Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 18:22:24 -0400 
From: "David M. Pahnos" <dp0q+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Kryptonian Powers  (LONG)

WANTED: a good, solid physics-based explanation of Kryptonian and Daxamite
        abilities.  How does yellow sun radiation charge 'em up?
        Are they photoelectric?  Do/did they originally draw energy from
        a red sun environment?

I feel a real weakness of the post-Crisis Superman is the lack of a good
explanation for his powers.  Hey, I know this is comics, but I gotta at
least TRY to believe, right?  Oh yeah... how do Kryptonite (or lead in the
case of Daxamites) fit into the explanation? 

Thanks in adavnce for any replies.

tony rogers
 

The following is half my own theories of KryptoDaxamite power sets and
what I have gleaned from the books themselves.  I would greatly
appreciate some feedback  on this.  I've been working on it for quite a
while (and you may have seen earlier postings of this nature).

michael j pastor iii
guest on davids account

Krypton, Daxam, and Earth:  some common origins??


Because of the similarites of the two races native to Daxam and Krypton,
it is obvious that they are indeed related.  A plausable thoery is that
Daxam is the parent of the two, since both their strengths and
weaknesses are more extreme than Kryptonians.  (Evolution naturally
favoring an averaging process).  Both races are from planets that orbit
red suns, which are the weakest of star/sun types in radiation output
and temperature.  When under the solar influence of a star "higher" in
the spectrum, and initially in the geosphere of an earthlike planet,
both races are able to absorb radiation emitted from that star;
radiation not found in red stars.  So far, it has been called solar
energy, but if it is dependent on 'light' energy, is not known, as
Superman's powers do not decrease significantly if kept in darkness over
a prolonged time.  His powers do decrease if he is away from a non-red
star over a period of time.  This absorbtion is a passive occurance
(exceptions noted below) , and constant, unless interfered with.

This energy is absorbed through the cells of the body that receive the
radiation (how deep is unknown) and powers a bio-field that is
telekinetic in origin.  This bio-field (a few inches thick, psionic in
origin) acts as a force-field, aborbing kinetic energy (or possibly
merely dispersing it, as impacts do not strengthen his field).  This
field also allows him to 'fly' (telekinetic levitation of the
bio-field).  The bio-field also seems to permeate his entire body and
acts as an additional support structure for his bones and muscles,
allowing him to lift great weights that the bipedal frame would not
normally allow.  It can be supposed that, like muscles, this field is
striated in muscle tissues, and shaped to further strengthen the tensile
strength of bone tissue.  

He is also been shown to be able to 'hold together' as he lifts, such
things as buildings, hills, and also shows the ability direct the flight
path of spaceships to which he is attached to the greater framework. 
Normally, lifting such a thing as a building from one point of the
structure would cause it to buckle, or he to just 'drill'  through the
pressure point.  The telekinetic bio-field seems to be what holds such
things together.  When his bio-field is in contact (when he touches
things basically) with an object that superman is manipulating, the
bio-field seems to spread about the surface of the object to maintain
structural integrity.  So hills of loose soil stay together, and his
strength is not merely at his point of contact.

Intersection of the bio-field is also important in cases of solar
absorbtion, when in some cases, this passive state can be increased in
rate, as in the case of Superman absorbing the energy that permeated
Rampage's body.  While in contact (perhaps with her bio-field as well),
Superman was able to speed up the process dramatically, dangerously
close to an overload state.  This projects the question on how Superman
would absorb energy in 'higher' powered suns (such as blue suns, or
white suns).  Would it maintain at the same constant rate, or would he
be threatened by an overload state?

[The fact that Valor was supposed to show different powers under
different suns in the upcoming series, much like some pre-crisis
superman stories show, suggest something altogether different..should be
interesting to see]

When in flight, Superman has observed how much easier it is to lift
objects than when merely standing.  It seems at this point that the same
TK principal that allows him to defy gravity to fly  is then transfered
to objects intersecting with his bio-field.  In these cases, it is only
his 'external' TK at work ('strength' useless, since he in not 'pushing'
against a surface of any kind).

Other psionic abilities empowered are clairvoyance that is interpreted
by the visual cortex of the brain (x-ray telescopic and microscopic
vision) that is dependent on 'line-of sight.'  Lead interferes with
these abilities. Clairaudience (telescopic hearing) works the same way,
but is interpreted aurally.  Heat vision is the TK ability to excite
molecules to a degree where heat is given off, and is also dependent on
line of sight.  Sometimes only his eyes are shown to glow red, while
other times a red laser-like beam can be seen 'shooting' from his eyes. 
These visuals can be ascribed to molecular excitement of particles
between his eyes and the object being excited, a sort of 'bleed over' of
his ability.

Daxamites are almost completely identical in powers, but show greater
strengths in all of the above.

It seems that the members of these races are dependent on the absorbtion
of this radiation to live.  Red suns seem to give off just enough to
maintain lifeforce, but not enough to empower the psionics.  This
dependency is shown in lead and kryptonite poisoning.  Both lead and
Kryptonite seem to interfere with this ability to absorb and utilise
this radiation/psionic ability.  How exactly is not known, but in the
case of Kryptonite, a radioactive substance, emissions may either
scramble the incoming waves, or scramble the bio-field.  Once Kryptonite
is removed, the bio-field absorbtion eventually resumes its normal rate,
and the 'poisoning' lessens.  Extended exposure to Kryptonite affects
the living tissues just like any highly radioactive substance would, as
seen in the case of lex luthor, who eventually had to have his hand
amputated from wearing a kryptonite ring, and possibly the direct cause
of the cancer that killed him.

The case of lead is harder to find a cause for, since lead is not
radioactive.  It does, however, absorb or shield radiation.  This solar
radiaton that Kryptonians and Saxamites absorb may actually be attracted
to substances like lead, drawing it away from the human,
poisoning/starving it.  Lead particulates may also be the cause of the
poisoning.  In this case, they scramble the absorbtion ability of the
cells and bio-field.  Lead poisoning in humans is an interesting
parallel (although much more difficult to die from in comparison), and
may indicate a genetic link directly to Daxamites (other meta-humans
that absorb radiation like Superman and Valor (rampage for instance) ,
or have similar power-sets of psionic abilities (Power Girl, Ultra-Boy)
also suggest this).  Lead poisoning is permanent in Daxamites, as
opposed to Kryptonite poisoning.  

The fact that the poisons are similar in nature suggests a common origin
for lead and Kryptonite.  Kryptonite poisoning does not affect Daxamites
however.  It may be suggested that Kryptonite is composed of lead and/
or a native mineral substance of Krypton (composed partly of lead)
radioactive in nature.  Ultra-boy's weaknesses to radiation and
inability to see through Inertron are parallel and suggestive.

Valor has been cured of lead poisoning in the past with cures invented
by Vril Dox II and Brainiac 5.  These cures also allow him to maintain
his powers under red-suns, which suggests that they may 'boost' the
absorbtion ability (since red suns dont output enough energy
regardless), and/or override lead interferences.
[previously, it was shown that the cure is not permanent, but including
Kryptonite improves it, and Kryptonite blood can make it permanent...how
this may have survived post-crisis, or post-pocket-universe is unknown].

Whew!!  I think I got 90% of it, as this was all off the top of my head.
 If I missed anything PLEASE let me know.  I tried to be complete.


michael