Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex
"Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" is a 1971 essay in which science fiction author Larry Niven details the problems that Superman would face in having sexual intercourse and reproducing with "a human woman designated LL for convenience," using arguments based on humorous (yet logical) reconciliation between physics, biology, and the abilities of Kryptonians as presented in Superman comic books.
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[edit] Publication history
The essay was first printed in Niven's 1971 collection, All the Myriad Ways.[1]
In 1986, the essay was reposted onto Usenet; this led to what is thought to be the very first online report of copyright violation.[citation needed]
The essay was also reprinted in the 1990 Niven compilation N-Space.[2]
A comic book-style adaptation — illustrated by classic Superman artist Curt Swan, and with all identifying logos and names removed — was published in a 1995 edition of Penthouse Comix.[3]
In 2007, a YouTube video adaptation of the essay was made, with the permission of Niven.[citation needed] It was adapted by "JackDanyells" and starred him as Superman, Rachel Gorton as LL, and VenetianPrincess as Supergirl.
[edit] Other uses
Many of the points given in this essay are reused and paraphrased in Kevin Smith's 1995 movie Mallrats.
In Frank Miller's comic Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Superman touches on the theme of the essay when asked about sex by Lara, his teenage daughter by Wonder Woman.
In issue 6 of The Boys, Butcher mentions that his human wife was killed when, after being impregnated by a super-human, the super-powered fetus kicked its way out of her stomach.
The TV series Smallville also cited the same argument to explain why Clark refused to sleep with Lana Lang when he was in possession of his super powers. They were, however, able to have sex when she as well as he was (intermittently) super-powered in Seasons 7 and 8. In the Season 9 episode, "Escape," Clark tells Chloe that part of his training in the Fortress of Solitude included learning how to control his powers to such a degree that he wouldn't harm a human woman during sex.
In the 2008 movie Hancock, the "dangerous ejaculation" scenario is illustrated in a deleted scene when, at the point of climax, he throws his partner aside to save her, blowing three large holes in the roof of his trailer.
Tom Smith's "Superman Sex-Life Boogie" recounts the problem from Superman's perspective.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Penthouse Comix' "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" reprinted in full (with Swan illustrations)
- Original 1986 Usenet discussion of copyright violation
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