Unstable molecules
Encyclopedia
Unstable molecules are a piece of fictional technology featured in Marvel Comics
. They exist as a configuration of unknown atomic nuclei and electron
s that are responsive to certain energized matter around them. Developed by Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic
of the Fantastic Four
), unstable molecules are typically utilized in fabrics for superhero
or supervillain
costumes, allowing the fabric to conform with the wearer's form and to not succumb to the wearer's powers. For example, as Mr. Fantastic stretches, his costume stretches with him instead of tearing. The same goes for his teammates: the Invisible Woman
's costume becomes invisible when she does and the Human Torch
's costume doesn't burn when he activates his powers. Essentially, it acts as an extension of the wearer's skin.
's costumes, as well as Henry Pym
's. Mr. Fantastic also made a suit of unstable molecules for Spider-Man
which allowed him to masquerade as Venom). The formula has occasionally been stolen by supervillains such as the Mad Thinker
(who used it to create Awesome Andy
), as well. It was also swiped by Taylor Industries, the company owned by Night Thrasher
. Reed Richards allowed Thrasher's team, the New Warriors
to keep the costumes they had, so they could fight crime more effectively. The Power Pack
had costumes made of unstable molecules manufactured for them by the Kymellian
smartship Friday
; as the alien Kymellians had no direct contact with Earth natives prior to this, it's possible that they developed their own form of unstable molecules, as certain Kymellians naturally develop super-powers.
The molecules also had a downside. The Trapster
once defeated Reed Richards through the use of a white powder which rendered unstable molecules inert, thereby preventing Reed's suit from stretching with him. Also, if repulsors are set to a certain frequency, synchs the atoms in the materials and breaks them down.
Although a potentially lucrative commercial enterprise, unstable molecules are deemed too dangerous for use by the public in general - when a fashion designer procured a small sample of unstable-molecule fabric and attempted to have the process reverse engineered, the "lock" kept on the molecules by Mr. Fantastic was undone, unleashing their instability, which spread to neighbouring molecules in a chain reaction that dissolved surrounding matter, including humans. The reaction was thankfully contained by the Invisible Woman
.
To a certain extent the phrase has become a source of humour regarding the pseudo scientific
explanations that arose during the Silver Age of Comics.
, the origin of unstable molecules was not a deliberate invention on Reed's part, but actually mere chance; the FF's suits consisted of an all-purpose bodysuit that Victor von Doom and Susan Storm had developed to be worn under their astronaut suits while on the survey mission that resulted in the team acquiring their powers, the suits thus being exposed to the same cosmic radiation as their wearers and gaining the ability to change in the same manner.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. They exist as a configuration of unknown atomic nuclei and electron
Electron
The electron is a subatomic particle with a negative elementary electric charge. It has no known components or substructure; in other words, it is generally thought to be an elementary particle. An electron has a mass that is approximately 1/1836 that of the proton...
s that are responsive to certain energized matter around them. Developed by Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic
Mister Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
of the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
), unstable molecules are typically utilized in fabrics for superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
or supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
costumes, allowing the fabric to conform with the wearer's form and to not succumb to the wearer's powers. For example, as Mr. Fantastic stretches, his costume stretches with him instead of tearing. The same goes for his teammates: the Invisible Woman
Invisible Woman
Susan "Sue" Storm Richards is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, and was the first female superhero created by Marvel in the Silver Age of Comics...
's costume becomes invisible when she does and the Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
's costume doesn't burn when he activates his powers. Essentially, it acts as an extension of the wearer's skin.
History
Unstable molecules are not generally employed by heroes other than the Fantastic Four, whose day-to-day clothes are treated with them to allow for use of their powers in situations that do not require their uniforms, although Mr. Fantastic has, on rare occasion, gifted fellow superheroes with costumes of the material (most notably the X-MenX-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
's costumes, as well as Henry Pym
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
's. Mr. Fantastic also made a suit of unstable molecules for Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
which allowed him to masquerade as Venom). The formula has occasionally been stolen by supervillains such as the Mad Thinker
Mad Thinker
The Mad Thinker is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . He is a genius specializing in evil robotics and usually comes up with very elaborate infallible devious plans that unfold like clockwork....
(who used it to create Awesome Andy
Awesome Andy
The Awesome Android, , is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
), as well. It was also swiped by Taylor Industries, the company owned by Night Thrasher
Night Thrasher
Night Thrasher is a fictional character, a superhero published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Thor #411 , and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz.-Publication history:...
