In 2008 Planet Science celebrated Superman's 70th birthday by inviting Planet Science readers to create a new generation of superhero(in)es and villain(esse)s. WOW! The winning characters feature in the exciting ten page science comic strip 'Battle for Planet Science' drawn by the comic strip artist Graham Manley and the winners received a signed copy of their character.

OOH! In fact, it was a double celebration. The 'Battle for Planet Science' comic strip was launched on the 16th of January 2009 in the 300th edition of the Planet Science newsletter.

The Planet Super Powers! Competition asked young people to engineer the next generation of superhero(in)es and villain(esse)s.

The two age groups are:

1. 5-to-10
2. 8-to-10
3. 11-to-14

The two competition categories were:

1. best character design (drawing, probably plus notes)
2. best science based super power (can be just writing or with drawing).

Planet Super Powers! is based on the Engineering Super Powers pilot project.

[Click a drawing to see the comic strip version]

The award for 5-7 Best Design goes to.....

Super Egg Man by Eliza McMaster
His super powers include smell, sight, strength, hearing and super bodily fluids. Super snot covers the villains in mucus sticking them in their tracks. Perhaps it's just as well his multicoloured eye mask hides his identity.

The award for 11-14 Best Design goes to.....

The Unkown designed by Ryan Mendes

A streamlined mini head helmet with laser, electronic, x-ray vision AND magnification - the accessory to have! The novel flexible extendible super suit with string system allows the wearer to shape shift and the breathing hole absorbs oxygen in liquids. Plus interchangeable hands and shoe propellers.

The award for 8-10 Best Design goes to.....

Recycle Girl by Tayah Robinson

The latest must have is a super stretchy baggy super suit made from recycled materials that keeps perspiration at underarm's length. This green girl is a super heroine with a mission to save the world without killing or maiming a single villain - instead she persuades people to recycle with her recycled plastic pingers!

You must have noticed that when out working superheroes and villains don't usually dress like ordinary people. Superman, when he isn't blending in as Clark Kent, takes off his glasses, reaches for his cape and wears his underpants on the outside. The Fantastic Four and The Incredibles opted for unisex protective superhero uniforms with their logo on it. Wonder Woman has a pair of bullet deflecting bracelets and a golden tiara that makes a handy boomerang. While Iron Man invented his own suit of armour that gives him super strength and protection.

[Click a drawing to see the comic strip version]

And the award for 5-7 Best Science Based Super Power goes to.....

Sapphire Soilder by Nicholas Ng

Is it a bird... is it a plane... no it's a flying hero with shape-shifting steel wings. He has piercing spikes that can freeze and his diamond shooter is not a villain's best friend. His bright blinding light is a simple but effective super power.

And the award for 8-10 Best Science Based Super Power goes to.....

Cyber by Hal Batty

Engineered to perfection his skin molecules are fused with titanium and razor sharp diamond edged laser enhanced claws. Enhanced flexibility, artificial muscles, carbon fibre spring joints and 360º vision. Armed with a laser cannon, sonic disrupter and nano-needles on his fingers Cyber is a formidable enemy.

Award for 11-14 Best Science Based Super Power goes to....

Methane Man invented by Liam Mellon

Until he learned how to harness the hot air in his pants, days were spent idly breaking wind. Now his engineered back pack transforms his farts into flames. An endless supply of fuel makes his flame thrower a silent but violent super power!

A lot of superheroes and villains were created by science fiction writers and their super powers are based on science facts that were changed to become science fiction. The Hulk, Spider-Man and Dr Octopus all have super powers based on exposure to radiation or a radioactive substance. Even with all the advances in science and technology it is still not possible for radiation to create super powers.

Batman is different. He doesn't have alien or science fiction super powers. Instead he spent years training his mind and body in preparation for fighting criminals. (Ahh. Wonder if that's what keeps him looking young!) But it's Batman's use of science to create super powered gadgets that gives him the advantage over the villains. Batman first appeared in 1939 and his utility belt contained many amazing miniaturised gadgets that included a miniature camera. Today, with advances in science and technology, you can get miniature cameras that are also mobile phones, mp3 players and you can surf the Internet!