pm and 8 pm on CUNY TV and may be seen online after that date at http://www.cuny.tv/show/scienceandu/PR2001600. CUNY TV, the City University of New York television station, is cablecast in New York City’s five boroughs on Ch. 75 (Time Warner and Cablevision systems), Ch. 77 (RCN), and Ch. 30 (Verizon FiOS) – and its original productions are archived at www.cuny.tv .

 

• “Bad science makes you feel cheated. Science makes a superhero believable.” –

 

Kevin Grazier, astrophysicist with NASA'’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and science consultant to “Battlestar Galactica,” tells Mike Gilliam that the best superheroes are governed by the laws of science – and reveals his favorite character. •

 

“Characters are a reflection of the mindset of the times.” – Chris Claremont, the writer of Marvel Comics’ blockbuster series, “X-Men,” tells Tinabeth Pina that social trends shape his stories – he takes notes on human behavior wherever he goes.

 

St. Peter’s University professor and author Dr. Barna Donovan explains how the sociology of superheroes fits into his college curriculum. •

 

“There’s a need for strong female role models.”

 

– Kelcey Edwards, producer of the award-winning documentary, Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroes, tells Carol Anne Riddell about the power and influence that superheroes have for girls.

 

Then three women from CUNY’s science programs – Jill Bargonetti from Hunter College, Vicki Flaris from Bronx Community College, and Ruth Stark from The City College of New York – talk about the importance of role models for women in science.

 

• “Pick your parents well.” – Dean Karnazes is a marathon man with real-life super powers. Due to a unique genetic mutation, he can literally run forever. His body buffers lactic acid, the natural by-product of anaerobic exercise, as quickly as it is produced, and his muscles do not tire.

 

Lisa Beth Kovetz gets a better understanding of biolongevity from Eric Schadt, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. •

 

“New York City is full of would-be superheroes.” – Robin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in private practice and the author of What’s the Matter with Batman?, tells Ernabel Demillo how superheroes and their stories illustrate various psychological phenomena. Her analyses of many superheroes, including Superman and Harry Potter, have conveyed effective life lessons. “For people who have the gift – and curse – of being able to make a difference in the world, many of the gains offset the stress,” she says. •

 

Correspondent Barry Mitchell visits Comic-Con in New York to meet with the fifth “Dr. Who,” Peter Davison (who deems his character “the perfect British superhero”) and to meet with some of the “superheroes” who attend this popular convention.

 

Science and U! and all of CUNY TV’s archived shows are available on the CUNY TV website (http://cuny.tv). Join in the conversation with CUNY TV on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/CUNYTV) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/cunytv).

[Captain Comics]

I almost didn't post this after "X-Men creator Chris Claremont ..."

[Figserello]

Well, I suppose he was a comics creator that worked on the X-Men.  Like Stan Lee.