Was there ever a plausible explanation for Superman's vision powers

Over the years as Superman's mythos has expanded, we've been given relatively plausible explanations for his superhuman abilities(I'm not going to say it makes scientific sense for a difference in solar radiation to enhance his physical abilities but I'm willing to accept that explanation). However, he has a handful of abilities, mostly related to his vision powers, that don't make quite as much sense.

As his senses are all enhanced over a normal human's, I'm willing to accept (to a certain degree) his telescopic and microscopic vision powers. But what's the explanation for him being able to look through solid, opaque objects or fire laser beams ftom his eyes? Even with enhanced senses that stretches the credibility of what he should be able to do.

Yes, I'm well aware I'm talking about a fictional character that's had stories written about him by hundreds of different people olin the past, many of whom did not have a Mort Weisinger looming over their shoulders to make silure the continuity lined up. Still, this is just something I'm curious about. 

Views: 1887

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I was pleasantly surprised in the largely forgettable SF movie "The Watch" when at the climax Ben Stiller and his friends have to dismantle an alien doomsday device. They ask the one good alien to help them and he protests "I'm not an engineer! I have no idea how it works!"

Richard Willis said:

ClarkKent_DC said:

        Philip Portelli said:

I recall reading about why they never explained how the phasers (for example) worked on STAR TREK by saying on a police show or western, the hero never goes through the process of how his gun works and the technology behind it unless it was DRAGNET or some other Jack Webb show.

Reminds me of this essay: "If All Stories Were Written Like Science Fiction Stories"

This reminds me of the scene in the first Terminator when the cops ask foot-soldier Kyle Reese how the time machine works: "I don't know how the &%@% thing works!"

"Do you think we’ll be flying on a propeller plane? Or one of the newer jets?" asked Ann.

"I’m sure it will be a jet," said Roger. "Propeller planes are almost entirely out of date, after all."

This reminded me of when the Army joined me in 1968 and put me in a turbo-prop plane, flying me from California to Kentucky. It was my first flight and took forever. I was surprised to learn that turbo-props are still used today and are popular for some purposes.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Groups

Latest Activity

Dave Palmer replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
8 minutes ago
Jeff of Earth-J replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"A collection very important in my life."
1 hour ago
JD DeLuzio replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"This fiend has murdered someone and stolen an apostrophe! He may also have taken an hallucinogenic."
1 hour ago
The Baron replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"In Psychometrer Eiji, a policewoamn drafts a young man with psychic powwers to help track down…"
2 hours ago
Luke Blanchard replied to Captain Comics's discussion Comics Guide: March 27-April 2, 2023
"I've not read Planet Comics through. It did have different phases.  -There are…"
3 hours ago
ClarkKent_DC replied to The Baron's discussion R.I.P. Randy Jackson, Legionnaire Extraordinaire
"Facebook reminds us that today is Randy Jackson's birthday. He would have been 58. His brother…"
9 hours ago
Captain Comics replied to PowerBook Pete, the Mad Mod's discussion Anything, Everything, or Nothing At All
"Luftwaffe translates to "air weapon," so it's still applicable. But if I was a…"
11 hours ago
Richard Willis replied to Captain Comics's discussion Bond #6: 'Dr. No'
"Captain Comics said: (Apparently From Russia with Love was the last movie JFK saw in the White…"
13 hours ago
Captain Comics replied to Captain Comics's discussion Comics Guide: March 27-April 2, 2023
" Ooh, ick, I see where this is going. She's going to get knocked up by Rufus and be her…"
14 hours ago
Jeff of Earth-J replied to Jeff of Earth-J's discussion Prince Valiant
"I have decided to make a concentrated effort to catch up with Prince Valiant. I left off [reading]…"
15 hours ago
Richard Willis replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"A mystery, though not a murder mystery. It's also a mystery why the artist gave away part of…"
15 hours ago
Captain Comics replied to Captain Comics's discussion Bond #6: 'Dr. No'
"Here's an interesting article from the UK's 007 Magazine which notes that the success of…"
15 hours ago

© 2023   Captain Comics, board content ©2013 Andrew Smith   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service