I think Supes is immortal

[kiuju2k]

Is that ok with you(attempt to get involved)

 

[Whirlysplat]

True. But then, I've always had a problem with that aswell. Really, if he can grow up as fast as we do, he can grow old as fast as we do.

Not really, because he only gained his powers once the solar radiation reached a certain point and his physiology reached a certain point. We can say that's when his Kryptonian heritage kicked in.

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

His Kryptonian heratige was always there. He didn't just suddenly turn Kryptonian when he turned 18. He was always Kryptonian.

 

[Whirlysplat]

His Kryptonian heratige was always there. He didn't just suddenly turn Kryptonian when he turned 18. He was always Kryptonian.

That's not what I said. I said that his powers only activated when his body reached a level of maturity (perhaps a bit like puberty) and his body gained sufficient solar charge, which is what happened. The Physiology was present but the characteristics were not exhibited until that point. A simple analogy in humans is the way the female breast responds to Oestrogen in puberty, up until puberty, male and female chests are identical this is not the case after puberty.

- Whirly

 

[Eros]

I beleive in a sense superman can be Immortal, because Superman stands for so much. Long after he is gone, his name and his legend will live on forever. His contribution to the world will be forever lasting i beleive, and in that way yes Superman is Immortal. as man superman can and will die some day, and as a symbol [ala batman begins] he will live forever.

 

[Kool-Aid]

True. Still, a long lifespan doesn't technically make one immortal. It simply means that the person in question is quite old. But they could still be capable of dying.

Meh..they call vampiers immortal and they can be killed.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Meh..they call vampiers immortal and they can be killed.

Agreed immortality is subjective particularly when applied to comic characters.

The "gods" small g of many a mythology are often reffered to as immortal and can die. They are reffered to as immortal due to the potentially limitless lifespan. The Asgardians immortality was dependant on an Apple tree for christs sake.

- Whirly

 

[yahman]

Totally off Topic, but how long is Brusiek going to be writing the Aventures of Superman for ? Whose going to be writing Action Comics after up , up and away ?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Busiek is writing Action Comics solo and co-writing Superman with Fabian Niceiza after "Up, Up, and Away." I don't know who's coming on after him, but I'm pretty excited for Superman. The Thunderbolts writing team on Superman, with Carlos Pacheco on pencils. It's bound to be awesome.

Agreed immortality is subjective particularly when applied to comic characters.

The "gods" small g of many a mythology are often reffered to as immortal and can die. They are reffered to as immortal due to the potentially limitless lifespan. The Asgardians immortality was dependant on an Apple tree for christs sake.

- Whirly

I've never thought of "immortality" as being truly unkillable, myself. "Immortal" to me refers to any being that doesn't age and could thus potentially live forever. Vampires can be killed but they still qualify as immortal since they don't age. Same for any other race or beings who can live forever due to lack of aging.

In the comics, the Asgardians have never been immortal by any definition. They age, it's just really, really slow, and they can absolutely be killed. Not much point to a race of warrior gods if they have no risk of dying in battle, after all.

 

[The Question]

To me, not aging doesn't equate immortality. It simply equates not aging. True immortality, the way I see it, requires one to be truely unkillable. Otherwise, you're just nigh indestructible.

 

[Whirlysplat]

In the comics, the Asgardians have never been immortal by any definition. They age, it's just really, really slow, and they can absolutely be killed. Not much point to a race of warrior gods if they have no risk of dying in battle, after all.

I agree but they refer to themselves as immortal all the time.

- Whirly

 

[Whirlysplat]

To me, not aging doesn't equate immortality. It simply equates not aging. True immortality, the way I see it, requires one to be truely unkillable. Otherwise, you're just nigh indestructible.

Well Cancer cells are reffered to in Biology as immortal. Your definition is your own.

- Whirly

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I agree but they refer to themselves as immortal all the time.

- Whirly

Yeah, but they're just arrogant SoBs.

 

[The Question]

Well Cancer cells are reffered to in Biology as immortal. Your definition is your own.

- Whirly

.......weird.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Yeah, but they're just arrogant SoBs.

.......weird.

but true and they are called immortal because they do not age

http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/Articles/agingcancer.html

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

Wow. Don't agree with the use of that term at all.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Wow. Don't agree with the use of that term at all.

However whether you do or not is immaterial as it is an accepted medical term and is because it doesn't age and can constantly divide like a young cell.

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

Are you sure that's the accepted medical term, or just the term that that fellow used? Because, immortal doesn't mean "doesn't age." It means "doesn't die." And there is a difference between the two.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Are you sure that's the accepted medical term, or just the term that that fellow used? Because, immortal doesn't mean "doesn't age." It means "doesn't die." And there is a difference between the two.

Well I lecture Biology, so yes, i'm sure but if you want proof.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Cancer+immortal+cells&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

Seems odd to me. But whatever.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Seems odd to me. But whatever.

So looked at in those terms Supes is immortal

- Whirly

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The biology definition is different from the general definition, though. Question's right, actually. In general vernacular, "immortal" means something that's not subject to death.

 

[Whirlysplat]

The biology definition is different from the general definition, though. Question's right, actually. In general vernacular, "immortal" means something that's not subject to death.

Ahh and this is the point semantics enters into it.

Because many "gods" small g are not subject to natural death but can be killed. For example Egyptian gods.

I hate to use Wike to back anything with all its drawbacks but.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality#Definitions_of_immortality

- Whirly

 

[The Question]

So looked at in those terms Supes is immortal

- Whirly

No, he's not. Because he still ages. And if you look at immortal through the idea of not aging, then Superman is not immortal.

Ahh and this is the ppoint semantics enters into it.



Because many "gods" small g are not subject to natural death but can be killed. For example Egyptian gods.



I hate to use Wike to back anything with all its drawbacks but.....



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality#Definitions_of_immortality



- Whirly

Being a god doesn't necessairily mean you're immortal. Many gods in fiction (or the fiction I read, at least) have said that they're harder to kill than humans, but they can be killed.

 

[Whirlysplat]

No, he's not. Because he still ages. And if you look at immortal through the idea of not aging, then Superman is not immortal.

It depends which version of Superman you are talking about. He did not seem to have aged beyond his present form in 1 million and if a being lived as long as the Universe whilst still aging they would be immortal in Universal terms. The Universe itself is not immortal as it will eventually become old and die. So in Universal terms any being that lives as long as the Universe is immortal.

- Whirly