And I suddenly wonder if he actually died a bajillion times, or if we were just witnessing him seeing all of those possible futures one at a time. In his mind, it all happened, but the whole thing may have happened in the blink of an eye. Nera only remembers the one where they got out alive. Jonah thought it was a one-time freak thing, until they actually escaped from A-Sig, and then he started seeing other possible futures, and he realized that he was suddenly capable of something extraordinary.
I think (even if it kills my answer up there) he never actually died.
His brain was slowly getting used to see all those futures, so he “lived” them at first until it learned to read into them and turn them into processed info for him to understand they were alternate futures.
Most people would not need to be able to see the future to know what would happen if you stick batteries up your nose. Some might do it anyway. He could be one of those guys.
To be fair to Jonah, the way “science” works in SH, and superhero comics generally, it would not be totally unreasonable to suspect batteries up your nose would produce enhanced intelligence: Brain activity is bioelectrical => batteries produce electricity => Batteries in proximity to your brain will make you smarter.
It’s dumb, but not categorically moreso than radioactive spider venom giving you super strength or shifted spectrum solar radiation allowing you to fly (or whatever Superman’s deal is, I was never all that clear on it) or digesting brain tissue making zombies smarter.
Superman’s deal is that he is from a high-gravity planet, so he can do all sorts of things that you could do in low gravity. Or that any writer at any one time thought you could do in low gravity.
And the gravity on his world of origin was higher because it was under a red giant star, of course. Because those are big, and thus have more gravity.
“And the gravity on his world of origin was higher because it was under a red giant star, of course. Because those are big, and thus have more gravity.”
I think that captures the spirit of Gold and Silver Age comic book science pretty well.
Maybe he knew that Ginny would put together some important information while she removed the batteries? Something about the association of a brain with electrically powered equipment…like Nick and all those machines?
No, because he doesn’t think. He sees a future he likes and he does what he sees to get there, he doesn’t think if there might be a better way of getting there. His powers have been observed to be a crutch like that a few times before.
Well, unless he’s changed his backup point, I wouldn’t recommend sending him in. First time he gets killed, it’s back to the shoe maintenance film theater.
So… use that sheer persistence and break into the top-secret facility. Why is this so hard? Man up, Jonah.
’cause he’s not sure he’ll respawn if he dies again this time!
I don’t remember how that was explained in the original story. Anyone?
He fell in to Anasigma’s interdimensional gate with a wrench.
And I suddenly wonder if he actually died a bajillion times, or if we were just witnessing him seeing all of those possible futures one at a time. In his mind, it all happened, but the whole thing may have happened in the blink of an eye. Nera only remembers the one where they got out alive. Jonah thought it was a one-time freak thing, until they actually escaped from A-Sig, and then he started seeing other possible futures, and he realized that he was suddenly capable of something extraordinary.
I think (even if it kills my answer up there) he never actually died.
His brain was slowly getting used to see all those futures, so he “lived” them at first until it learned to read into them and turn them into processed info for him to understand they were alternate futures.
Play to your strengths and you’ll always win. Give him more batteries before they send them in.
Why would a guy who can see the future stick batteries up his nose in the first place?
Most people would not need to be able to see the future to know what would happen if you stick batteries up your nose. Some might do it anyway. He could be one of those guys.
To be fair to Jonah, the way “science” works in SH, and superhero comics generally, it would not be totally unreasonable to suspect batteries up your nose would produce enhanced intelligence: Brain activity is bioelectrical => batteries produce electricity => Batteries in proximity to your brain will make you smarter.
It’s dumb, but not categorically moreso than radioactive spider venom giving you super strength or shifted spectrum solar radiation allowing you to fly (or whatever Superman’s deal is, I was never all that clear on it) or digesting brain tissue making zombies smarter.
Given that back in Narbonic, Dave uploaded his mind by sticking a cable up his nose….
Superman’s deal is that he is from a high-gravity planet, so he can do all sorts of things that you could do in low gravity. Or that any writer at any one time thought you could do in low gravity.
And the gravity on his world of origin was higher because it was under a red giant star, of course. Because those are big, and thus have more gravity.
Comic books work best when you don’t try to dissect the science in them too much.
“And the gravity on his world of origin was higher because it was under a red giant star, of course. Because those are big, and thus have more gravity.”
I think that captures the spirit of Gold and Silver Age comic book science pretty well.
“If this was going to kill me, I’d know, so whatever.”
LOVE Dr. Lee’s look – talk about concentration, consternation, and so on. A battery of emotions.
(rimshot)
Maybe he knew that Ginny would put together some important information while she removed the batteries? Something about the association of a brain with electrically powered equipment…like Nick and all those machines?
If Jonah was capable of that kind of subtlety, I’d like to think he’d come up with a better plan than batteries up the nose.
No, because he doesn’t think. He sees a future he likes and he does what he sees to get there, he doesn’t think if there might be a better way of getting there. His powers have been observed to be a crutch like that a few times before.
Well, unless he’s changed his backup point, I wouldn’t recommend sending him in. First time he gets killed, it’s back to the shoe maintenance film theater.
“Save early, save often, and don’t overwrite saves.”
– Sierra Entertainment, Inc.
Please don’t tell,
No, no, no.
He’ll just say “I told you so!”
Maybe just a rumor at this end.
We can’t say
That it’s true.
We’ll just see it through and through.
Since we don’t believe it, it’s La-La-Land.
You recall the kid who says his future sight is strong.
That is what he says, of course, we think that he’s all wrong.
What he’s done,
Juxtapose.
What he’s wearing within his nose.
Jonah Yu got scary a while ago.
—from “Peggy Sue Got Married,” Buddy Holly.