Tevun-Krus #6 - Superhuman

Super Human?

Yes, Super Human.

According to the @ForbiddenPlanet’s Guide to SciFi Sub-Genre Definitions, Super Human SciFi refers to,

…the alteration of a human’s physical form. (Which can) include anything from genetic alteration to radiation enhancement creating super powers.

When I hear “super human” my mind immediately jumps to Superman. Super strength, the ability to fly, laser vision, speed, super senses… the list goes on and on.

From there, I think of the list Edna Mode—you know, the designer in the movie, The Incredibles—rattles off when Mr. Incredible comes to her when he wants to get back into “super-hero-ing”. What she ends up supplying him with is a suit, sans cape, that is not only bullet proof and flexible, but also machine-washable.

“Super human” is definitely synonymous with “super hero”. However, it’s like a super-human super hero; it includes so much, well, more.

The @ForbiddenPlanet definition continues,

Accidental alteration can also occur. Sometimes this is negative and is referred to as “mutation”.

Who does your mind immediately jump to? ...I think of a number of sad heroines, particularly Rogue from XMen. (I mean, will you ever forget in XMen III when she gave up her powers? Yes, I know that was one of many, many flaws in the movie, but can you really say you didn’t want to jump out of your seat and strangle her a little?) Weather or not they see their abilities as a blessing or a curse, mutants are always super human and sometimes super heroes.

The exception to this is when a human turns into an animal. Sometimes the line between SciFi and Fantasy is a bit blurry. We realize this. But when a person turns into an animal—such as a *cough* wolf—it is more of a shape-shifting subgnre of fantasy lit than super human scifi. That’s not to say that shapeshifters can’t have super human (or super hero) characteristics, just that it’s a matter of what fits best, and where.

One of my favorite parts of super human scifi is the juxtaposition of good and evil.

Do you use your power for good?

…for evil?

Do you wish your power away?

One of the traits that you have to give Rogue credit for is that—no matter how horrible the film—she made a brave decision and carried it through. I think some people would call that courage. Others would give her props for honor. Regardless, I think this subgenre can be stretched a little to also include acts of extreme characteristics, such as bravery; traits that we see in such a small percentage of our own and in the lives of others that they stand out like beacons on a hill. Maybe this is why we are so drawn to super human scifi—we’ve all got a little piece of super human inside of us that’s just waiting to be released.