(The cover to MISTER TERRIFIC #7)

In MISTER TERRIFIC, the third smartest man alive uses his brains as much as his superhero brawn ­and writer Eric Wallace has made a point of weaving real-world scientific concepts into the decidedly science-fiction exploits of his titular hero. THE SCIENCE AND ENTERTAINMENT EXCHANGE caught up with Wallace to discuss some of the scientific underpinnings behind MISTER TERRIFIC's ongoing series for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

"I always try to keep the science in Mister Terrific as accurate as possible. But yes, sometimes story trumps science when it comes to entertaining plots. A perfect example of this occurs in MISTER TERRIFIC #3," said Wallace. "The villain Brainstorm is using cognitive enhancing neurotransmitters to increase intelligence in unsuspecting humans, which he later feeds on. Okay, a villain who 'eats' intelligence? It's far out, but maybe it could happen. And there are actual theories out there about chemicals in the brain that may or may not enhance cognitive functions. So far, the science is a bit futuristic yet still plausible."