dub@pur-phy.UUCP (Dwight U. Bartholomew) (07/14/84)
To all readers: I was recently looking back at some of the arguements that had been flying around the network. I was particularly enthralled by the comparision of SUperman to Darth Vader. No one really expressed a view point on either side, so I will. Of course, Superman isn't called Superman because of his blue hair. His power comes from the yellow sun and it has made him all powerful in many respects. But, without the yellow sun he would have grown up to be a normal man. On the other hand, we have Darth Vader who was born with no super powers and yet through training and time he became the most powerful person next to the Emperor. Vader's powers come from the mind and all its splendor. He doesn't have to rely on his environment. Compared to Superman, Vader is superior. While Superman can move planets, he is powerless without a yellow sun. Vader has many mental powers and, though his body may be crippled, he would still have these powers. I would say that Superman would have a disadvantage if he were to fight against Darth Vader. Paul Simmington Northeastern Univ. Boston MA
jab@uokvax.UUCP (07/17/84)
#R:pur-phy:-136900:uokvax:11900009:000:1501
uokvax!jab Jul 16 22:42:00 1984
/***** uokvax:net.comics / pur-phy!dub / 12:48 am Jul 14, 1984 */
On the other hand, we have Darth Vader who was born with no
super powers and yet through training and time he became the
most powerful person next to the Emperor. Vader's powers come from
the mind and all its splendor. He doesn't have to rely on his
environment. Compared to Superman, Vader is superior.
/* ---------- */
So refreshing to hear another view. I haven't decided WHO would win,
since, well, Superman frequently would fly into the center of our sun
to cleanse himself of deadly bacteria before interacting with humans,
and Darth, on the other hand, could cause the sun to go nova at the
same time. ("The power to destroy a planet is insignificant when compared
to the power of the force," if I remember.)
Or what about Superman during a solar eclipse? OOPS! (The comics weren't
too specific on this point, but it he doesn't get the yellow sun's rays,
isn't he sunk? Perhaps, like solar cells, he "stores" energy for cloudy
days.)
Then again, Superman remains calm and in control; Darth doesn't. This means
that pressed for alternatives, Superman should be the one who is the least
agitated, which is an advantage.
If they hit a stalemate, and both die of old age, Vader will win by
default: he can father children and Superman can't. (Read Niven's
"Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" for details.)
You cannot convince me that Superman stands a chance against a light saber,
though. No way.
Jeff Bowles
Lisle, ILharry@ucbvax.UUCP (Harry I. Rubin) (07/22/84)
Supes seems to need to be in the vicinity of a yellow sun,
not necessarily to be bathed in its light, as he does OK during
Earth nights. It is the lesser gravity of the yellow sun Sol which gives
him his muscular powers ("...able to leap tall buildings ..."),
I don't understand that - college physics said we are effected by
Earth's gravity primarily. His other powers come from the different
radiation of the yellow sun as compared to the red sun of his homeworld.
OK, but he still seems to have his powers in interstellar space.
I dunno, any help from the net??
Why do you say Supes would stand no chance against a light saber?
Unless he was under a red sun the silly thing couldn't hurt him if it hit
him, and super-speed and super-reflexes would keep him from getting hit
in the first place.
Harry