In Episode 40 of Rabbit Hole of Research, we conclude our Fantastic Four series by stretching the limits of biology—literally. With special guest Maria Dowell, MD, pediatrician at Laurie Children’s Hospital and faculty at Northwestern, we explore the anatomy, biomechanics, and energy demands behind Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. From the physics of skin elasticity to the implausibility of flexible bones, we unravel what it would take for a human body to elongate, reshape, and rebound like a superhero. We also examine insect proteins like resilin, speculate on non-Newtonian extracellular matrices, and calculate how many Big Macs it would take to fuel a full-body stretch. It’s elasticity, evolution, and extreme biology—taken to comic book extremes.
Catch up on the rest of the Fantastic Four series before you go see the movie:
What does it take—biologically—for a human to vanish? Is invisibility an evolutionary leap, a physics hack, or a glitch in perception? Guest: Writer and cultural critic Nick Ulanowski.
EP38: Ben Grimm and The Thing About Skin
NYT bestselling author Jonathan Maberry joins us to explore the handwavium, biology, and symbolism behind strong skin—from the Thing’s rocky dermis to memory tattoos and the scars that shape identity.
EP39: Johnny Storm and Spontaneous Combustion
We torch the handwavium behind Marvel’s hottest character—Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. Dr. David Pincus of the University of Chicago explores how biology might survive a “Flame On!”
And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific Horizons
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
If you could have one superpower from the Fantastic Four, which would you choose—and why?
What’s your theory for how Reed Richards avoids ripping his skin or dislocating joints?
Should comics even bother with scientific explanations for superpowers—or just embrace the weird?
Future Episodes & Events
EP41: Crimes Through Time
Releases August 6
Author Lee Matthew Goldberg joins us for a time-twisting dive into memory, criminal psychology, and speculative storytelling.
EP42: Broken Futures: Trauma and the Human Condition
Releases August 20
Author Ben Tanzer joins us to examine how trauma reshapes the mind, the body, and our imagined futures.
EP43: Animal Swarms
Releases September 3
Swarm behavior, emergent intelligence, and the biology of the collective—science communicator Josh Fisher joins us to explore the strange genius of animals that move as one.
EP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between
Releases September 17
Cultural critic and writer Maud Lavin joins us to explore Lake Michigan as biome, metaphor, and muse. We dive into the intersections of ecology, identity, politics, memory, and myth.
Events:
Live Q&A Event: Joe will be doing a book club Q&A at Reed’s Local on July 29 for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else by Jotham Austin II. Event details here
Dragon Con: Joe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Join him for panels, shop talk, and rabbit holes galore.
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