Science Forbes published an article that stated the obvious deficiency of one of our most famed superheroes.
Superman should be black.
After a brief reminder on photosynthesis, and explaining the pigmentation spectrum known on earth and what’s possible on other planets, even a fictitious Krypton, JV Chamary breaks down why Superman, who gets his fuel from the earth’s sun, would no doubt be super-hue-man. “When photons hit a pigment molecule, its electrons gain enough energy to leave their associated atoms…Photosynthetic organisms on distant worlds would use whichever pigments are most appropriate to the available wavelengths of light.”
There are some things not too often considered, but once stated, sound too much like right to ignore. Once the tweet went out though, the real kryptonite of information set people off as expected.
Since Superman gets his powers from sunlight, science suggests he should have dark skin: https://t.co/arO2Usw386 pic.twitter.com/J580D4xUpq
— Forbes Science (@SciForbes) April 8, 2016
@SciForbes the comment section is going to be lit, let me sit here a while pic.twitter.com/6ddJZQ1CIm
— JDegarson (@johndegarson) April 8, 2016
Well, actually…
@SciForbes he’s not even human, how could science prove anything about him? Lol
— José (@JoseDG8) April 8, 2016
@blackybooboo @SciForbes it applies to comic book characters? Okay
— José (@JoseDG8) April 8, 2016
@JoseDG8 @SciForbes pale skin that reflects light would be evolutionarily disadvantageous, to get more energy his race would select darker.
— J.D.Hovland (@jdhovland) April 8, 2016
But my man here finished the article and got the actual juice
@JoseDG8 @SciForbes didnt actually READ the article did u? clearly says “after all, the Man of Steel is from the planet Krypton, not Earth”
— Juice (@SirSudds) April 8, 2016
Some people said they already knew what was up
@SciForbes His real name is Kal-El. That already sounds black.
— johnathan appleseed (@jonnappseed) April 8, 2016
And added more facts to the debate
@ElielLucero @SciForbes yep. The two dudes who created Superman were Jewish. Superman is an amalgamation of bible characters. Nice Bowie ref
— johnathan appleseed (@jonnappseed) April 8, 2016
But this user wasn’t for this mix up of facts
@SciForbes No. He’s from Krypton where he has no powers bc he has a red sun. So please no.
— Johnny Quest (@TmaccMill) April 8, 2016
@DonSt0ppable @SciForbes he gets the his powers from the yellow sun which he’s able to absorb bc of his cells. On krypton there is a red sun
— Johnny Quest (@TmaccMill) April 8, 2016
Sis…
@DonSt0ppable @SciForbes it’s a comic book it isn’t based of physics. Plus he’s an alien his Biology and physiology is different
— Johnny Quest (@TmaccMill) April 8, 2016
This guy’s got a point
@JoseDG8 @SciForbes if science applied to superman he would not be able to fly.
— Camilo Garcia (@cag_7) April 8, 2016
But this guy’s my favorite
@BrandedNavy @JoseDG8 @SciForbes but he’s imaginary dude lol
— Matt Chase (@Matty_Light12) April 8, 2016
@Matty_Light12@JoseDG8@SciForbes omg!!! really??? Didn’t know 😒
— Guru (@BrandedNavy) April 8, 2016
And then the author just shut it down in the comments
The point of the article wasn’t necessarily about race, but as these comments and mentions point out, we’re willing to suspend all scientific evidence of magic when the subject is pale and just take a superhero as a superhero, but have some melanin thrown in the mix…and it’s just make believe, right?
What do you think? Should Superman have some melanin the next time we see him on screen or in print?