. Reed Richards allowed Thrasher's team, the New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
to keep the costumes they had, so they could fight crime more effectively. The Power Pack
Power Pack
Power Pack is a fictional team of comic book superheroes consisting of four young siblings who appear in books published by Marvel Comics. They were created by writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman and first appeared in their own series in 1984. The series lasted 62 issues...
had costumes made of unstable molecules manufactured for them by the Kymellian
Kymellian
The Kymellians are a fictional extraterrestrial race that have appeared in many Marvel Comics. They were introduced in Power Pack #1 .-Fictional biography:...
smartship Friday
Smartship Friday
Smartship Friday is a fictional starship in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared in Power Pack #1 and was created by Louise Simonson and June Brigman.-Fictional history:...
; as the alien Kymellians had no direct contact with Earth natives prior to this, it's possible that they developed their own form of unstable molecules, as certain Kymellians naturally develop super-powers.
The molecules also had a downside. The Trapster
Trapster
The Trapster , originally known as Paste Pot Pete, is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:...
once defeated Reed Richards through the use of a white powder which rendered unstable molecules inert, thereby preventing Reed's suit from stretching with him. Also, if repulsors are set to a certain frequency, synchs the atoms in the materials and breaks them down.
Although a potentially lucrative commercial enterprise, unstable molecules are deemed too dangerous for use by the public in general - when a fashion designer procured a small sample of unstable-molecule fabric and attempted to have the process reverse engineered, the "lock" kept on the molecules by Mr. Fantastic was undone, unleashing their instability, which spread to neighbouring molecules in a chain reaction that dissolved surrounding matter, including humans. The reaction was thankfully contained by the Invisible Woman
Invisible Woman
Susan "Sue" Storm Richards is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, and was the first female superhero created by Marvel in the Silver Age of Comics...
.
To a certain extent the phrase has become a source of humour regarding the pseudo scientific
Rubber science
Rubber Science is a tongue-in-cheek science fiction term describing a quasi-scientific explanation for an aspect of a science fiction setting. Rubber science explanations are fictional but sound convincing enough to avoid upsetting the suspension of disbelief. Rubber science is a feature of most...
explanations that arose during the Silver Age of Comics.
Other uses
- The name was also used in the name of Fantastic Four: Unstable MoleculesFantastic Four: Unstable MoleculesFantastic Four: Unstable Molecules is a four-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. The series imagines that the creators of the Fantastic Four were inspired by people encountered in their own lives during the late 1950s and provides a backstory for those analogues.- Plot:Dr...
, an Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
-winning miniseries published by Marvel in 2004, and written by James SturmJames SturmJames Sturm is an American cartoonist, Xeric Award-winner, and co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont...
with artwork by Guy Davis. - Unstable molecule fabric have become a common material by the time of the Marvel 2099Marvel 2099Marvel 2099 is a Marvel Comics imprint, started in 1992, that explores one possible future of the Marvel Universe. It was originally announced by Stan Lee in his "Stan's Soapbox" column as a single series entitled The Marvel World of Tomorrow, which was being developed by Lee and John Byrne...
line of comics (referred to as UMF for short), to the extent that Miguel O'Hara, Spider-Man 2099Spider-Man 2099Spider-Man 2099 is a fictional comic book superhero, created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi in 1992 for Marvel Comics' Marvel 2099 line. His secret alter ego is Miguel O'Hara, a brilliant geneticist living in New York in the year 2099 A.D...
, owned a Day of the DeadDay of the DeadDay of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality...
costume made of them. This costume became associated with his Spider-Man identity, as it was the only UMF clothing that he had. Although available as clothing of the ultimate durability, it is implied to be quite expensive to purchase. - SlapstickSlapstick (comics)Slapstick is a Marvel Comics superhero created in the early nineties. He debuted in Slapstick #1, November , created by Len Kaminski and James Fry...
has a body composed of living unstable molecules dubbed Electroplasm. Similarly, Morph of the ExilesExiles (Marvel Comics)The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
once said his body is made of Unstable Molecules.
In other media
In the film adaptationFantastic Four (film)
Fantastic Four is a 2005 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics comic Fantastic Four. It was directed by Tim Story, and released by 20th Century Fox. It is the second live-action Fantastic Four film to be filmed. The previous attempt, a B-movie produced by Roger Corman only for the...
, the origin of unstable molecules was not a deliberate invention on Reed's part, but actually mere chance; the FF's suits consisted of an all-purpose bodysuit that Victor von Doom and Susan Storm had developed to be worn under their astronaut suits while on the survey mission that resulted in the team acquiring their powers, the suits thus being exposed to the same cosmic radiation as their wearers and gaining the ability to change in the same manner.