If you are going to enjoy a superhero movie you need to be able to suspend disbelief, especially if you are scientifically inclined. There is just too much that is just plain impossible. If we moaned about every little detail that wasn’t quite correct by some law of physics, then we’d ruin the film for almost anyone who has the misfortune of being within shouting distance. This is why The Secret Science of Superheroes doesn’t try to pick holes in movies or comic book stories. We don’t spend time explaining why spaceships don’t need wings, or why starships always have the same orientation when they meet in space. We don’t quibble over the fact that lasers beams can’t be seen from the side, unless there is something around to scatter the light, or why they don’t make ‘puchu puchu’ noises when fired. Neither do we point out that Iron Man’s armour is no use to him in a crash, since what he requires is something more like a crumple zone or an air bag, instead of a suit constructed from inflexible titanium. We don’t discuss why being hit by a bullet won’t throw you backwards, because of something we call momentum.